Did you know a round of the World Rally Championship takes place in Cyprus every year?

The rally in 100 words: Since 1970, the Cyprus Rally has put car and crew to a significant test. And while the current format is a little less taxing than it once was, underestimating the challenging nature of this rallying heavyweight would be a big mistake. To mark its return to the ERC roster in 2014 for the first time since 1999, a ground-breaking street stage through the United Nations-controlled Buffer Zone between Nicosia’s Greek Cypriot and Turkish inhabited areas was organised and generated considerable interest. Although fundamentally a gravel rally, some Tarmac sections feature, while punishing ambient and ground temperatures are often a factor.

Event eligibility:
FIA European Rally Championship 2019, round 7 of 8

Also counting for…
​FIA ERC2, FIA ERC3, FIA European Rally Championship for Teams, ERC Nations’ Cup, ERC Ladies’ Trophy

What’s new for 2019?
The Cyprus moves back from June to September. The last time the event ran during September was in 2015.

Previous winners:
2018: Simos Galatariotis/Antonios Ioannou (ŠKODA Fabia R5)
2017: Nasser Al-Attiyah/Matthieu Baumel (Ford Fiesta R5)
2016: Alexey Lukyanuk/Alexey Arnautov (Ford Fiesta R5)
2015: Nasser Al-Attiyah/Matthieu Baumel (Ford Fiesta R5)
2014: Yazeed Al-Rajhi/Michael Orr (Ford Fiesta RRC)

Five facts:
1: The Cyprus Rally’s origins date back to 1970 when Victor Zachariades won in a Fiat 125.
2: While Nasser Al-Attiyah is the rally’s most successful driver with five victories, other winners include Stig Blomqvist, Colin McRae, Petter Solberg, Ari Vatanen and current European championship leader Alexey Lukyanuk, who took top honours in 2016.
3: There have been 10 ‘home’ winners of the Cyprus Rally since the first edition in 1970. Prior to Simos Galatariotis and Antonios Ioannou winning in 2018, Nicos Thomas and Spiros Georgiou were the last Cypriot pair to triumph in 2008.
4: The Cyprus Rally has formed part of the ERC calendar in its various formats since 1978. From 2014 it’s been ever-present on the European calendar when the event was based in Nicosia after a spell in Pafos.
5: Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean behind Sicily and Sardinia. There are 380 rural villages in the republic, while Mount Olympus in the Troodos Range peaks at 1951 metres.

Source: www.fiaerc.com

 
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Did you know there are so called turtle beaches in Cyprus?

Even though turtles may seem very protected in their shells and can live for 80 years, most of the different species are listed as endangered. There are several reservation territories in the north of Cyprus that host volunteers every year to help the well-being of the turtles.

Two kinds of turtles reach the sandy beaches of Cyprus from June till September—Loggerhead and Green turtles. In June and July females lay eggs about three times, and August-September is the period when tiny hatchlings dig out their nests and try to reach the protection of the sea. Both of these processes take place during night time and can be easily ruined by any odd sources of noise or light, so be very careful in order not to intrude too much into the turtles' lives.

Also, you can volunteer in the reservations. People help to protect turtle nests from foxes by placing special aluminum cages around them or by creating "hatcheries," that are basically fenced off parts of the beach where eggs are transferred and re-buried.

Source: https://rove.me/to/cyprus/baby-turtle-watching

 
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Did you know about 36% of the Republic of Cyprus owns Turkey?

Northern Cyprus, officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is a de facto state that comprises the northeastern portion of the island of Cyprus. Recognised only by Turkey, Northern Cyprus is considered by the international community to be part of the Republic of Cyprus.

Northern Cyprus extends from the tip of the Karpass Peninsula in the northeast to Morphou Bay, Cape Kormakitis and its westernmost point, the Kokkina exclave in the west. Its southernmost point is the village of Louroujina. A buffer zone under the control of the United Nations stretches between Northern Cyprus and the rest of the island and divides Nicosia, the island's largest city and capital of both sides.

A coup d'état in 1974, performed as part of an attempt to annex the island to Greece, prompted the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. This resulted in the eviction of much of the north's Greek Cypriot population, the flight of Turkish Cypriots from the south, and the partitioning of the island, leading to a unilateral declaration of independence by the North in 1983. Due to its lack of recognition, Northern Cyprus is heavily dependent on Turkey for economic, political and military support.

Attempts to reach a solution to the Cyprus dispute have been unsuccessful. The Turkish Army maintains a large force in Northern Cyprus. While its presence is supported and approved by the TRNC government, the Republic of Cyprus and the international community regard it as an occupation force, and its presence has been denounced in several United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

 
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Did you know Cyprus has two salt lakes?

#1 The Salt Lake in Larnaca

Larnaca Salt Lake is located just off the main road to Larnaca Airport and is easily accessible from the city through a beautiful park area. There are paths, benches, and observation decks following the lake’s banks. Bring a packed lunch and enjoy the sun and the views.

How to make it better: Hire bikes from the beach and ride to the lake through the beautiful Patticheio Park. Don’t ride too close to the lake – the mud is extremely sticky and you’ll have a lot of trouble cleaning your bike (as I did!).

Fun fact: Once, the salt obtained from the lake was one of the major exports of Cyrpus. It used to be carried by donkeys and piled in enormous heaps on the banks of the lake until the end of the 1980s.

#2 Limassol (Akrotiri) Salt Lake

Another favorite flamingo haunt is Limassol Salt Lake, also known as Akrotiri Lake. It is the biggest lake in Cyprus, although it remains remarkably shallow; its deepest spot is only 3 feet (1 meter) in winter, while in summer it’s all dust and a shining white salt crust. Between 2,000 and 20,000 flamingos call it home from November to March. Akrotiri is the only lake in Cyprus that enjoys the company of (at least a few) flamingos all year round, because it doesn’t completely dry up in summer.

Fun fact: Two years in a row – in 2015 and 2016 – there was a black flamingo visiting Akrotiri Lake, so keep your eyes open for this unusual guest.

Source: 203challenges.com

 
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Did you know even vegetarians will enjoy many meals of Cyprus?

With more and more people across the island adopting vegan and vegetarian diets, we’re pleased to see that Cyprus has a surprisingly impressive number of vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants to tantalise the taste buds and satiate even the biggest of appetites. Here are some of My Cyprus Insider’s favourites.

1. Inga’s Veggie Haven, Nicosia 
As the name so aptly suggests, Inga’s Veggie Haven truly is a little corner of vegan and vegetarian haven in an island that loves its meat! Located in a wonderfully atmospheric traditional house in the hip Chrysaliniotissa neighbourhood of Nicosia’s old town, Inga and her partner serve up an ever changing, short but indeterminably sweet, menu of delicious alternatives to the meaty classics.

Replace your beef burgers with beetroot or carrot and quinoa burgers, drool over the marinated oyster mushroom in pita bread instead of souvlaki; or try her mouth-watering fetta aubergine lasagna or vegan shepherd’s pie. And for those with a sweet tooth, looking to keep it healthy and dairy free this fasting season, Inga’s selection of cakes and treats are just as tempting, with sugar free, raw food delicacies such as the chocolate orange pie on an almond coconut crust or gluten free, vegan banana cream pie!

2. Τaverneio Λέγκω – Lengo Tavern, Paphos
Following the sound advice of his 20 year old, vegan daughter Eleni, the owner of Lengo Tavern in Paphos is now offering a full vegetarian and vegan meze for those of us who would prefer not to eat animal products.

Breaking the mould for traditional Cypriot taverns (which usually have a strong penchant for all things meaty), Lengo’s unique new meze menu will be readily available without prior notification or pre booking, and offers a hearty selection of traditional Cypriot cuisine, just without the meat! Soups, salads, legume-based dishes and vegetables cooked in innovative ways, are just some of the items waiting to pass the test for vegan foodies island-wide.

More at the link bellow.

Source: mycyprusinsider.com

 
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Did you know there are villages where delicious wine is made in Cyprus?

A trip to Cyprus promises to be gastronomic experience, whether indulging in the island’s rich and colourful cuisine or its local vintages. With numerous villages across the island, there are many routes to try the local wine varieties and to explore the rural life of the island. Here’s our pick of the best.

Ayios Amvrosios

This small village in the Limassol district is known for its wines, particularly as it houses an ecological winery (Gaia Οιnotechniki) that creates high quality produce. The characteristic stone wall houses of Ayios Amvrosios on the hilly area offer a charming view of the vineyards that surround the region.

Omodos

One of the most popular villages of Cyprus is Omodos, due to its high production of traditional products such as zivania (an alcoholic drink) andsoutzouko (a sweet made from grape must). Cobbled streets make up the centre of the village, with lines of traditional shops and restaurants leading up to the Monastery of the Holy Cross; one of the oldest monasteries of Cyprus. As a popular agro-tourism destination, Omodos is well-kept and has a point of interest for all visitors be it wineries, museums or Cypriot lace.

Source: theculturetrip.com

 
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Did you know culture is taken very seriously in Cyprus?

Greek Cypriots are by nature generous and hospitable people. It is a culture thing, and the further away you get from the hustle and bustle of the big cities the more obvious this trait becomes. Cypriots are proud of their traditions, and it doesn’t matter how old you are, or where you have travelled or lived in the world, the traditions you grew up with, stays with you forever.

A lot of the traditions are celebrated on religious holidays and seasonal festivals.

EASTER (PASCHA)

The biggest festival on the Greek Orthodox calendar, Easter is taken very seriously in Cyprus. Not many follow the tradition of fasting for 50 days before Easter, but most will fast for a couple of weeks in order to be able to take communion on Easter Saturday. Traditions that have been followed for centuries by the Greek Cypriots are the making of the famous ‘Flaounes’ which are cheese filled pastries. Almost every home makes these together with the dyed red eggs and the Avgolemono Soup with boiled chicken that is eaten on Easter Saturday, after midnight on their return from church following the resurrection of Christ. Easter Sundays is celebrated in style with huge family lunches of whole lamb on the spit and music and dancing.

CHRISTMAS

Greek Orthodox Cypriots celebrate the birth of Christ on the 25th December unlike the Russians who consider Christmas 2 weeks later due to the use of the Julian calendar. All over Cyprus you can hear the children singing Christmas Carols and many traditional sweets are baked, like kourabiedes which are gorgeous shortbread biscuits and melomakarouna the honey and almond biscuits. Families are brought together from all over the island and Christmas lunch is celebrated with a feast that the whole family has helped to cook. In the old days presents were exchanged on the 1st January which is St. Vasilis day, but due to modern times and world trends most people do this on Christmas Day. On New Year’s Eve the Cypriots make a traditional Vasilopita which is an orange flavored cake in which they place a small coin. The cake is cut in exactly the right amount of pieces for those that are present and whoever finds the coin is considered to be lucky in the New Year. On the 6th January, the eve of the Russian Christmas, Greek Cypriots celebrate the Epiphany, on this day children visit their grandparents and read traditional greetings.

Learn more and visit the link bellow.

Source: www.propertycyprus.com

 
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Did you know Cyprus provides an enormous variety of flora and fauna?

The wildlife of Cyprus includes its flora and fauna and their natural habitats. Cyprus has a rich flora and a diverse fauna albeit with relatively few mammals. Like most modern countries, the natural habitats in Cyprus have been steadily disappearing, currently retaining only 20% of its original habitat due to rapid urbanization, usage of forests for commercial purposes, tourism and various other reasons. One of the unique features of Cyprus' habitats is the wild and sharp differences in elevations and habitats in different parts of the island as well as different climate conditions, all of which supply a diverse habitat for a unique array of fauna and flora.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_of_Cyprus

 
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