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Cars 4 Rental Information on Cyprus

General

Area: 9251 sq km (3572 sq miles, including Turkish-occupied territory).

Population: 793,100 (2001, including population of Turkish-occupied region).

Population Density: 119.3 per sq km

Capital: Nicosia (Lefkosia). Population: 205,633 (2001, excluding Turkish-occupied portion).

GEOGRAPHY: Cyprus is an island in the eastern Mediterranean. The landscape varies between rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, rocky hills and forest-covered mountains. The Troodos Mountains in the centre of the island rise to almost 1952m (6400ft) and provide good skiing during the winter. Between these and the range of hills which run eastward along the north coast and the ‘panhandle’ is the fertile Messaoria Plain. The Morphou Basin runs around the coast of Morphou Bay in the west.

Government: Republic since 1960. Head of State and Government: President Tassos Papadopoulos since 2003.

Language: The majority (approximately 80 per cent) speak Greek and approximately 20 per cent speak Turkish. The Greek Cypriot dialect is different from mainland Greek. Turkish is spoken by Turkish Cypriots. English, German and French are also spoken in tourist centres.

Religion: Greek Orthodox, with Muslim minority.

Time: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square 13-amp three-pin plugs (UK-type) are used.

Communications:

Telephone

Full IDD is available. Country code: 357. Outgoing international code: 00. Telecard (C£3, 5 or 10 denominations) or coin-operated public telephones are installed at various central locations in towns and villages. Call Direct (cheaper than ordinary collect calls) is available to most EU countries, as well as Australia, USA and Canada.

Mobile telephone

GSM 900/1800/3G network. Main operators include CYTA (website: www.cytamobile-vodafone.com) and Scancom (www.scancomcyprus.com).

Fax

This is available at district post offices in Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol and Pafos.

Internet

ISPs include Avacomnet (website: www.avacom.net), Cytanet (website: www.cytanet.com.cy), Logosnet (website: www.logosnet.com.cy) and Spidernet (website: www.spidernet.net). Public access is available in Internet cafes located in the cities, for instance Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Pafos and Ayia Napa.

Telegram

There are telegraph links to the international network through major hotels and the Central Telegraph Office, Egypt Avenue, Nicosia. A 24-hour service is provided with three charge rates.

Post

There are daily airmail services to all developed countries. Service to Europe takes three to four days. Poste Restante facilities are available in main cities and resorts. District Post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1330 and 1500-1800 except Wednesday, Saturday 0830-1030 during the winter period (1 Sep to 30 Jun); Mon-Fri 0730-1330 and 1600-1900 except Wednesday, Sat 0830-1030 during the summer period (1 Jul to 31 Aug). Other post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1330, Thurs 1500-1800 at other times.

Press

Newspapers published in English are the The Blue Beret, Cyprus Financial Mirror, Cyprus Mail (daily), Cyprus Today (Turkish Cypriot) and Cyprus Weekly. Most others are in Greek and most English papers are available.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Note: In addition, the CTO sponsors programmes for tourists Mon-Sat on 603kHz (498m) and FM94.8. The times are as follows: German 0800; English 0830; French 0900; Swedish 0930; Arabic 1000.

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Money

Currency: Cyprus Pound (C£) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of C£20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Currency exchange: Visitors wishing to obtain non-Cypriot currency at Cypriot banks for business purposes are advised that this is only possible by prior arrangement. ATMs operate 24 hours in main towns and tourist areas.

Credit & debit cards: All major credit cards are accepted at most places. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: May be cashed in all banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Pounds Sterling or Cyprus Pounds.

Currency restrictions: The import of local currency is unrestricted, subject to declaration; foreign currency for amounts over US$1000 (or the equivalent in other currency) must be declared. The export of local and foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival. Local currency withdrawn from Cypriot banks may be exported provided a holding certificate is obtained by the bank.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Cyprus Pound against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Nov ’03 Feb '04 May '04 Aug ’04
£1.00= 0.85 0.86 0.88 0.86
$1.00= 0.50 0.47 0.49 0.46

Banking hours: Generally Mon-Fri 0830-1230 in June, July and August; Mon-Fri 0815-1230 and Mon 1515-1645 rest of year. Certain central banks may also open Tues-Fri in the afternoon. Banks in Larnaca and at Pafos International Airport are open all day.

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Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required
Yellow Fever No No
Cholera No No
Typhoid and Polio No No
Malaria No No

Food & drink: Milk is pasteurised and tap water is generally safe to drink. Powdered and tinned milk are available. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Immunisation against hepatits A is sometimes recommended.

Health care: Health facilities are generally of a good standard. The emergency departments of all hospitals are manned with English-speaking personnel, although it is advisable to seek the assistance of an interpreter for more complex medical matters. Emergency medical treatment, administered in the Accident and Emergency department, is free to international tourists. International travellers are, however, advised to take out full medical insurance before departure. No health agreement exists with the UK.

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Climate

Warm Mediterranean climate. Hot, dry summers with mild winters during which rainfall is most likely.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens during summer months; warmer mediumweights and rainwear during the winter.

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Passport

Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required
British Yes No/3 Yes
Australian Yes No/3 Yes
Canadian Yes No/3 Yes
USA Yes No/3 Yes
OtherEU 1 No/3 Yes
Japanese Yes No/3 Yes

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least 6 months required by all except:
1. nationals of EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland who hold a valid national identity card with the bearer’s photograph. Passports must be valid for 3 months after day of departure for visitors not requiring visas. Those requiring visas must have passports valid for 6 months from date of intended stay;
2. holders of: (a) Laissez-passer issued by the United Nations. Nationals of Egypt and Israel can enter Cyprus with a Laissez-passer provided they hold an entry permit previously obtained by the Immigration Department in Nicosia. (b) Travel documents issued by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to Cypriot nationals. (c) Documents issued to stateless persons and recognised refugees.

VISAS: Required by all except the following:
(a) 3. nationals of countries referred to in the chart above for a stay of up to 90 days;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Uruguay and Venezuela for stays of up to 90 days;
(c) transit passengers continuing their onward journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Types of visa and cost: Tourist/Business: C£6 (free of charge to nationals of Egypt, Russian Federation, Syrian Arab Republic and Ukraine provided holding onward or return tickets and sufficient funds to cover the duration of their stay). Multiple-entry visas are only issued to those who require it for business purposes and cost C£20.

Validity: Maximum of 3 months from date of issue.

Application to: In person to the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy or High Commission); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: (a) Passport with at least 3 months validity after returning from Cyprus. (b) One completed application form. (c) One passport-size photo. (d) Proof of sufficient funds to cover duration of stay. (e) Onward or return ticket and evidence of hotel reservation. (f) Fee (payable by cash or postal order only, subject to rate of exchange). (g) For business trips, an introductory letter from the applicant’s company giving details and nature of business to be conducted. For students, a letter from the applicant’s place of education is required.

Working days required: In most cases personal applications will be processed on the same day or within 24 hours after an interview, but it may take up to a minimum of 10 days if application needs to be referred to Cyprus (depending on nationality, eg Iraq and Turkey).

Temporary residence: Nationals of any country coming to Cyprus for employment or studies must secure an employment or student’s permit through the Migration Officer, Nicosia prior to arrival. Applications should be submitted by the prospective employers or the directors of the schools.

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