Greek Culture and Island

Tourism takes a substantial place in the economy of Cyprus. Tourism has such an impact on Cyprus culture and daily life that the industry contributed 10.7% or US $5,445.0 mn of the GDP in 2006, allowing for job creation approximated at 113,000 jobs. (Micula and Micula) Thanks to consistent tourism, Cyprus has become the 40th most popular place to visit, inspiring almost 3 million tourists to come each year. Since 1975, Cyprus has been World Tourism Organization full member and offers scenic views, high quality food, and ancient archaeological sites for any would-be traveler. (Micula and Micula) However, one thing makes Cyprus different from other destinations. That is the divide between Northern Cyprus and Southern Cyprus. This essay will detail how the difference in the north and south side contribute to tourism on the island and how it influences the busy tourism season and which activities promote more tourist engagement.

Quick Facts about Cyprus

Cyprus is a beautiful island nation. Cyprus is located south of Turkey and southeast of Greece. The earliest discovered human activity on Cyprus dates approximately to 10th millennium BC. Various major powers occupied Cyprus throughout the millennia from Assyrians to Persians and Egyptians. The highest point on the island stands at 6,404 feet on Mount Olympus. The capital of Northern Cyprus is where most of the Turkish population reside.

The capital is North Nicosia and the currency is the Turkish Lira. The population as of 2014 is 313, 626. The current president is Mustafa Akinci.

Southern Cyprus is geopolitically Greek as Cyprus is subdivided into four primary parts. More than half (59.74%) of the island is occupied by The Republic of Cyprus (Greek).

The Greek Cypriots residing on the island have follow the Greek Orthodox religion although some in the population practice Roman Catholicism. Greek food often has little delicacies called mezedhes and taramosalata or smoked cod eggs.

Northern Cyprus

The north of Cyprus houses a distinct Turkish culture different from the Greek culture in Southern Cyprus. Kyrenia acts as one of several main tourist resorts in the region. As a dominant sector in the economy of Northern Cyprus, tourism comprises various activities, often beach related. Northern Cyprus also houses various ancient ruins and byzantine castles. With a 2012 tourist quantity of 904,000 from Turkey, the activities in Northern Cyprus reflect Turkish heritage. (Micula and Micula)

Some of these activities are food related such as the Turkish Cypriot dining culture. A staple of Turkish Cypriot dining is a fresh cheese called hellim. "Cheese products like halloumi are not unique to Greek Cypriot food culture. Among the Turkish Cypriot inhabitants of the island, the cheese is known as hellim; it is also produced in Turkey and by Turkish dairy corporations." (Frykman, et al. 366) Although hellim shares similarities to halloumi and the Byzantine castles are reminiscent of Greek culture, the Turks in the northern region of Cyprus put their own spin on these bits of ancient culture.

One of the main draws of Cyprus is its high food quality and delicious restaurant cuisine. Foods like Borek are lightly fried pockets made with three fillings, hellim/halloumi and herbs, nor (local, bland cheese) mixed with mastic and sugar, or minced meat with onions. "The filling of a dough is a specialty of those regions where the Ottoman cuisine had a stronger influence. Borek is a typical filled bread of this type. In Turkey, these are made with strips of yufka, an unleavened Anatolian bread" (Heine 22) They also fry squash blossoms that they stuff with mixtures of herbs, rice, onions, and tomatoes. Similar to Greek Cypriots, the inclusion of stuffed foods is a staple part of Turkish dining culture and makes for a unique and wonderful dining experience for tourists.

While meat is used in both the Southern and Northern parts of Cyprus, pork is generally omitted in Northern Cyprus in place of lamb, other dishes prepared with chicken and fish are similar. Dishes with common vegetables like potatoes, onions, and beans are typical of Cypriot daily meals. Fassoulia Yiahni is a dish seen throughout Cyprus and represents the ease and freshness of Cyprus' locally grown and harvested food. Fassoulia or sometimes called Fasolia Yiahni is paired with crusty bread and red wine. (Micula and Micula)

The main reason for an absence of pork in Turkish cuisine in Cyprus is the Muslim presence on the island and their view of pork as being an 'unclean' animal for consumption. As Bowman notes, the Muslim religious community in Cyprus exists and continues to exist thanks in part to financial support and creation of religious schools named tekkes that function to enable growth of Turkish culture and nationalism. "The British provided considerable financial and other support for the Muslim religious community on Cyprus, and particularly for the religious schools, tekkes, functioning as a balance against the growing fervor for Turkish nationalism and the interests of Turkey." (Bowman 78)

Because Cyprus is an island country, beach front is available all over from both the north and south side. North Cyprus has varied coastline like luxurious beaches next to big hotels or wild dunes that hold remote patches of soft sand beach. If a person decides to travel during peak or off-peak months, sunbathing will be available year-round. Kyrenia is an area in Northern Cyprus that offers some of the most beautiful coastline of the country where tourists can snorkel and swim in the clear waters.

A city located in the north coast of Cyprus, Kyrenia boasts cobblestoned steers and a horseshoe-shaped harbor. Some interesting and notable parts of the city are part of the ancient Kyrenia Castle. The castle has a stone bridge and a dungeon. It houses a Shipwreck Museum and religious icons. The population of the city is 20,851 as of 2011 and has a mayor named Nidai Gungordu. (Micula and Micula) A mixture of ancient architecture and stunning beachfronts makes Kyernia a popular destination for tourists in Northern Cyprus.

Another beach in the north of Cyprus is Famagusta. Famagusta has miles of sandy beaches with some requiring an entrance fee to swim and sunbathe. Karpaz also has several sandy beaches and lack the tourists the other two spots attract. Although Northern Cyprus does not allow nudism on its beaches, some tourists have been known to sunbathe topless. Because Northern Cyprus has miles of beaches and ancient architecture, swimming, snorkeling, and exploration are key parts of tourism in Northern Cyprus. (Micula and Micula)

Southern Cyprus

Southern Cyprus has distinct features that make it a different adventure for tourists. Mount Olympus and Paphos Forest are part of the Southern landscape where tourists can hike and traverse the higher elevation. The city of Paphos is a coastal city lying west of Limassol. The most interesting feature of Paphos is a site near Old Paphos were Petra tou Romiou can be found. Petra tou Romiou is the birthplace of the goddess of love, Aphrodite. "This is where, according to legend, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, rose up out of the sea. As reported by Hesiod, blossom sprouted from under the feet of the foam-born goddess which carried her across the sea." (Goetz 76) The site became a place of worship for people in the ancient world. There are even mentions of Paul the Apostle visiting the town.

Paphos is a UNESCO world heritage site and enjoys the mildest temperatures on Cyprus. Those not looking to sunbathe can go into Paphos forest where they can encounter the natural vegetation and the vast, lightly populated expanse. The forest boasts hills with pine trees. The area is considered a forested wilderness where wild sheep called mouflon roam. Mouflon are the symbol of Cyprus. (Dubin and Morris) These wild sheep can typically be found inside Stavros tis Psokas.

Because nature is such a key feature of Southern Cyprus, those looking to drive and hike should visit this area along with Mount Olympus. Mount Olympus has the Khionistra, the highest point on Cyprus and the mountain's peak. Although the peak does not offer the kind of view one would expect from a mountain, it does offer a look into the dense forest and surrounding areas. "It does not rise particularly dramatically from the surrounding uplands, which are cloaked in dense forest of hard black and Austrian pine, with a smattering of Cypriot cedar and junipers. The trees keep things cool except perhaps in high summer . . . " (Dubin and Morris 216) The trees are the clear difference in Southern and Northern Cyprus. A key similarity is the wondrous and varied ancient ruins in both the southern and northern sides.

Southern Cyprus has one of the best-preserved ancient towns known as the Greco-Roman Kourion. Kourion has a "beautifully located theatre, interesting mosaics, baths, a Byzantine stadium and the nearby Sanctuary of Apollo Ylatis." (Micula and Micula 66) The theatre of Kourion was excavated for fifteen years from 1935 to 1950 by the University Museum Expedition of the University of Pennsylvania. The theatre has a slope that descends into the Amathus Gate. The structure is typical of theatres in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Kourion Theatre experience several rebuilds and renovations thanks to a few earthquakes. Some modifications were made to accommodate venationes and gladiator games. The continued earthquakes led it to be abandoned by fourth century CE. (Micula and Micula) What remains of the theatre has been restored extensively and serves as a venue for the International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama.

Kourion is place rich with ancestry and ancient architecture. The House of Achilles has mosaics, one of which depicts the unveiling of the identity of Achilles via Odysseus when Thetis, his mother, had hidden him among women to help him avoid the Trojan War. There is another mosaic where Thetis bathes Achilles. The last notable fragmentary mosaic is the Rape of Ganymede.

The rich history Southern Cyprus offers along with some of the castles of Northern Byzantine are what make Cyprus such a beautiful place to visit. These tourist destinations diverse and varied give Cyprus the allure that makes it a popular tourism destination. Aside from the differences and similarities between the North and South of Cyprus, the tourist activities during peak seasons or months deserve exploration as well.

Tourism in Cyprus During Peak Months/Seasons

Ranked 29th in the tourism industry, Cyprus has arrivals from countries like the United Kingdom, Russia, Greece, Israel, Germany, Sweden, Ukraine, Lebanon, Norway, and Switzerland, totaling over three million people annually. Most tourists come for a short while and enjoy various activities. Many of those activities revolve around the beach as the island receives year-round sunlight. Others involve excursions to ancient building sites. The tourist season lasts from April to October. This is the time when all restaurants, attractions, and hotels are open.

During the tourist season, as mentioned earlier, people will visit popular sites like the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park. This site is the main place to visit. Another is St. Hilarion Castle in Kyrenia. The ancient ruins of the castle show the workmanship and construction abiliy of people that lived thousands of years ago. Beaches are very popular during tourist season with one of the most popular destinations being Fig Tree Bay. People wanting to explore Paphos can do so through horse riding at Eagle Mountain Ranch. The sunsets there are worth the trek.

Another ancient ruin/historic site is Kourion. For those looking to explore cathedrals and churches, Church of Profitis Elias attracts many tourists just like Saint Lazarus Church in Larnaka City. The more modern aspect of Cyprus can also attract tourists like Aphrodite's Rock Brewing Company in Paphos. Those that want to have fun at water parks can go to Blue Lagoon. Although not a traditional water park, it offers a discovery sightseeing boat trip from Ayia Napa.

Ayia Napa is also home to Konnos Bay where people do snorkeling and Makronissos Beach where people can sunbathe and relax on the clean sands. Ayia Napa is a popular tourist destination in Cyprus for its Sea Caves and Cape Greco View Point. Cape Greco National Forest Park is there as well. Paphos holds another ancient ruin, the House of Dinoysis with Salamis in Famgusta housing ancient ruins as well.

The overall theme for tourism is Cyprus are beaches and ancient ruins. These are the main draws of the island with cooler months like April and September where people choose to hike and explore nature on the island. Because Cyprus is an island and has 320 days of sun, the tourist season welcomes people simply looking to relax and enjoy the warm, clear waters. While political differences and clashes have led to a separation of Cyprus where Greek or Turk Cypriots reside, the tourism industry on the island is making attempts to create an inclusion of both sides to boost income from tourism and attract more tourists.

What is called the 'Nicosia Mix 'n Match' is an excursion that allows tourists to venture to the capital. It began in the spring of 2008.

The Nicosia Mix 'n Match excursion brings tourists to the capital and guides them in a walk across the divided city through the Ledra street checkpoint. A guided walk on both sides of the dividing line allows the tourists to get a 'feel' for the two sides and gain a unique experience of the diversity that Cyprus can offer. (Kumral and Onder 61)

Offering an excursion to the dividing line in the capital provides tourists with a new perspective. If the tourism industry can expand these excursions to enable tourists to see both sides of the country in one trip, it can allow for greater variety. This is because there are clear differences in tourist activities in north and south with Northern Cyprus having museums and ancient ruins that have high entrance fees and Southern Cyprus having forest and parks.

Therefore, the draw has become the idea of merging the two main parts of the island. However, this may not happen in the near future and thus, this excursion is a new feature of tourism in Cyprus that offers a brief look into the Turkish and Greek sides of Cyprus. A recent news article explains the recent 'freedom' now available for tourists to wander through the divided line.

Harmony broke out in Cyprus in April when the barriers came down on Nicosia's Ledra Street (Lokmaci, in Turkish). You can now walk the entire length of this thoroughfare, closed in 1974 after Turkey invaded the northern part of the island, and a symbol of the division of Cyprus. (Huw Davies)