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Cyprus has always attracted tourists all over the world, although the Tourist industry on the island developed rapidly during the last decades.

Try to meet as best as it can the needs and expectations of an increasingly demanding local and international public and a competitive market, Cyprus embarked on an effort to upgrade its services and improve its standards are high, the industrial sector has been upgraded with the application of new technologies, the economy has fully recovered after the crisis caused by the Turkish invasion and occupation of the northern part of the island, education and culture are thriving again, key services were computerized and new posts were introduced to facilitate people's transactions.

It is worth noting that Cyprus is high on the list of maritime-powers, having the third largest commercial fleet in the world and is rating high among other European countries, complying with the Maastricht standards.

Meanwhile Cyprus made openings towards new fields. Recently it expanded its range of activities hosting many regional and international conferences and workshops and is currently emerging as an international conference centre attracting what is widely known by term " conference tourism".

Cyprus has a lot to offer to tourists and businessmen alike. The traditional warmth has hospitality of the people, the beatiful landscape, the fresh air, the peaceful and safe life that Cyprus so abundantly has to offer, make this island an ideal holiday destination and a haven away from the noise and the smog of big cities.

Peaceful though bustling with life, small in size though great in history, it will soon win your hearts and minds. Here businessmen can find reliable partners while investment incitements are enormous.

Cyprus has a history of 9.000 years. Due to its geographical position it has a blend of a variety of cultures with Greek being the dominant one. The Greeks were reportedly the first inhabitants of the island, after the Mycenaeans had established their first settlements in Cyprus. Eversince, Greek civilization has been flourishing here and although many foreign rulers coveted the island and some even succeeded in conquering it for large or short periods of time, their rule had always been temporary. They would leave, however, remnants of their cultures which became one with the land and the people remained. Phoenicians, Egyptians, Percians, Romans, Crusaders, Franks, Venetians, Ottomans and British were some of the rulers who walked the island. Everyone left a mark of their passage.

Archaelogical excavations on many sites have shed light on the various evolutionary phases of the civilization that flourished on the island. Findings such as cooking utensils, jewellery, weapons precious stone gold and silver coins, bronze statues depicting various aspects of ancient life can be seen everywere.

During the different stages of the Neolithic Era, civilization in Cyprus started to flourish and from the early Neolithic "Aceramic" years we move on to a period where we have the first evidence of ceramic art. With the discovery and exploitation of copper, Cyprus history entered a new era called Chalcolithic Period. Although initially the use of copper, was considerably limited, along the course we have examples of extensive use of copper which was now being exported.

During the Bronze Age, a Cypro-Minoan script developed in Cyprus which resulted from the massive and systematic arrival of Greek tribes. Relations between Cyprus and the rest of the Greek world were further enhanced between 1300-1230B.C. At that point Greek language, customs and religion prevailed on the island. New cities were formed that later developed into independent cities -Kingdoms all of which thrived.

Cypru's strategic position attracted many peoples marking a wave of incursions by many neighbouring tribes. Assyrians, Egyptians and Persians raided the island who in conjuction with natural disasters caused many inhabitants to leave their cities and seek refuge elswhere. Cyprus enoyed a short period of independence between the years 669 and 565 B.C. only to subjugate to the Egyptians a little while after. Cypriot kingdoms were asked to pay taxes, but maintained their autonomy. The Egyptian rule over the island may have been short but its great influence is evident in all aspects of life, particularly in the field of the arts.

The Persian domination was extremely violent with Cypriots revolting against the foreign ruler. Riots were suppressed with an iron first and many cities were besieged and destroyed. Persian domination ended when Cypriot kings joined Alexander the Great. Following Alexander's death a conflict broke out between Ptolemy and Antigonus. Antigonus' son became master of Cyprus but it was Ptolemy I who prevailed. Cypriot kingdoms were abolished and Cyprus was annexed by the Ptolemies. At that time uniquie public buildings were established in Cyprus, i.e.gymnasia and theatres.

The Ptolemies were succeeded by the Romans whose dominance lasted from 50B.C to 330A.D. That was the time of Christianity and Cyprus was one of the first regions to be christianized. The consolidation of the Christian faith was market by the establishment of the first bishopric on the island.

The immense Roman Empire would inevitably split into two states: the East (Byzantium) and the West (Roman Empire). Cyprus became part of Byzantium ending the Roman Period which formally marked the end of Antiquity.

Cyprus was part of the glorious Byzantine empire established by Constantine the Great at Constantinople and along with the rest of the Byzantine world, it fought the great wars of the Orthodox faith and had its own share in glory and hardship. Many were the times that the island had to hold enemy attacks, especially the Arab raids. In 1191, Richard Lion Heart invaded the island on his way to the Holy Land. His troops captured and then looted Cyprus. Later that year, Cyprus was purchased by the Temblar Knights signalling the end of the Byzantine era and indroducing the Frankish period. With the arrival of many noble landlords, Cypriots were reduced to mere slaves. The Latin Church was established resulting in the persecution of the Orthodox Church. Castles, palaces, latin churches and forts were erected and foreign merchants settled on the island. Trade between the Levant and the West was curried out through Cyprus thus, enabling the island to gain enormous wealth.

The Venetians, the Lusignas and the Genovese who mainainted powerful colonies in Cyprus clashed many times on the island. Venetians prevailed, erected fortresses to defend the cities but failed to do because Cyprus was weakened due to the fightings, giving the opportunity to the Ottomans to invade and seize the island. The Capital, Nicosia, capitulated and the rest of the cities folllowed soon afterwards.

It was the time for the Ottomans to rule over Cyprus, at which point we have the first reports of Turks settling on the island. Gradually Cyprus fell into decline due to the ruthless taxation, the malfunction of the administration and the hardship. Christians were forced to convert to Islam and those who refused were punished with massive executions and slavery. In 1821 it was the time of the Greek Revolution against the Ottoman Empire. Greek-Cypriots participated in the national insurrection and paid a very dear price for their act. In 1878, the sultan whose state was on the verge of collapse ceded the island to the British Empire. The Passing from the Ottoman to the British rule was remarkably peaceful as the people saw in the British a fellow European nation . Things changed along the way and Greek Cypriots strived for their Unity with Greece.

Afterall, they had been assured during World War I that if Greece had joined the Allies against Germany - which she did - Cyprus would become part of Greece. Those aspirations were never met and occasional riots were reported on the island. An upheaval caused by the Greek-Cypriots in 1931 led to the exile of the Bishop and many other prominent members of the community. Following World War II, people kept their hopes high that the principles of justice and freedom would somehow effect the situation on the island. The demand for "Enosis" (Unity) was the major point on the agenda. That gave ground to an armed liberation struggle. Archbishop Makarios III and Governor Harding embarket on fruitless negotiations and Makarios was exiled. Meanwhile Turkish-Cypriots terrorist groups curried out occasional attacks on Greeks. Under these circumstances talks got underway leading to the Zurich-London Agreement providing for the establishement of the Independent Republic of Cyprus.