An ophiolite sequence consists of variably altered oceanic rocks, including marine sediments, ocean crust, and part of the mantle. The name ophiolite means “snakestone” from “ophio” (snake) and “lithos” (stone) in Greek.

Ophiolites may have formed either at divergent plate boundaries (mid-oceanic ridges) or convergent plate boundaries (supra-subduction zones; i.e. island arcs and marginal basins). They are called MOR and SSZ types, respectively.

… ultramafic rocks are known as ophiolites. Many geologists believe that ophiolites formed at oceanic ridges were emplaced by tectonic forces at convergent plate boundaries and then became exposed in highly deformed orogenic (mountain) belts.

Subducting slabs are composed of basaltic crust topped with pelagic sediments; however, the pelagic sediments may be accreted onto the forearc-hanging wall and not subducted. Most metamorphic phase transitions that occur within the subducting slab are prompted by the dehydration of hydrous mineral phases.

Troodos formed at the bottom of the Tethys Ocean during the Cretaceous around 92 Myrs ago. These deposits form at spreading ridges deep on the seafloor through the interaction of super-heated seawater with igneous rocks deep within the oceanic crust.

It consists of a series of allochthonous volcanic, sedimentary and in smaller proportion metamorphic rocks that were formed 230-75 Ma and it includes the following: I. Volcanic (lavas) and sedimentary rocks (recrystallised limestones) of the Diarizos Group.

In a total of 2 tidal waves classified as a tsunami since 543 a total of 0 people died in Cyprus. Tsunamis therefore occur only rarely here.

The Mamonia Terrane or Mamonia Complex is an assemblage of volcanic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Outcrops are only found on the southwestern end of Cyprus (Paphos district). The Mamonia Terrane is divided into the Diarizos Group, the Agios-Fotios Group and the Agia-Varvara Formation.

The first Cypriots came from the Near/Middle East and Asia Minor, more than 12,000 years ago. This is supported by history/archaeology and by genetics studies.

Ancient Greeks (primarily Achaeans) started settling Cyprus during the Late Bronze Age[2]. The Phoenicians were known to have lived alongside the Greeks who with time had become Hellenized[3].

Greek Cypriots (Greek: Ελληνοκύπριοι, Turkish: Kıbrıs Rumları or Kıbrıs Yunanları) are the ethnic Greek population of Cyprus, forming the island’s largest ethnolinguistic community.

The Republic of Cyprus has de jure sovereignty over the entire island, including its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, with the exception of the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, which remain under the UK’s control according to the London and Zürich Agreements.

Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey, a country which facilitates many of its contacts with the international community. However, due to pressure from Greece and the Republic of Cyprus, this aid coming from EU funds cannot be used on Greek Cypriot land and property nor on public bodies.

Muslims make up about 25% of the Cypriot population. The island was conquered by the Ottoman General Lala Mustafa Pasha from the Venetians in 1570 A.D. Historically, Muslims were spread over the whole of Cyprus, but since 1974 they have lived primarily in the north after the Turkish invasion.

Division of Cyprus Cyprus has been divided, de facto, into the Greek Cypriot controlled southern two-thirds of the island and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus a third. Its territory, a result of the Turkish invasion of 1974 and whose status remains disputed, extends over the northern third of the island.

The aim of the coup was the union (enosis) of Cyprus with Greece, and the Hellenic Republic of Cyprus to be declared. In July 1974, Turkish forces invaded and captured 3% of the island before a ceasefire was declared. The Greek military junta collapsed and was replaced by a democratic government.

The Republic of Cyprus is not a third-world country. A third-world country would be an economically developing country with a low Human Development Index (HDI), a high unemployment rate, political instability, and widespread poverty.

Christians make up 78% of the total Cypriot population. Christianity includes the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus, the Armenian Church in Cyprus, Maronite, Roman Catholicism, and Protestants. Most Greek Cypriots are members of the Autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus (Church of Cyprus).

Cyprus mostly exports citrus fruits, cement, potatoes, clothing and pharmaceuticals. Cyprus’ largest, and most important, trading partner is the European Union, which accounts for 50% of all Cypriot trade flows, followed by the Middle East, destination for 20% of exports from Cyprus.

Before the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, the Turkish Cypriots (the Muslim community of Cyprus) made up 18% of the island’s population and lived throughout the island. Today, most of the estimated 264,172 Muslims are based in the north of the island.

Dishes of Cyprus Traditional Cypriot foods include souvlakia (grilled meat kebabs), shaftalia (grilled sausage), afella (pork marinated in coriander), fried halloumi cheese, olives, pitta bread, kolokasi (root vegetables), lamb, artichokes, chickpeas and rabbit stews (stifado).

A traditional breakfast often consists of olives, juicy tomatoes and baby cucumbers, fried/grilled halloumi, eggs and lountza (Cypriot bacon/sausage) and often with fresh crunchy sesame-seed covered bread. Anari (soft white cheese of Cyprus) or yogurt with fresh fruit drizzled with honey are also very popular.

Brandy Sour

Regional inspirations will always make their presence felt in any cuisine which might make its food similar to that served in neighboring states but known by different names. Greek and Cypriot cuisines have the same relationship. Do try both the fares to enjoy the subtle influences they have over each other.

Cypriot VS the Greek pitta The Cypriot pitta is different to the Greek pitta in a number of ways: The Cypriot pitta is stuffed with the food and not rolled. It is oval in shape and not round like the Greek pitta. Lastly the Cypriot pitta is baked, whereas the Greek pitta is usually grilled on a skillet or pan.

Vepřo-knedlo-zelo

Moussaka – Greece’s National Dish.

By far the best known Greek dish internationally, typifying the country’s cuisine, moussaka is also one of the most elaborate. Here minced meat, slices of potatoes and eggplant are separately fried before being layered in a baking pan and topped with a béchamel sauce. Next comes a long, slow cooking in the oven.

Moussaka

*Avoid fried things such as meatballs, small fish, fries-not because they are fried but because many of these restaurants pre-fry these foods and then just warm them up, as a result you will be eating mushy and not crispy food. Also do not order moussaka.