Trivia in Cyprus

Learn fascinating facts and trivia about this country

Europe / Southern Europe

National symbols

Flag: White field with the copper-colored map of Cyprus island and two olive branches below symbolizing peace

Cyprus Flag

Emblem: Green shield with a white dove and olive branches, inscribed with the independence year 1959

Cyprus Emblem

Trivia & facts

  • The island name is the origin of the word copper (cuprum), known as a copper source since ancient times
  • Vehicles drive on the left side, a remnant of British colonial rule
  • The only EU member state that is both in the Eurozone and Commonwealth
  • Commandaria, considered one of the world''s three great dessert wines, has approximately 3,000 years of history
  • The legend of Cyprus cats tells that St. Helena brought them to eradicate venomous snakes
  • In winter, skiing is possible in the Troodos Mountains, rare for the Mediterranean
  • Parts of Game of Thrones were filmed in Northern Cyprus
  • One of the few flags without country name or religious symbols
  • National bird is the Cyprus Wheatear
  • Education budget exceeds EU average as percentage of GDP

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