What seas wash Cyprus: description. Where is Cyprus on the world map and what kind of sea is it? Limassol sea is what
My friend and I vacationed in Cyprus last year. We got the ticket completely by accident - an old friend from a travel agency called and offered us a last-minute tour. We gathered spontaneously in two days, without having time to really finish our work. What can we say about the fact that we didn’t even know where this place was located or what the sea was like in Cyprus.
Magic sea on the island of Cyprus
Getting to know the place where we are flying began on the plane. In the seat of the chair in front there was a magazine in which there was an article about Cyprus. So, having already arrived, we learned that Cyprus is an island, surrounded Mediterranean Sea. And besides, there is a part Greek part and Turkish.
Immediately upon arrival, we dropped our things and headed straight to the sea. To understand what the sea is like in Cyprus, you need to plunge into it! It's divine: clean (you can see your toes), salty (salt pushes the body to the surface), transparent and tenderly warm!
What other bodies of water are there in Cyprus?
While vacationing in Turkey, we went to look at waterfalls and alpine freshwater lakes. We decided that it would be interesting to go on a similar excursion here too. It turned out that there are problems with fresh lakes in Cyprus, and there are only a few salt lakes:
- Larnaca Salt Lake (the largest);
- Oroklini;
- Akrotiri.
The most interesting thing is that it is impossible to see these lakes in normal condition in the summer. They're drying up completely, turning into a white desert, instead of sand, there are grains of salt around it. Our guide told us that in the spring the lakes are filled with water, and they are home to many birds, in particular flamingo.
However, we did not see a single bird.
Also in Cyprus there is riverPedieos, flowing into the Gulf of Famagusta on the Turkish part of the island. Another river of Cyprus, a little smaller, also flows into the same bay. It's called Yalias.
Fresh water problems
Of course, if you live only in a tourist area and live in a hotel, you will not experience problems with water. No shutdowns or no restrictions for tourists. However, our guide (a native Cypriot) said that there are Withserious problems with fresh water - they have it Scheduled. This is due to the fact that Cyprus has an arid climate, and there is only one natural fresh lake. Therefore, when driving along the streets of Larnaca or Limassol, please note that on the roofs of houses there are water tanks who bask in the sun.
These are water reserves. In order to somehow solve the water problem, they built dams(reservoirs) where fresh water is collected and stored. A number of desalination stations, one of them uses new technology using solar energy.
The average cost of bottled water is 0.80 - 1 euro for one and a half liters.
On political and geographical maps, Cyprus occupies a place in the east of the Mediterranean Sea. It washes the shores of the island along their entire length and is called here the Cyprus Sea. Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the most popular resorts among European residents, and therefore the best answer to the question of which sea Cyprus washes is answered by tourists who have been there during vacation or holidays.
Blue flags of cleanliness
For advanced travelers, the concept of “Blue Flag Certificate” means that you can sunbathe and swim on the beach without worrying about the cleanliness of both sand and water. A special environmental commission assigns the highest scores to such places on the coast, and it is in Cyprus that most beaches are awarded Blue Flags. The best of them compete for the right to be called favorites among hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit the island every year:
- Nissi Beach is famous for its perfectly white and clean sand.
- Petra tou Romiou is appreciated by fans of small pebbles and clear water.
- Makronisos is preferred by those for whom a beach holiday is also a fashionable get-together.
- Governor's Beach in Limassol is a place for parties and celebrations.
- Aphrodite Beach is famous for the “rejuvenating” effect of sea water, from which the goddess of love herself emerged.
The beaches on the island are mainly municipal property, and therefore entry to them is free and open.
The water temperature in the Cyprus Sea is pleasantly warm in the summer season. Already at the end of May the water warms up to +22 degrees, by July the thermometer rises to +26 and until mid-autumn the waves remain very comfortable for swimming. In the winter months, the sea water of Cyprus becomes noticeably cooler - about +15 degrees.
For gourmets and just lovers
What is the sea in Cyprus without its coastal restaurants, which serve the best seafood dishes! Here you can taste signature meze snacks and treat yourself to a glass of local wine. The Mediterranean Sea gave its name to a whole area of cooking and the concept of “Mediterranean cuisine” has long become international. It is based on products grown on the seashore under the generous southern sun. The main ones are olive oil, fish and seafood, spicy herbs, fresh vegetables and fruits, aromatic cheeses and specially prepared meats.
It is the Mediterranean Sea that has a significant influence on the climate of Cyprus, thanks to which excellent grapes ripen on the island, from which high-quality wines are produced.
The island of Cyprus cannot boast of being large in size when compared with other islands on the planet. Its area, amounting to just over 9 thousand km², is much smaller than the area of Greenland (more than 2 million km²). But Greenland is the largest island on Earth. And if we consider the Mediterranean region, then Cyprus closes the top three there, second only to Sardinia and Sicily.
Cyprus, what kind of sea is there?
There are resorts popular among tourists on the island of Cyprus. A wonderful climate, warm waters, beautiful scenery and clean beaches make up a good place for a relaxing holiday. The island fully meets these parameters. The surrounding water area is of great importance in the formation of good climatic conditions in Cyprus. The island is washed by the Mediterranean Sea. But perhaps many have heard about the Cyprus Sea. It is logical to assume that it is somewhere nearby. Why is there such confusion? Let's try to figure it out.
Cyprus is really located in the Mediterranean Sea, more precisely, in its eastern part. But the water area of this sea is so large that geographers divide it into several more water bodies. And one of them is the Cyprus Sea, on whose territory the island of the same name is located. But that's not all! Cyprus, in turn, is also divided into seas: Cilician (northeastern part) and Levantine (eastern part). Thus, when wondering which sea Cyprus washes, you can get two answers at once: the Mediterranean and the Cypriot. Both of them will be correct, because the Cyprus Sea is part of the Mediterranean.
Climatic characteristics of the sea
The Cyprus Sea has a whole set of unique characteristics that affect the climate of the entire island. And basically, this is a beneficial effect. But the coastal area also determines some characteristics of the sea. And this also has a positive effect on the surrounding waters. So, the Cyprus Sea:
- salty,
- warm,
- clean,
- calm.
Cyprus is washed by the Mediterranean Sea and it is the saltiest. This is mainly because the only river that flows into the Cyprus Sea is the Nile. Consequently, the freshwater influx is low and the salt concentration is high. Of course, it is not the same as in the famous Dead Sea, in which fish and plants cannot live (in fact, that’s why it got its name). But the salty water of the Cyprus Sea is also not very comfortable for many living organisms. This results in the absence of algae. Also, in the coastal waters you will not find jellyfish and sea urchins, which can cause injury to swimmers. Sharks that are dangerous to humans also do not swim to the shores of Cyprus. So high salt concentration has a positive effect on coastal safety.
But there are also disadvantages from salt water in the Cyprus Sea. Schools of colorful fish will not please those who like to scuba dive and explore the beauty of the underwater world. Fish and seafood on the island are mainly imported, since catching on an industrial scale is difficult to organize. But do not be afraid that the gifts of the ocean in Cyprus will not be entirely fresh; transportation from nearby regions takes a little time. In addition, there are special fish farms set up right in the sea. From them, the freshest fish reaches the kitchens of local restaurants almost immediately.
Cyprus offers traditional entertainment: sea fishing. But tourists shouldn’t expect a big catch. You especially shouldn’t have any illusions about the size of the fish you catch. But for avid amateur fishermen, the process itself is important, so this can turn out to be quite enjoyable entertainment. And you can get a lot of pleasure from a boat trip.
The Cyprus Sea is the warmest part of the Mediterranean. This determines the long beach season. It is comfortable to swim here from May to October; the water temperature at this time does not drop below +23°C. But often the sea warms up already in April and remains warm until November. So it could be even longer.
All tourists note the cleanliness of the coastal waters. Transparent water allows you to see the bottom even at great depths. This is partly due to the lack of algae. The beaches of Cyprus are also clean, despite the fact that they are very different in composition. Some are sandy (and there are some with imported sand), some are sand-shell, some have pebbles. The cleanliness of the water and coastal area is one of the parameters that allows beaches to be awarded the “blue flag” special distinction. More than half of all beaches in Cyprus have received this award.
Many resorts in Cyprus are located in bays and are protected from the winds. This determines the calm nature of the surrounding waters. There are few waves here, so even kids feel comfortable in the sea. But what is considered an advantage for some can be a serious disadvantage for others. The too calm water of the Cyprus Sea is not suitable for surfing. Although board rentals are available in almost all resort areas. It will be even more convenient for a novice surfer to comprehend the basics of this sport. But for professionals it is better to choose another sea for training.
Cyprus is one of the most popular tourist centers, attracting Russian tourists for more than 20 years. For our compatriots, it has long become an image of an ideal summer holiday, and stories about how wonderful the sea in Cyprus is is an object of envy among those who have not yet visited there. This island is divided into two parts - the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is a partially recognized state entity under the jurisdiction of Turkey. But the center of Russian tourism in this case is the Republic of Cyprus.
First of all, this fabulous island attracts our tourists, of course, with its beaches. Which sea washes Cyprus? Very warm - Mediterranean. The island is located in its eastern part. But this answer to this question is not entirely accurate from a geographical point of view. So what kind of sea is it? It is distinguished as an integral part of the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, its northeastern part (the one that washes the shores of Cyprus and is called the Cilician Sea. The eastern part, which lies between the island and the Middle Eastern shores, is called the Levantine Sea.
And what will an ordinary tourist answer if you ask him about what kind of sea is in Cyprus? The first answer you hear is: “Clean.” At the same time, a person’s face will be illuminated by a dreamy smile - such a sea will not be forgotten for a long time.
The sea in Cyprus is truly clean; it is not for nothing that many beaches on this island have been awarded the “blue flag” of the European Union for environmental cleanliness and developed infrastructure. All beaches in Cyprus are city property and visiting them is absolutely free. But you will have to pay about 1-2 euros for renting beach equipment: awnings, umbrellas, sun loungers.
In addition, the Cyprus Sea is one of the warmest and saltiest parts of the Mediterranean Sea. Due to the high salt content, almost all marine life is concentrated in coastal waters, which provides scope for diving. The Cyprus Sea is also rich in coral reefs, seeing which is the dream of every lover. But it should be remembered that the Cypriot authorities meticulously monitor the rise of archaeological treasures from the bottom of the sea by tourists. Therefore, despite the fact that finding them in the surrounding waters is a simple matter, you should not try to take away the historical heritage as souvenirs.
Cyprus. What kind of sea is there? Not only crystal clear, but also warm. The average sea water temperature off the coast of the island is about 15-17 degrees in the winter months, or more precisely from November to May. In summer, the water warms up to 22-27 degrees.
What are the main places in Cyprus for a beach holiday? Of course, the main resort is Larnaca. Limassol, Ayia Napa - the capital of the island's club life, and the city of Paphos, where the famous Aphrodite Bay is located, also boast excellent beaches. If you haven't made a decision yet on where to spend your holiday, consider visiting these cities. Then, upon returning home, you will enthusiastically begin to tell your friends and acquaintances: “Oh, what a sea in Cyprus!”
The main center of attraction for the bulk of tourists here is the endless, clean and, importantly, safe sea. Let's see where Cyprus is located on the world map and what kind of sea there is.
What sea is Cyprus located on?
If the first part of the question: “where is it” can be answered unambiguously, then the second part – “what kind of sea is there” – will not work. Formally, from a geographical point of view, the shores of the island are washed by the Mediterranean Sea. However, some of its parts have their own unofficial name. Yes, on to the south is the Cyprus Sea, in the northeast - Cilician, in the east - Levantine.
Geographically, Cyprus belongs to the Asian part of the world, and not to the European part, as most people are used to thinking. Despite the fact that one of them is Greek, there is little associated with this country. In fact, part of the state’s territory is controlled by Turkey and Great Britain. And the nearby countries are Egypt and Syria.
Climatic features of Cyprus
The tourist season on the island lasts from to. In the spring-summer period, the water temperature can reach a maximum of plus 30 degrees. This is facilitated by the peculiar terrain, replete with shallow waters.
With the arrival of autumn, the water in the sea cools down, but not rapidly, but gradually, which makes it possible to extend the holiday season. But even in winter and early spring, the waters of the Mediterranean Sea have a relatively comfortable temperature.
The Mediterranean Sea that surrounds Cyprus is completely unique and is famous for three main qualities:
1.
Cleanliness.
2.
Security.
3
. An abundance of strange living creatures.
The purity of the Cyprus Sea is an amazing phenomenon. Moreover, we are talking not only about the environmental component, but also about the transparency of the azure waters. In some places, even at a depth of a hundred meters, you can see the beauty of deep-sea marine life in great detail. As for the environment, everything is at the highest level, which is confirmed by a special EU quality certificate - Blue flag .
It is safe to be on the Cyprus coasts - it is impossible to meet sharks, sea urchins, or jellyfish here. But other, harmless inhabitants of the deep sea are worth admiring - lovers will be able to see rare fish, shellfish, crabs, turtles and even coral reefs. The only trouble is that an “encounter” with some types of algae growing on the wild beaches of the island can result in a minor burn.
Where to relax in Cyprus
So, we found out which sea Cyprus washes, now is the time to find out for this or that type of vacation.
The most famous resorts in Cyprus are and. Here, most tourists are attracted primarily by the snow-white sandy shores, gently sloping shallows, and clear water. Fans of active recreation (diving, fishing, windsurfing) will love the beaches, where the water is cooler, but the richest deep-sea world is. There is a beach nearby Aphrodite, attractive to tourists - after all, it was here, according to myth, that the goddess of beauty once emerged from the foam of the sea.