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 From
the scripts of ancient Greek poets to modern tourist brochures, Aphrodite
has been almost synonymous with Cyprus throughout history. Variously known
as 'Kypris', the Cyprian, and 'Paphian', after the town of Paphos from
where, mythology has it, she rose from the sea-foam, the goddess of beauty
and love is above all a Cypriot goddess.
Situated in the eastern corner of the Mediterranean, Cyprus has a subtropical
climate. In July and August temperatures rise to over 40°C, in the
central plain, leaving the land parched and the island a blaze of brown
and dusty-gold colours. 
Only the green leaves of the hardy olive, carob and fig trees break up
this auburn kaleidoscope.
The most prominent features on the island are two mountain ranges, which
started off life as molten rock erupting from the ocean bed.
The higher of the two is the southern Troodos range, which climbs to
an altitude of 2,000 metres above sea level and in winter it is covered
with snow. Because of its vulnerability to the elements, the sedimentary
cap of limestone and sandstone covering the Troodos Mountains was washed
away exposing a range of igneous rocks.
These contained easily accessible minerals - such as copper, asbestos
and pyrites - which, for thousands of years, constituted the island's
main form of wealth.
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