Agriculture is important in Cyprus. Crops include barley, potatoes, vegetables, olives, citrus fruits, grapes and olives. Goats, sheep, cattle and pigs are reared.

Cypriot industries are food-processing, the production of fruit juice, wine and sherry, textiles, footwear, construction equipment, cement, chemicals, plastic products, electrical appliances, wood products and fish farming and sponge fishing.

Tourism is a major industry and Cyprus has become an international business and financial centre with a rapidly growing city stock market.

Arts

Cyprus has a long artistic tradition. Roman mosaic floors date from the third century AD, for example, the House of Theseus and the House of Leda. During the Byzantine period many icons and frescoes were created. Icons are still produced today.

Crafts include weaving, embroidery, lace-making (the village of Lefkara) and silversmithing.

Traditional music and poetry has been handed down through the generations. Music and dance is popular in both the Greek and Turkish sectors of the island.

Sport

Football is a popular sport. Many sports are available such as cycling, tennis and golf. There is skiing on Mount Olympus in the Troodos Mountains during the winter.

The island provides many opportunities for diving and other water sports. Fishing including freshwater fishing is also popular.

Holidays

Religious calendars are followed in the north and south. New Year's Day and Independence Day (from the UK) are celebrated. There are carnivals in many towns and villages - usually in March. Some towns have flower festivals and there are International Arts Festivals, a Great Flood (Noah's Ark) Festival and a Drama Festival in the ancient theatre in Kourion.