What animals live in Cyprus?

Cyprus has some creatures worth knowing about! The mouflon is a wild sheep with big curved horns — it lives in the Troodos Mountains and is found almost nowhere else in the world. You might also spot sea turtles nesting on the beaches, along with lots of lizards soaking up the Mediterranean sun. The island is also a busy rest stop for birds migrating between Europe and Africa, so birdwatchers spot all kinds of visitors passing through. And in the waters around Cyprus, dolphins swim in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a small island, but God packed a lot of variety into it!

What do kids eat in Cyprus?

Herman here, with Rusty peering over my shoulder! Kids in Cyprus grow up eating some really good food. One favorite is halloumi — a firm, salty cheese that gets grilled or fried until it's golden on the outside. You might find it tucked into a sandwich or served alongside fresh bread for breakfast. Rusty wants to add that Cypriot kids also enjoy souvlaki, which is seasoned meat cooked on a skewer, and a thick yogurt dip called tzatziki made with cucumber and garlic. Families often eat together around big shared plates, which is a wonderful tradition. Meals there taste a little like a mix of Greek and Middle Eastern cooking, since Cyprus sits right at the crossroads of those two worlds.

How do people say hello in Cyprus?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! In Cyprus, most people speak Greek, and the common way to say hello is 'Yassas' (yah-SAHS) — it works for greeting one or more people and shows respect. If you want something a little more casual with a friend, you might hear 'Yassou' (YAH-soo). Rusty wants you to know that Cyprus also has a large Turkish Cypriot community in the northern part of the island, where people speak Turkish and say 'Merhaba' (mair-HAH-bah) to greet each other. So depending on which part of this island you're exploring, you might hear very different sounds — same small island, two different languages ringing through the streets!

What sports or games do kids play in Cyprus?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Cyprus love football — what we call soccer — more than almost anything else. You'll find boys and girls kicking a ball around in dusty courtyards, schoolyards, and neighborhood streets all across the island. The Cypriot national football teams have some serious fans! Rusty wants to add that because Cyprus sits right in the warm Mediterranean Sea, swimming and beach volleyball are huge favorites too. Kids also play a traditional chasing game called 'Kynigito,' which is a bit like tag. And since Cyprus has been a crossroads of cultures for thousands of years — Greeks, Romans, Ottomans, and British have all lived there — you can sometimes spot kids playing backgammon, a board game that has been popular in that part of the world for centuries.

What's the weather like in Cyprus?

Cyprus is a sunny island in the Mediterranean Sea, and it has some of the warmest, driest weather in all of Europe. Summers are long and hot — temperatures often climb above 100°F (38°C) — while winters are mild and short, with just enough rain to keep things green for a little while. Because Cyprus sits so far east in the Mediterranean, it gets around 300 sunny days a year. That means people spend a lot of time outdoors, and the landscape shifts between golden, dry hills in summer and patches of wildflowers after the winter rains. It is a beautiful island to explore — and a great reminder that God crafted every corner of this earth with such variety and care.

Tell me a fun fact about Cyprus.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, and it holds a record that surprises a lot of people — it is home to one of the oldest known settlements on Earth. Archaeologists found a village called Khirokitia where people lived over 9,000 years ago! Rusty loves this next part: Cyprus is shaped a bit like a frying pan when you look at it on a map, with a long pointy peninsula sticking out to the northeast. The island is also famous for its halloumi cheese, which is squeaky when you bite it and can be grilled without melting. People there have been making it for centuries, and it is still a big part of meals today.

What is school like for kids in Cyprus?

In Cyprus, kids start school around age 5 or 6, and school is free for everyone through high school. Most lessons are taught in Greek, since Greek is the main language on the island. Students study subjects like math, history, and literature, just like kids in many other countries. One thing that makes Cyprus interesting is that the island is divided — the southern part is mainly Greek Cypriot, and the northern part is mainly Turkish Cypriot, and kids on each side often grow up learning very different things about history. Some Christian families in Cyprus have a long church tradition going back many centuries, but knowing church history is different from knowing Jesus personally. That is why missionaries still work hard to share the good news that a real relationship with Jesus is possible for every kid on the island.

Who are the unreached people in Cyprus?

Great question! Cyprus is a Mediterranean island with beautiful mountains and warm beaches, but it has some people groups who have rarely heard the true gospel of Jesus. The largest unreached group is Turkish Cypriots — most of them come from a Muslim background and live in the northern part of the island. Many have never had a real conversation with a Christian about who Jesus is. There are also small communities of Arabs, Kurds, and other immigrants from the Middle East and Central Asia living in Cyprus, and many of them come from Muslim or other non-Christian backgrounds too. Herman and I think it is worth knowing that while Cyprus has many Orthodox churches and church buildings, 'going to church' and truly trusting Jesus as your personal Savior are different things — so even among Greek Cypriots, many need to hear the real good news. That means there is a lot of work for missionaries and local believers to do!

How can I pray for the people of Cyprus?

Great question — praying for Cyprus is one of the best things you can do! Cyprus is a beautiful island in the Mediterranean Sea, but many people there follow traditions that don't include a personal relationship with Jesus. You can pray that Cypriots hear the real good news about Jesus and trust Him as their Savior. You can also pray for the small but faithful churches in Cyprus to grow strong and bold in sharing the gospel with their neighbors. Pray for missionaries serving there to have courage and open doors. And pray that Christian leaders from Cyprus itself are raised up — people who know the island, speak the language, and love Jesus with their whole hearts.

What is a holiday or celebration in Cyprus?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the biggest celebrations in Cyprus is Easter — and they celebrate it in a really big way. Cyprus is a country with deep roots in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, so Easter is treated as the most important event of the whole year. Churches fill up, candles are lit at midnight, and families gather for a special feast after the long church service. Rusty loves this part — on Easter Saturday night, people carry candles out of the church at midnight to mark when Jesus rose from the dead. They say 'Christos Anesti,' which means 'Christ is risen,' and others answer 'Alithos Anesti' — 'Truly He is risen!' Then families break their fast with a soup called magiritsa and roast lamb the next day. It is a beautiful reminder that Jesus really did rise from the grave, and that changes everything.

What language do people speak in Cyprus?

Cyprus has two main languages depending on which part of the island you are in. In the southern part, most people speak Greek, and in the northern part, most people speak Turkish. Both languages have long histories and their own alphabets. Greek has been spoken on Cyprus for thousands of years — since before the New Testament was even written! In fact, most of the New Testament was originally written in Greek, so Cypriot Christians who speak Greek can read those ancient words in a language close to their own. That is a pretty remarkable connection to the very first followers of Jesus.

What's a famous place to visit in Cyprus?

One of the most famous places in Cyprus is the ancient city of Paphos, right on the southwestern coast. It has ruins, mosaic floors from Roman times, and even a harbor where ships have sailed for thousands of years. History is literally under your feet there! Paphos is also special because the apostle Paul actually visited Cyprus and preached the gospel there — you can read about it in Acts 13. A Roman official named Sergius Paulus heard Paul speak and believed in Jesus. So when you walk around Paphos, you are walking where some of the very first missionary work ever happened.

Cyprus — Kids Missions Explorer

Cyprus Mouflon

This wild mountain sheep, called agrino in Greek, has lived on Cyprus for thousands of years and is one of the rarest wild sheep in the world.

Green Sea Turtle

Female green sea turtles return to the sandy beaches of Cyprus every summer to lay their eggs, just as their ancestors have done for millions of years.

Halloumi

This firm, salty cheese is made from goat and sheep milk, and it is famous for holding its shape when grilled or fried on a pan.

Souvlaki

Small cubes of seasoned meat grilled on skewers, souvlaki is a everyday street food that families and friends share together at outdoor tables.

Loukoumades

These small fried dough balls are drizzled with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon, and they have been enjoyed as a sweet treat in Cyprus since ancient times.

Cyprus

Things you should know about Cyprus

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Cyprus

Missions in Cyprus

Pray for Cyprus