January 1st is an important date in both Greece and Cyprus because it is not only the first day of the New Year but it is also Saint Basil’s Day.
Cyprus is divided into six districts (Greek: επαρχίες eparchies; Turkish: kaza), whose capitals share the same name. The districts are further divided up into municipalities.
Cypriots are not always described simply as “Cypriots”. The word is often used together with the prefix “Greek” or “Turkish” in recognition of the two major ethnic groups that inhabit the island: the Greek-speaking Greek Orthodox community and the Turkish-speaking Muslims.