Cyprus, nestling at the eastern end of the Mediterranean, has become a popular tourist resort in recent years. Blessed with extensive beaches and a warm climate, it's little surprise that so many are choosing Cyprus.

This little island seems to get more coverage in the media than many, partly due to the somewhat complicated political situation on the island. Since the 1970s the northern part of Cyprus has been under Turkish occupation, meaning that visiting that part of the island has been particularly complex.

It has, however, now become much easier to plan a trip to the island. This has been great news for holiday-makers, with the climate of Cyprus being ideally suited to those looking for summer sun.

Summers here are warm and dry, resulting in some very pleasant sea temperatures too. The Cypriot tourist board note that sea temperatures are so good that it is suitable to bathe in the sea at any time from May to October each year.

Such are the delights of Cyprus that it is little surprise that many choose the island for a beach holiday, taking advantage of the warm sea, fine beaches and excellent water sport facilities.

Visitors will find more than 400 miles of coastline, with almost 50 beaches having achieved Blue Flag status, which means that they have been noted as being clean and environmentally friendly.

A number of the beaches are located close to some of the island's larger towns and coastal resorts, ensuring that you shouldn't have a problem finding accommodation and entertainment.

Given all of the advantages that Cyprus has, both natural and man-made, it is obvious why this Mediterranean gem is so popular with visitors from Europe and further afield. The growth in tourism is likely to continue, but it is to be hoped that the popularity won't become so great that the Cypriot beaches become over-crowded.

Whatever the future holds for Cyprus, it is certain that the people of this island will continue to welcome visitors with the natural warmth that typifies the Cypriot people.

About the author:

Keith Barrett writes has written on all aspects of tourism, from his work on Cyprus airports to articles on the Far East. This article may be used by any website publisher, though this resource box must always be included in full.