Cyprus island of cats

#100waysoftravel What comes to mind when you think of Cyprus? If you are like most people, you picture miles of golden beaches, glistening ocean waves, and the Old-World charm of cobblestone streets and outdoor cafes. If you thought of all that, you are spot on. But did you think of cats? This dreamy island is also known as “The Island of Cats.” Yes, cats. There are more cats in Cyprus than there are people. You read that right. To be specific, there are around 1.5 million cats with 1.2 million servants. That is great news for cat lovers. This trip could be purrrr-fection! If you are a lesser fan of the feline species, you might want to head somewhere where you are not overwhelmed by fur. Cypriots tend to be cat lovers. Cats sit in cafes and offices, wander the streets, and sun themselves on any flat surface. If you sleep with your window open, you may wake up to a new friend. Part of the reason is that cats are highly valued in Cypriot history and culture. It is entirely possible that Cypriots began the tradition of human-feline connection a good 2,000 years before the Egyptians. This realization has come from a 2005 discovery, in which archaeologists discovered a tomb in which a young man and a cat had been buried side by side. But Cypriots also have practical reasons for valuing cats. The island is home to a large snake population (not to fear — they are mostly in the mountains). There are so many snakes that a fourth-century queen imported 1,000 cats to tackle the problem. Contemporary cats continue to keep the serpentine population at bay.#animalcontact