Travel the World - Week 26

This is the 26th week in my Travel the World personal challenge. Each week I am randomly choosing one country (there are 195 countries in the world) and doing a little research on that country. I then select one tidbit of information about the country as inspiration for the card I make.

This week's country is...

Cyprus

Cyprus, officially the Republic of Cyprus, is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Cypriots do not like fishing and they do not fish, despite being an island nation.

Cyprus was once the wealthiest nation in the known world. It was during the Copper and Bronze Ages when the island’s rich natural copper resources were exported to other countries.

Cyprus has a coastline length of 402.6 miles. Its coastline is rocky and heavily indented, with a number of bays and capes.

More than 55 beaches on Cyprus have been awarded the EU Blue Flag for cleanliness and safety.

Cyprus is known for its sunshine! It receives sunshine for more than 300 days during a year.

Cyprus is one of only a few places in the world where Green Turtles and Loggerhead Turtles nest.

Cyprus is home to 20 rare species of orchid.

Out of the total 1950 species of flowering plants worldwide, 140 are found nowhere but in Cyprus.

There is a tree in Cyprus known to fulfill wishes. This tree at the entrance to the Christian catacombs in Paphos is adorned with handkerchiefs and ribbons. People believe that infertile women will bear children and people will return to their loved ones when something that belonged to them is tied to the tree along with a belief that good will happen.

The Cyprus Muflon, a rare variety of sheep can only be found in Cyprus.

Cyprus is one of only four countries (the UK, the republic of Ireland and Malta) in the EU that drives on the left.

Taxi drivers in Cyprus do not give change. They keep the change as a tip.

Cyprus was the first country to be governed by a Christian.

Cyprus is the only foreign country to host a British royal wedding. Queen Joanna and King Richard enjoyed a lavish affair at the Chapel of St. George on the 12th of May 1191.   

With a very low crime rate, Cyprus is also among the safest places in the world.

The remains of the oldest known pet cat, dating back 9,500 years, was found in Cyprus buried with its master.

I decided to let this Cyprus fact be the inspiration for this week's card... It’s said there are more cats on the island of Cyprus than people. Legend has it an entire shipload of cats was sent to the island by St Helena, because of a severe snake problem. The plan was to have the furry felines eat the poisonous snakes. But apparently, they enjoyed Cyprus so much they didn't want to leave.

Here's the inside:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Stampendous Fluffies Eat Dessert First and SU Happy Birthday stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and White and SU Lemon Lime Twist CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: CC Designs Enamel Dots