Nigel Howarth says the warmth and generosity of the Cypriot people and the island's relaxed way of life makes the country a popular choice for expats.

Nigel, a business consultant who escaped the rat race in 2002, has previously lived and worked in Hong Kong, Australia, South Africa and the Netherlands.

He first visited Cyprus in 1982 and moved to the island permanently in 2002. He and his wife Pat live in Erimi, a village close to the town of Limassol.

Since moving to Cyprus, Nigel has written and published a detailed guide for those wishing to buy property on the island.

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It has an area of 3,572 square miles and is about 120 miles to the west of Syria and 500 miles to the east of Greece. Nicosia is the capital and the island's largest city with a population of some 190,000.

Since 1974, the northern third of the island has been occupied by Turkish forces and has formed a separate (though internationally unrecognized) state. Although talks to resolve the situation have been held from time to time, Cyprus remains a divided island.

A UN buffer zone, known as the "Green Line" currently separates the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.

The island has a typical Mediterranean climate. The summers are hot and dry and the cooler, rainy season extends from October to March. The average annual temperature is 21°C and the average annual rainfall is less than 500 millimetres.

Summer temperatures in the inland capital of Nicosia can reach over 40 degrees Celsius while in the coastal regions they can reach a more modest 35 to 38 degrees

Paphos is situated on the west coast of the island and is the site of the island's second international airport. It is a resort town having a fishing harbour as its focal point next to the Paphos Fort

It has proved to be particularly popular with foreigners and much development continues to take place in and around the town and its nearby villages to satisfy the increasing demand for retirement, holiday, and investment properties.

Limassol is the island's second largest city and is located on the south coast. It is the island's main port, the centre of the wine industry, and a holiday resort. It hosts the island's two top festivals, the pre-lent Carnival and the Wine Festival in September.

Larnaca is situated towards the eastern end of the island and is home to the island's main international airport. It has a marina and its salt lake is home to colonies of flamingos and other migratory birds that visit Cyprus during the cooler months of the year.

Its old-world charm and excellent transport links make it popular with many people seeking a home in the sun.

Agia Napa is situated on the island's east coast and was once a small fishing village. After the Turkish invasion it was redeveloped to become the largest resort area on the island with many hotels, shops, tavernas, discos and bars.

Nicosia is the capital city and it is, roughly, in the centre of the island and within easy reach of the main towns. Strong walls built by the Venetians in the 16th century encircle the ancient city centre through which runs part of the UN "Green Line".

In complete contrast to the main towns and the capital city is the Troodos mountain range that stretches across the centre of the island. Capped with snow in the winter and covered with pine trees, the mountain areas of the Troodos provide a cool retreat from the hot summer sun.

The area is popular for those wishing to enjoy the clear air, space and dramatic landscapes.

There are literally hundreds of villages scattered throughout the island. These vary in size from a few dozen houses to a thousand or more, some of which are literally miles from anywhere.

In the more remote villages, the only people you are likely to see are your neighbours and perhaps the occasional lost tourist.

Property market: As well as being a prime holiday destination, Cyprus has become a popular place for people wishing to enjoy their retirement in the sun and for those buying holiday and investment property.

After Spain and France, it is the most popular place for Britons seeking a place in the sun with more than 60,000 owning property on the island.

This popularity is due to many factors, including: the warmth and generosity of the Cypriot people, the relaxed way of life, the warm Mediterranean climate, the low levels of crime, the fact that many Cypriots are fluent in English and the lowest level of income tax in Europe.

Although the Cyprus Government controls the amount of property that can be legally owned by non-resident EU citizens and other foreigners, its popularity continues to grow.

Currently, house prices in the Republic represent good value for money. They are approximately 20% lower than equivalent properties in Portugal, 30% lower than those in Spain and 50% lower than those in Italy and France.

Cyprus' accession to the EU will lead to the eventual removal of the restrictions placed on the foreign ownership of property.

As well as further increasing demand by British sun-seekers, the removal of these restrictions should also increase demand from citizens of other EU member states. This will undoubtedly help to push up Cyprus property values.