Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area

Cyprus' past is full of stories of colonisers, raiders and armies generally coveting the small island's strategic position. So when Cyprus finally and belatedly received independence from colonial administration in 1960, Britain negotiated terms that saw the new Republic of Cyprus ceding 158 sq km (99 sq miles) of its territory to its former colonial master.

This territory, now known as the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs), is used for military purposes by the British, who have a couple of well-established and solidly entrenched garrisons on the two SBAs in Cyprus. A large chunk of these areas occupies the Akrotiri Peninsula, immediately southwest of Lemesos, while the border of the Akrotiri SBA territory runs as far west as Avdimou Beach. The only indication that you are on 'foreign soil' is the odd sight of British SBA police patrolling the territory in special police vehicles. So, if you are booked for any traffic infringement while driving in the area, you'll be booked by British military police. To the immediate west of the peninsula, along the old Lemesos-Pafos road, you will come across green playing fields, cricket pitches and housing estates more reminiscent of Leicester than Lemesos.