Paphos, town in southwestern Cyprus on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Paphos is the center of a fruit-growing and agricultural area and also has textile and food-processing industries. Tourism is also important to the economy, with visitors to the coast and archaeological sites. A historic Turkish fort guards the harbor, which serves fishing and sport boats. Other notable features include 19th-century British colonial buildings, an archaeological museum, amphitheater, mosque, and bath.
Paphos was an ancient capital of Cyprus and contained the Temple of Aphrodite. It was lavishly rebuilt by Augustus, first emperor of Rome following an earthquake around 100 BC, but it declined after a large 4th-century earthquake. Paphos only returned to importance in the 19th and 20th centuries, with the construction of better roads to the town. New Paphos replaced the historic settlements of Old and Lower Paphos. Today, with Ktima, New Paphos makes up modern Paphos. Population (1997 estimate) 38,000.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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