The south coast town of Limassol is the island's largest seaside resort. Acting as a magnificent backdrop to the city that spreads for ten miles along the coast are the Troodos mountains, in whose fertile foothills most of the country's grapes are grown. Since the Middle Ages when the Crusaders heid Cyprus under Richard the Lionheart,Limassol has been known to traders for its wine and sugar cane. Now, this second largest city of Cyprus, with a population of 135.000 is the centre of its wine-making industry, and an important commercial and tourist centre.