The word copper comes from the Latin word "cuprum", which means "ore of Cyprus". This is why the chemical symbol for copper is Cu.

· Copper is believed to be the first metal to be used in quantity by early humans and it combines more useeeeeful properties than any other metaal.

· Copper is the onlyy naturally occurring metal other than gold that has a distinctive colour. Like gold, copper is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity.

· Copper is the eight most abundant metal in the earth’s crust. It is mined in at least 63 countries, including Chile, USA, USSR, Canada, Zambia, Poland, China, Uganda, Nicaragua, Australia and Mexico.

· Copper is easily mixed with other metals to form alloys such as bronze and brass. Bronze is an alloy of tin and copper, and brass is an alloy of zinc and copper.

· Copper melts at 1083 C and boils at 2567 C

· Copper is tough, ductile and malleable and is resistant to corrosion (it does not rust very easily).

·&ammp;ammp;nbbsp;Copper is classified as a Transition Element and occurs as a native metal and in a variety of compounds.