| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
Middle East |
| Geographical Location |
35° 00' North Latitude
33° 00' East Longitude |
| Surface Area |
9,250 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus) |
| Climate |
Temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters |
| Natural Resources |
Copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment |
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| Political Information |
 |
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| Country Name |
Republic of Cyprus |
| Capital City |
Nicosia |
| Government Type |
Republic |
| Administrative Divisions |
6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos; note - Turkish Cypriot area's administrative divisions include Kyrenia,
all but a small part of Famagusta, and small parts of Lefkosia (Nicosia) and Larnaca |
| Independence Day |
16 August 1960 (from UK) |
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| Demographical Information |
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| Population |
780,133 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Cypriot |
| Ethnic Groups |
Greek 77%, Turkish 18%, other 5% (2001) |
| Religion |
Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4% |
| Languages |
Greek, Turkish, English |
| Population Growth Rate |
0.54% (2005 est.) |
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| Economical Information |
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| Currency |
Greek Cypriot area: Cypriot pound (CYP);
Turkish Cypriot area: Turkish lira (TRL) |
| Industries |
Tourism, food and beverage processing; cement and gypsum production; ship repair and refurbishment; textiles; light chemicals; metal products; wood, paper, stone, and clay products |
| Labor Force |
Republic of Cyprus: 330,000, north Cyprus: 95,025 (2004 est.) |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
Republic of Cyprus: agriculture 4.9%, industry 19.4%, services 75.6%
north Cyprus: agriculture 15.1%, industry 27%, services 57.9% (2003 est.) |
| Agriculture Products |
Citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables, poultry, pork, lamb, kids, dairy, cheese |
| Export Commodities |
Republic of Cyprus: citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement, clothing and cigarettes;
north Cyprus: citrus, potatoes, textiles |
| Export Partners |
UK 20.2%, Greece 13.1%, Israel 7.4%, Germany 7%, Belgium 4.6% (2004) |
| Import Commodities |
Republic of Cyprus: consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, intermediate goods, machinery, transport equipment;
north Cyprus: vehicles, fuel, cigarettes, food, minerals, chemicals, machinery |
| Import Partners |
Russia 30.2%, Italy 8%, Greece 7.5%, Germany 6.4%, UK 6.1%, Japan 5.8%, France 4.2% (2004) |
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| Transportation |
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| Railways |
- |
| Highways |
13,943 km (Republic of Cyprus: 11,593 km; north Cyprus: 2,350 km) |
| Pipelines |
- |
| Airports |
17 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos, Vasilikos |
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| Communication |
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| Phone Code |
+357 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.cy |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
A former British colony, Cyprus received independence in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority
and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia. Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964,
sporadic intercommunal violence continued forcing most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek-sponsored attempt to seize the government
was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus," but it is recognized only by Turkey. The latest two-year round of UN-brokered direct talks - between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot
communities to reach an agreement to reunite the divided island - ended when the Greek Cypriots rejected the UN settlement plan in an April 2004 referendum.
Although only the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot-controlled Republic of Cyprus joined the EU on 1 May 2004, every Cypriot carrying a Cyprus passport will have the status of a European citizen.
EU laws, however, will not apply to north Cyprus. Nicosia continues to oppose EU efforts to establish direct trade and economic links to north Cyprus as a way of encouraging the Turkish Cypriot
community to continue to support reunification. |
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