A Map of Cyprus

Cyprus

Background: The Greek Cypriot majority approved Independence from the UK in 1960 with constitutional guarantees to the Turkish Cypriot minority. In 1974, a Greek-sponsored attempt to seize the government was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled almost 40% of the island. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," but it is recognized only by Turkey.
Location: Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey. Area: Total: 9,250 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in the Turkish Cypriot area,) water: 10 sq km, land: 9,240 sq km. Area - comparative: About 0.6 times the size of Connecticut. Land boundaries: 0 km. Coastline: 648 km.
Climate and Terrain: Climate: Temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters. Terrain: Central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast. Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m, highest point: Olympus 1,951 m. Natural resources: Copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment.

Return to Visiting Locations
 Flag for Cyprus

People: Population: 767,314. Ethnic groups: Greek 85.2%, Turkish 11.6%, other 3.2%. Religions: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4%. Languages: Greek, Turkish, English.
Government: Government type: Republic. Capital: Nicosia. Independence: 16 August 1960 (from UK); note - Turkish Cypriot area proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975.

Economy overview: The division of the country affects economic affairs. The Greek Cypriot economy is prosperous but highly susceptible to external shocks. Erratic growth rates in the 1990s reflect the economy's vulnerability to swings in tourist arrivals, caused by political instability in the region and fluctuations in economic conditions in Western Europe. Economic policy is focused on meeting the criteria for admission to the EU. As in the Turkish sector, water shortages are a perennial problem; a few desalination plants are now online. The Turkish Cypriot economy has less than one-half the per capita GDP of the south.
Statistics: Telephones - main lines in use: Greek Cypriot area: 405,000; Turkish Cypriot area: 83,162. Telephones - mobile cellular: Greek Cypriot area: 68,000; Turkish Cypriot area: 70,000. Radio broadcast stations: Greek Cypriot area: AM 7, FM 60, Turkish Cypriot area: AM 3, FM 11. Radios: Greek Cypriot area: 310,000; Turkish Cypriot area: 56,450. Television broadcast stations: Greek Cypriot area:; Turkish Cypriot area: 4. Televisions: Greek Cypriot area: 248,000; Turkish Cypriot area: 52,300. Internet users: 120,000. Railways: 0 km Highways: Total: Greek Cypriot area: 10,663 km, Turkish Cypriot area: 2,350 km. Airports: 15, with paved runways: 12, with unpaved runways: 3. Heliports: 7.