About
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. The entire island entered the EU on
1 May 2004, although the EU acquis - the body of common rights and obligations - applies only to the areas under direct
Republic of Cyprus control. At present, every Cypriot carrying a Cyprus passport has the status of a European citizen;
however, EU laws do 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.
More...
Source: The World Factbook
Population: 780,133 (July 2005 est.)
Capital: Nicosia
Languages: Greek,
Turkish, English
Religions: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4%
Government: republic
a separation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this
separation was further solidified after the Turkish intervention in July 1974 that followed a Greek junta-supported coup
attempt gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized
government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTASH declared independence and the formation of a
"Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), recognized only by Turkey
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
Geography: the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia)
Ethnic groups: Greek 77%, Turkish 18%, other
5% (2001)
Economy: The Republic of Cyprus has a capitalist economy dominated by the service sector, which accounts for 76% of
GDP. Tourism and financial services are the most important sectors; erratic growth rates over the past decade reflect the
economy's reliance on tourism, which often fluctuates with political instability in the region and economic conditions in
Western Europe. Cyprus joined the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM2) in May 2005 and could adopt the euro within the next
two years. Although sluggish tourism and poor fiscal management have resulted in high budget deficits since 2001, the
government is pursuing reforms to trim the deficit. As in the Turkish sector, water shortages are a perennial problem; a few
desalination plants are now on-line. After 10 years of drought, the country received substantial rainfall from 2001-03,
alleviating immediate concerns. The Turkish Cypriot economy has roughly one-third of the per capita GDP of the south, and
economic growth tends to be volatile, given north Cyprus's relative isolation, bloated public sector, reliance on the Turkish
lira, and small market size. The Turkish Cypriot economy grew 15.4% in 2004, fueled by growth in the construction and
education sectors as well as increased employment of Turkish Cypriots in the Republic of Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriots are
heavily dependent on transfers from the Turkish government. Under the 2003-06 economic protocol, Ankara plans to provide
around $550 million to the "TRNC." Agriculture and services, together, employ more than half of the work force, especially
with tourism growth and the easing of border restrictions with the Greek Cypriots since April 2003.
GDP per capita: Republic of Cyprus: purchasing power parity - $21,600 (2005 est.); north Cyprus: purchasing power parity - $7,135
(2004 est.)
GDP real growth: Republic of Cyprus: 3.8% (2005 est.) north Cyprus: 15.4% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate: Republic of Cyprus: 3.5% (2005 est.); north Cyprus: 5.6% (2004 est.)
Internet country code: .cy
Dial code: +357
Cities
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Find a flight to any city in Cyprus
Local currency is the Cyprus Pound
Airlines based in Cyprus
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