Country name conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus
conventional short form: Cyprus
note: the Turkish Cypriot area refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) Background Independence from the UK was approved in 1960, with constitutional guarantees by the Greek Cypriot majority 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. UN-led direct talks between the two sides to reach a comprehensive settlement to the division of the island began in January 2002.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 Coastline 648 km 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 hazards moderate earthquake activity; droughts Environment - current issues water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, sea water intrusion to island"s largest aquifer, increased salination in the north); water pollution from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization Geography - note the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia) Population 771,657 (July 2003 est.) Age structure 0-14 years: 21.9% (male 86,446; female 82,769)
15-64 years: 67% (male 261,404; female 255,409)
65 years and over: 11.1% (male 37,345; female 48,284) (2003 est.) Median age total: 34.2 years
male: 33.1 years
female: 35.2 years (2002) Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Nationality noun: Cypriot(s)
adjective: Cypriot Ethnic groups Greek 85.2%, Turkish 11.6%, other 3.2% (2000) Religions Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4% Languages Greek, Turkish, English Internet country code .cy Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.6%
male: 98.9%
female: 96.3% (2003 est.) Government type republic
note: a disaggregation 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 after a Greek junta-based 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; both sides publicly support a settlement based on a federation (Greek Cypriot position) or confederation (Turkish Cypriot position) National holiday Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriot area celebrates 15 November (1983) as Independence Day Legal system based on common law, with civil law modifications International organization participation Australia Group, C, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Economy - overview The Greek Cypriot economy is prosperous but highly susceptible to external shocks. Erratic growth rates over the past decade 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 roughly one-third of the per capita GDP of the south. Because it is recognized only by Turkey, it has had much difficulty arranging foreign financing and investment. It remains heavily dependent on agriculture and government service, which together employ about half of the work force. To compensate for the economy"s weakness, Turkey provides grants and loans to support economic development. Ankara provided $200 million in 2002 and pledged $450 million for the 2003-05 period. Future events throughout the island will be highly influenced by the outcome of negotiations on the UN-sponsored agreement to unite the Greek and Turkish areas and by the arrangements under which the island joins the EU. Exports - partners UK 28.2%, Greece 7%, UAE 5.3%, France 5.2% (2002) Currency Greek Cypriot area: Cypriot pound (CYP); Turkish Cypriot area: Turkish lira (TRL) Currency code CYP; TRL Exchange rates Cypriot pounds per US dollar - 0.61 (2002), 0.64 (2001), 0.62 (2000), 0.54 (1999), 0.52 (1998), Turkish lira per US dollar NA (2002), 1,225,590 (2001), 625,218 (2000), 418,783 (1999), 260,724 (1998) Airports 16 (2002) Airports - with paved runways total: 13
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (2002)
914 to 1,523 m: 3 Airports - with unpaved runways total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (2002) Disputes - international hostilities in 1974 divided the island into two de facto autonomous areas, a Greek Cypriot area controlled by the internationally recognized Cypriot Government and a Turkish-Cypriot area, separated by a UN buffer zone; UN deadline on sides accepting a federation plan for reunification have expired, diminishing chances of Turkish-Cypriot participation in EU membership in 2004 |
