Cyprus, an island of legends that basks year-round in the light of the warm Mediterranean sun. A historic island, the third largest in the Mediterranean where modern travelers retrace the footsteps of figures as diverse as St. Paul, Alexander the Great and Leonardo da Vinci.
Courtesy of Google Earth
Today Cyprus is a modern country that effortlessly marries European culture with ancient enchantment. You will discover a compact world of alluring beaches and fragrant mountain peaks, vineyards studded with olive trees and ancient ruins that stir the imagination, citrus groves and old stone villages.
The people of Cyprus owe their individuality and warmth to the fact that they are the product of an amazingly colorful history. This sun-drenched island has been at the crossroads of world events for centuries. Roman, Byzantine, Greek and British influences (to name just a few) have all had a bearing on life in Cyprus. Perhaps that's why Cypriots have a special knack of making visitors feel at home as soon as they step off the plane or ship. That warm welcome, plus the unhurried pace of daily life, makes Cyprus an instant favorite of anyone who goes there. However, Cypriots managed to positively and creatively assimilate the foreign influences from all the invaders and to maintain unchanged the Greek language and the cultural heritage.
In 1974 Turkey has invaded Cyprus and occupied the northern part of the Island. More than a quarter of a century after the invasion by Turkish troops, Cyprus still remains the only divided country in Europe. However, Cyprus can be proud of all its important achievements, the greatest of all being its accession to the European Union.
With a modernized economy Cyprus is in position to be part of a new peaceful and prosperous Europe in which Greek and Turkish Cypriots together will be able to utilize the vast opportunities that membership offers. The challenge facing Cyprus is to ensure that both communities have a role to play in the future of the country. A viable and functional solution to the Cyprus problem will ensure human rights for all the Cypriot European citizens and this will guarantee security and well being.
Cyprus Facts
Capital
Nicosia
Total Area
total: 9,250 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus)
land: 9,240 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Population
780,133 (July 2005 est.)
Languages
Greek, Turkish, English
Literacy
total population: 74.45 years
male: 70.79 years
female: 78.31 years (2005 est.)
Religions
Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4%
Life Expectancy
total population: 77.65 years
male: 75.29 years
female: 80.13 years (2005 est.)
Government Type
republic
note: 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
Currency
Greek Cypriot area: Cypriot pound (CYP); Turkish Cypriot area: Turkish lira (TRL)
GDP (per capita)
Republic of Cyprus: purchasing power parity - $15.71 billion north Cyprus: purchasing power parity - $4.54 billion (2004 est.)
Labour Force
Republic of Cyprus: 330,000, north Cyprus: 95,025 (2004 est.)
Exports
Republic of Cyprus: $1.094 billion f.o.b. north Cyprus: $49.3 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports
Republic of Cyprus: $5.258 billion f.o.b. north Cyprus: $415.2 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Natural Resources
copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment
Telephones (main lines in use)
Republic of Cyprus: 427,400 (2002); north Cyprus: 86,228 (2002)
Telephones (mobile cellular)
Republic of Cyprus: 417,900 (2002); north Cyprus: 143,178 (2002)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
Internet hosts: 5,901 (2004)
Internet users: 210,000 (2002)