Cyprus

Cyprus

area:	9250 sq km (3571 sq mi)
population:	762,000
capital (population):	Nicosia (195,300)
government:	Multiparty republic
ethnic groups:	Greek Cypriot 81%, Turkish Cypriot 19%
languages:	Greek and Turkish (both official)
religions:	Christianity (Greek Orthodox), Islam
currency:	Cyprus pound = 100 cents

Island republic in the ne Mediterranean Sea; the capital is Nicosia.

Land and climate

Cyprus has scenic mountain ranges, the Kyrenia and the Troodos, the latter rising to 1951m (6401ft) at Mount Olympus. The island contains fertile lowlands, used extensively for agriculture. It has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Pine forests grow on the mountain slopes.

History and Politics

Greeks settled on Cyprus c.3200 years ago. From ad 330, the island was part of the Byzantine Empire. In the 1570s, it became part of the Ottoman Empire. Turkish rule continued until 1878, when Turkey leased Cyprus to Britain. In 1925, Britain proclaimed it a colony. In the 1950s, Greek Cypriots, who made up 80% of the population, began a campaign for enosis (union) with Greece. Their leader was the Greek Orthodox Archbishop Makarios. A guerrilla force (EOKA) attacked the British, who exiled Makarios. In 1960, Cyprus became an independent country with Makarios as president. The constitution provided for power-sharing between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The arrangement proved unworkable, and fighting broke out between the two communities. In 1964, the UN sent in a peacekeeping force. In 1974, Greek-led Cypriot forces overthrew Makarios. This led Turkey to invade n Cyprus, occupying c.40% of the island. Many Greek Cypriots fled from the Turkish-occupied area, which Turkey proclaimed to be a self-governing region in 1979. In 1983, Turkish Cypriots declared the n the independent Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; the only country to recognize this status is Turkey. The UN regards Cyprus as a single nation under the Greek Cypriot government in the s. It is estimated that more than 30,000 Turkish troops are deployed in n Cyprus. Despite UN-brokered peace negotiations (1997), there are frequent border clashes between the two communities. In 1998, Cyprus began accession talks with the European Union.

Economy

Cyprus got its name from kypros (Gk. copper), but little copper remains; the chief minerals today are asbestos and chromium. Industry employs 37% of the workforce; manufactures include cement, footwear, tiles, and wine. Crops include barley, citrus fruits, grapes, olives, potatoes, and wheat. The most valuable industry is tourism. The economy of the Turkish North (1999 GDP per capita, US$5300) lags behind the Greek South (2000 GDP per capita, US$16,000).

Political map

Physical map

Websites

http://www.cyprustourism.org/cyprus.html; http://org/PIO/cyprus/index.htm; http://www.cypnet.com/.ncyprus