Cyprus is an island country of the Mediterranean Sea. Located in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey and west of Syria, the island of Cyprus has an area of 9 250 km2 , making it the third largest island in the Mediterranean. The main urban cities are Nicosia, the capital, with 200 700 residents (2004), Limassol (151 400 residents) (2004) and Larnaca (48 900 residents) (2004). The country is divided into two sectors: the Republic of Cyprus (Greek Cypriots) in the South, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (Turkish Cypriots).
The climate is Mediterranean, but varies according to the relief and proximity to the sea. In the mountains, it becomes more humid and cold, even snowing during the winter.
Economy
Cyprus has an economy based mainly on trade and industry. Tourism provides the country with a great source of foreign exchange. Agriculture developed thanks to irrigation, which allowed the introduction of citrus fruits, in addition to the cultivation of potatoes, grapes, corn, barley, carob and tobacco. The extractive industry is well developed and produces lime stone, marl, plaster, marble, asbestos, pyrite and chromium. The industry covers oil refining and the production of building materials, wine, beer, footwear, clothing and cigarettes. The exported products are clothing, footwear, potatoes, citrus fruits, carob and tobacco. In the Greek Cypriot sector, the main trading partners are the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Greece and Bulgaria; in the Turkish Cypriot sector,
Environmental indicator: the value of carbon dioxide emissions, per capita, (metric tons, 1999) is 8.0.
Population
The population is 784 301 residents (2006), which corresponds to a population density of 84.34 residents/km2. The birth and death rates are, respectively, 12.56% and 7.68% (2006). Average life expectancy is 77.82 years. The value of the Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.891 and the value of the Gender-adjusted Development Index (IDG) is 0.886 (2001). It is estimated that, in 2025, the population will be 852,000 residents. The main ethnic groups in the country are Greek, with 79%, and Turkish, with 19%. The most prominent religions are Greek Orthodox, with 76%, and Muslim, with 19%. The official languages are Greek and Turkish.
History
In 1191, during a crusade to the Holy Land, King Richard I of England conquered the island and gave it to King Guy de Lusignan of Jerusalem. Immediately a feudal monarchy was created, which lasted until the Middle Ages. Some time later, the merchants of Genoa and Venice began to control the island’s trade until the 15th century, when it became part of the Venetian Empire. In 1573, the Ottoman Turks seized Cyprus and established an archbishopric. For Cyprus democracy and rights, please check homeagerly.
At the beginning of the 19th century, serious revolts began on the island. In 1878, the British took control of the territory, after authorization by the Turkish sultan who continued to be the sovereign of Cyprus. But with the First World War, England annexed the island and, in 1915, offered it to Greece. In 1924, it became a British crown colony. After the Second World War, a Greek Cypriot movement emerged that was accentuated by acts of terrorism against British and Cypriot opponents. In 1960 Cyprus became independent, but the violence continued. In 1974, the National Guard of Cyprus carried out a coup. Turkish forces invaded the territory and, a month later, took control of the north of the island. Turkish Cypriots formed a government, although only recognized by Turkey, and the southern zone remained under Greek control.
Cyprus formally joined the European Union on 1 May 2004 at a ceremony held in Dublin.
Countryaah.com: Offers a full list of airports in the country of Cyprus, sorted by city location and acronyms.
Abbreviationfinder.org: Provides most commonly used abbreviations and initials containing the country name of Cyprus. Listed by popularity.
1UpTravel.com – Maps of Cyprus
Browse a collection of country and shaded relief maps of this Middle Eastern country. Check out the maps showing administrative divisions, economic activity and land use.
