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infoGeneral informationkeyboard_arrow_up
- Country common name: Cyprus
- Country official name: Kypriaki Dimokratia (Greek) / Kibris Cumhuriyeti (Turkish)
- Continent: Europe
- 3-Letter abbreviation: CYP
- 2-Letter abbreviation: CY
- Capital: Nicosia
- Major cities: 269,000 NICOSIA (capital)
- Currency: Euro (click for current conversion rates)
- Languages: Greek (official) 80.9%, Turkish (official) 0.2%, English 4.1%, Romanian 2.9%, Russian 2.5%, Bulgarian 2.2%, Arabic 1.2%, Filipino 1.1%, other 4.3%, unspecified 0.6%
- Motto: none
- National holiday(s): Independence Day, 1 October (1960) - Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as national holiday
flagGovernmentkeyboard_arrow_up- Chief of state: President Nikos ANASTASIADIS (since 28 February 2013); the president is both chief of state and
- Head of government: note - vice presidency reserved for a Turkish Cypriot, but vacant since 1974 because Turkish Cypriots do not participate in the Republic of Cyprus Governmenthead of government: President Nikos ANASTASIADIS (since 28 February 2013)
- Government type: Republic of Cyprus - presidential republic; "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (self-declared) - parliamentary republic with enhanced presidencynote: a separation of the two main ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified when a Greek military-junta-supported coup attempt prompted the Turkish military intervention in July 1974 that gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots
insert_photoCountry notes & photographskeyboard_arrow_up{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Cyprus"},{"insert":" (/ˈsaɪprÉ™s/ ("},{"attributes":{"alt":"About this sound","height":"11","width":"11","link":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:En-us-Cyprus.ogg"},"insert":{"image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Loudspeaker.svg/11px-Loudspeaker.svg.png"}},{"attributes":{"link":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/En-us-Cyprus.ogg"},"insert":"listen"},{"insert":")), officially called the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Republic of Cyprus"},{"insert":", is an island country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. It is the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"third largest"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"third most populous island"},{"insert":" in the Mediterranean, and is located south of Turkey; west of Syria; northwest of the Gaza Strip, Israel, and Lebanon; north of Egypt; and southeast of Greece. The country's capital and largest city is "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nicosia"},{"insert":".\n\nThe earliest known human activity on the island dates to around the 10th millennium BC. Archaeological remains from this period include the well-preserved Neolithic village of Khirokitia, and Cyprus is home to some of the oldest water wells in the world. Cyprus was settled by Mycenaean Greeks in two waves in the 2nd millennium BC. As a strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean, it was subsequently occupied by several major powers, including the empires of the Assyrians, Egyptians and Persians, from whom the island was seized in 333 BC by Alexander the Great. Subsequent rule by Ptolemaic Egypt, the Classical and Eastern Roman Empire, Arab caliphates for a short period, the French Lusignan dynasty and the Venetians was followed by over three centuries of Ottoman rule between "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1571 "},{"insert":"and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1878 "},{"insert":"("},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"de jure"},{"insert":" until 1914).\n\nCyprus was placed under the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"UK's administration "},{"insert":"based on the Cyprus Convention in 1878 and was formally "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"annexed by the UK"},{"insert":" in "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1914"},{"insert":". The future of the island became a matter of disagreement between the two prominent ethnic communities, Greek Cypriots, who made up 77% of the population in 1960, and Turkish Cypriots, who made up 18% of the population. From the 19th century onwards, the Greek Cypriot population pursued "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"enosis"},{"insert":", union with Greece, which became a Greek national policy in the 1950s. The Turkish Cypriot population initially advocated the continuation of the British rule, then demanded the annexation of the island to Turkey, and in the 1950s, together with Turkey, established a policy of "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"taksim"},{"insert":", the partition of Cyprus and the creation of a Turkish polity in the north. Following nationalist violence in the 1950s, Cyprus was granted "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"independence "},{"insert":"in "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1960"},{"insert":". The crisis of 1963–64 brought further inter-communal violence between the two communities, displaced more than 25,000 Turkish Cypriots into enclaves and brought the end of Turkish Cypriot representation in the republic. On 15 July 1974, a coup d'état was staged by Greek Cypriot nationalists and elements of the Greek military junta in an attempt at "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"enosis"},{"insert":". This action precipitated the Turkish invasion of Cyprus on 20 July, which led to the capture of the present-day territory of "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Northern Cyprus"},{"insert":" and the displacement of over 150,000 Greek Cypriots and 50,000 Turkish Cypriots. A separate Turkish Cypriot state in the north was established by unilateral declaration in "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1983"},{"insert":"; the move was widely condemned by the international community, with Turkey alone recognizing the new state. These events and the resulting political situation are matters of a continuing dispute.\n\nThe Republic of Cyprus has "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"de jure"},{"insert":" sovereignty over the entire island, including its "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_waters"},"insert":"t"},{"insert":"erritorial waters and exclusive economic zone, with the exception of the Sovereign Base Areas of "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Akrotiri "},{"insert":"and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Dhekelia"},{"insert":", which remain under the UK's control according to the London and Zurich Agreements. However, the Republic of Cyprus is de facto partitioned into two main parts: the area under the effective control of the Republic, located in the south and west and comprising about 59% of the island's area, and the north, administered by the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, covering about 36% of the island's area. Another nearly 4% of the island's area is covered by the UN buffer zone. The international community considers the northern part of the island to be territory of the Republic of Cyprus occupied by Turkish forces. The occupation is viewed as illegal under international law and amounting to illegal occupation of EU territory since Cyprus became a member of the European Union.\n\nCyprus is a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"major tourist destination"},{"insert":" in the Mediterranean. With an "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"advanced, high-income economy"},{"insert":" and a very high Human Development Index, the Republic of Cyprus has been a member of the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Commonwealth "},{"insert":"since 1961 and was a founding member of the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Non-Aligned Movement"},{"insert":" until it joined the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"European Union"},{"insert":" on 1 May 2004. On 1 January 2008, the Republic of Cyprus joined the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"eurozone"},{"insert":".\n"}]}terrainGeographic informationkeyboard_arrow_up- Surface area (in km²): 9,251
- Highest point: Mount Olympus 1,951 m
- Neighboring countries: Akrotiri 48 km, Dhekelia 108 km
- Neighboring seas and oceans: Mediterranean Sea
- Climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
radioRadio stationskeyboard_arrow_upsupervised_user_circlePopulationkeyboard_arrow_up- Population: 1,266,676
- Population density (inhabitants per km²): 136.9
- Average age (in years): 37.9
- Life expectancy at birth (in years): 79.3
- Ethnicity: Greek 98.8%, other 1% (includes Maronite, Armenian, Turkish-Cypriot), unspecified 0.2%
- Gross domestic product (GDP) per inhabitant (in US dollars): 37,200
- Cultural practices: Many Turkish Cypriots lower their eyes during a greeting as a sign of respect.
local_diningPopular food & drinkskeyboard_arrow_up{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Halloumi cheese"},{"insert":" is probably Cyprus' most famous product, with its popularity extending to many countries throughout Europe and the Middle East. Distinguishable by its mild salty flavor and rubbery texture, the delicacy has become a favourite for chefs across the globe, appearing in dishes as diverse as lamb roast and halloumi fries. The cheese is produced by combining a mixture of "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"goat's and sheep milk"},{"insert":", before being set with rennet. This is an unusual practice due to the absence of acid-producing bacteria in any part of the process, a standard for most dairy products. Halloumi's high melting point means it can be easily "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"fried "},{"insert":"or "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"grilled"},{"insert":", or served cold alongside freshly sliced watermelon; the perfect summer dinner.\n"}]}
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Grilled lamb chops"},{"insert":" topped with "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"warm cherry sauce"},{"insert":" is a popular Cypriot dish. It is perfect for summer dining. These simple to make and delicious lamb chops are full of Mediterranean flavor and the cherry tomato skewers are the perfect accompaniment. Great for the barbecue.\n"}]}
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Flaouna"},{"insert":" (Greek: φλαοÏνα), (Turkish: "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Pilavuna, Bitta"},{"insert":"), is a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"cheese-filled pastry"},{"insert":" from the island of Cyprus, which may include "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"raisins "},{"insert":"or be garnished with "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"sesame seeds"},{"insert":". Flaounes are traditionally prepared for "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Easter "},{"insert":"by Orthodox Cypriots. Regional names for flaouna include "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"vlaouna"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"fesoudki"},{"insert":" (Greek:"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":" φεσοÏδκι"},{"insert":" in Karavas, and "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"aflaouna"},{"insert":" in Karpasia. It is served at Ramadan by Turkish Cypriots.\n"}]}
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"KEO"},{"insert":" is a popular Cypriot "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"beer"},{"insert":". It is a"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" light straw-colored lager"},{"insert":" with a thick head, and is sometimes compared to a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"pilsner "},{"insert":"in taste. The beer is brewed in Limassol from the finest malt and the choicest hops, long matured, bottled fresh and unpasteurised, to retain its natural flavor, aroma and freshness. The beer won the 1987 "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gold Medal "},{"insert":"by the Brewing Industry International Awards. KEO holds about 32% share of the island's beer market. The KEO Brewery was the first to be built on the island in 1949. The production of KEO beer started in 1951.\n"}]}
local_post_officePostage stampskeyboard_arrow_up{"ops":[{"insert":"The "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"British administration of Cyprus"},{"insert":" began on 11 July "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1878 "},{"insert":"and initially British stamps were used which may be identified by the numbered cancels used. The first postage stamps marked Cyprus were British stamps overprinted "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"CYPRUS"},{"insert":" from "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1880"},{"insert":". The first postage stamps produced specifically for use in Cyprus, rather than being overprinted British stamps, were issued on 1 July 1881.\n"}]}
{"ops":[{"insert":"Above is one of the three stamps from the commemorative series"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" 1980-The 20th Anniversary of the Republic. "},{"insert":"It depicts the"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"1960 "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Signing of the Treaty of Independence"},{"insert":". In 1960, the Government inherited from the British administration an economy which was underdeveloped and lagging behind. Production was totally inadequate and the economic revival depended on unstable factors. Half the population was engaged in agriculture and contributed less than 20% of the national income. In 1980 Cyprus had changed its economic character. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Tourist arrivals"},{"insert":" had increased tenfold from 24,000 to 240,000. Those engaged in agriculture now made up only 20% of the population. High school students who in 1959-1960 numbered only 14,649 at 19 schools, in 1979-1980 were 38,743 at 57 schools. In the rural regions all the houses now had electricity and running water. The Cyprus economy which was based on agriculture, had changed and had taken a new course, that of service industries which it has followed ever since.\n"}]}
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The 2020 Insects-Butterflies"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"commemorative set features"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":"the above "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Papilio machaon. "},{"insert":" It is a butterfly of the family "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Papilionidae"},{"insert":". The butterfly is also known as the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Old World swallowtail"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":", "},{"insert":"the common yellow swallowtail or simply the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"swallowtail"},{"insert":" (a common name applied to all members of the family, but this species was the first to be given the name). It is the type species of the genus "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Papilio"},{"insert":". This widespread species is found in much of the Palearctic (it is the only swallowtail in most of Europe) and in North America.\n"}]}
{"ops":[{"insert":"Cyprus commemorated the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"2020 Tokyo Olympics"},{"insert":" with series stamps. One of the series stamps featured a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"marathon runner"},{"insert":". Marathon and the marathon runner"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" Stelios Kyriakides"},{"insert":", Cyprus's legendary athlete, are dear to all Cypriots. The "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"winner of the 50th Boston Marathon"},{"insert":", Kyriakides used his victory as a call to action to aid his war- and famine-ravaged homeland. Kyriakides, who narrowly escaped execution during World War II during the Nazi occupation of Greece, hadn't run in six years when he came to Boston in "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1946"},{"insert":", with the help of Greek-American benefactors (George Demeter and Spear Demeter). He was emaciated from the lack of food in war-ravaged Greece, and at one point was told by doctors in Boston he wouldn't be allowed to run because they were afraid he would die in the streets. That backdrop only added to the almost mythic race performance, in which Kyriakides came on at the end to defeat the defending champion and set the best time in the world for 1946. Nearly a million people greeted him on his return to Athens in May 1946, when he came back with boat loads of food, medicine, clothing and other essentials donated by Americans who read of his victory.\n"}]}
tap_and_playTelephone & Internet communicationkeyboard_arrow_up- Country international telephone code: +357
- Local emergency telephone number(s): 112
- Internet code: .cy
- Number of Internet users: 915,036
- Percentage of Internet-connected population: 72.2%
gradeAlso useful to knowkeyboard_arrow_up- Vaccinations: For recommendations please refer to the World Health Organization (WHO), or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) websites.
- Potable/drinkable water: Opt for bottled water.
- International driving permit: Suggested
- Road driving side: Left
-
Electricity/Voltage/Plug type(s):
230 V / 50 Hz / plug type(s): G
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