1999 Edition

Area

total: 9,250 sq km (note--of which 3,355 sq km are in the Turkish Cypriot area) land: 9,240 sq km water: 10 sq km

Area--comparative

about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut

Climate

temperate, Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters

Coastline

648 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Olympus 1,952 m

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

Environment--international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geographic coordinates

35 00 N, 33 00 E

Irrigated land

390 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 12% permanent crops: 5% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 13% other: 70% (1993 est.)

Location

Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards

moderate earthquake activity

Natural resources

copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment

Terrain

central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast

Age structure

0-14 years: 24% (male 92,626; female 88,127) 15-64 years: 65% (male 249,083; female 244,750) 65 years and over: 11% (male 34,612; female 44,866) (1999 est.)

Birth rate

13.64 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate

7.42 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Ethnic groups

Greek 78% (99.5% of the Greeks live in the Greek Cypriot area; 0.5% of the Greeks live in the Turkish Cypriot area), Turkish 18% (1.3% of the Turks live in the Greek Cypriot area; 98.7% of the Turks live in the Turkish Cypriot area), other 4% (99.2% of the other ethnic groups live in the Greek Cypriot area; 0.8% of the other ethnic groups live in the Turkish Cypriot area)

Infant mortality rate

7.68 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Languages

Greek, Turkish, English

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 77.1 years male: 74.91 years female: 79.39 years (1999 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94% male: 98% female: 91% (1987 est.)

Nationality

noun: Cypriot(s) adjective: Cypriot

Net migration rate

0.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Population

754,064 (July 1999 est.)

Population growth rate

0.67% (1999 est.)

Religions

Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4%

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 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 (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate

2 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Administrative divisions

6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos; note--Turkish Cypriot area's administrative divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta, and small parts of Lefkosa (Nicosia) and Larnaca

Capital

Nicosia note: the Turkish Cypriot area's capital is Lefkosa (Nicosia)

Constitution

16 August 1960; negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised constitution to govern the island and to better relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently; in 1975 Turkish Cypriots created their own constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus," which was renamed the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in 1983; a new constitution for the Turkish Cypriot area passed by referendum on 5 May 1985

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)

Data code

CY

Executive branch

chief of state: President Glafcos CLERIDES (since 28 February 1993); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot head of government: President Glafcos CLERIDES (since 28 February 1993); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed jointly by the president and vice president elections: president elected by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 15 February 1998 (next to be held NA February 2003) election results: Glafcos CLERIDES elected president; percent of vote--Glafcos CLERIDES 50.8%, George IAKOVOU 49.2% note: Rauf R. DENKTASH has been "president" of the Turkish Cypriot area since 13 February 1975 ("president" elected by popular vote for a five-year term); elections last held 15 and 22 April 1995 (next to be held NA April 2000); results--Rauf R. DENKTASH 62.5%, Dervis EROGLU 37.5%; Dervis EROGLU has been "prime minister" of the Turkish Cypriot area since 16 August 1996; there is a Council of Ministers (cabinet) in the Turkish Cypriot area

Flag description

white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities note: the Turkish Cypriot flag has a horizontal red stripe at the top and bottom between which is a red crescent and red star on a white field

Government type

republic note: a disaggregation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began after the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified following the Turkish intervention in July 1974 following a Greek junta-based coup attempt, which 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), which has been recognized only by Turkey; both sides publicly call for the resolution of intercommunal differences and creation of a new federal system of government

Independence

16 August 1960 (from UK) note: Turkish Cypriot area proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 from Republic of Cyprus

International organization participation

C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Erato KOZAKOU-MARCOULLIS chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: New York note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot area in the US is Ahmet (202) 887-6198 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kenneth C. BRILL embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, Engomi, Nicosia mailing address: P. O. Box 4536, FPO AE 09836

Judicial branch

Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the Supreme Council of Judicature note: there is also a Supreme Court in the Turkish Cypriot area Political parties and leaders: Greek Cypriot area: Restorative PERDHIKIS]; Turkish Cypriot area: National Unity Party or UBP Political pressure groups and leaders: Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation or PEO (Communist controlled); Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK (pro-West); Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen; Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is

Legal system

based on common law, with civil law modifications

Legislative branch

unicameral--Greek Cypriot area: House of Representatives or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats; 56 assigned to the Greek Cypriots. 24 to Turkish Cypriots; note--only those assigned to Greek Cypriots are filled; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); Turkish Cypriot area: Assembly of the Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Greek area: last held 26 May 1996 (next to be held May 2001); Turkish area: last held 6 December 1998 (next to be held December 2003) election results: Greek area: House of Representatives--percent of vote by party--DISY 34.5%, AKEL (Communist) 33.0%, DIKO 16.4%, EDEK 8.1%, KED 3.7%, others 4.3%; seats by party--DISY 20, AKEL (Communist) 19, DIKO 10, EDEK 5, KED 2; Turkish area: Assembly of the Republic--percent of vote by party--UBP 40.3%, DP 22.6%, TKP 15.4%, CTP 13.4%, UDP 4.6%, YBH 2.5%, BP 1.2%; seats by party--UBP 24, DP 13, TKP 7, CTP 6

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 October; note--Turkish Cypriot area celebrates 15 November as Independence Day

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture--products

potatoes, citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables

Budget

revenues: Greek Cypriot area--$2.9 billion, Turkish Cypriot area--$171 million expenditures: Greek Cypriot area--$3.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $345 million, Turkish Cypriot area--$306 million, including capital expenditures of $56.8 million (1997 est.)

Currency

Greek Cypriot area: 1 Cypriot pound (LC) = 100 cents;

Cypriot area

6.4% (1996)

Debt--external

Greek Cypriot area: $1.56 billion (1997)

Economic aid--recipient

Greek Cypriot area?$187 million in grants (1990-94); Turkish Cypriot area-- $700 million from Turkey in grants and loans (1990-97) that are usually forgiven

Economy--overview

Economic affairs are dominated by the division of the country into the southern (Greek) area controlled by the Cyprus Government and the northern Turkish Cypriot-administered area. The Greek Cypriot economy is prosperous but highly susceptible to external shocks. Erratic growth rates in the 1990s reflect the economy's vulnerability to swings in tourist arrivals, caused by political instability on the island and fluctuations in economic conditions in Western Europe. Economic policy in the south is focused on meeting the criteria for admission to the EU. As in the Turkish sector, water shortage is a growing problem, and several desalination plants are planned. The Turkish Cypriot economy has about one-fifth the population and one-third the per capita GDP of the south. Because it is recognized only by Turkey, it has had much difficulty arranging foreign financing, and foreign firms have hesitated to invest there. The economy remains heavily dependent on agriculture and government service, which together employ about half of the work force. Moreover, the small, vulnerable economy has suffered because the Turkish lira is legal tender. To compensate for the economy's weakness, Turkey provides direct and indirect aid to nearly every sector, e.g. tourism, education, and industry.

Electricity--consumption

2.2 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity--exports

0 kWh (1996)

Electricity--imports

0 kWh (1996)

Electricity--production

2.2 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity--production by source

fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Exchange rates

Cypriot pounds per US1$--0.5013 (January 1999), 0.5170 (1998), 0.5135 (1997), 0.4663 (1996), 0.4522 (1995), 0.4915 (1994); Turkish liras (TL) per US$1--331,400 (January 1999), 260,724 (1998), 151,865 (1997), 81,405 (1996), 45,845.1 (1995), 29,608.7 (1994)

Exports

Greek Cypriot area: $1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.);

Exports--commodities

Greek Cypriot area: citrus, potatoes, grapes, wine, cement, clothing and shoes (1996); Turkish Cypriot area: citrus, potatoes, textiles (1996)

Exports--partners

Greek Cypriot area: Russia 19.1%, Bulgaria 16.4%, UK 11.3%, Greece 6.3%, Germany 4.8%; Turkish Cypriot area: Turkey 48.2%, UK 21.3%, other EU 13.7% (1997)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity--$10 billion (1997 est.)

GDP--composition by sector

Greek Cypriot area: agriculture 4.4%; industry 22.4%; services 73.2% (1996); Turkish Cypriot area: agriculture 10%; industry 24.6%; services 65.4% (1995)

GDP--per capita

purchasing power parity?$13,000 (1997 est.)

GDP--real growth rate

2.3% (1997 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

Greek Cypriot area: $3.8 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.);

Imports--commodities

Greek Cypriot area: consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, food and feed grains, machinery (1996);

Imports--partners

Greek Cypriot area: US 17.8%, UK 11.9%, Italy 9.7%, Germany 7.5%, Greece 7.6% (1997); Turkish Cypriot area: Turkey 55.3%, UK 13.8%, other EU 11.6% (1997)

Industrial production growth rate

Greek Cypriot area: -4% (1996); Turkish Cypriot area: 5.1% (1995)

Industries

food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products, tourism, wood products

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Greek Cypriot area: 2.3% (1998 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: 87.5% (1997 est.)

Labor force

Greek Cypriot area: 299,700; Turkish Cypriot area: 76,500 (1996)

Labor force--by occupation

Greek Cypriot area: services 62%, industry 25%, agriculture 13% (1995); Turkish Cypriot area: services 66%, industry 11%, agriculture 23% (1995)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Turkish Cypriot area

$70.5 million (f.o.b., 1996)

$318.4 million (f.o.b., 1996)

food, minerals, chemicals, machinery (1996)

1 Turkish lira (TL) = 100 kurus

Unemployment rate

Greek Cypriot area: 3.3% (1998 est.); Turkish

Cypriot area

80,000 (1996 est.)

90,000 (1996 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

Greek Cypriot area: AM 4, FM 36, shortwave 1, Turkish Cypriot area: AM 2, FM 6, shortwave 0

Radios

Greek Cypriot area: 500,000 (1996 est.); Turkish Cypriot area: 130,000 (1996 est.)

Telephone system

excellent in both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot areas domestic: open wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relay international: tropospheric scatter; 3 coaxial and 5 fiber-optic submarine cables; satellite earth stations--3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 2 Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat

Telephones

Greek Cypriot area: 367,000 (1996 est.); Turkish

Television broadcast stations

Greek Cypriot area: 7 (in addition, there are 35 low-power repeaters) (1997); Turkish Cypriot area: 3 (in addition, there are 4 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions

Greek Cypriot area: 300,000 (1996 est.); Turkish

Airports

15 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)

Heliports

4 (1998 est.)

Highways

total: Greek Cypriot area: 10,415 km; Turkish Cypriot area: 2,350 km paved: Greek Cypriot area: 5,947 km; Turkish Cypriot area: 1,370 km unpaved: Greek Cypriot area: 4,468 km; Turkish Cypriot area: 980 km (1996 est.) Ports and harbors: Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos, Vasilikos Bay

Merchant marine

total: 1,469 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 23,362,067 GRT/36,945,331 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 2, bulk 430, cargo 530, chemical tanker 23, combination bulk 42, combination ore/oil 11, container 141, liquefied gas tanker 6, oil tanker 152, passenger 7, refrigerated cargo 58, roll-on/roll-off cargo 49, short-sea passenger 14, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 1 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 37 countries among which are Greece 611, Germany 129, Russia 49, Latvia 278, Netherlands 20, Japan 28, Cuba 16, China 15, Hong Kong 13, and Poland 15 (1998 est.)

Railways

0 km

Military branches

Greek Cypriot area: Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG; includes air and naval elements), Hellenic Forces Regiment on Cyprus (ELDYK), Greek Cypriot Police; Turkish Cypriot area: Turkish Cypriot Security Force (TCSF), Turkish Forces Regiment on Cyprus (KTKA), Turkish mainland army units

Military expenditures--dollar figure

$405 million (1996)

Military expenditures--percent of GDP

5.4% (1996)

Military manpower--availability

males age 15-49: 194,337 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 133,559 (1999 est.)

Military manpower--military age

18 years of age

Military manpower--reaching military age annually

males: 6,410 (1999 est.)

Disputes--international

1974 hostilities divided the island into two de facto autonomous areas, a Greek Cypriot area controlled by the internationally recognized Cypriot Government (59% of the island's land area) and a Turkish-Cypriot area (37% of the island), that are separated by a UN buffer zone (4% of the island); there are two UK sovereign base areas within the Greek Cypriot portion of the island

Illicit drugs

transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey; some cocaine transits as well