The 1996 CIA World Factbook page on Cyprus

From: The CIA'sTHE WORLD FACTBOOK 1996

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Cyprus

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Map

Location: 35 00 N, 33 00 E -- Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey

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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

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Geography

Location: Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 33 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 9,250 sq km (note - 3,355 sq km are in the Turkish area)
land area: 9,240 sq km
comparative area: about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 648 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: 1974 hostilities divided the island into two de facto autonomous areas, a Greek area controlled by the 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
Climate: temperate, Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters
Terrain: central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Olympus 1,952 m
Natural resources: copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment
Land use:
arable land: 40%
permanent crops: 7%
meadows and pastures: 10%
forest and woodland: 18%
other: 25%
Irrigated land: 350 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, and most potable resources concentrated in the Turkish Cypriot area); water pollution from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization
natural hazards: moderate earthquake activity
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change

People

Population: 744,609 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25% (male 97,400; female 92,110)
15-64 years: 64% (male 240,716; female 238,039)
65 years and over: 11% (male 33,340; female 43,004) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.11% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 15.39 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.26 years
male: 74.11 years
female: 78.52 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.19 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Cypriot(s)
adjective: Cypriot
Ethnic divisions:
total: Greek 78% (99.5% of the Greeks live in the Greek area; 0.5% of the Greeks live in the Turkish area), Turkish 18% (1.3% of the Turks live in the Greek area; 98.7% of the Turks live in the Turkish area), other 4% (99.2% of the other ethnic groups live in the Greek area; 0.8% of the other ethnic groups live in the Turkish area)
Religions: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4%
Languages: Greek, Turkish, English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1987 est.)
total population: 94%
male: 98%
female: 91%

Government

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus
conventional short form: Cyprus
note: the Turkish area refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic" or the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC)
Data code: CY
Type of government: 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 invasion of the island in July 1974, 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
Capital: Nicosia
note: the Turkish area's capital is Lefkosa (Nicosia)
Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos; note - Turkish area administrative divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta, and small parts of Nicosia and Larnaca
Independence: 16 August 1960 (from UK)
note: Turkish area proclaimed self-rule on NA February 1975 from Republic of Cyprus
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October
note: Turkish area celebrates 15 November as Independence Day
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 area passed by referendum on 5 May 1985
Legal system: based on common law, with civil law modifications
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Glafcos CLERIDES (since 28 February 1993) was elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 14 February 1993 (next to be held NA February 1998); results - Glafcos CLERIDES 50.3%, Yeoryios VASSILIOU 49.7%
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed jointly by the president and vice president
note: Rauf R. DENKTASH has been "president" of the Turkish area since 13 February 1975 (president is elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage); Hakki ATUN has been "prime minister" of the Turkish area since 1 January 1994; there is a Council of Ministers (cabinet) in the Turkish area; 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%
Legislative branch: unicameral
Greek area: House of Representatives (Vouli Antiprosopon): elections last held 19 May 1991 (next to be held May 1996); results - DISY 35.8%, AKEL (Communist) 30.6%, DIKO 19.5%, EDEK 10.9%; others 3.2%; seats - (56 total) DISY 20, AKEL (Communist) 18, DIKO 11, EDEK 7
Turkish area: Assembly of the Republic (Cumhuriyet Meclisi): elections last held 12 December 1993 (next to be held NA); results - UBP 29.9%, DP 29.2%, CTP 24.2% TKP 13.3%, others 3.4%; seats - (50 total) UBP (conservative) 15, DP 16, CTP 13, TKP 5, UDP 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the Supreme Council of Judicature
note: there is also a Supreme Court in the Turkish area
Political parties and leaders:
Greek area: Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL, Communist Party), Dimitrios CHRISTOFIAS; Democratic Rally (DISY), Ioannis MATSIS; Democratic Party (DIKO), Spyros KYPRIANOU; United Democratic Union of the Center (EDEK), Vassos LYSSARIDIS; Socialist Democratic Renewal Movement (ADISOK), Mikhalis PAPAPETROU; Liberal Party, Nikolaos ROLANDIS; Free Democrats, Yeoryios VASSILIOU; New Horizons, Nikolaos KOUTSOU, secretary general
Turkish area: National Unity Party (UBP), Dervis EROGLU; Communal Liberation Party (TKP), Mustafa AKINCI; Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Mehmet ALI TALAT; New Cyprus Party (YKP), Alpay DURDURAN; Free Democratic Party (HDP), Ismet KOTAK; Nationalist Justice Party (MAP), Zorlu TORE; Unity and Sovereignty Party (BEP), Arif Salih KIRDAG; Democratic Party (DP), Serdar DENKTASH; National Birth Party (UDP), Enver EMIN; the HDP, MAP, and VP merged under the label National Struggle Unity Party (MMBP) to compete in the 12 December 1993 legislative election
Other political or pressure groups: United Democratic Youth Organization (EDON, Communist controlled); Union of Cyprus Farmers (EKA, Communist controlled); Cyprus Farmers Union (PEK, pro-West); Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation (PEO, Communist controlled); Confederation of Cypriot Workers (SEK, pro-West); Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions (Turk-Sen); Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions (Dev-Is)
International organization participation: C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Andreas J. JACOVIDES
chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772
consulate(s) general: New York
note: Representative of the Turkish area in the US is Namik KORMAN, office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC, telephone [1] (202) 887-6198
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard A. BOUCHER
embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, Engomi, Nicosia
mailing address: P. O. Box 4536, FPO AE 09836
telephone: [357] (2) 476100
FAX: [357] (2) 465944
Flag: 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

Economy

Economic overview: The Greek Cypriot economy is small and prosperous, but highly susceptible to external shocks. Industry contributes 25% to GDP and employs 26% of the labor force, while the service sector contributes 70% to GDP and employs 62% of the labor force. After surging 9.7% in 1992, economic growth slowed to 1.6% in 1993 - its lowest level in two decades - because of the decline in tourist arrivals associated with the recession in Western Europe, Cyprus' main trading partner, and the loss in export competitiveness due to a sharp rise in unit labor costs. However, real GDP picked up in 1994 and 1995, as inflation fell from 4.7% to about 3%. Economic prospects appear favorable for 1996: real GDP is likely to grow between 3% and 4%, and inflation is likely to rise slightly to 3.5%-4.5%. The Turkish Cypriot economy has less than 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. Economic growth sharply dropped during 1994 because of the severe economic crisis affecting the mainland, and inflation soared to 215%. To compensate for the economy's weakness, Turkey provides direct and indirect aid to nearly every sector; financial support has risen and now equals in value about one-third of Turkish Cypriot GDP.
GDP:
Greek area: purchasing power parity - $7.8 billion (1995 est.)
Turkish area: purchasing power parity - $520 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate:
Greek area: 5% (1995 est.)
Turkish area: 0.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita:
Greek area: $13,000 (1995 est.)
Turkish area: $3,900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
Greek area - agriculture: 5.6%
Greek area - industry: 24.9%
Greek area - services: 69.5% (1994)
Turkish area - agriculture: 11.4%
Turkish area - industry: 22.9%
Turkish area - services: 65.7% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Greek area: 3% (1995 est.)
Turkish area: 215% (1994)
Labor force:
Greek area: 294,100
by occupation: services 61.5%, industry 26%, agriculture 12.5% (1994)
Turkish area: 75,320
by occupation: services 52.9%, industry 23.6%, agriculture 23.5% (1994)
Unemployment rate:
Greek area: 2.7% (1994)
Turkish area: 1.6% (1994)
Budget:
revenues: Greek area - $2.3 billion, Turkish area - $246 million
expenditures: Greek area - $3.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $500 million, Turkish area - $350 million, including capital expenditures of $75 million (1996 est.)
Industries: food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products, tourism, wood products
Industrial production growth rate:
Greek area: 3.7% (1994)
Turkish area: 2.6% (1992)
Electricity:
capacity: 550,000 kW
production: 2.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,903 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: potatoes, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, citrus, vegetables
Illicit drugs: transit point for heroin via air routes and container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey, also some cocaine transits en route to Russia
Exports:
Greek area: $968 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: citrus, potatoes, grapes, wine, cement, clothing and shoes
partners: UK 16%, Lebanon 9%, Greece 8%, Russia 12%
Turkish area: $59 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: citrus, potatoes, textiles
partners: UK 48%, Turkey 22%
Imports:
Greek area: $2.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, food and feed grains, machinery
partners: UK 12%, Japan 9%, Italy 10%, Germany 9%, US 8%
Turkish area: $330 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: food, minerals, chemicals, machinery
partners: Turkey 48%, UK 19%
External debt:
Greek area: $1.4 billion (1994)
Economic aid:
Greek area - recipient: ODA, $NA
Turkish area: during 1977-93, received substantial grants and loans from Turkey
Currency: 1 Cypriot pound (�C) = 100 cents; 1 Turkish lira (TL) = 100 kurus
Exchange rates: Cypriot pounds per US1$ - 0.4628 (January 1996), 0.4522 (1995), 0.4915 (1994), 0.4970 (1993), 0.4502 (1992), 0.4633 (1991); Turkish liras (TL) per US$1 - 60,502.1 (January 1996), 45,845.1 (1995), 29,608.7 (1994), 10,984.6 (1993), 6,872.4 (1992), 4,171.8 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation

Railways: 0 km
Highways:
Greek area - total: 10,448 km
Greek area - paved: 5,694 km
Greek area - unpaved: 4,754 km
Turkish area - total: 6,116 km
Turkish area - paved: 5,278 km
Turkish area - unpaved: 838 km
Ports: Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Vasilikos Bay
Merchant marine:
total: 1,524 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 23,949,242 GRT/40,236,638 DWT
ships by type: bulk 490, cargo 562, chemical tanker 27, combination bulk 53, combination ore/oil 22, container 115, liquefied gas tanker 3, multifunction large-load carrier 4, oil tanker 129, passenger 6, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 62, roll-on/roll-off cargo 28, short-sea passenger 17, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 2
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 48 countries among which are Greece 706, Germany 171, Russia 44, Netherlands 31, Belgium 30, Japan 29, Cuba 21, UK 17, Spain 14, and Hong Kong 13 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 15
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 8
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 3
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 4 (1995 est.)

Communications

Telephones: 331,000 (1995 est.)
Telephone system: excellent in both the Greek and Turkish 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
Radio broadcast stations:
Greek area: AM 11, FM 8, shortwave 0
Turkish area: AM 2, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios:
Greek area: 270,000 (1993 est.)
Turkish area: 42,170 (1985 est.)
Television broadcast stations:
Greek area: 1 (repeaters 34)
Turkish area: 1
Televisions:
Greek area: 107,000 (1992 est.)
Turkish area: 75,000 (1993 est.)

Defense

Branches:
Greek area: Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG; includes air and naval elements), Greek Cypriot Police
Turkish area: Turkish Cypriot Security Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 190,372
males fit for military service: 130,880
males reach military age (18) annually: 5,749 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $493 million, 5.6% of GDP (1995)

Cyprus

Original publicaton at http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/nsolo/wfb-all.htm (June 17, 1997).