About Cyprus

Cyprus, an island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea renowned since ancient times for its mineral wealth, superb wines and produce, and natural beauty, known for its rich history, strategic location, and vibrant culture. Cyprus is the third largest island in the region, with an area of 9,251 square kilometres. Settled for more than 10 millennia, Cyprus stands at a cultural, linguistic, and historic crossroads between Europe and Asia. Its chief cities—the capital of Nicosia, Limassol, Famagusta, and Paphos—have absorbed the influences of generations of conquerors, pilgrims, and travelers and have an air that is both cosmopolitan and provincial.

Geography

- Location: Eastern Mediterranean, south of Turkey, west of Syria and Lebanon, northwest of Israel, north of Egypt, and southeast of Greece.
- Area: Approximately 9,251 square kilometers.
- Topography: Features two mountain ranges, the Troodos Mountains and the Kyrenia Range, as well as the central plain of Mesaoria.

History

- Ancient History: Inhabited since the Neolithic period. Important for various ancient civilizations including the Greeks, Egyptians, and Persians.
- Medieval Period: Ruled by the Byzantine Empire, followed by the Frankish Lusignan dynasty and later the Venetians.
- Ottoman Rule: Conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1571 and remained under Ottoman control until 1878.
- British Rule: Leased to the British Empire in 1878 and formally annexed in 1914. Became a Crown colony in 1925.
- Independence: Gained independence from Britain in 1960, becoming the Republic of Cyprus.

In 1960 Cyprus became independent of Britain (it had been a crown colony since 1925) as the Republic of Cyprus. The long-standing conflict between the Greek Cypriot majority and the Turkish Cypriot minority and an invasion of the island by Turkish troops in 1974 produced an actual—although internationally unrecognized—partition of the island and led to the establishment in 1975 of a de facto Turkish Cypriot state in the northern third of the country. The Turkish Cypriot state made a unilateral declaration of independence in 1983 and adopted the name Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Its independence was recognized only by Turkey.

Political Situation

- Division: Since 1974, the island has been divided into two main parts:
- The Republic of Cyprus, which controls the southern two-thirds.
- The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), a self-declared state recognized only by Turkey, which controls the northern third.
- UN Buffer Zone: A demilitarized zone, known as the Green Line, patrolled by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force, separates the two areas.
- Peace Efforts: Numerous attempts have been made to reunify the island, but a lasting solution has yet to be achieved.

Economy

- Main Industries: Tourism, financial services, shipping, and agriculture.
- Currency: Euro (€) in the Republic of Cyprus; Turkish Lira (₺) in the TRNC.
- Economic Challenges: The division of the island poses economic challenges, though both sides have experienced economic growth in recent years.

Culture

- Language: Greek and Turkish are the official languages. English is widely spoken.
- Religion: Predominantly Greek Orthodox in the south; predominantly Muslim in the north.
- Cultural Heritage: Rich in archaeological sites, ancient ruins, Byzantine churches, and Ottoman architecture. Known for its traditional music, dance, and cuisine.

Tourism

- Popular Destinations: Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, Ayia Napa, and Nicosia.
- Attractions: Beautiful beaches, historical sites, mountain resorts, and vibrant nightlife.

Key Points

- Cyprus is a member of the European Union (EU) since 2004.
- The capital, Nicosia, is the last divided capital in Europe.
- The island has a high Human Development Index (HDI) and offers a high standard of living.

Cyprus has maintained a low overall level of unemployment—among the lowest in Europe—and labour union activity has been strong, with nearly two-thirds of Cypriot workers belonging to unions. Roughly one-fourth of the Cypriot workforce is employed in trade, while the service industry is the second largest employer, with more than one-fifth of workers engaged in some service-related occupation, mostly in the tourism sector.

Taxation is a major source of state revenue, and the government of Cyprus levies direct taxes, including an income tax, and indirect taxes, including various excise taxes and a value-added tax introduced mid of the 1990s.

Cyprus has an intense Mediterranean climate, with a typically strongly marked seasonal rhythm. Hot, dry summers (June to September) and rainy winters (November to March) are separated by short autumn and spring seasons (October and April to May) of rapid change. Autumn and winter precipitation, on which agriculture and water supply depend, is variable. Average annual precipitation is about 500 mm. Cyprus combines a complex political history with a rich cultural tapestry, making it a unique and interesting country in the Mediterranean region.

Indotco International

About Cyprus: History, Economy, Culture and Political Situation