Key Facts about Cyprus

About Cyprus:

• Cyprus is a Eurasian island country located in the extreme northeastern corner of the Mediterranean Sea, south of the Anatolian peninsula (Asia Minor) or modern-day Turkey.
• With an area of 9,251 sq. km, Cyprus is the third largest Mediterranean island after Sicily and Sardinia.
• Capital: Nicosia 
• Major Cities: Limassol, Larnaca, Famagusta, and Paphos.
• Cyprus belongs geographically to Western Asia (Middle East) and politically to Europe.
• Cyprus is positioned both in the Northern and Eastern hemispheres of the earth.
• Across the sea, it is located to the southeast of Greece, to the south of Turkey, to the west of Lebanon and Syria, and to the north of Egypt, Israel, and the Palestinian Gaza Strip.
• The culture of Cyprus is divided between the northern Turkish and the southern Greek sections of the country.
• Climate: Temperate and Mediterranean with dry summers and variably rainy winters.
• Highest Point: Mount Olympus (1,952 m)
• History:
  • In 1960 Cyprus became independent of Britain as the Republic of Cyprus.
  • Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the north in response to a military coup on the island which was backed by the Greek government.
  • The island was effectively partitioned, with the northern third run by a Turkish Cypriot government and the southern two-thirds by the internationally recognised government led by Greek Cypriots.
  • The status of Northern Cyprus as a separate political entity is recognised only by Turkey.
  • United Nations troops patrol the "Green Line" dividing the two parts, and reunification talks have made slow progress.
• Political System: Cyprus is a Presidential republic. The president is both head of state and government.
• Official languages: Greek and Turkish
• It is a developed country and a member of the European Union since May 1, 2004.