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This article is about the internationally recognized country. For other uses, see Cyprus (disambiguation).
Republic of Cyprus
Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία (Greek)
Kypriakī́ Dīmokratía
Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti (Turkish)
Anthem: Ὕμνος εἰς τὴν Ἐλευθερίαν
Ymnos is tin Eleftherian
Hymn to Liberty1
Location of Cyprus (dark green) – in Europe (light green & dark grey) – in the European Union (light green)
Location of Cyprus (dark green)

– in Europe (light green & dark grey)
– in the European Union (light green)

Capital
and largest city
Nicosia (Lefkosia, Lefkosa)
Official languagesGreek,Turkish
Demonym(s)Cypriot
GovernmentPresidential republic
• President
Dimitris Christofias
Independence 
from the UK
• Date
1 October 1960
Area
• Total
9,251 km2 (3,572 sq mi) (167th)
• Water (%)
negligible
Population
• 2007 census
788,457
• Density
85/km2 (220.1/sq mi) (85th)
GDP (PPP)2007 IMF estimate
• Total
$36.533 billion (91st)
• Per capita
$46,865 (7th)
GDP (nominal)2007 IMF estimate
• Total
$21.303 billion (87th)
• Per capita
$27,327 (28th)
Gini (2005)29
low inequality
HDI (2007)Increase 0.903
Error: Invalid HDI value (28th)
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)
UTC+3 (EEST)
Calling code357
ISO 3166 codeCY
Internet TLD.cy3
  1. Also the national anthem of Greece.
  2. Before 2008: Cypriot pound
  3. The .eu domain is also used, shared with other European Union member states.

Cyprus (Template:Lang-el; Template:Lang-tr), officially the Republic of Cyprus (Template:Lang-el; Template:Lang-tr) is a Eurasian island country situated in the eastern Mediterranean south of Turkey, west of the Levant, north of Egypt, and eastsoutheast of Greece.

Cyprus is the third-largest island and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean, attracting over 2.4 million tourists per year.[1] A former British colony, it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1960 and became a Commonwealth republic in 1961. The Republic of Cyprus is a developed country and has been a member of the European Union since 1 May 2004. It adopted the euro on 1 January 2008.

In 1974, following a period of violence between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and an attempted Greek Cypriot coup d'état aimed at annexing the island to Greece[2] and sponsored by the Greek military junta of 1967-1974, Turkey invaded and occupied one-third of the island. This led to the displacement of thousands of Cypriots and the establishment of a separate Turkish Cypriot political entity in the north. This event and its resulting political situation is a matter of ongoing dispute.

The Republic of Cyprus, the internationally recognized state, claimed sovereignty over 97% of the island of Cyprus and all surrounding waters, with the United Kingdom controlling the remaining three percent. The island is de facto partitioned into four main parts. The Republic of Cyprus exercises full effective control over approximately 59% of the island, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) controls over approximately 36% of the island, and the remaining approximately 5% of the land mass is split evenly between British-controlled Sovereign Base Areas and the UN-controlled Green Line[3].

Etymology

The name 'Cyprus' has a somewhat uncertain etymology. One suggestion is that it comes from the Greek word for the Mediterranean cypress tree (Cupressus sempervirens), κυπάρισσος (kypárissos), or even from the Greek name of the henna plant (Lawsonia alba), κύπρος (kýpros). Another school suggests that it stems from the Eteocypriot word for copper. Georges Dossin, for example, suggests that it has roots in the Sumerian word for copper (zubar) or for bronze (kubar), from the large deposits of copper ore found on the island. Through overseas trade the island has given its name to the Classical Latin word for the metal through the phrase aes Cyprium, "metal of Cyprus", later shortened to Cuprum.[6] Cyprus is also called "the island of Aphrodite" [7], since the Greek goddess Aphrodite, of beauty and love, was born in Cyprus. The most common theory is that it came from their word for copper, Kypros, because the island had rich deposits of copper.

History

Main article: History of Cyprus
File:Ieron apollonos lemesos.jpg
Temple to Apollon Ilatis outside the city of Limassol.
Salamis, Cyprus, outside the city of Amochostos.

Cyprus is the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, Adonis and home to King Cinyras, Teucer and Pygmalion[8]. The earliest confirmed site of human activity is Aetokremnos, situated on the south coast, indicating that hunter-gatherers were active on the island from around 10,000 BC and more settled village communities existed at around 8200 BC. Important remains from this early-Neolithic period can be found at Mylouthkia, Shillourokambos, Kastros, Tenta and Khirokitia, where decorated pottery and figurines of stone quite distinct from the cultures of the surrounding mainland survive. The Mycenaeans reached Cyprus at around 1600 BC, with several Greek and Phoenician settlements dating from that period scattered all over the island.

Ancient Egypt soon followed becoming an important trade partner of the island, whose renowned timber and copper were sought after all over the ancient world. Following successive conquests at the hands of Egyptians and then Persians, Cypriots unsuccessfully revolted along with Ionian cities in 499 BC against Achaemenid Empire led by Onesilos. After several attempts with various results the island was brought under permanent Greek rule by Alexander the Great and later Ptolemies of Egypt until its annexation by Roman Republic in 58 BC. Cyprus was one of the very first stops in apostle Paul's missionary journey. In 395 AD it became part of the Byzantine Empire[9], which lost it temporarily to the Arabs in 643 AD before reclaiming it in 966 AD.

File:Centaur Floor Mosaic.jpg
The Centaur floor mosaic in Paphos.

Richard I of England captured the island in 1191 during the Third Crusade, using it as a major supply base that was relatively safe from the Saracens. A year later Guy of Lusignan purchased the island from the Templars - who in the meantime had purchased it - to compensate the loss of his kingdom. Hamam Omerye, initially the church of St. Mary, which is stone built and with small domes, is a prime example of Augustinian architecture dating from the French period. This 14th Century building is a true working example of Cyprus' rich culture and diversity. In 1571 however, Mustapha Pasha converted the church into a mosque, believing that this particular spot was where the prophet Omer rested during his visit to Lefkosia.

The Republic of Venice seized control of the island in 1489 after the abdication of Queen Caterina Cornaro, the widow of James II, the last Lusignan king of Cyprus. Using it as an important commercial hub, Venetians soon fortified Nicosia, the capital and most important city, with its famous Venetian Walls. Throughout the Venetian rule, the Ottoman Empire frequently raided Cyprus. In 1539 the Ottomans destroyed Limassol. Fearing the worst, the Venetians fortified Famagusta, Nicosia, and Kyrenia.

File:Theatro kourion.jpg
Kourion Theatre outside the city of Limassol.

In 1570, a year-long full scale invasion under Piyale Pasha and 60,000 troops brought the island finally under Ottoman control, despite a stiff resistance by the inhabitants of Nicosia and Famagusta. The Ottomans applied the millet system and allowed religious authorities to govern their own non-Muslim minorities, but at the same time enforced the power of the Orthodox Church as a mediator between Christian Cypriots and the authorities granting it not only religious but political and economic (as a tax-collector and landowner) statures as well. Heavy taxation led to rebellions - between 1572 and 1668, around twenty-eight bloody uprisings took place - by both religious groups forcing the Sultan himself to intervene. The first large-scale census of the Ottoman Empire in 1831, counting only men, showed 14,983 Muslims and 29,190 Christians.[10] By 1872, the population of the island had risen to 144,000 comprising 44,000 Muslims and 100,000 Christians.[11]

File:Kykkos,district of nicosia.jpg
Kykkos Monastery in Troodos Mountains, District of Nicosia.

Administration (but not sovereignty) of the island was ceded to the British Empire in 1878, in the aftermath of the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878). The island would serve Britain as a key military base to support it's control over its colonial routes and to counter expansion of the exiting and emerging powers of the Mediterranean sea. By 1906, when the Famagusta harbour was completed, Cyprus was a strategic naval outpost overlooking the Suez Canal, the crucial main route to India, then Britain's most important colony. Following World War 1 and the Ottoman alliance with the Central powers, the United Kingdom annexed the island. In 1923, under the Treaty of Lausanne, the nascent Turkish republic relinquished any claim to Cyprus, and in 1925 it was declared a British Crown Colony. After this, Greek Cypriots gradually became more assertive, ultimately demanding union with Greece. Many Cypriots, fought in the British Army during both world wars, under the promise that finally Cyprus would be united with Greece.

In January 1950 the Church organized a referendum boycotted by the Turkish Cypriot community with over 90% voting in favour of union with Greece. Restricted autonomy under a constitution was proposed by the British administration but eventually rejected. In 1955 the EOKA was founded which sought an armed struggle for independence and union. At the same time the TMT was established by the Turks as a counterweight calling for Taksim[12]. Turmoil on the island was met with force by the British who started openly favouring Turks in police and administration as part of a divide and conquer policy. Nevertheless, Cyprus attained independence in 1960 after an agreement in Zürich and London between the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey. Britain retained two Sovereign Base Areas in Akrotiri and Dhekelia while government posts and public offices were allocated by ethnic quotas giving the 18% Turks a permanent veto, 30% in parliament and administration and granting the 3 mother-states guarantor rights.

File:Lemesos dromos.jpg
Part of Limassol.

Shortly afterward, inter-communal violence broke out, partially sponsored by both "motherlands"[13] - with Turkish Cypriots shortly afterwards withdrawn in enclaves and Greek Cypriot leader Archbishop Makarios III calling for constitutional changes as a means to ease tensions. On 4 March 1964, [14] a UN peacekeeping force was deployed in Cyprus and Dr. Gala Plaza was appointed as a Mediator. He soon criticised the 1960 legal framework and proposed, to no avail, certain amendments. In 1974 the US-backed Greek junta - in power since 1967 - partly in a move to draw attention away from internal turmoil and partly unsatisfied with Makarios' policy in Cyprus, on 13 July attempted a coup to replace him with Nikos Sampson and declare union with Greece. Seven days later, Turkey launched an invasion of Cyprus allegedly to reinstate the constitution. This resulted in bloody conflict, partition of the island and mass ethnic cleansing. The overwhelming Turkish land, naval and air superiority against the island's weak defences led to 37% of the land being brought under Turkish control. 170,000 Greek Cypriots were evicted from their homes in the north with 50,000 Turks following the opposite path.

In 1983 Turkish Cypriots proclaimed independence unilaterally with only Turkey recognizing them.

As of today, there are 1,534 Greek Cypriots [15] and 502 Turkish Cypriots [16] missing as a result of the invasion. The events of the summer of 1974 dominate the politics on the island, as well as Greco-Turkish relations. Around 100,000 settlers from Turkey are believed to be living in the north in violation of the Geneva Convention and various UN resolutions. The north is currently under an embargo as a measure against the illegal partition of the island.

File:Urban nicosia.jpg
Part of Nicosia.

Since de facto but not de jure partition of the Republic, the north and south have followed separate paths. The Republic of Cyprus is a constitutional democracy that has reached great levels of prosperity, with a booming economy and good infrastructure. It is part of the United nations, European Union and several other organisations by whom it is the sole legitimate government of the whole island. The area of the Republic of Cyprus not under its effective control, the north, is over-dependent on help from Turkey. The last major effort to settle the Cyprus dispute, was the Annan Plan. On 10 March 2003, this most recent phase of talks collapsed in The Hague, Netherlands, when 30 year strong Turkish Cypriot leader Denktaş told the Secretary-General he would not put the Annan Plan to referendum. "The plan was unacceptable for us. This was not a plan we would ask our people to vote for," Mr Denktaş said. The UN plan had undergone several revisions in an attempt to win support. It was the Turkish Cypriot side which refused to even talk further, and which was blamed for the failure of the peace process [17]. Later in its 5th [18] revision the plan gained the support of the Turkish cypriots but lost support of the Greek Cypriots.

In July 2006 the island served as a safe haven for people fleeing Lebanon due to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.[19]

In March 2008, the Republic demolished a wall that for decades had stood at the boundary between the area effectively controlled by the Republic and the UN buffer zone.[20] The wall had cut across Ledra Street in the heart of Nicosia and was seen as a strong symbol of the island's 32-year division. On April 3, 2008, Ledra Street was reopened in the presence of Greek and Turkish Cypriot officials.[21]

Geography

Main articles: Geography of Cyprus and List of cities, towns and villages in Cyprus
Kyrenia Mountain Range.
Topography of Cyprus.

The third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia), Cyprus is situated in the eastern Mediterranean, just south of the Anatolian peninsula (or Asia Minor) of the Asian mainland; thus, it is often included in the Middle East (see also Western Asia and Near East). Turkey is 75 kilometres (47 mi) north; other neighbouring countries include Syria and Lebanon to the east, Israel to the southeast, Egypt to the south, and Greece to the westnorthwest.

However, historically, politically and culturally Cyprus is closely aligned with Europe – the Greek Cypriots with Greece and the Turkish Cypriots with Turkey. Historically, Cyprus has been at the crossroads between Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa, with lengthy periods of mainly Greek and intermittent Anatolian, Levantine, and British influences. Though these influences may cause some to consider Cyprus as a transcontinental island, such a term is properly applied only to nations whose boundaries straddle more than one continent e.g. Turkey, Russia and Egypt.

The central plain, the Mesaoria, is bordered by the Kyrenia and Pentadactylos mountains to the north and the Troödos mountain range to the south and west. There are also scattered, but significant, plains along the southern coast. The island's highest point is at the summit of Mount Olympus 1,952 metres (6,404 ft), in the heart of the Troödos range.

The major cities in Cyprus are the capital Nicosia (Lefkosia in Greek, Lefkoşa in Turkish), Limassol (Lemesos in Greek), Larnaca, Paphos, Famagusta (Gazimağusa or Mağusa in Turkish, Ammochostos in Greek), and Kyrenia (Girne in Turkish, Kerynia in Greek).

Climate

The climate is temperate and Mediterranean with dry summers and variably rainy winters. Summer temperatures range from warm at higher elevations in the Troödos mountains to hot in the lowlands. Winter temperatures are mild at lower elevations, where snow rarely occurs, but are significantly colder in the mountains with sufficient snow for seasonal ski facilities. Dust storms are frequent throughout the year.

Government

Main articles: Politics of Cyprus and Foreign relations of Cyprus
File:Presidential-palace.jpg
The Presidential Palace (Residence) in Nicosia.

Cyprus is a Presidential republic. The head of state and the government is the President, who is elected by the universal suffrage for a five-year term. Executive power is exercised by the government. Federal legislative power is vested in both the government and the House of Representatives. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

The 1960 Constitution provided for a presidential system of government with independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as a complex system of checks and balances, including a weighted power-sharing ratio designed to protect the interests of the Turkish Cypriots. The executive, was headed by a Greek Cypriot president and a Turkish Cypriot vice president elected by their respective communities for five-year terms and each possessing a right of veto over certain types of legislation and executive decisions. Legislate power rested on the House of Representatives, also elected on the basis of separate voters' rolls. Since 1964, following clashes between the two communities, the Turkish Cypriot seats in the House remain vacant.

After an invasion of the island by Turkey in 1974, Cyprus was divided, de facto, into the Greek Cypriot controlled southern two-thirds of the island and the Turkish-occupied northern third. The Turkish Cypriots subsequently declared independence in 1983 as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus but have not been recognized by any country in the world, except Turkey. In 1985, the TRNC adopted a constitution and held its first elections. All foreign governments (except Turkey), as well as the United Nations, recognise the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus over the whole island of Cyprus.

The House of Representatives currently has 59 members elected for a five year term, 56 members by proportional representation and 3 observer members representing the Maronite, Latin and Armenian minorities. 24 seats are allocated to the Turkish community but remain vacant since 1964. The political environment is dominated by the communist AKEL, the liberal conservative Democratic Rally, the centrist[22] Democratic Party, the social-democratic EDEK and the centrist EURO.KO.

On 17 February 2008, Dimitris Christofias of the AKEL was elected President of Cyprus, thus marking his party's first electoral victory without being part of a wider coalition, making Cyprus one of only two countries in the world to have a democratically elected communist government (the other being Moldova), and is the only European Union member state currently under communist leadership. Christofias took over government from Tassos Papadopoulos of Democratic Party, who had been in office since February 2003.

Districts

Main articles: Districts of Cyprus and List of cities, towns and villages in Cyprus

The Republic of Cyprus is divided into six districts:[23] Nicosia (the capital), Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos.

Map of Cyprus Districts Greek name Turkish name
Famagusta    Αμμόχωστος (Ammochostos)    Gazimağusa/Mağusa   
Kyrenia Κερύvεια (Keryneia) Girne
Larnaca Λάρνακα (Larnaka) Larnaka/İskele
Limassol Λεμεσός (Lemesos) Limasol/Leymosun
Nicosia Λευκωσία (Lefkosia) Lefkoşa
Paphos Πάφος (Pafos) Baf

Exclaves and enclaves

File:Katopyrgos.jpg
Pyrgos (Cyprus)

Cyprus has four exclaves, all in territory that belongs to the British Sovereign Base Area of Dhekelia. The first two are the villages of Ormidhia and Xylotymvou. Additionally there is the Dhekelia Power Station, which is divided by a British road into two parts. The northern part is an enclave, like the two villages, whereas the southern part is located by the sea and therefore not an enclave, although it has no territorial waters of its own.[24]

The UN buffer zone separating the territory controlled by the Turkish Cypriot administration from the rest of Cyprus runs up against Dhekelia and picks up again from its east side, off Ayios Nikolaos (connected to the rest of Dhekelia by a thin land corridor). In that sense, the buffer zone turns the southeast corner of the island, the Paralimni area, into a de facto, though not de jure, exclave.

Human rights

The constant focus on the division of the island can sometimes mask other human rights issues. Prostitution is rife in both the government-controlled and the Turkish-occupied regions, and the island as a whole has been criticised[25] for its role in the sex trade as one of the main routes of human trafficking from Eastern Europe.[26] The regime in the North has been the focus of occasional freedom of speech criticisms[27] regarding heavy-handed treatment of newspaper editors. Domestic violence legislation in the Republic remains largely unimplemented,[28] and it has not yet been passed into law in the North. Reports on the mistreatment of domestic staff, mostly immigrant workers from developing countries, are sometimes reported in the Greek Cypriot press.[29]

Military

Main article: Military of Cyprus

The Cypriot National Guard is the main military institution of the Republic of Cyprus. It is a combined arms force, with land, air and naval elements.

The land forces of the Cypriot National Guard comprise the following units:

  • First Infantry Division (Ιη Μεραρχία ΠΖ)
  • Second Infantry Division (ΙΙα Μεραρχία ΠΖ)
  • Fourth Infantry Brigade (ΙVη Ταξιαρχία ΠΖ)
  • Twentieth Armored Brigade (ΧΧη ΤΘ Ταξιαρχία)
  • Third Support Brigade (ΙΙΙη Ταξιαρχία ΥΠ)
  • Eighth Support Brigade (VIIIη Ταξιαρχία ΥΠ)

The air force includes the 449th Helicopter Gunship Squadron (449 ΜΑΕ) - operating SA-342L and Bell 206 and the 450th Helicopter Gunship Squadron (450 ME/P) - operating Mi-35P, BN-2B and PC-9. Current Senior officers include Supreme Commander, Cypriot National Guard: Lt. Gen. Konstantinos Bisbikas, Deputy Commander, Cypriot National Guard: Lt. Gen. Savvas Argyrou and Chief of Staff, Cypriot National Guard: Maj. Gen. Gregory Stamoulis.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Cyprus
File:Yiorkeion.jpg
The Yiorkeion building, Ministry of Health, Nicosia

The Cypriot economy is prosperous and has diversified in recent years.[30] Its per-capita GDP (adjusted for purchasing power) is slightly lower than that of France, Germany, Italy and the UK, but slightly higher than the European Union average. Cyprus has been sought as a base for several offshore businesses for its highly developed infrastructure. Economic policy of the Cyprus government has focused on meeting the criteria for admission to the European Union. Adoption of the euro as a national currency is required of all new countries joining the European Union, and the Cypriot government adopted the currency on 1 January 2008.[30]

Oil has recently been discovered in the seabed between Cyprus and Egypt, and talks are underway between Lebanon and Egypt to reach an agreement regarding the exploration of these resources.[31] The seabed separating Lebanon and Cyprus is believed to hold significant quantities of crude oil and natural gas.[31]

The economy of the Turkish-occupied area is dominated by the services sector, including the public sector, trade, tourism and education, with smaller agriculture and light manufacturing sectors. The economy operates on a free-market basis, although it continues to be handicapped by the political isolation of Turkish Cypriots, the lack of private and governmental investment, high freight costs, and shortages of skilled labor. Despite these constraints, the economy turned in an impressive performance in 2003 and 2004, with growth rates of 9.6% and 11.4%. The average income in the area is $5,000 per capita, and the Turkish government has pledged to increase this to $12,000 through investment and aid.[32] Growth has been buoyed by the relative stability of the Turkish new lira and by a boom in the education and construction sectors.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Cyprus
Population Growth.
Population structure.

According to the last census carried out by the Republic in 1960, Greek Cypriots comprise 77% of the island's population, Turkish Cypriots 18%, while the remaining 5% are of other ethnicities. However, after the Turkish invasion of 1974, about 150,000 Turks from Anatolia were transferred or decided to settle in the north. This has changed the actual demographic structure of the island. Northern Cyprus now claims 265,100 inhabitants,[33] closer to 30% of the population of the island. The TRNC has granted citizenship to these immigrants: however, as the TRNC is not recognised by the Republic or the international community (with the exception of Turkey), its power to create new citizens is not recognised and the newcomers retain Turkish passports. The result of this situation is that percentage population estimates vary widely.

In the years since the census data were gathered in 2000, Cyprus has also seen a large influx of guest workers from countries such as Thailand, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, as well as major increases in the numbers of permanent British residents. The island is also home to a significant Armenian minority, as well as a large refugee population consisting of people mainly from Serbia, Palestine and Lebanon. There is also a Kurdish minority present in Cyprus.

Since the country joined the European Union, a significant Polish population has also grown up, joining sizeable communities from Russia and Ukraine (mostly Pontic Greeks, immigrating after the fall of the Eastern Bloc), Bulgaria, Romania and Eastern European states.

There is also a significant and thriving Cypriot Diaspora in other countries, with the United States, the United Kingdom, Greece and Australia hosting the majority of migrants who fled the Turkish invasion in 1974.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Cyprus
File:Larnaka eklisia.jpg
Agios Lazaros Church in Larnaca.

Most Greek Cypriots, and thus the majority of the population of Cyprus, are members of the Cypriot Orthodox Church, whereas most Turkish Cypriots are Muslim. According to Eurobarometer 2005 [34], Cyprus is one of the most religious countries in Europe, along with Malta, Romania, Greece and Poland. In addition to the Orthodox Christian and Muslim communities, there are also small Bahá'í, Jewish, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Maronite (Eastern Rites Catholic) and Armenian Apostolic communities in Cyprus.

Education

Cyprus has a well-developed system of primary and secondary education offering both public and private education. The high quality of instruction can be attributed to a large extent to the above-average competence of the teachers. State schools are generally seen as equivalent in quality of education to private-sector institutions. However, the value of a state high-school diploma is limited by the fact that the grades obtained account for only around 25% of the final grade for each topic, with the remaining 75% assigned by the teacher during the semester, in a minimally transparent way. Greek (List of universities in Greece) and Cypriot universities (University of Cyprus) ignore high school grades almost entirely for admissions purposes. While a high-school diploma is mandatory for university attendance, admissions are decided almost exclusively on the basis of scores at centrally administered university entrance examinations that all university candidates are required to take. The majority of Cypriots receive their higher education at Greek, British, Turkish, other European and North American universities. Private colleges and state-supported universities have been developed by both the Turkish and Greek communities.

Culture

Art

Kourion

Notable artists include Rhea Bailey, Mihail Kkasialos, Theodoulos Gregoriou, Helene Black, George Skoteinos, Hüseyin Çakmak, Kalopedis family, Nicos Nicolaides, Stass Paraskos, Arestís Stasí, Telemachos Kanthos, Adamantios Diamantis and Konstantia Sofokleous

Music

Main article: Music of Cyprus

The traditional folk music of Cyprus has many common elements with Greek mainland and island folk music, as well as Turkish folk music, including dances like the sousta, syrtos, zeibekikos, tatsia, and the kartsilamas. The instruments commonly associated with Cyprus folk music are the lute ("laouto"), violin ("fkiolin"), accordion and the Cyprus flute ("pithkiavlin"). There is also a form of musical poetry known as "chattista", which is often performed at traditional feasts and celebrations. Composers associated with traditional music in Cyprus include Marios Tokas, Solon Michaelides and Doros Georgiades. Pop music in Cyprus is generally influenced by the Greek pop music "Laïka" scene, with several artists such as Anna Vissi and Evridiki earning widespread popularity. Cypriot rock and "entechno" rock music is often associated with artists such as Michalis Hatzigiannis and Alkinoos Ioannidis. Metal also has a following in Cyprus, represented by bands such as Winter's Verge, Blynd and Armageddon Rev. 16:16.

Literature

Literary production of the antiquity includes the Cypria, an epic poem probably composed in the later seventh century BC and attributed to Stasinus. The Cypria is one of the very first specimens of Greek and European poetry[35]. The Cypriot Zeno of Citium was the founder of the Stoic philosophy. Epic poetry, notably the "acritic songs", flourished during Middle Ages. Two chronicles, one written by Leontios Machairas and the other by Voustronios, refer to the period under French domination (15th century). Poèmes d'amour written in medieval Greek Cypriot date back from 16th century. Some of them are actual translations of poems written by Petrarch, Bembo, Ariosto and G. Sannazzaro[36]. Modern literary figures from Cyprus include the poet and writer Kostas Montis, poet Kyriakos Charalambides, poet Michalis Pasardis, writer Nicos Nicolaides, Stylianos Atteshlis, Altheides and also Demetris Th. Gotsis. Dimitris Lipertis and Vasilis Michaelides are folk poets who wrote poems mainly in the Cypriot-Greek dialect. Some notable Turkish Cypriot poets include Nesie Yasin and Osman Türkay. The majority of the play Othello by William Shakespeare is set on the island of Cyprus. Cyprus also figures in religious literature, most notably in Acts of the Apostles, according to which the Apostles Barnabas and Paul preached on the island.

Cuisine

Main article: Cuisine of Cyprus

Halloumi, (a cheese made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk) originates from Cyprus, and is commonly served sliced and grilled as an appetizer. Seafood dishes of Cyprus include calamari (squid), octopus in red wine, (red mullet), and sea bass. Cucumber and tomato are used widely in Cypriot cuisine. Other common vegetable preparations include potatoes in olive oil and parsley, pickled cauliflower and beets, kolokasi (taro) and asparagus. Meat dishes marinated in dried coriander seeds and wine, and eventually dried and smoked, such as lounza, charcoal-grilled lamb (souvla), sheftalia (minced meat wrapped in mesentery), as well as cracked wheat (pourgouri) are some of the traditional delicacies of the island.

Sports

Governing bodies of sport in Cyprus include the Cyprus Automobile Association, Cyprus Badminton Federation[9]]], Cyprus Basketball Federation, Cyprus Cricket Association, Cyprus Football Association, Cyprus Rugby Federation and the Cyprus Volleyball Federation. Marcos Baghdatis is one of the most successful tennis players in international stage. He reached the Wimbledon semi-final in 2006. Also Kyriakos Ioannou a Cypriot high jumper born in Limassol achieved a jump of 2.35 m at the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics held in Osaka, Japan, in 2007 winning the bronze medal

The island has a keen football culture. Notable football teams include AC Omonia, APOEL FC, Anorthosis Famagusta FC and AEL Limassol. Stadiums or sports venues in Cyprus include the GSP Stadium(the largest and home venue of the Cypriot national football team), Makario Stadium, Neo GSZ Stadium, Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium and Tsirion Stadium. The Cyprus Rally is also on the World Rally Championship sporting agenda.

Media

Newspapers include the Cyprus Mail, the Cyprus Observer, Famagusta Gazette, Cyprus Today, Cyprus Weekly, Financial Mirror, Haravgi, Makhi, Phileleftheros, Politis (Cyprus), and Simerini. TV channels include ANT1 Cyprus, Alfa TV, CNC Plus TV, Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, Lumiere TV, Middle East Television, Mega Channel Cyprus and Sigma TV.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Main article: Transport in Cyprus
Nicosia's Airport remains closed since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.
File:Limassol-Seafront'.jpg
Aerial view of the promenade in Limassol

Since the last railway was dismantled in 1950, the remaining modes of transport are by road, sea, and air. Of the 10,663 km (6,626 mi) of roads in the Greek Cypriot area as of 1998, 6,249 km (3,883 mi) were paved, and 4,414 km (2,743 mi) were unpaved. As of 1996 the Turkish Cypriot area had a similar ratio of paved to unpaved, with approximately 1,370 km (850 mi) of paved road and 980 km (610 mi) unpaved. Cyprus is one of only four EU nations in which vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road, a remnant of British colonization.

Motorways

Main article: Roads and Motorways in Cyprus
Number of licensed vehicles [37]
Vehicle Category 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Private vehicles 270,348 277,554 291,645 324,212 344,953
Taxis 1,641 1,559 1,696 1,770 1,845
Rental cars 8,080 8,509 9,160 9,652 8,336
Buses 3,003 2,997 3,275 3,199 3,217
Light trucks (lighter than 40 tonnes) 107,060 106,610 107,527 105,017 105,327
Heavy trucks (over 40 tonnes) 10,882 11,182 12,119 12,808 13,028
Motorcycles (2 wheels) 12,956 14,983 16,009 16,802 16,836
Motorcycles (3 wheels) 42 41 43 55 558
Scooters 28,987 25,252 25,464 24,539 22,987
TOTAL 442,999 448,687 466,938 498,054 517,087

In 1999, Cyprus had six heliports and two international airports: Larnaca International Airport and Paphos International Airport. Nicosia International Airport has been closed since 1974.

Public transport in Cyprus is limited to privately run bus services (except in Nicosia), taxis, and 'shared' taxi services (referred to locally as service taxis). Per capita private car ownership is the 5th highest in the world. In 2006 extensive plans were announced to improve and expand bus services and restructure public transport throughout Cyprus, with the financial backing of the European Union Development Bank. The main harbours of the island are Limassol harbour and Larnaca harbour, which service cargo, passenger, and cruise ships.

Health care

Urban hospitals include:

Telecommunications

Main article: Communications in Cyprus

Cyta, the state-owned telecommunications company, manages most Telecommunications and Internet connections on the island. However, following the recent liberalization of the sector, a few private telecommunications companies have emerged including MTN, Cablenet, TelePassport, OTEnet Telecom and PrimeTel.

International membership

The island nation Cyprus is member of: Australia Group,CN, CE, CFSP, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ITUC, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IHO,ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO. [10] [11]

International rankings

Organization Survey Ranking
State of World Liberty Project State of World Liberty Index[38] 9 out of 159
United Nations Development Programme Human Development Index 2006[39]
Human Development Index 2004[40]
Human Development Index 2000[40] 		29 out of 177
29 out of 177
29 out of 177
The Economist Worldwide Quality-of-life Index, 2005[41] 23 out of 111
University of Leicester Satisfaction with Life Index[42] 49 out of 178
Heritage Foundation/Wall Street Journal Index of Economic Freedom[43] 20 out of 157
Reporters Without Borders Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2006[44]
Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2005[45] 		30 out of 168
25(tied) out of 168
Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2006[46]
Corruption Perceptions Index 2005[47]
Corruption Perceptions Index 2004[48] 		37 out of 163
37 out of 158
36 out of 145
World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report[49] 46 out of 125
International Monetary Fund GDP per capita[50] 31 out of 180
Yale University/Columbia University Environmental Sustainability Index 2005[51] not ranked
Nationmaster Labor strikes[52] not ranked
A.T. Kearney / Foreign Policy Globalization Index 2006 [53]
Globalization Index 2005 [54]
Globalization Index 2004 [55]
not ranked

See also

Template:Cyprus-related topics

References

  1. ^ Invest in Cyprus website - figures do not include tourism to the occupied North [1]
  2. ^ BBC News website [2]
  3. ^ See relevant reference articles for areas
  4. ^ according to the United Nations Security Council, see Resolution 550 and 541
  5. ^ According to Article 1 and Annex A of the Treaty of Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus - see [3]
  6. ^ [Fisher, Fred H. Cyprus: Our New Colony And What We Know About It. London: George Routledge and Sons 1878 pg 13-14.]
  7. ^ Les îles des Princes, banlieue maritime d'Istanboul: guide touristique - Page 136 by Ernest Mamboury
  8. ^ Encyclopedia of Freemasonry Part 1 and Its Kindred Sciences Comprising the Whole Range of Arts … - Page 25
  9. ^ The World Book Encyclopedia - Page 1207 by World Book
  10. ^ "Memalik-i Mahrusa-i Sahanede 1247 senesinde mevcut olan nufus defteri", Istanbul University library, ms.kat d-8 no:8867.
  11. ^ Osmanli Nufusu 1830–1914 by Kemal Karpat, ISBN 975-333-169-X and Die Völker des Osmanischen by Ritter zur Helle von Samo.
  12. ^ Caesar V. Mavratsas, Politics, Social Memory, and Identity in Greek Cyprus since 1974, cyprus-conflict.net, retrieved 2007-10-13
  13. ^ The Cyprus Conflict; The Main Narrative, continued, cyprus-conflict.net, retrieved 2007-10-13
  14. ^ Resolution 186 (1964), United nations Security council, 4 March 1964, retrieved 2007-10-13 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Over 100 missing identified so far, Cyprus Mail, retrieved 2007-10-13
  16. ^ Missing cause to get cash injection, Cyprus Mail, retrieved 2007-10-13
  17. ^ [4]
  18. ^ [5]
  19. ^ Xinhua (2006-07-21). "About 11,500 people flee Lebanon to Cyprus". People's Daily Online. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ Greek Cypriots dismantle barrier, BBC News, retrieved 2008-03-07
  21. ^ Ledra Street crossing opens in Cyprus. Associated Press article published on International Herald Tribune Website, 3 April 2008
  22. ^ http://www.diko.org.cy/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=24
  23. ^ EUROPA - The EU at a glance - Maps - Cyprus
  24. ^ [6]
  25. ^ Jean Christou, US report raps Cyprus over battle on flesh trade, cyprus-mail.com, retrieved 2007-10-13
  26. ^ Jacqueline Theodoulou, A shame on our society, cyprus-mail.com, retrieved 2007-10-13
  27. ^ IPI deeply concerned over criminal defamation charges brought against daily newspaper in Northern Cyprus, international Press Institute, 9 January 2007, retrieved 2007-10-13 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ Cyprus Human Rights Practices, 1995: Discrimination Based on Race, Sex, Religion, Disability, Language, or Social Status, Hellenic Resources network, retrieved 2007-10-13 {{citation}}: Text "author: U.S. Department of State" ignored (help); Text "date: March 1996" ignored (help)
  29. ^ US Report on Human Rights in Cyprus (sectiond 6c & 6e)
  30. ^ a b "Cyprus Economy". Republic of Cyprus. www.cyprus.gov.cy. Retrieved 2007-05-04.
  31. ^ a b "Turkey warns Lebanon, Egypt against oil exploration deal with Cyprus". AP/International Herald Tribune. www.iht.com. 2007-01-30. Retrieved 2007-05-04.
  32. ^ Abdullah Gul, quoted in the Turkish Daily News 14 April 2007 [7].
  33. ^ Population of Northern Cyprus: 178 thousand, The Observer (Cyprus), 2007-02-16, retrieved 2007-10-13
  34. ^ http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf Social values, Science and technology. Eurobarometer 2005. TNS Opinion & Social
  35. ^ "An indication that at least the main contents of the Cypria were known around 650 BCE is provided by the representation of the Judgment of Paris on the Chigi vase" (Burkert 1992:103). On the proto-Corinthian ewer of ca. 640 BCE known as the Chigi "vase", Paris is identified as Alexandros, as he was apparently called in Cypria.
  36. ^ Th. Siapkaras- Pitsillidés, Le Pétrarchisme en Cypre. Poèmes d' amour en dialecte Chypriote d' après un manuscript du XVIe siècle, Athènes 1975 (2ème édition)
  37. ^ Public Works Department official statistics [8]
  38. ^ "The 2006 State of World Liberty Index". www.stateofworldliberty.org. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
  39. ^ "Human Development Report 2006". United Nations Development Program. hdr.undp.org. 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
  40. ^ a b "Cyprus: Human Development Index Trends". United Nations Development Program. hdr.undp.org. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
  41. ^ "Worldwide Quality of Life - 2005" (PDF). The Economist. www.economist.com. 2005. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
  42. ^ "A Global Projection of Subjective Well-being". www.le.ac.uk. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
  43. ^ "Index of Economic Freedom". Heritage Foundation & The WSJ. www.heritage.org. 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
  44. ^ "North Korea, Turkmenistan, Eritrea the worst violators of press freedom". Reporters Without Borders. www.rsf.org. 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
  45. ^ "North Korea, Eritrea and Turkmenistan are the world's "black holes" for news". Reporters without Borders. www.ref.org. 2005. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
  46. ^ "CPI Table". Transparency International. www.transparency.org. 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
  47. ^ "Transparency International's Annual Report 2005" (PDF). Transparency International. www.transparency.org. 2005. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
  48. ^ "Transparency International's Annual Report 2004" (PDF). 2004. Retrieved 2006-04-28.
  49. ^ "Global Competitiveness Report 2006-2007" (PDF). World Economic Forum. www.weforum.org. 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
  50. ^ "Gross domestic product per capita, current prices". International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 2007-05-04.
  51. ^ "Environmental Sustainability Index" (PDF). Yale and Columbia University. www.yale.edu. 2005. Retrieved 2007-04-27.
  52. ^ "Labor Statistics: Strikes by Country". Nation Master. www.nationmaster.com. Retrieved 2007-04-27.
  53. ^ "A.T. Kearney/Foreign Policy Globalization Index 2006" (PDF). A.T. Kearney/FOREIGN POLICY. www.atkearney.com. 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-27.
  54. ^ "A.T. Kearney/Foreign Policy Magazine Globalization Index 2005" (PDF). A.T. Kearney/FOREIGN POLICY. www.atkearney.com. 2005. Retrieved 2007-04-27.
  55. ^ "A.T. Kearney/Foreign Policy Magazine Globalization Index 2004" (PDF). A.T. Kearney/FOREIGN POLICY. www.atkearney.com. 2004. Retrieved 2007-04-27.
  • Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.
  • Official Cyprus Government Web Site
  • Embassy of Greece, USA – Cyprus: Geographical and Historical Background

Further reading

  • Hitchens, Christopher (1997). Hostage to History: Cyprus from the Ottomans to Kissinger. Verso. ISBN 1-85984-189-9.
  • Brewin, Christopher (2000). European Union and Cyprus. Eothen Press. ISBN 0-906719-24-0.
  • Dods, Clement (ed.) (1999). Cyprus: The Need for New Perspectives. The Eothen Press. ISBN 0-906719-23-2. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  • Durrell, Lawrence (1957). Bitter Lemons. Faber and Faber. ISBN 0-571201-55-5.
  • Gibbons, Harry Scott (1997). The Genocide Files. Charles Bravos Publishers. ISBN 0-9514464-2-8.
  • Hannay, David (2005). Cyprus: The Search for a Solution. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 1-85043-665-7.
  • Ker-Lindsay, James (2005). EU Accession and UN Peacemaking in Cyprus. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 1-4039-9690-3.
  • Mirbagheri, Farid (1989). Cyprus and International Peacemaking. Hurst. ISBN 1-85065-354-2.
  • Nicolet, Claude (2001). United States Policy Towards Cyprus, 1954-1974. Bibliopolis. ISBN 3-933925-20-7.
  • Oberling, Pierre (1982). The Road to Bellapais. Columbia University Press. ISBN 0-88033-000-7.
  • O'Malley, Brendan and Ian Craig (1999). The Cyprus Conspiracy. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 1-86064-737-5.
  • Palley, Claire (2005). An International Relations Debacle: The UN Secretary-General's Mission of Good Offices in Cyprus, 1999-2004. Hart Publishing. ISBN 1-84113-578-X.
  • Papadakis, Yiannis (2005). Echoes from the Dead Zone: Across the Cyprus Divide. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 1-85043-428-X.
  • Plumer, Aytug (2003 isbn= 975-6912-18-9). Cyprus, 1963-64: The Fateful Years. Cyrep (Lefkosa). {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help); Missing pipe in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  • Richmond, Oliver (1998). Mediating in Cyprus. Frank Cass. ISBN 0-7146-4431-5.
  • Richmond, Oliver and James Ker-Lindsay (eds.) (2001). The Work of the UN in Cyprus: Promoting Peace and Development. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-91271-3. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  • Tocci, Nathalie (2004). EU Accession Dynamics and Conflict Resolution: Catalysing Peace or Consolidating Partition in Cyprus?. Ashgate. ISBN 0-7546-4310-7.
  • Anastasiou, Harry (2006). Broken Olive Branch: Nationalism Ethnic Conflict and the Quest for Peace in Cyprus. Author House. ISBN 1-4259-4360-8.
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