A former British colony, Cyprus received independence in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia. Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic inter-communal violence continued forcing most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek-sponsored attempt to seize the government was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," but it is recognized only by Turkey. The latest two-year round of UN-brokered direct talks - between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to reach an agreement to reunite the divided island - ended when the Greek Cypriots rejected the UN settlement plan in an April 2004 referendum. The entire island entered the EU on 1 May 2004, although the EU "acquis communautaire" - the body of common rights and obligations that bind all Member States within the EU - applies only to the areas under direct Republic of Cyprus control. A t present, every Cypriot carrying a Cyprus passport has the status of a European citizen; however, EU laws do not apply to north Cyprus. Nicosia continues to oppose EU efforts to establish direct trade and economic links to north Cyprus as a way of encouraging the Turkish Cypriot community to continue to support reunification.
Ethnic groups: Greek 77%, Turkish 18%, other 5% (2001)
Religions: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4%
Languages: Greek, Turkish, English
GOVERNMENT
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus conventional short form: Cyprus
Government type: Republic note: a separation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified after the Turkish intervention in July 1974 that followed a Greek junta-supported coup attempt gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government;
Capital: Nicosia
Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos; all but a small part of Famagusta, and small parts of Lefkosia (Nicosia) and Larnaca
Independence: 16 August 1960 (from UK);
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960);
Legal system: based on common law, with civil law modifications
The Cyprus flag was defined in 1960 after independence. Independence Day: 1st October
Colors of the flag:
The ground is white. The map of the Island of Cyprus, in the middle, has the color of copper (144-C). The crest under the island and the olive-tree leaves, have the color of olive-green (336-C)
The International code numbers of the colors of the flag of the Republic of Cyprus (PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM (PMS) are: (a) Color of copper 144-C (b) Color of olive-green 336-C. Size: - in ratio 3:5 Historical Highlights:
Cyprus is an island rich in archaeological heritage, history and customs.
7000-3900BC The first Cyprus settlers date back to the NEOLITHIC/STONE AGE.
2000 and 1000 BC The Mycenaean and Achaean Greeks colonize the island and Cyprus develops its Greek character.
750-325 BC -ARCHAIC AND CLASSICAL PERIOD Cyprus comes under Assyrian, Egyptian and Persian domination. . King Evagoras of Salamis (who ruled from 411-374 BC) unifies Cyprus and makes the island one of the leading political and cultural centres of the Greek world.
333-325 BC Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia, arrives in Cyprus and makes it part of his empire.
325-58 BC HELLENISTIC PERIOD Cyprus comes under the Hellenistic state of the Ptolemies of Egypt, and becomes part of the Greek Alexandrine world. The Ptolemies abolish the city-kingdoms and unify Cyprus. Pafos becomes the capital.
58 BC - 330 AD ROMAN PERIOD Cyprus becomes a part of the Roman Empire. During the missionary journey of Saints Paul and Barnabas, the Proconsul Sergius Paulus is converted to Christianity and Cyprus becomes the first country to be governed by a Christian.
330-1191 AD BYZANTINE PERIOD After the division of the Roman Empire Cyprus comes under the Eastern Roman Empire, known as Byzantium, with Constantinople as its capital. Christianity becomes the official religion.
1191-1192 RICHARD THE LIONHEART AND THE TEMPLARS Richard the Lionheart occupies Cyprus and marries Berengaria of Navarre in Lemesos where she is crowned Queen of England. A year later he sells the island to the Knights Templars who resell it to Guy de Lusignan, deposed King of Jerusalern.
1192-1489 FRANKISH (LUSIGNAN) PERIOD During this period the Catholic Church officially replaces the Greek Orthodox. However despite severe suppression the Greek Orthodox Church manages to survive. The city of Ammochostos becomes one of the richest in the Near East.
1489-1571 VENETIAN PERIOD In an attempt to withstand the Ottoman Empire, Venetians take over Cyprus and fortify the island building impressive walls. They also unfortunately destroy a lot of buildings.
1571-1878 OTTOMAN PERIOD The Ottoman invaders arrive spreading death to thousands. Lefkosia is captured while the Venetians manage to hold out in Ammochostos for a year, before being defeated to the Ottomans. The Muslim minority during the Ottoman period eventually acquires a Cypriot identity.
1878-1960 BRITISH PERIOD Britain assumes administration of the island. It remains formally part of the Ottoman Empire until 1914 when Britain takes control of the island. In 1923 under the Treaty of Lausanne, Turkey gives up all rights to Cyprus and in 1925 Cyprus is declared a Crown colony. The Greek-Cypriots become eager for their independence but Britain is unwilling to give up the strategic advantages of Cyprus. So after negotiations fail, the Greek-Cypriots mounted a liberation struggle against British rule from 1955 to 1959 and in 1960 Cyprus finally gains its independence.
1960 REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS According to the Zurich-London Treaty, Cyprus becomes an independent republic on l6th August 1960. It is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned Movement. According to the above treaty, Britain retains two Sovereign Bases on the island, at Dekeleia – Ayios Nicholas and Akrotiri- Episkopi.
1974 TURKISH INVASION Turkey had been threatening to invade Cyprus throughout the 1960’s, the aim of the Turkish Cypriot leadership (acting on instructions from the Turkish Government) being to partition Cyprus. Finally in 1974, using as a pretext the coup of July 1974 (instigated against the Cyprus Government by the military Junta, then in power in Athens), Turkey invades Cyprus on July 20th1974, violating all principles governing international relations and the UN Charter.
As a result, about 37% of Northern Cyprus is today occupied by Turkey, 40% of the Greek Cypriot population violently uprooted and thousands of people, including civilians, killed, ill-treated or disappear without trace. The continuation of Turkish military occupation and the violation of the fundamental human rights of the people of Cyprus have been condemned by international bodies, but until today Turkey refuses to withdraw from Cyprus and maintains the island's division by the force of arms.
2002 - EUROPEAN UNION In December 2002, the European Council gave the green light for Cyprus to become a full EU member, as of May 1st 2004, regardless of a solution to the Cyprus problem. The UN Secretary General, Mr. Anan has personally delivered a proposed plan for the re-unification of Cyprus, which is currently under consideration by the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides. The plan proposes a Swiss-like government structure
Geography
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Its 9,251 square kilometres (3,572 square miles) encompass citrus and olive groves, pine forested mountains, and some of Europe's cleanest beaches. Also the easternmost island in the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus is approximately 105kilometres (60 miles) west of Syria, 75kilometres (47 miles) south of Turkey and 380kilometres (200 miles) north of Egypt. The nearest Greek point is the Greek island of Rhodes which is 380kilometres (200miles) to the west. The island has a mild, typically Mediterranean climate, with abundant sunshine even in winter and little rainfall. Prominent geographic features include the Troodos massif that occupies most of the south western part of the country, the Pentadaktylos range in the north around Kyrenia and the Messaoria Plain in between them. It is here that the capital city, Lefkosia, is located.
The elongated Karpasia Peninsula occupies the north eastern part of Cyprus, while the south eastern point terminates in Cape Greko. The southern coast is where the major towns of Larnaka and Lemesos are located. Pafos and the Akamas Peninsula are on the far western edge.
The latitude of Cyprus is 34° 33'-35° 34' north, and its longitude 32° 16'-34° 37' east. East Mediterranean basin. 75km south of Turkey, 105 km west of Syria, 380 km north of Egypt, 380 km east of Rhodes (Greece). Area 9,251sq. km. Third largest Mediterranean island after Sicily and Sardinia.
Topography
Troodos massif (southwest), highest point: Olympos 1,953m Keryneia or Pentadaktylos range (north), highest point: Kyparissovounos 1,024m. Central plain: Messaoria plain.
