A former British colony, Cyprus became independent 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 intercommunal violence continued, forcing most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek Government-sponsored attempt to overthrow the elected president of Cyprus was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot administered area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), but it is recognized only by Turkey. A UN-mediated agreement, the Annan Plan, failed to win approval by both communities in 2004. In February 2014, after a hiatus of nearly two years, the leaders of the two communities resumed formal discussions under UN auspices aimed at reuniting the divided island. Talks were suspended in October 2014, but resumed in earnest in May 2015 following the election of a new Turkish Cypriot "president." The entire island entered the EU on 1 May 2004, although the EU acquis - the body of common rights and obligations - applies only to the areas under the internationally recognized government, and is suspended in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots. However, individual Turkish Cypriots able to document their eligibility for Republic of Cyprus citizenship legally enjoy the same rights accorded to other citizens of EU states.

Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey; note - Cyprus views itself as part of Europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or both

35 00 N, 33 00 E

Middle East

about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut

648 km

temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters

central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast

highest point: Mount Olympus 1,951 m

copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment

arable land 9.8%; permanent crops 3.2%; permanent pasture 0.4%

460 sq km (2012)

population concentrated in central Nicosia and in the major cities of the south: Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca

moderate earthquake activity; droughts

water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, sea water intrusion to island's largest aquifer, increased salination in the north); water pollution from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization

the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia)

1,205,575 (July 2016 est.)

Greek 98.8%, other 1% (includes Maronite, Armenian, Turkish-Cypriot), unspecified 0.2%

Greek (official) 80.9%, Turkish (official) 0.2%, English 4.1%, Romanian 2.9%, Russian 2.5%, Bulgarian 2.2%, Arabic 1.2%, Filipino 1.1%, other 4.3%, unspecified 0.6%

Orthodox Christian 89.1%, Roman Catholic 2.9%, Protestant/Anglican 2%, Muslim 1.8%, Buddhist 1%, other (includes Maronite, Armenian Church, Hindu) 1.4%, unknown 1.1%, none/atheist 0.6%

1.38% (2016 est.)

11.4 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

6.7 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

9.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

population concentrated in central Nicosia and in the major cities of the south: Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca

NICOSIA (capital) 251,000 (2014)

28.5

7 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

1.47 children born/woman (2016 est.)

7.4% of GDP (2014)

2.33 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

3.5 beds/1,000 population (2011)

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

0.06% (2013 est.)

400 (2013 est.)

fewer than 100 (2013 est.)

24.5% (2014)

604% of GDP (2013)

demographic data for Cyprus represent the population of the government-controlled area and the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, unless otherwise indicated

Republic of Cyprus - presidential democracy; Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (self-declared) - semi-presidential democracy

6 districts; Ammochostos (Famagusta); (all but a small part located in the Turkish Cypriot community), Keryneia (Kyrenia; the only district located entirely in the Turkish Cypriot community), Larnaka (Larnaca; with a small part located in the Turkish Cypriot community), Lefkosia (Nicosia; a small part administered by Turkish Cypriots), Lemesos (Limassol), Pafos (Paphos); note - the 5 "districts" of the "TRNC" are Gazimagusa (Famagusta), Girne (Kyrenia), Guzelyurt (Morphou), Iskele (Trikomo), Lefkosia (Nicosia)

16 August 1960 (from the UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these proclamations are recognized only by Turkey

Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as "Republic Day"

ratified 16 August 1960; amended 1996, 2013; note - in 1963, the constitution was partly suspended as Turkish Cypriots withdrew from the government; Turkish-held territory in 1983 was declared the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"); in 1985, the "TRNC" approved its own constitution (2016)

mixed legal system of English common law and civil law with European law supremacy

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

18 years of age; universal

Citizens' Alliance or SP [Giorgos LILLIKAS]

Democratic Party or DIKO [Nikolas PAPADOPOULOS]

Democratic Rally or DISY [Averof NEOPHYTOU (of Neofytou)]

Ecological and Environmental Movement or KOP (Green Party) [Giorgos PERDIKIS]

European Party or EVROKO [Dimitris SYLLOURIS]

Movement of Social Democrats-United Democratic Center Union or KS-EDEK [Marinos SIZOPOULOS]

National Popular Front or ELAM [Christos CHRISTOU]

Progressive Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist party) [Andros KYPRIANOU]

Solidarity Movement [Eleni THEOCHAROUS]

United Democrats or EDI [Praxoula ANTONIADOU]

Communal Democracy Party or TDP [Cemal OZYIGIT]

Cyprus Socialist Party or KSP [Mehmet BIRINCI]

Democrat Party- National Forces or DP-UG [Serdar DENKTAS]

National Justice Party or UAP [Fatma SOLMAZ]

National Unity Party or UBP [Huseyin OZGURGUN]

New Cyprus Party or YKP [Murat KANATLI]

People's Party or HP [Kudret OZERSAY]

Republican Turkish Party-United Forces or CTP-BG [Mehmet Ali TALAT]

Social Democratic Party or SDP [Tozun TUNALI]

United Cyprus Party or BKP [Izzet IZCAN]

Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK [Nikos MOYSEOS] (pro-West)

Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation or PEO [Pambis KYRITSIS] (Communist controlled)

Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen [Asian BICAKLI]

Australia Group, C, CD, CE, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the island has long been famous for its copper deposits) 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

Cypriot mouflon (wild sheep), white dove; national colors: blue, white

The area of the Republic of Cyprus under government control has a market economy dominated by the service sector, which accounts for more than four-fifths of GDP. Tourism, financial services, shipping, and real estate have traditionally been the most important sectors. Cyprus has been a member of the EU since May 2004 and adopted the euro as its national currency in January 2008.

During the first five years of EU membership, the Cyprus economy grew at an average rate of about 4%, with unemployment between 2004 and 2008 averaging about 4%. However, the economy tipped into recession in 2009 as the ongoing global financial crisis and resulting low demand hit the tourism and construction sectors. An overextended banking sector with excessive exposure to Greek debt added to the contraction. Cyprus’ biggest two banks were among the largest holders of Greek bonds in Europe and had a substantial presence in Greece through bank branches and subsidiaries. Following numerous downgrades of its credit rating, Cyprus lost access to international capital markets in May 2011. In July 2012, Cyprus became the fifth euro-zone government to request an economic bailout program from the European Commission, European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund - known collectively as the "Troika."

Shortly after the election of President Nikos ANASTASIADES in February 2013, Cyprus reached an agreement with the Troika on a $13 billion bailout that resulted in losses on uninsured bank deposits. The bailout triggered a two-week bank closure and the imposition of capital controls that remained partially in place until April 2015. Cyprus' two largest banks merged and the combined entity was recapitalized through conversion of some large bank deposits to shares and imposition of losses on bank bondholders. As with other EU countries, the Troika conditioned the bailout on passing financial and structural reforms and privatizing state-owned enterprises. Despite downsizing and restructuring, the Cypriot financial sector throughout 2015 remained burdened by the largest stock of non-performing loans in the euro zone, equal to nearly half of all loans. Since the bailout, Cyprus has received positive appraisals by the Troika and outperformed fiscal targets but has struggled to overcome political opposition to bailout-mandated legislation, particularly regarding privatizations. Cyprus emerged from recession in 2015 and its economy grew an estimated 1.6% for the year, setting a positive tone for the scheduled end of the bailout program in March 2016.

In October 2013, a US-Israeli consortium completed preliminary appraisals of hydrocarbon deposits in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which revealed an estimated gross mean reserve of about 130 billion cubic meters. Though exploration continues in Cyprus’ EEZ, no additional commercially exploitable reserves were identified during the exploratory drilling in 2014/2015. Developing offshore hydrocarbon resources remains a critical component of the government’s economic recovery efforts, but development has been delayed as a result of regional developments and disagreements about exploitation methods.

2.8% (2013 est.)

$29.26 billion (2016 est.)

$28.47 billion (2015 est.)

$28.05 billion (2014 est.)

$19.93 billion (2015 est.)

2.8% (2016 est.)

1.5% (2015 est.)

-2.5% (2014 est.)

$34,400 (2016 est.)

$33,600 (2015 est.)

$32,700 (2014 est.)

9.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

11.7% of GDP (2015 est.)

8.6% of GDP (2014 est.)

citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables; poultry, pork, lamb; dairy, cheese

tourism, food and beverage processing, cement and gypsum, ship repair and refurbishment, textiles, light chemicals, metal products, wood, paper, stone and clay products

1.5% (2016 est.)

415,100 (2016 est.)

11.8% (2016 est.)

14.9% (2015 est.)

NA%

34.8 (2014 est.)

32.4 (2013 est.)

38.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

-1.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

104.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

108.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

calendar year

-0.3% (2016 est.)

-2.1% (2015 est.)

0.05% (31 December 2013)

0.3% (31 December 2010)

4.5% (31 December 2016 est.)

4.69% (31 December 2015 est.)

$3.975 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$4.031 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$43.41 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$47.99 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

$57.96 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$59.58 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$2.692 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$4.031 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$2.105 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

-$184 million (2016 est.)

-$704 million (2015 est.)

$2.635 billion (2016 est.)

$2.759 billion (2015 est.)

citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement, clothing

Greece 10.9%, Ireland 10.2%, UK 7.2%, Israel 6% (2015)

$6.042 billion (2016 est.)

$6.286 billion (2015 est.)

consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, machinery, transport equipment

Greece 25.7%, UK 9.1%, Italy 8%, Germany 7.5%, Israel 5.5%, China 4.8%, Netherlands 4.1% (2015)

$776.8 million (31 December 2016 est.)

$807.6 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$95.28 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

$103.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$142.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$140.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$136.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$135.2 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

0.9214 (2016 est.)

0.885 (2015 est.)

0.885 (2014 est.)

0.7634 (2013 est.)

0.78 (2012 est.)

2.8% (2013 est.)

4.1 billion kWh (2014 est.)

3.9 billion kWh (2014 est.)

0 kWh (2013 est.)

0 kWh (2013 est.)

1.7 million kW (2014 est.)

90% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

10% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

45,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

46,690 bbl/day (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

141.6 billion cu m (1 January 2014 es)

9.1 million Mt (2013 est.)

mixture of state and privately run TV and radio services; the public broadcaster operates 2 TV channels and 4 radio stations; 6 private TV broadcasters, satellite and cable TV services including telecasts from Greece and Turkey, and a number of private ra (2007)

.cy

5B (2016)

15 (2013)

9 (2013)

Republic of Cyprus: Cypriot National Guard (Ethniki Froura, EF; includes naval and air elements); Northern Cyprus: Turkish Cypriot Security Force (GKK) (2014)

Cypriot National Guard (CNG): 18-50 years of age for compulsory military service for all Greek Cypriot males; 17 years of age for voluntary service; 14-month service obligation (2016)

2.1% of GDP (2013)

2.05% of GDP (2012)

2.14% of GDP (2011)

2.05% of GDP (2010)

hostilities in 1974 divided the island into two de facto autonomous entities, the internationally recognized Cypriot Government and a Turkish-Cypriot community (north Cyprus); the 1,000-strong UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has served in Cyprus since 1964 and maintains the buffer zone between north and south; on 1 May 2004, Cyprus entered the EU still divided, with the EU's body of legislation and standards (acquis communitaire) suspended in the north; Turkey protests Cypriot Government creating hydrocarbon blocks and maritime boundary with Lebanon in March 2007

minor transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey; some cocaine transits as well; despite a strengthening of anti-money-laundering legislation, remains vulnerable to money laundering; reporting of suspicious transactions in offshore sector remains weak (2008)