Cyprus

Broadcast media

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 radio stations are available; in areas administered by Turkish Cypriots, there are 2 public TV stations, 4 public radio stations, and privately owned TV and radio broadcast stations (2007)

Internet country code

.cy

Internet hosts

252,013 (2012) country comparison to the world: 67

Internet users

433,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 120

Telephone system

general assessment: excellent in both area under government control and area administered by Turkish Cypriots domestic: open-wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relay international: country code - 357 (area administered by Turkish Cypriots uses the country code of Turkey - 90); a number of submarine cables, including the SEA-ME-WE-3, combine to provide connectivity to Western Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; tropospheric scatter; satellite earth stations - 8 (3 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 2 Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat)

Telephones - main lines in use

373,200 (2012) country comparison to the world: 108

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.11 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 155

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues:: $9.224 billion expenditures:: $10.68 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-6.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Central bank discount rate

1.5% (31 December 2012) country comparison to the world: 120 1.75% (31 December 2010) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.05% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 6.83% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-1.506 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 $-807.7 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$103.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $106.8 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

29 (2005) country comparison to the world: 118

Economy - overview

The area of the Republic of Cyprus under government control has a market economy dominated by the service sector, which accounts for four-fifths of GDP. Tourism, financial services, and real estate are the most important sectors. Erratic growth rates over the past decade reflect the economy's reliance on tourism, the profitability of which can fluctuate with political instability in the region and economic conditions in Western Europe. Nevertheless, the economy in the area under government control has grown at a rate well above the EU average since 2000. Cyprus joined the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM2) in May 2005 and adopted the euro as its national currency on 1 January 2008. An aggressive austerity program in the preceding years, aimed at paving the way for the euro, helped turn a soaring fiscal deficit (6.3% in 2003) into a surplus of 1.2% in 2008, and reduced inflation to 4.7%. This prosperity came under pressure in 2009, as construction and tourism slowed in the face of reduced foreign demand triggered by the ongoing global financial crisis. Although Cyprus lagged behind its EU peers in showing signs of stress from the global crisis, the economy tipped into recession in 2009, contracting by 1.7%, and has been slow to bounce back since, posting anemic growth in 2010-11 before contracting again by 2.3% in 2012. Serious problems surfaced in the Cypriot financial sector in early 2011 as the Greek fiscal crisis and euro zone debt crisis deepened. Cyprus's borrowing costs have risen steadily because of its exposure to Greek debt. Two of Cyprus's biggest banks are among the largest holders of Greek bonds in Europe and have a substantial presence in Greece through bank branches and subsidiaries. Cyprus experienced numerous downgrades of its credit rating in 2012 and has been cut off from international money markets. The Cypriot economy contracted in 2012 following the writedown of Greek bonds. A liquidity squeeze is choking the financial sector and the real economy as many global investors are uncertain the Cypriot economy can weather the EU crisis. The budget deficit rose to 7.4% of GDP in 2011, a violation of the EU's budget deficit criteria - no more than 3% of GDP. In response to the country's deteriorating finances and serious risk of contagion from the Greek debt crisis, Nicosia implemented measures to cut the cost of the state payroll, curb tax evasion, and revamp social benefits, and trimmed the deficit to 4.2% of GDP in 2012. In July, Nicosia became the fifth euro zone government to request an economic bailout program from the European Commission, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund - known collectively as the "Troika". Negotiations over the final details of the plan are ongoing.

Economy of the area administered by Turkish Cypriots

Economy - overview: The Turkish Cypriot economy has roughly half the per capita GDP of the south, and economic growth tends to be volatile, given the north's relative isolation, bloated public sector, reliance on the Turkish lira, and small market size. The Turkish Cypriots are heavily dependent on transfers from the Turkish Government. Ankara directly finances about one-third of the Turkish Cypriot "administration's" budget. Aid from Turkey has exceeded $400 million annually in recent years. The Turkish Cypriot economy experienced a sharp slowdown in 2008-09 due to the global financial crisis and to its reliance on British and Turkish tourism, both of which declined due to the recession. The Turkish Cypriot budget deficit also deteriorated in 2009 due to decreased state revenues and increased government expenditures on public sector salaries and social services. The Turkish Cypriot economy declined about 0.6% in 2010. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.829 billion (2007 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -0.6% (2010 est.) GDP - per capita: $11,700 (2007 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.6%, industry: 22.4%, services: 69.1% (2006 est.) Labor force: 95,030 (2007 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14.5%, industry: 29%, services: 56.5% (2004) Unemployment rate: 9.4% (2005 est.) Population below poverty line: %NA Inflation rate: 11.4% (2006) Budget: revenues: $2.5 billion, expenditures: $2.5 billion (2006) Agriculture - products: citrus fruit, dairy, potatoes, grapes, olives, poultry, lamb Industries: foodstuffs, textiles, clothing, ship repair, clay, gypsum, copper, furniture Industrial production growth rate: -0.3% (2007 est.) Electricity production: 998.9 million kWh (2005) Electricity consumption: 797.9 million kWh (2005) Exports: $68.1 million, f.o.b. (2007 est.) Export - commodities: citrus, dairy, potatoes, textiles Export - partners: Turkey 40%; direct trade between the area administered by Turkish Cypriots and the area under government control remains limited Imports: $1.2 billion, f.o.b. (2007 est.) Import - commodities: vehicles, fuel, cigarettes, food, minerals, chemicals, machinery Import - partners: Turkey 60%; direct trade between the area administered by Turkish Cypriots and the area under government control remains limited Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $NA Debt - external: $NA Currency (code): Turkish new lira (YTL) Exchange rates: Turkish new lira per US dollar: 1.67 (2011) 1.5 (2010) 1.55 (2009) 1.32 (2008) 1.32 (2007)

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.78 (2012 est.) 0.72 (2011 est.) 0.76 (2010 est.) 0.72 (2009 est.) 0.68 (2008 est.)

Exports

$2.602 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $2.748 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement, clothing

Exports - partners

Greece 23%, UK 10.1% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$22.69 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$23.36 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $23.94 billion (2011 est.) $23.81 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 66.8% government consumption: 20.1% investment in fixed capital: 12.8% investment in inventories: 0.3% exports of goods and services: 45.5% imports of goods and services: -45.4% (2012 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 2.3% industry: 15.4% services: 82.3% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$26,800 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $27,800 (2011 est.) $28,400 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-2.4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 0.5% (2011 est.) 1.3% (2010 est.)

Gross national saving

6.6% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 14.2% of GDP (2011 est.) 9.8% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$6.755 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $7.951 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, machinery, transport equipment

Imports - partners

Greece 21.6%, Israel 11.9%, Italy 8.3%, UK 7.3%, Germany 7.1%, Netherlands 6.7%, France 6%, China 4.5% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

-12.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 3.3% (2011 est.)

Labor force

428,900 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 8.5% industry: 20.5% services: 71% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$2.853 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 78 $6.834 billion (31 December 2010) $4.993 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

85.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 71.1% of GDP (2011 est.) note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.191 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $1.207 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$56.25 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $52.97 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$11.16 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $11.49 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$26.28 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $25.04 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$54.29 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $53.74 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$14.73 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $14.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the EMU; individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Taxes and other revenues

40.6% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

Unemployment rate

11.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 7.9% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

9.503 million Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Crude oil - production

8.47 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 121

Electricity - consumption

4.794 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 187

Electricity - from fossil fuels

94.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73

Electricity - from other renewable sources

5.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.527 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Electricity - production

4.571 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 121

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 129

Refined petroleum products - consumption

58,430 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Refined petroleum products - imports

58,310 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Area

total: 9,251 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus) country comparison to the world: 171 land: 9,241 sq km water: 10 sq km

Area - comparative

about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut

Climate

temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters

Coastline

648 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Olympus 1,951 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.18 cu km/yr (10%/3%/86%) per capita: 164.7 cu m/yr (2009)

Geographic coordinates

35 00 N, 33 00 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

457.9 sq km (2007)

Land boundaries

total: 150.4 km (approximately) border sovereign base areas: Akrotiri 47.4 km, Dhekelia 103 km (approximately)

Land use

arable land: 9.06% permanent crops: 3.54% other: 87.41% (2011)

Location

Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Natural hazards

moderate earthquake activity; droughts

Natural resources

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

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

0.78 cu km (2011)

Administrative divisions

6 districts; Ammochostos (Famagusta; all but a small part controlled by Turkish Cyprus), Keryneia (Kyrenia; the only district completely controlled by Turkish Cyprus), Larnaka (Larnaca; a small part controlled by Turkish Cyprus), Lemesos (Limassol), Lefkosia (Nicosia; a small part controlled by Turkish Cyprus), Pafos (Paphos); note - the five districts of Turkish Cyprus are Gazimagusa (Famagusta), Girne (Kyrenia), Guzelyurt (Morphou), Lefkosia (Nicosia) and Iskele (Trikomo)

Capital

name: Nicosia (Lefkosia/Lefkosa) geographic coordinates: 35 10 N, 33 22 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Constitution

ratified 16 August 1960; note - in 1963, the constitution broke down 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 (2013)

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus conventional short form: Cyprus local long form: Kypriaki Dimokratia/Kibris Cumhuriyeti local short form: Kypros/Kibris note: the Turkish Cypriot community, which administers the northern part of the island, refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" or "TRNC" (Kuzey Kibris Turk Cumhuriyeti or KKTC)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador John M. KOENIG (since 17 August 2012) embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, 2407 Engomi, Nicosia mailing address: P. O. Box 24536, 1385 Nicosia telephone: [357] (22) 393939 FAX: [357] (22) 780944

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Georgios CHACALLI (since 30 May 2013) chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772, 462-0873 FAX: [1] (202) 483-6710 consulate(s) general: New York note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot community in the US is Ahmet ERDENGIZ; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone [1] (202) 887-6198

Executive branch

chief of state: President Nicos ANASTASIADES (since 28 February 2013); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot head of government: President Nicos ANASTASIADES (since 28 February 2013) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed jointly by the president and vice president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 17 and 24 February 2013 (next to be held in February 2018) election results: Nicos ANASTASIADES elected president; percent of vote (first round) - Nicos ANASTASIADES 45.46%, Stavros MALAS 26.91%, Giorgos LILLIKAS 24.93%, other 2.7%; (second round) Nicos ANASTASIADES 57.48%, Savros MALAS 42.52% note: Dervis EROGLU became "president" of the "TRNC" on 23 April 2010 after "presidential" elections on 18 April 2010; results - Dervis EROGLU 50.4%, Mehmet Ali TALAT 42.9%; Sibel SIBER is "TRNC acting prime minister"

Flag description

white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) 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 note: the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag retains the white field of the Cyprus national flag but displays narrow horizontal red stripes positioned a small distance from the top and bottom edges between which are centered a red crescent and a red five-pointed star; the banner is modeled after the Turkish national flag but with the colors reversed

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, following a Greek military-junta-supported coup attempt that gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTAS declared independence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), which is recognized only by Turkey

Independence

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

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

Australia Group, C, CD, CE, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), 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

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Cyprus (consists of 13 judges including the court president); note - the highest court in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is the Supreme Court (consists of 8 judges including the court president) judge selection and term of office: Republic of Cyprus Supreme Court judges appointed by the president of the republic upon the recommendation of the Supreme Court judges; judges tenure NA; TRNC Supreme Court judges appointed by the Supreme Council of Judicature, a 12-member body of judges, the attorney general, appointees - one each by the president of the TRNC and by the Legislative Assembly, and a member elected by the Bar Association; judge tenure NA subordinate courts: Republic of Cyprus district courts; Assize Courts; specialized courts for issues relating to family, industrial disputes, military, and rent control; TRNC Assize Courts; district and family courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law and civil law with Greek Orthodox religious law influence

Legislative branch

unicameral - area under government control: House of Representatives or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats; 56 assigned to the Greek Cypriots, 24 to Turkish Cypriots; note - only those assigned to Greek Cypriots are filled; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Assembly of the Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: area under government control: last held on 22 May 2011 (next to be held in May 2016); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: last held on 28 July 2013(next to be held on July 2018) election results: area under government control: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - DISY 34.3%, AKEL 32.7%, DIKO 15.8%, EDEK 8.9%, EURO.KO 3.9%, other 4.4%; seats by party - DISY 20, AKEL 19, DIKO 9, EDEK 5, EURO.KO 2, other 1; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Assembly of the Republic - percent of vote by party - CTP 38%, UBP 27%, DP 23%, TDP 7%, other 5%; seats by party - CTP 21, UBP 14, DP 12, TDP 3

National anthem

name: "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Liberty) lyrics/music: Dionysios SOLOMOS/Nikolaos MANTZAROS note: adopted 1960; Cyprus adopted the Greek national anthem as its own; the Turkish community in Cyprus uses the anthem of Turkey

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

Cypriot mouflon (wild sheep); white dove

Political parties and leaders

area under government control: Democratic Party or DIKO [Marios KAROYIAN (Garoyian)] Democratic Rally or DISY [Nicos ANASTASIADES] European Party or EURO.KO [Demetris SYLLOURIS] Fighting Democratic Movement or ADIK [Dinos MIKHAILIDES]; note - now part of Democratic Party or DIKO Green Party of Cyprus [George PERDIKIS] Movement for Social Democrats or EDEK [Yiannakis OMIROU] Progressive Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist Party) [Andros KYPRIANOU] United Democrats or EDI [Praxoula ANTONIADOU] area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Communal Democracy Party or TDP [Mehmet CAKICI] Cyprus Socialist Party or KSP [Yusuf ALKIM] Democratic Party or DP [Serdar DENKTAS] Freedom and Reform Party or ORP [Turgay AVCI] National Unity Party or UBP [Irsen KUCUK] Nationalist Justice Party or MAP [Ata TEPE] New Cyprus Party or YKP [Murat KANATLI] Politics for the People Party or HIS [Ahmet YONLUER]; note - joined the National Unity Party in 2010 Republican Turkish Party or CTP [Ozkam YORGANCIOGLU] United Cyprus Party or BKP [Izzet IZCAN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK (pro-West) Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation or PEO (Communist controlled)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

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 seize control of Cyprus was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot-occupied area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), but it is recognized only by Turkey. The election of a new Cypriot president in 2008 served as the impetus for the UN to encourage both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to reopen unification negotiations. In September 2008, the leaders of the two communities began discussions under UN auspices aimed at reuniting the divided island. The talks are ongoing. 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 areas 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 European Union states.

Manpower available for military service

Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG): males age 16-49: 327,875 females age 16-49: 287,891 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG): males age 16-49: 275,842 females age 16-49: 239,862 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 8,167 female: 7,398 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Republic of Cyprus: Greek Cypriot National Guard (Ethniki Froura, EF; includes naval and air elements); Northern Cyprus: Turkish Cypriot Security Force (GKK) (2013)

Military expenditures

2% of GDP (2012) (U) country comparison to the world: 68

Military service age and obligation

Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG): 18-50 years of age for compulsory military service for all Greek Cypriot males; 17 years of age for voluntary service; length of service obligation is 25 months; women may volunteer for a 3-year term (2013)

Age structure

0-14 years: 15.8% (male 93,644/female 88,392) 15-24 years: 15.8% (male 99,041/female 83,160) 25-54 years: 46.9% (male 283,599/female 258,130) 55-64 years: 10.6% (male 58,569/female 64,243) 65 years and over: 11% (male 55,036/female 71,589) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

11.45 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Death rate

6.52 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 41.3 % youth dependency ratio: 24 % elderly dependency ratio: 17.3 % potential support ratio: 5.8 (2013)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

Education expenditures

7.9% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 13

Ethnic groups

Greek 77%, Turkish 18%, other 5% (2001)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Health expenditures

7.4% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 76

Hospital bed density

3.5 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

total: 8.82 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 153 male: 10.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Languages

Greek (official), Turkish (official), English

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.17 years country comparison to the world: 55 male: 75.38 years female: 81.09 years (2013 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.7% male: 99.3% female: 98.1% (2011 est.)

Major urban areas - population

NICOSIA (capital) 253,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

10 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 155

Median age

total: 35.4 years male: 34 years female: 37.1 years (2013 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

27.5 (2005 est.)

Nationality

noun: Cypriot(s) adjective: Cypriot

Net migration rate

10.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 12

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

25.5% (2008) country comparison to the world: 53

Physicians density

2.75 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

1,155,403 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

Population growth rate

1.52% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Religions

Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, other (includes Maronite and Armenian Apostolic) 4%

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2010)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.19 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.46 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 195

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 22.3% country comparison to the world: 47 male: 23.1% female: 21.5% (2011)

Urbanization

urban population: 70.5% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 1.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

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 European Union 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

Illicit drugs

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)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs: 208,000 (both Turkish and Greek Cypriots; many displaced since 1974) (2012)

Airports

15 (2013) country comparison to the world: 145

Airports - with paved runways

total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2013)

Heliports

9 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 838 country comparison to the world: 13 by type: bulk carrier 278, cargo 163, chemical tanker 77, container 201, liquefied gas 11, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 25, petroleum tanker 62, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 9, vehicle carrier 4 foreign-owned: 622 (Angola 1, Austria 1, Belgium 3, Bermuda 1, Canada 2, China 6, Denmark 6, Estonia 6, France 16, Germany 192, Greece 201, Hong Kong 2, India 4, Iran 10, Ireland 3, Italy 6, Japan 16, Netherlands 23, Norway 14, Philippines 1, Poland 24, Portugal 2, Russia 46, Singapore 1, Slovenia 5, Spain 6, Sweden 5, Turkey 1, UAE 3, UK 7, Ukraine 3, US 5) registered in other countries: 152 (Bahamas 23, Cambodia 4, Comoros 2, Finland 1, Gibraltar 1, Greece 3, Hong Kong 3, Liberia 9, Malta 32, Marshall Islands 40, Norway 1, Panama 5, Russia 13, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Sierra Leone 2, Singapore 6, unknown 4) (2010)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): area under government control: Larnaca, Limassol, Vasilikos; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Famagusta, Kyrenia

Roadways

total: 20,006 km country comparison to the world: 108 government control: 13,006 km (includes 2,277 km of expressways) paved: 8,564 km unpaved: 4,442 km Turkish Cypriot control: 7,000 km (2011)