ABOUT CYPRUS
Cyprus, an island-republic in the
Eastern Mediterranean, stands at the crossroads of three continents -
Europe, Asia and Africa. Its history and culture is living proof of its
age-long function as a bridge between peoples and civilizations of
Southeast Europe and the Middle East. The Syllabic-script-b, for
example, found in Cyprus, is believed to be the link between the
Phoenician and the Greek alphabets.
Today Cyprus is a modern state
enjoying a democratic system of government with an executive president
and a house of representatives where pluralistic expression is in full
bloom.
Despite suffering an invasion by
neighbour Turkey in 1974, which still occupies about 37% of its
territory, Cyprus has managed to develop its economy to such an extent
that it now constitutes a significant regional financial hub.
In addition to its role as a regional
financial and services centre, Cyprus plays a significant role in acting
as a bridge between the peoples of the Middle East. It enjoys good
relations with both Arab countries and Israel and it could act as a
catalyst for cementing the ongoing Peace Process among Middle East
nations.
Cyprus is in quest of peace. It wishes
to see an end to the tragic division of the island with the conclusion
of a negotiated settlement between its two major communities - the Greek
Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots - with the establishment of a federal
republic, the withdrawal of foreign troops and settlers brought in from
Turkey and the demilitarization of the island. Politically Cyprus has
moved towards Europe and aspires to become the next member of the
European Union. It is, however, still a member of the family of
non-aligned nations and the Commonwealth and links with Third World
Countries are expected to remain strong.
Small in area (9,250 sq km) and
population (746,100 in 1997) it enjoys a high standard of living (about
6,700 CYP Pounds), low unemployment (3% in 1997) and inflation (3.1% in
1997). It has excellent communications and telecommunications
infrastructure and has developed into a major off-shore banking centre.
The island enjoys a very high educational and health services standard.
Its ethnic composition is about 84,5% Greek Cypriots (including
Maronites, Armenians and Latins) and 12,5% Turkish Cypriots and 3%
others. Major religions include Orthodox Christianity (84%) and Islam
(13%) while the official languages of the state are Greek and Turkish.
English is widely spoken and used in business transactions.
Despite its small size, Cyprus's
beauty is indeed unique. The island offers a rare variety of scenery
consisting of an indented coastline with long, sandy beaches in numerous
coves and a broad plain stretching between two mountain ranges which are
mostly covered with forests of pine and cedar.
The climate is also quite diverse and
according to Fador's Guide to Europe "one of the best climates in the
world". Intense Mediterranean climate prevails at sea-level with hot,
dry summers and mild, wet winters, low humidities inland during summer
and more than 300 days of sunshine a year. The mountains (highest peak
Mount Olympus 1951m), on the other hand, enjoy cooler weather during the
summer and the highest elevations are snow- clad for most of the winter.
In addition to scenic beauty and a healthy climate the island possesses
a wide variety of wild life - rare and endemic species of flora and
fauna.
Cyprus is one of the richest open air
museums of the world. Here to be found are neolithic settlements,
ancient Greek temples, Roman theatres, villas, early Christian
basilicas, Byzantine churches, impressive medieval monasteries, Crusader
Castles, Gothic churches, Venetian fortifications, Ottoman mosques and
aqueducts and British colonial buildings.
Yet, Cyprus's greatest asset is the
friendliness and hospitality of the locals. In some villages old customs
die hard. Young girls still engage in lace-making in the beautiful
village of Lefkara and elsewhere, potters still create wondrous shapes
to decorate their earthenware vessels, the sound of handlooms can still
be heard in distant Pafos villages and old men congregate in the coffee
shops for a game of backgammon or to listen to and discuss the day's
interest news.
Towns and Population
The population of Cyprus is
793.100 of whom 80,7% are Greek Cypriots (including Armenians, Maronites
and Latins), 87,600 (11,0%) are Turkish Cypriots and 66,000 (8,3%)
foreigners residing in Cyprus. The density of the population is 86
persons / sq km.
The population does not include over
115.000 Turkish settlers illegally residing in the Turkish-occupied part
of Cyprus. The figure of the Greek Cypriot
population includes about 9.000 Maronites, Armenians and Latins who,
under the 1960 Constitution were asked to choose between the two
communities and opted to join the Greek Cypriot community.
The language of the Greek Cypriot
community is Greek and the community adheres to the Autocephalous Greek
Orthodox Church of Cyprus. The language of the Turkish Cypriot community
is Turkish and the community adheres to Islam. The religious groups of
Armenians, Maronites and Latins, in accordance with 1960 constitution,
opted to belong to the Greek Cypriot community.
Nicosia, the capital city
The capital of the island is Nicosia with a population of 206.200 (end of 2001)
in the sector controlled by
the government of the Republic of Cyprus. It is situated roughly in the
centre of the island and is the seat of government as well as the main
business centre. The 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 36 % of the
island's territory literally cut the capital in half. After the fall of
the Berlin Wall, Nicosia remains the only militarily divided capital in
Europe.
The city dates back to the bronze age
when it was known as Ledra, the actual name of the most popular
commercial street. The name of Nicosia (Lefkosia, in
Greek), probably comes from Lefkos, son of Ptolemy, who rebuilt the city
in the 3rd century B.C. Another probability is that the name originated
from the white poplar (lefki) which was abundant in the bed of the
city's river. The city also bore the name of Lefkothea - the white
goddess. The core of Nicosia is surrounded by
16th century Venetian fortifications. The city is rich in museums and
monuments of different periods. Nicosia successfully blends its history
with the developed modern administrative commercial and business centre
it has become.
Limassol
The second largest town is
Limassol in the south, which has around 161.200 (end of 2001) inhabitants. It is
Cyprus' main commercial port and an important tourist resort.
Larnaca
Larnaca, in the south-east of the
island, has a population of 72.000 (end of 2001) and is the island's
second commercial port and an important tourist resort. To the north of
the town lies the island's oil refinery, while to the south Larnaca
International Airport is situated. The city of Larnaka is well-known for
its picturesque sea-front which includes rows of palm trees (oi
finikoudes, in the local Greek dialect). Much of the activity is centred
around the city promenade during the major festivals. The most important
of these for the city of Larnaka is Kataklysmos or the Festival of the
Flood, celebrated in early summer with a series of cultural events.
Paphos
Paphos in the south-west with a
population of about 47.300 (end of 2001) is a fast developing tourist
resort, home to the island's second International Airport and an
attractive fishing harbor. The Turkish invasion and occupation of the
major tourist resorts of Keryneia and Ammochostos led to major
investments by the government and the private sector in the district of
Pafos. There was rapid economic activity in all fields but especially
tourism. The government invested heavily in irrigation dams and water
distribution works, road infrastructure and the building of Pafos
airport, while private initiative concentrated on hotel, apartment and
villa construction and the entertainment infrastructure.
Famagusta
In the Turkish occupied area, the town
of Ammochostos (Famagusta), the hub of the pre-1974 tourist industry, is
now a ghost town, deserted since 1974 when its inhabitants fled from
advancing Turkish troops. The towns of Keryneia (Kyrenia), another
important tourist resort on the north coast, and Morphou, situated in
the important agricultural area of western Messaoria, are now inhabited
almost exclusively by Turkish Cypriots and Turkish settlers as the Greek
Cypriots were forced in 1974 to abandon their homes and properties and
move to the south under the threat of guns and armament of the Turkish
occupation army.
As a result of the Turkish invasion in
1974, 36% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus is still under the
control of the Turkish occupation troops. Moreover, 162.000 Greek
Cypriots ( 32% of the Greek Cypriot population ) have become refugees.
Since the Turkish invasion and occupation of over a third of the island,
the demographic balance has changed dramatically as a result of Turkey's
colonization policies. There are more than 115,000 illegal Turkish
settlers in the occupied area while an estimated 55.000 Turkish Cypriots
have emigrated.
Travelers may enter the Republic of
Cyprus only through the legal ports of entry - Larnaka and Pafos
International Airports and the ports of Larnaka, Limassol and Pafos. The
ports of Famagusta, Keryneia and Karavostasi, as well as the airports in
the part of the island illegally occupied by the Turkish invasion forces
have been declared by the Cyprus government as prohibited ports of entry
and exit and no passenger should enter or leave the Republic through
these ports.
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