Learn about Cyprus

This page contains general info about my country, Cyprus. For your convenience, it is separated into four units. You can scroll down to see these but you can also use the table of contents that follows. Note that part of the text in this page was taken by the Grolier' s Academic American Encyclopedia and the Nea Domi Encyclopedia.

Table of contents:

  • Facts about Cyprus
  • Geography - Demography
  • History of Cyprus
  • The Cyprus problem


  • Facts about Cyprus

  • Name: Republic of Cyprus
  • Goverment type: Republic
  • Flag: The map of the island above a couple of olive-tree branches
  • Area: 9,251 sq km(3,572 sq mi)
  • Population: 716,492(77% Greeks, 18% Turks)
  • Income per capita: $10000
  • Capital: Nicosia(116 000)
  • Major cities: Limassol, Famagusta, Larnaka, Paphos, Kyrenia

  • Some of the above facts may not be accurate as they do not include the area conrolled by Turkey.

    Geography - Demography
    Cyprus is an island state in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, 97 km(60 mi) west of the coast of Syria and 64 km(40 mi) south of Turkey. It has an area of 9,251 sq km(3,572 sq mi). The island is 225 km(140 mi) from east to west and at most 97 km(60 mi) from north to south. It is compact in shape except for the Karpasia peninsula to the northeast. Cyprus consists of two mountain masses(on the north and south) and a central lowland. The Pentadaktylos Range lies close to the north coast and consists mainly of limestone. To the south is the Mesaoria Plain. The southern half of the island is occupied by the Troodos Mountains, composed mainly of volcanic and igneous rocks and reaching a maximum elevation of 1,953 m(6,407 ft). The climate is Mediterranean. Temperatures vary with elevation, but January averages are about 10 deg C(50 deg F) and those of July about 27 deg C(80 deg F). Rainfall, which occurs mainly in winter, is rarely more than 380 mm(15 in) in the lowlands but is higher in the mountains. The population consists mainly by Greeks(77% of the population) and Turks(18% of the population). Smaller minorities also exist in Cyprus. Since the Turkish invasion in 1974, 37% of the country' s land, in which most of the Turks are now living, are being controlled by Turkey. Recently, there was a massive colonization from Turkey to these areas and therefore the island' s demography was dramatically changed.

    History of Cyprus
    Cyprus was inhabited by human at around 6000 BC. During the 15th century BC, the first Greeks arrived at the island where they set some cities. Phoenicians also colonized Cyprus at around 1000 BC. By the end of the 8th century BC it was captured by the Assyrians who were followed by the Persians in 569 BC. Cyprus remained under Persian domination until 323 BC. During that period, however, the Cypriots retained a Greek nationality and had very close relations with Greece. In 323 BC the island was captured by Alexander the Great. During the following centuries, Cyprus consisted of city-states held together by Alexander' s dominants. The Romans followed in 58 BC. Cyprus was Christianized at an early date, as it was visited by St. Paul. With the division of the Roman Empire, Cyprus came under the control of Byzantine emperors, who continued to rule it until it was occupied by the English in 1191. The island was then given to Guy de Lusignan, who founded a French-speaking monarchy. Cyprus came under Venetian control in 1489. In 1573 the Turks invaded the island that fell to their hands in 1573. During their domination, the Turks succeeded to create a Turkish community that was mainly composed by Greeks who turned to become Muslims. Cyprus was given to the British in 1871. During the early years of the 20th century, there was a movement among the Greeks for union with Greece. In 1959, Cyprus gained independence after a four-year struggle.

    The Cyprus problem
    The Cyprus problem was created after Cyprus gained its independence. In 1963, after a disagreement between the two communities, the Turks parted from the Cyprus Republic and sealed themselves into small self-controlled areas. Many small conflicts followed and the mistrust between the Greeks and the Turks grew even more. In 1974, after a coup held by the Greek Hounda, Turkey invaded Cyprus and captured the 37% of the island' s land(northern area). Since then, the island remains deviated, with the Greeks living at the south and the Turks at the north. The devising line goes through Nicosia, which is the only deviated capital in the world. The Turks declared an independent state in 1981, which, however, is recognized only by Turkey. Recently, talks have been held in order to solve the Cyprus problem but with no result so far. The reason? The many differences between the Turks and the Greeks of Cyprus, ethnic and religious. And the interests of the involved countries. The outcome of the Cyprus problem, however has been tragic: 200 000 Greek refugees, 15 000 dead on both sides and 1619 Greeks missing since 1974. But, there is still hope: none wants war anymore and talks are still being held from time to time. The Cyprus problem may be eventually solved peacefully.

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