Cyprus

Cyprus

AREA	9251 sq km (3572 sq miles, including Turkish-occupied territory).
POPULATION	735,900 (1995, including population of Turkish-occupied region).
POPULATION DENSITY	79.5 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Nicosia (Lefkosia).
CAPITAL POPULATION	191,000 (1995, excluding Turkish-occupied portion).
GEOGRAPHY	Cyprus is an island in the eastern Mediterranean. The landscape varies between rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, rocky hills and forest-covered mountains. The Troodos Mountains in the centre of the island rise to almost 1952m (6400ft) and provide good skiing during the winter. Between these and the range of hills which runs eastward along the north coast and the 'panhandle' is the fertile Messaoria Plain. The Morphou Basin runs around the coast of Morphou Bay in the west.
GOVERNMENT	Republic since 1960. Head of State and Government: President Glafkos Klerides since 1993.
LANGUAGE	The majority (approximately 80%) speak Greek and approximately 20% speak Turkish. The Greek Cypriot dialect is different from mainland Greek. Turkish is spoken by Turkish Cypriots. English, German and French are also spoken in tourist centres.
RELIGION	Greek Orthodox, with Muslim minority.
STANDARD TIME	GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
ELECTRICITY	240 volts AC, 50Hz. 13-amp square 3-pin plugs (UK-type) are used

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