| Capital |
Nicosia (Lefkosia) |
| Area Sq Km |
9 251 |
| Area Sq Miles |
3 572 |
| Population |
771 000 |
| Languages |
English, Greek, Turkish |
| Religions |
Greek Orthodox, Sunni Muslim |
| Currency |
Pound |
| National Day |
|
Cyprus
<![CDATA[<bgsound style="margin:0px;padding:0px;" src='/gowealthy/wcms/en/home/countries/Cyprus-071020.avsFiles/National Anthem/cyprus.mid' autostart="false" width="200" height="15" />]]>
Play national anthem
Economy Overview
The southern, Greek-Cypriot
region has a strong agricultural sector,producing fruit and vegetables,
potatoes, barley, citrus fruit and grapes forexport. However, the
south's principal exports are clothing, footwear andtextiles which
dominate the region's light manufacturing industry. Tourism isthe main
component of the southern service economy, but in recent yearsfinancial
services - including 'offshore' enterprises - have also assumed
animportant role. The UK's sovereign military bases on the southern
coast andnear the partition boundary are a major source of revenue for
the south.Economic development of the Turkish-controlled north - the
Turkish Republic ofNorthern Cyprus (TRNC) - has been severely limited
by lack of diplomaticrecognition and it continues to rely heavily on
economic support from Turkey.The profile of the TRNC's agricultural
sector is similar to that of the south;manufacturing is relatively
insignificant; tourism relies heavily on visitorsfrom the Turkish
mainland. Both parts of the island rely on imported raw fuelsfor their
energy supplies. For the south, the UK is the largest single
tradingpartner, while the EU as a whole has now superseded Arab
countries (Lebanon,Egypt, the Gulf States and Libya) in trading
importance. Under a customs unionagreement with the EU, all trade
barriers with the south will be abolished bythe end of a 15-year
transition period ending in 2003. Having signed an AssociationAgreement
with the EU - the essential first stage on the lengthy road to
fullmembership - the southern government is among the so-called 'first
wave' ofapplicant countries who may accede between 2003 and 2005. The
main complicatingfactors remain the condition of the TRNC and the
position of the Turkishgovernment. Turkey aside, the UK is the TRNC's
main trading partner. (seeTurkey entry for further details on its
relations with the EU).
Government
The1960 constitution, which
allowed for a population-determined sharing of powerbetween the Turkish
and Greek communities, officially remains in force but inpractice the
state organs it established are duplicated in the two zones.
Thusexecutive power in the Republic of Cyprus is vested in a President,
electedevery five years by universal adult suffrage. He is assisted by
a Council ofMinisters. A 56-seat parliament (VouliAntiprosopon)
is also elected by universal adult suffrage every five years. Asimilar
system also operates in the self-styled 'Turkish Republic of
NorthernCyprus'. The legislative assembly (TemsilcilerMecsili)
has 50 members elected by proportional representation to serve
afive-year term. The executive President is also elected for a
five-year term.
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