+357 is the dialing code for Cyprus.
Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean is according to legend the birthplace of the love goddess Aphrodite. In reality, the island in modern times has been characterized by animosity between Greeks and Turks. After a Greek-backed military coup in Cyprus in 1974, Turkey invaded the northern part of the island. Since then, Cyprus has been divided into a Greek Cypriot southern part and a Turkish Cypriot part in the north.
- Abbreviationfinder: Brief profiles of Cyprus, including geography, history, politics, economics as well as common acronyms about this country.
Geography and climate
Cyprus, which on the surface is slightly smaller than Östergötland, is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. Geographically, Cyprus is most closely associated with the Middle East, but for political and cultural reasons, the island is usually counted as Europe. To Turkey in the north, the distance is at least 6.5 km, to Syria in the east it is almost 17 km.
Formally and according to the UN, Cyprus is a single state, but in practice since 1974 the island has been divided into two parts – a Greek Cypriot in the south and a Turkish Cypriot in the north. The Greek Cypriot part comprises just under two thirds (63 percent) of the Cyprus surface, the Turkish Cypriot part just over one third (37 percent). Between the parts is a narrow buffer zone monitored by the UN. The capital Nicosia is also divided.
Cyprus has two major mountain areas. The Kyrenia Mountains form a long, narrow chain along the north coast and a bit out on the Karpasia peninsula in the northeast. In the Troodos massif, which occupies a good part of the hinterland in the south, lies the Olympus mountains with the highest peak of the island at 1,953 meters.
While the Kyrenia Mountains have thin soil layers, vegetation is more abundant in the Troodos massif, which is covered by coniferous forests. Between these mountains are the fertile plains of Mesaoria in the east and Morfous plain in the west. From the Troodos massif, in the winter, a number of smaller rivers that completely dry out in the summer.
Country Facts
Geography
| Cultivated land | 13.4 % |
| Land area | 9251 km 2 |
Population and health
| Population development | 1.43 m |
| Urban population (Urbanization) | 66.9 % |
| Death rate | 6.62 per 1000 residents |
| Life expectancy: Women | 81.46 years |
| Life expectancy: Men | 75.7 years |
| Birth rate | 11.41 births per 1000 residents |
| HDI index | 0.850 |
| Population | 1189197 |
| Infant mortality | 8.36 deaths / 1000 births |
Population Graph Source: Countryaah.com
Energy
| Electricity, production | 3942 million kWh |
| Energy consumption per resident | 1971.5 kg. oil per resident |
| Natural gas, production | million cubic meters |
| Crude oil, production | million tons |
Infrastructure
| Internet users | 63.0 per 100 residents |
| Mobile subscriptions | 95 per 100 residents |
| Passenger cars | 532 per 1000 residents |
Business and economics
| Unemployment | 15.5% of the workforce |
| GDP | 32800 per resident |
| Primary occupations | 8.5 % |
| Secondary profession | 20.5 % |
| Tertiary professions | 71 % |
Cyprus has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, humid winters. Most precipitation falls between November and March.
From the end of May to the middle of September, there is hardly any rain. In the Troodos Mountains in the south, the climate is more humid and considerably cooler than in the rest of the country. There, snow falls between December and March.
The proximity to the Asian mainland means that the summer temperature can reach over 40 degrees in the interior of Cyprus.
FACTS – GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Surface
9 251 km2 (2018)
Time
Swedish +1 hour
Capital with number of residents
Nicosia (Lefkoşa in Turkish) 238,000 in the Greek Cypriot part (2014) and 57,000 in the Turkish Cypriot part
Other major cities
In the south: Limassol 182 400, Larnaca 85 900, Pafos 64 300 (2014). To the north: Gazimagusa (Famagusta) 40 900, Girne (Kyrenia) 33 200, Güzelhurt (Morfou) 18 900 (2012)
Highest mountain
Olympus (in the Troodos massif, 1,953 meters)
Important rivers
Cyprus has no major rivers
Average Precipitation / month
80 mm (dec), 0 mm (july-sept)
Average / day
Nicosia 27 °C (July – Aug), 12 °C (Jan – Feb)
2011
October
“Christofia responsible for the explosions”
An independent investigation holds President Christofia personally responsible for the carelessness that caused the naval base explosions (see July 2011). According to the investigation, the president was aware of the risks of keeping the weapons where they were located, but he did nothing about it. Christofias rejects the charges.
September
Conflict about oil drilling
Greek Cypriots start drilling for oil and natural gas in the sea off Cyprus. Turkey protests, claiming that the Turkish Cypriots must give their approval. Turkey places its own oil drilling vessel off the north coast of Cyprus.
August
The President is reforming the government in the south
President Christofias is reshaping the government after the central party Diko left the government coalition because of disagreement over economic policy.
July
Economy on the decline
The shortage of electricity is hitting hard on industry and business. At the same time, Cyprus is involved in the Greek debt crisis. Credit rating agency Moody’s also lowers Cyprus’s credit rating.
Many dead in naval base explosions
Thirteen people are killed and over 60 people are injured by a series of explosions in a seized weapon load on a naval base. Among the victims are the commander of the Navy. The country’s largest power plant is knocked out as a result of extensive electricity cuts. The defense minister resigns and the government is reformed after receiving harsh criticism for negligence.
May
Government change in the south
The Conservative opposition party Disy hardly wins over the ruling Communist Party Akel in the Greek Cypriot parliamentary elections.