Cyprus

Abstract

Cyprus is an island in the north-eastern Mediterranean with a surface area of 9251 km². The estimated population in 2003 was 800,000, with an ethnic composition of 80% Greek Cypriots, 17% Turkish Cypriots, 3% foreign residents, and a few Maronites, Armenians, and Latins. These figures do not include Turkish settlers and military personnel, estimated at 85,000 and 40,000 respectively, who have moved into the Turkish-occupied areas since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. At that time one third of the Greek population (about 200,000 persons) was expelled from their homes in the northern part of the island and forced to resettle in the southern areas. The economy of the island depends on agriculture and tourism, which may be regarded as the major economic forces in Cyprus. The quality and standard of life are high and the standards of health provision, the functioning of other social organizations, and the provision of public education can be favourably compared with the European Union.