Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Its 9,251 square kilometres (3,572 square miles) and has some of Europe's cleanest beaches. Cyprus is surrounded by Lebanon and Israel, Turkey and Egypt. The nearest Greek island is Rhodes. The island has a mild, typically Mediterranean climate, with plentiful sunshine even in winter and little rainfall.
Climate
Cyprus enjoys sunshine 11 months out of the whole year. There is relatively little rainfall and the Troodos mountains experience some snow during winter. In winter, the weather is mild. This website http://www.cyprus-weather.net/cyprusweather.html gives detailed weather forecast and average temperatures for Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos.
Population
The population of Cyprus is 818,200 based on the 2003 census. This constitutes of 646,900 Greek Cypriots making up 79.1% of the population, 87,800 Turkish Cypriots (10.7%) and 83,500 Foreign residents (10.2%).
Economy
Cyprus has an open, free-market, service-based economy. The Cypriots are among the most prosperous people in the Mediterranean region. Internationally, Cyprus promotes its geographical location as a 'bridge' between West and East, moderate local costs, good airline connections, and telecommunications.
Throughout the post-Independence period, Cyprus has had a record of successful economic performance, reflected in rapid growth, full employment conditions and external and internal stability. The underdeveloped economy, inherited from Colonial Rule in 1960, has been transformed into a modern economy, with dynamic services, industrial and agricultural sectors and advanced physical and social infrastructure.
Cyprus is classified among the high-income countries, with a per capita income of €9,477 in 2004. It has a standard of living that is even higher than some European Union member-states and the performance of the economy compares favourably with that of most EU countries. Cyprus holds 16th place worldwide in terms of per capita income. The average annual rate of growth in the past five years was about 3.8%, while inflation stood at 2.9% and unemployment at 3.4% over that period.
These achievements appear all the more striking, bearing in mind the severe economic and social dislocation created by the Turkish invasion of 1974 and the continuing occupation of the northern part of the island by Turkey. The Turkish invasion inflicted a serious blow to the Cyprus economy and in particular to agriculture, tourism, mining and quarrying: 70 percent of the island’s rich producing resources were lost, the tourist industry lost 65 percent of its hotels and tourist accommodation, the industrial sector lost 46 percent, and mining and quarrying lost 56 percent of production. The loss of the Port of Famagusta, which handled 83 percent of the general cargo, and the closure of the Nicosia International Airport, in the buffer zone, were additional blows.
The success of Cyprus in the economic sphere is attributed, inter alia, to the adoption of a market oriented economic system, the pursuance of sound macroeconomic policies by the government as well as the existence of a dynamic and flexible entrepreneurship and a highly educated labour force. Moreover, the economy benefited from the close cooperation between the public sector and the social partners.
In the past 20 years, the economy has shifted from agriculture to light manufacturing and services. The service sector, including tourism, contributes 70% to the GDP and employs 62% of the labor force. Industry and construction contribute 24% and employ 25% of labor. Manufactured goods account for approximately 69% of domestic exports. Agriculture is responsible for 6% of GDP and 12% of the labor force. Potatoes and citrus are the principal export crops.
Government
Cyprus is an independent Republic with a presidential government system. Cyprus is a member of the E.U, United Nations, U.N. Agencies, Council of Europe, the Commonwealth, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and many others.
Political and History Background
In July 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus. As a result 36,7% of the island was occupied, 162.000 Greek Cypriots - about a quarter of the population - who were forced to leave behind their homes and properties. Additionally, 1.479 Greek Cypriots are still missing. Many historical buildings such as Byzantine churches, monuments and antiquities were destroyed, looted and many items were smuggled abroad. Unfortunately many of the historical artifacts and buildings still continue to be purposedly destroyed in the occupied areas.
Also, about 120.000 settlers from Turkey have emigrated and settled illegally in the occupied areas and given properties forcibly left behind from expelled Greek Cypriots. At the same time large numbers of Turkish Cypriots emigrated reducing the Turkish Cypriot population in the occupied areas. There is a strong military presence in the occupied areas.
The UN General Assembly and Security Council condemned the invasion of Cyprus and occupation, demanded they return the refugees back to their homes safely and trace the missing persons and respect human rights of all Cypriots. Also, the European Commission of Human Rights found Turkey guilty of human rights violation during and after the invasion in Cyprus.
Efforts to Reach a Solution
Negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem have been continuouing since 1975 under the United Nations's guidance. Unfortunately, Turkey keeps rejecting all solutions. In 2003, a plan was drawn up and could have been accepted by both Cyprus and Turkey to create a solution for the problem, occupation and invasion of Cyprus. It was called the Annan plan. The representives of Cyprus and Turkey were asked to attend the UN Secretary-General in The Hague on 10th March 2003 to discuss the plan. The Turkish Cypriot leader, backed by the Government of Turkey, rejected the plan up front thus the discussions in The Hague came to an abrupt stop.
On 24th April, 2004 Cyprus citizens voted for or against the Annan Plan. 64,9% the Turkish Cypriots approved the plan, but 75,8% Greek Cypriots vetoed against it. The Greek Cypriots felt that the Annan Plan did not meet their worries about security, functionality and viability of the solution. The Greek Cypriots did not completely reject the plan but the part of the finalised text they were not happy with.
On May 1st 2004 the Republic of Cyprus joined the EU. The President of Cyprus signed in Rome on October 29th 2004, the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe.
Relations between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots has been peaceful and friendly. Additionally, in 2003, the crossings at the Famagusta Gate in the old city walls of Nicosia were re-opened and discussions are still ongoing about reuniting the island.
The Government of Cyprus will continue to fight for and find a solution to the occupation of Northern Cyprus and trace any missing person. It is every Greek Cypriot's wish to have the occupied areas of Cyprus become free and that Cyprus can once again, become whole.
