White with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities.
6 districts: Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, and Paphos. Turkish Cypriot area's administrative divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta, and small parts of Lefkosa (Nicosia) and Larnaca.
Population:
788,457 (July 2007 est.)
Languages:
Greek, Turkish, English
Geographic coordinates:
35° 00' N, 33° 00' E
Area total:
9,250 (of which 3,355 are in theTurkish Cypriot area) sq. km
Land area:
9,240 sq. km
Water area:
10 sq. km
Total land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
648 km
Elevation extremes:
Mediterranean Sea 0 m - Olympus 1,951 m
Internet country code:
.cy
Currency:
Euro (EUR) Turkish Cypriot area: Turkish lira (TRL)
Name - conventional long form:
Republic of Cyprus
Name - conventional short form:
Cyprus
Name - notes:
the Turkish Cypriot area refers to itself as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC
Independence:
16 August 1960 (from UK) Turkish Cypriot area proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975
Constitution:
16 August 1960, negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised constitution to govern the island and to better relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently, in 1975 Turkish Cypriots created their own constitution and governing bodies within the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus, which was renamed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983, a new constitution for the Turkish Cypriot area passed by referendum on 5 May 1985
Government type:
republic a disaggregation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963, this separation was further solidified after the Turkish intervention in July 1974 after a Greek junta-based coup attempt gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north, Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government, on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot President Rauf DENKTASH declared independence and the formation of a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), recognized only by Turkey, both sides publicly support a settlement based on a federation (Greek Cypriot position) or confederation (Turkish Cypriot position)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 October (1960) Turkish Cypriot area celebrates 15 November (1983) as Independence Day