Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 3 Geography 3.1 Climate 4 Government 4.1 Districts 4.2 Exclaves and enclaves 4.3 Human rights 5 Military 6 Economy 7 Demographics 7.1 Religion 7.2 Education 8 Culture 8.1 Art 8.2 Music 8.3 Literature 8.4 Cuisine 8.5 Sports 8.6 Media 9 Infrastructure 9.1 Transportation 9.2 Health care 9.3 Telecommunications 10 International membership 11 International rankings 12 See also 13 References 14 Further reading 15 External links 15.1 Government 15.2 General information 15.3 Official publications

Etymology

The name 'Cyprus' has a somewhat uncertain etymology. One suggestion is that it comes from the Greek word for the Mediterranean cypress tree (Cupressus sempervirens), (kypárissos), or even from the Greek name of the henna plant (Lawsonia alba), (kypros). Another school suggests that it stems from the Eteocypriot word for copper. Georges Dossin, for example, suggests that it has roots in the Sumerian word for copper (zubar) or for bronze (kubar), from the large deposits of copper ore found on the island. Through overseas trade the island has given its name to the Classical Latin word for the metal through the phrase aes Cyprium, "metal of Cyprus", later shortened to Cuprum. Cyprus is also called "the island of Aphrodite" , since the Greek goddess Aphrodite, of beauty and love, was born in Cyprus. The most common theory is that it came from their word for copper, Kypros, because the island had rich deposits of copper.

History

Main article: History of Cyprus

Cyprus is the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, Adonis and home to king Cinyras, Teucer and Pygmalion. The earliest confirmed site of human activity is Aetokremnos, situated on the south coast, indicating that hunter-gatherers were active on the island from around 10,000 BC and more settled village communities existed at around 8200 BC. Important remains from this early-Neolithic period can be found at Mylouthkia, Shillourokambos, Kastros, Tenta and Khirokitia, where decorated pottery and figurines of stone quite distinct from the cultures of the surrounding mainland survive. The Mycenaeans reached Cyprus at around 1600 BC, with several Greek and Phoenician settlements dating from that period scattered all over the island. Ancient Egypt soon followed becoming an important trade partner of the island, which reknown timber and copper, were sought after all over the ancient world. Following successive conquests at the hands of Egyptians and then Persians, Cypriots unsuccessfully revolted along with Ionian cities in 499 BC against Achaemenid Empire led by Onesilos. After several attempts with various results the island was brought under permanent Greek rule by Alexander the Great and later Ptolemies of Egypt until it's annexation by Roman Republic in 58 BC. Cyprus was one of the very first stops in apostle's Paul missionary journey. In 395 AD it became part of the Byzantine Empire, who lost it temporally to Arabs in 643 AD before reclaiming it in 966 AD. Richard I of England captured the island in 1191 during the Third Crusade using it as a major supply base relatively safe from the Saracens. A year later Guy of Lusignan purchased the island from the Templars -who in the meantime had purchased it - to compensate the loss of his kingdom. Hamam Omerye, initially the church of St. Mary, stone built and with small domes, is a prime example of Augustinian architecture dating back from the French period. The Republic of Venice seized control of the island in 1489 after the abdication of Queen Caterina Cornaro, the widow of James II, the last Lusignan king of Cyprus. Using it as an important commercial hub, Venetians soon fortified Nicosia, the capital and most important city - with it's famous Venetian Walls. Throughout the Venetian rule, the Ottoman Empire continuously raided Cyprus. In 1539 Ottomans destroyed Limassol. Fearing the worse, Venetians fortified Famagusta, Nicosia, and Kyrenia. A full scale invasion in 1570 under Piyale Pasha and 60,000 troops brought the island finally under Ottoman control, in a year long campaign, despite a stiff resistance by the inhabitants of Nicosia and Famagusta. The Ottoman applied millet system, allowed religious authorities to govern their own non-Muslim minorities but at the same time enforced the power of the Orthodox Church as a mediator between Christian Cypriots and the authorities granting it not only religious but political and economic (as a tax-collector and landowner) statures as well. Heavy taxation led to rebellions - between 1572 and 1668, around twenty-eight bloody uprisings took place - by both religious groups forcing the Sultan himself to intervene. The first large-scale census of the Ottoman Empire in 1831, counting only men, showed 14,983 Muslims and 29,190 Christians. By 1872, the population of the island had risen to 144,000 comprising 44,000 Muslims and 100,000 Christians In 1878, on the aftermath of the disastrous Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), administration but not sovereignty of the island, was ceded to British Empire, as a base in case of a renewed Russian aggression. By 1906 when the Famagusta harbour was completed Cyprus was a strategic naval outpost overlooking Suez Canal, the crucial main route to India. Following WW1 and Ottoman's alliance to Central powers, United Kingdom annexed the island. In 1923, under the Treaty of Lausanne, the nascent Turkish republic relinquished any claim to Cyprus and in 1925 it was declared a Crown colony. Once the island formally became a British colony, Greek Cypriots gradually became more assertive, ultimately demanding union with Greece. Many Cypriots, fought in the British Army during both world wars, under the promise that finally Cyprus would be united with Greece. In January 1950 the Church organized a referendum boycotted by the Turkish Cypriot community with over 90% voting in favor of union with Greece. Restricted autonomy under a constitution was proposed by the British administration but eventually rejected. In 1955 EOKA was founded seeking an armed struggle for independence and union. At the same time TMT was established by Turks as a counterweight calling for Taksim. Turmoil on the island was met with force by British who started openly favouring Turks in police and administration, as part of a divide and conquer policy. Nevertheless Cyprus attained independence in 1960 after an agreement in Zürich and London between the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey which was later forced to Cypriots. Britain retained two Sovereign Base Areas in Akrotiri and Dhekelia while government posts and public offices were allocated by ethnic quotas giving the 18% Turks a permanent veto, 30% in parliament and administration and granting the 3 mother-states guarantor rights. Shortly the inter-communal violence broke loose, partially sponsored by both "motherlands" - with Turkish Cypriots shortly afterwards withdrawn in enclaves and Greek Cypriot leader archbishop Makarios III calling for constitutional changes as a mean to ease tensions. On 4 March 1964,  a UN peacekeeping force was deployed in Cyprus and Dr Gala Plaza was appointed as a Mediator. He soon criticised the 1960 legal framework and proposed,to no avail, certain amendments. In 1974 the US-backed Greek junta - in power since 1967 - partly in a move to draw attention away from internal turmoil and partly unsatisfied with Makarios' policy in Cyprus, on 13 July attempted a coup to replace him with Nikos Sampson and declare union with Greece. Seven days later, Turkey launched an invasion of Cyprus allegedly to reinstate the constitution but which resulted in blooded conflict, partition of the island and mass ethnic cleansing. The overwhelming Turkish land, naval and air superiority against island's weak defenses led to the bringing of 37% of the land under Turkish control. 170,000 Greek Cypriots were evicted from their homes in the north with 50,000 Turks following the opposite path. As of today, there are 1,534 Greek Cypriots and 502 Turkish Cypriots  missing with the events of the summer of 1974 dominating the politics on the island and the Greco-Turkish relations. Around 100,000 settlers is believed to be living in the north from all around Turkey in violation of the Geneva Convention and various UN resolutions. In 1983 Turkish Cypriots proclaimed independence unilaterally with only Turkey recognizing them. As of today the north is under an embargo as a measure against the illegal partition of the island. Ever since north and south live separate paths. The south is a constitutional democracy which has reached great levels of prosperity, with a booming economy and good infrastructures, part of the United nations, European Union and several others organizations by whom it's recognized as the sole legitimate government of the whole island. The north is overdependent in help from Turkey with a stagnated economy and under a international embargo which doesn't allow it to be accepted in any big international organization. In 2004 the Annan Plan for Cyprus was put to vote but whilst it was accepted by the north, it was rejected by the Greek-Cypriots as it meant in their eyes, endorsing a confederal state with a weak central government and considerable local autonomy. In July 2006 the island served as a safe haven for people fleeing Lebanon because of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. In March 2007, Greek Cypriot authorities demolished a wall that for decades stood at the boundary between the Greek Cypriot controlled side and the UN buffer zone. The wall had cut across Ledra Street in the heart of Nicosia and was seen as a strong symbol of the island's 32-year division. On April 3rd, 2008, Ledra Street was reopened in the presence of Greek and Turkish Cypriot officials.

Geography

Main articles: Geography of Cyprus and List of cities, towns and villages in Cyprus

The third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia), Cyprus is situated in the eastern Mediterranean, just south of the Anatolian peninsula (or Asia Minor) of the Asian mainland; thus, it is often included in the Middle East (see also Western Asia and Near East). Turkey is 75 kilometres (47 mi) north; other neighbouring countries include Syria and Lebanon to the east, Israel to the southeast, Egypt to the south, and Greece to the westnorthwest. However, historically, politically and culturally Cyprus is closely aligned with Europe – the Greek Cypriots with Greece and the Turkish Cypriots with Turkey. Historically, Cyprus has been at the crossroas between Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa, with lengthy periods of mainly Greek and intermittent Anatolian, Levantine, and British influences. Though these influences may cause some to consider Cyprus as a transcontinental island, such a term is properly applied only to nations whose boundaries straddle more than one continent e.g. Turkey, Russia and Egypt. The central plain, the Mesaoria, is bordered by the Kyrenia and Pentadactylos mountains to the north and the Troödos mountain range to the south and west. There are also scattered, but significant, plains along the southern coast. The island's highest point is at the summit of Mount Olympus 1,952 metres (6,404 ft), in the heart of the Troödos range. The major cities in Cyprus are the capital Nicosia (Lefkosia in Greek, Lefkoºa in Turkish), Limassol (Lemesos in Greek), Larnaca, Paphos, Famagusta (Gazimagusa or Magusa in Turkish, Ammochostos in Greek), and Kyrenia (Girne in Turkish, Kerynia in Greek).

Climate

The climate is temperate and Mediterranean with dry summers and variably rainy winters. Summer temperatures range from warm at higher elevations in the Troödos mountains to hot in the lowlands. Winter temperatures are mild at lower elevations, where snow rarely occurs, but are significantly colder in the mountains with sufficient snow for seasonal ski facilities. Dust storms are frequent throughout the year.

Government

Main articles: Politics of Cyprus and Foreign relations of Cyprus

Cyprus is a Presidential republic. The head of state and the government is the President, who is elected by the universal surface for a five-year term. Executive power is exercised by the government. Federal legislative power is vested in both the government and the House of Representatives. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The 1960 Constitution provided for a presidential system of government with independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as a complex system of checks and balances, including a weighted power-sharing ratio designed to protect the interests of the Turkish Cypriots. The executive, was headed by a Greek Cypriot president and a Turkish Cypriot vice president elected by their respective communities for five-year terms and each possessing a right of veto over certain types of legislation and executive decisions. Legislate power rested on the House of Representatives, also elected on the basis of separate voters' rolls. Since 1964, following clashes between the two communities, the Turkish Cypriot seats in the House remain vacant. After the 1974 invasion of the island by Turkey, Turkish Cypriots established their own separatist institutions - although not recognized by the south or any other country in the world except Turkey - in the north with a popularly elected President and a Prime Minister responsible to the National Assembly exercising joint executive powers. In 1985, the TRNC adopted a constitution and held its first elections. As of today the House of Representatives has 59 members elected for a five year term, 56 members by proportional representation and 3 observer members representing the Maronite, Latin and Armenian minorities. 24 seats are allocated to the Turkish community but remain empty since 1964. Since the 1974 events the party system is dominated by the communist AKEL, liberal-conservative Democratic Rally the conservative Democratic Party and the social-democratic EDEK. On 17 February 2008, Dimitris Christofias of the AKEL was elected President of Cyprus, thus marking his party's first electoral victory without being part of a wider coalition, making Cyprus one of only two countries in the world to have a democratically elected communist government (the other being Moldova), and is the only European Union member state currently under communist leadership. Christofias took over government from Tassos Papadopoulos of Democratic Party, who had been in office since February 2003.

Districts

Main articles: Districts of Cyprus and List of cities, towns and villages in Cyprus

The Republic of Cyprus is divided into six districts: Nicosia (the capital), Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos.

Map of Cyprus	Districts	Greek name	Turkish name
	Famagusta	(Ammochostos)	Gazimagusa/Magusa
	Kyrenia	(Keryneia)	Girne
	Larnaca	(Larnaka)	Larnaka/Iskele
	Limassol	(Lemesos)	Limasol/Leymosun
	Nicosia	(Lefkosia)	Lefkoºa
	Paphos	(Pafos)	Baf

Exclaves and enclaves

Cyprus has four exclaves, all in territory that belongs to the British Sovereign Base Area of Dhekelia. The first two are the villages of Ormidhia and Xylotymvou. Additionally there is the Dhekelia Power Station, which is divided by a British road into two parts. The northern part is an enclave, like the two villages, whereas the southern part is located by the sea and therefore not an enclave, although it has no territorial waters of its own. The UN buffer zone separating the territory controlled by the Turkish Cypriot administration from the rest of Cyprus runs up against Dhekelia and picks up again from its east side, off Ayios Nikolaos (connected to the rest of Dhekelia by a thin land corridor). In that sense, the buffer zone turns the southeast corner of the island, the Paralimni area, into a de facto, though not de jure, exclave.

Human rights

The constant focus on the division of the island can sometimes mask other human rights issues. Prostitution is rife in both the government-controlled and the Turkish-occupied regions, and the island as a whole has been criticised for its role in the sex trade as one of the main routes of human trafficking from Eastern Europe.The regime in the North has been the focus of occasional freedom of speech criticisms  regarding heavy-handed treatment of newspaper editors. Domestic violence legislation in the Republic remains largely unimplemented, and it has not yet been passed into law in the North. Reports on the mistreatment of domestic staff, mostly immigrant workers from developing countries, are sometimes reported in the Greek Cypriot press. 

Economy

Main article: Economy of Cyprus

The Cypriot economy is prosperous and has diversified in recent years. Its per-capita GDP (adjusted for purchasing power) is slightly lower than that of France, Germany, Italy and the UK, but slightly higher than the European Union average. Cyprus has been sought as a base for several offshore businesses for its highly developed infrastructure. Economic policy of the Cyprus government has focused on meeting the criteria for admission to the European Union. Adoption of the euro as a national currency is required of all new countries joining the European Union, and the Cypriot government adopted the currency on 1 January 2008. Oil has recently been discovered in the seabed between Cyprus and Egypt, and talks are underway between Lebanon and Egypt to reach an agreement regarding the exploration of these resources. The seabed separating Lebanon and Cyprus is believed to hold significant quantities of crude oil and natural gas. The economy of the Turkish-occupied area is dominated by the services sector, including the public sector, trade, tourism and education, with smaller agriculture and light manufacturing sectors. The economy operates on a free-market basis, although it continues to be handicapped by the political isolation of Turkish Cypriots, the lack of private and governmental investment, high freight costs, and shortages of skilled labor. Despite these constraints, the economy turned in an impressive performance in 2003 and 2004, with growth rates of 9.6% and 11.4%. The average income in the area is $5,000 per capita, and the Turkish government has pledged to increase this to $12,000 through investment and aid. Growth has been buoyed by the relative stability of the Turkish new lira and by a boom in the education and construction sectors.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Cyprus

According to the last census carried out by the Republic in 1960, Greek Cypriots comprise 77% of the island's population, Turkish Cypriots 18%, while the remaining 5% are of other ethnicities. However, after the Turkish invasion of 1974, about 150,000 Turks from Anatolia were transferred or decided to settle in the north. This has changed the actual demographic structure of the island. Northern Cyprus now claims 265,100 inhabitants, closer to 30% of the population of the island. The TRNC has granted citizenship to these immigrants: however, as the TRNC is not recognised by the Republic or the international community (with the exception of Turkey), its power to create new citizens is not recognised and the newcomers retain Turkish passports. The result of this situation is that percentage population estimates vary widely. In the years since the census data were gathered in 2000, Cyprus has also seen a large influx of guest workers from countries such as Thailand, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, as well as major increases in the numbers of permanent British residents. The island is also home to a significant Armenian minority, as well as a large refugee population consisting of people mainly from Serbia, Palestine and Lebanon. There is also a Kurdish minority present in Cyprus. Since the country joined the European Union, a significant Polish population has also grown up, joining sizeable communities from Russia and Ukraine (mostly Pontic Greeks, immigrating after the fall of the Eastern Bloc), Bulgaria, Romania and Eastern European states. There is also a significant and thriving Cypriot Diaspora in other countries, with the United States, the United Kingdom, Greece and Australia hosting the majority of migrants who fled the Turkish invasion in 1974.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Cyprus

Most Greek Cypriots, and thus the majority of the population of Cyprus, are members of the Cypriot Orthodox Church, whereas most Turkish Cypriots are Muslim. According to Eurobarometer 2005 Cyprus is one of the most religious countries in Europe, along with Malta, Romania, Greece and Poland. In addition to the Orthodox Christian and Muslim communities, there are also small Bahá'í, Jewish, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Maronite (Eastern Rites Catholic) and Armenian Apostolic communities in Cyprus. Cyprus also has a small Buddhist minority (1%)

Education

Cyprus has a well-developed system of primary and secondary education offering both public and private education. The high quality of instruction can be attributed to a large extent to the above-average competence of the teachers. State schools are generally seen as equivalent in quality of education to private-sector institutions. However, the value of a state high-school diploma is limited by the fact that the grades obtained account for only around 25% of the final grade for each topic, with the remaining 75% assigned by the teacher during the semester, in a minimally transparent way. Greek (List of universities in Greece) and Cypriot universities (University of Cyprus) ignore high school grades almost entirely for admissions purposes. While a high-school diploma is mandatory for university attendance, admissions are decided almost exclusively on the basis of scores at centrally administered university entrance examinations that all university candidates are required to take. The majority of Cypriots receive their higher education at Greek, British, Turkish, other European and North American universities. Private colleges and state-supported universities have been developed by both the Turkish and Greek communities.

Culture

Art

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Notable artists include Rhea Bailey, Mihail Kkasialos, Theodoulos Gregoriou, Helene Black, George Skoteinos, Hüseyin Çakmak, Kalopedis family, Nicos Nicolaides, Stass Paraskos, Arestís Stasí, Telemachos Kanthos, Adamantios Diamantis and Konstantia Sofokleous

Music

Main article: Music of Cyprus

The traditional folk music of Cyprus has many common elements with Greek mainland and island folk music, as well as Turkish folk music, including dances like the sousta syrtos, zeibekikos, tatsia, and the kartsilamas. The instruments commonly associated with Cyprus folk music are the lute ("laouto"), violin ("fkiolin"), accordion and the Cyprus flute ("pithkiavlin"). There is also a form of musical poetry known as "chattista", which is often performed at traditional feasts and celebrations. Composers associated with traditional music in Cyprus include Marios Tokas, Solon Michaelides and Doros Georgiades. Pop music in Cyprus is generally influenced by the Greek pop music "Laika" scene, with several artists such as Anna Vissi and Evridiki earning widespread popularity. Cypriot rock and "entechno" rock music is often associated with artists such as Michalis Hatzigiannis and Alkinoos Ioannidis. Metal also has a following in Cyprus, represented by bands such as Winter's Verge, Blynd and Armageddon Rev. 16:16.

Literature

Literary production of the antiquity includes the Cypria, an epic poem probably composed in the later seventh century BC and attributed to Stasinus. The Cypria is one of the very first specimens of Greek and European poetry. The Cypriot Zeno of Citium was the founder of the Stoic philosophy. Epic poetry, notably the "acritic songs", flourished during Middle ages. Two chronicles, one written by Leontios Machairas and the other by Voustronios, refer to the period under French domination (15th century). Poemes d'amour written in medieval Greek Cypriot date back from 16th century. Some of them are actual translations of poems written by Petrarch, Bembo, Ariosto and G. Sannazzaro. Modern literary figures from Cyprus include the poet and writer Kostas Montis, poet Kyriakos Charalambides, poet Michalis Pasardis, writer Nicos Nicolaides, Stylianos Atteshlis, Altheides and also Demetris Th. Gotsis. Dimitris Lipertis and Vasilis Michaelides are folk poets who wrote poems mainly in the Cypriot-Greek dialect. Some notable Turkish Cypriot poets include Nesie Yasin and Osman Türkay. The majority of the play Othello by William Shakespeare is set on the island of Cyprus. Cyprus also figures in religious literature, most notably in Acts of the Apostles, according to which the Apostles Barnabas and Paul preached on the island.

Cuisine

Main article: Cuisine of Cyprus

Halloumi, (a cheese made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk) originates from Cyprus, and is commonly served sliced and grilled as an appetizer. Seafood dishes of Cyprus include calamari (squid), octopus in red wine, (red mullet), and sea bass. Cucumber and tomato are used widely in Cypriot cuisine. Other common vegetable preparations include potatoes in olive oil and parsley, pickled cauliflower and beets, kolokasi (taro) and asparagus. Meat dishes marinated in dried coriander seeds and wine, and eventually dried and smoked, such as lounza, charcoal-grilled lamb (souvla), sheftalia (minced meat wrapped in mesentery), as well as cracked wheat (pourgouri) are some of the traditional delicacies of the island.

Sports

Governing bodies of sport in Cyprus include the Cyprus Automobile Association, Cyprus Badminton Federation, Cyprus Basketball Federation, Association, Cyprus Football Association, Cyprus Rugby Federation and the Cyprus Volleyball Federation. Marcos Baghdatis is one of the most successful tennis players in international stage. He reached the Wimbledon semi-final in 2006. Also Kyriakos Ioannou a Cypriot high jumper born in Limassol achieved a jump of 2.35 m at the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics held in Osaka, Japan, in 2007 winning the bronze medal The island has a keen football culture. Notable football teams include AC Omonia, APOEL FC, Anorthosis Famagusta FC and AEL Limassol. Stadiums or sports venues in Cyprus include the GSP Stadium(the largest and home venue of the Cypriot national football team), Makario Stadium, Neo GSZ Stadium, Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium and Tsirion Stadium. The Cyprus Rally is also on the World Rally Championship sporting agenda.

Media

Newspapers include the Cyprus Mail, the Cyprus Observer, Famagusta Gazette, Cyprus Today, Cyprus Weekly, Financial Mirror, Haravgi, Makhi, Phileleftheros, Politis (Cyprus), and Simerini. TV channels include ANT1 Cyprus, Alfa TV, CNC Plus TV, Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, Lumiere TV, Middle East Television, Mega Channel Cyprus and Sigma TV.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Main article: Transport in Cyprus

Since the last railway was dismantled in 1950, the remaining modes of transport are by road, sea, and air. Of the 10,663 km (6,626 mi) of roads in the Greek Cypriot area as of 1998, 6,249 km (3,883 mi) were paved, and 4,414 km (2,743 mi) were unpaved. As of 1996 the Turkish Cypriot area had a similar ratio of paved to unpaved, with approximately 1,370 km (850 mi) of paved road and 980 km (610 mi) unpaved. Cyprus is one of only four EU nations in which vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road, a remnant of British colonization. Motorways

Main article: Roads and Motorways in Cyprus

• A1 Nicosia to Limassol
• A2 connects A1 near Pera Chorio with A3 by Larnaca
• A3 Larnaca to Agia Napa
• A5 connects A1 near Kofinou with A3 by Larnaca
• A6 Pafos to Limassol
• A9 Nicosia to Astromeritis (partially under construction)

Number of licensed vehicles

Vehicle Category	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Private vehicles	270,348	277,554	291,645	324,212	344,953
Taxis	1,641	1,559	1,696	1,770	1,845
Rental cars	8,080	8,509	9,160	9,652	8,336
Buses	3,003	2,997	3,275	3,199	3,217
Light trucks (lighter than 40 tonnes)	107,060	106,610	107,527	105,017	105,327
Heavy trucks (over 40 tonnes)	10,882	11,182	12,119	12,808	13,028
Motorcycles (2 wheels)	12,956	14,983	16,009	16,802	16,836
Motorcycles (3 wheels)	42	41	43	55	558
Scooters	28,987	25,252	25,464	24,539	22,987
TOTAL	442,999	448,687	466,938	498,054	517,087

In 1999, Cyprus had six heliports and two international airports: Larnaca International Airport and Paphos International Airport. Nicosia International Airport has been closed since 1974. Public transport in Cyprus is limited to privately run bus services (except in Nicosia), taxis, and 'shared' taxi services (referred to locally as service taxis). Per capita private car ownership is the 5th highest in the world. In 2006 extensive plans were announced to improve and expand bus services and restructure public transport throughout Cyprus, with the financial backing of the European Union Development Bank. The main harbours of the island are Limassol harbour and Larnaca harbour, which service cargo, passenger, and cruise ships.

Health care

Urban hospitals include:

• Nicosia New General Hospital- Nicosia
• Nicosia Old General Hospital
• Makario Hospital- Nicosia
• Limassol New General Hospital- Limassol
• Limassol Old General Hospital- Limassol
• Larnaca New General Hospital- Larnaca
• Larnaca Old General Hospital- Larnaca
• Paphos general hospital- Paphos

Telecommunications

Main article: Communications in Cyprus

Cyta, the state-owned telecommunications company, manages most Telecommunications and Internet connections on the island. However, following the recent liberalization of the sector, a few private telecommunications companies have emerged including MTN, Cablenet, TelePassport, OTEnet Telecom and PrimeTel

Government

• Cyprus Trade Centres Worldwide
• Cyprus High Commission Trade Centre - London
• Cypriot Diaspora Project
• Republic of Cyprus - Greek Language
• Republic of Cyprus - English Language
• Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus
• Press and Information Office
• Central Bank of Cyprus

 

 

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