Statistical information Cyprus 1998

Cyprus in the World
top of pageBackground: Independence from the UK was approved in 1960 with constitutional guarantees by the Greek Cypriot majority to the Turkish Cypriot minority. In 1974 a Greek-sponsored attempt to seize the government was met by military intervention from Turkey which soon controlled almost 40% of the island. In 1983 the Turkish-held area declared itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus but it is recognized only by Turkey.
top of pageLocation: Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 33 00 E
Map reference:
Middle EastAreaTotal: 9,250 km² (note_3,355 km² are in the Turkish Cypriot area)
Land: 9,240 km²
Water: 10 km²
Comparative: about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 648 km
Maritime claimsContinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate, Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters
Terrain: central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
Extremes highest point: Olympus 1,952 m
Natural resources: copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment
Land useArable land: 12%
Permanent crops: 5%
Permanent pastures: 0%
Forests and woodland: 13%
Other: 70% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 390 km² (1993 est.)
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: moderate earthquake activity
Geographytop of pagePopulation: 748,982 (July 1998 est.)
Growth rate: 0.69% (1998 est.)
NationalityNoun: Cypriot(s)
Adjective: Cypriot
Ethnic groups: Greek 78% (99.5% of the Greeks live in the Greek Cypriot area; 0.5% of the Greeks live in the Turkish Cypriot area), Turkish 18% (1.3% of the Turks live in the Greek Cypriot area; 98.7% of the Turks live in the Turkish Cypriot area), other 4% (99.2% of the other ethnic groups live in the Greek Cypriot area; 0.8% of the other ethnic groups live in the Turkish Cypriot area)
Languages: Greek, Turkish, English
Religions: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4%
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years: 25% (male 94,006; female 89,256)
15-64 years: 65% (male 245,739; female 241,935)
65 years and over: 10% (male 33,989; female 44,057) (July 1998 est.)
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: 0.69% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 13.93 births/1000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 7.51 deaths/1000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.44 migrant(s)/1000 population (1998 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall; sea water intrusion to island's largest aquifier; increased salinization in the north; water pollution from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization
International agreements party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
International agreements signed but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Mothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 7.97 deaths/1000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: 76.79 years
Male: 74.62 years
Female: 79.07 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.03 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracyDefinition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 94%
Male: 98%
Female: 91% (1987 est.)
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: Republic of Cyprus
Conventional short form: Cyprus
Note: the Turkish Cypriot area refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC)
Government type: republic
Note: a disaggregation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began after the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified following the Turkish intervention in July 1974 following a Greek junta-based coup attempt, which 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), which has been recognized only by Turkey; both sides publicly call for the resolution of intercommunal differences and creation of a new federal system of government
Capital: Nicosia
Note: the Turkish Cypriot area's capital is Lefkosa (Nicosia)
Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos; note_Turkish Cypriot area administrative divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta, and small parts of Nicosia and Larnaca
Dependent areasIndependence: 16 August 1960 (from UK)
Note: Turkish Cypriot area proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 from Republic of Cyprus
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October
Note: Turkish Cypriot area celebrates 15 November as Independence Day
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
Legal system: based on common law, with civil law modifications
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branchChief of state: President Glafcos CLERIDES (since 28 February 1993); note_the president is both the chief of state and head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot: ead of
Government: President Glafcos CLERIDES (since 28 February 1993); note_the president is both the chief of state and head of government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the 1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot
Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed jointly by the president and vice president
Elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 15 February 1998 (next to be held NA February 2003)
Election results: Glafcos CLERIDES elected president; percent of vote_Glafcos CLERIDES 50.8%, George IAKOVOU 49.2%
Note: Rauf R. DENKTASH has been "president" of the Turkish Cypriot area since 13 February 1975 ("president" elected by popular vote for a five-year term); elections last held 15 and 22 April 1995 (next to be held NA April 2000); results_Rauf R. DENKTASH 62.5%, Dervis EROGLU 37.5%; Dervis EROGLU has been "prime minister" of the Turkish Cypriot area since 16 August 1996; there is a Council of Ministers (cabinet) in the Turkish Cypriot area
Legislative branchUnicameral Greek Cypriot area total: House of Representatives or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats of which only 56 assigned to the Greek Cypriots are filled; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); Turkish Cypriot area: Assembly of the Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
Elections: Greek area: last held 26 May 1996 (next to be held May 2001); Turkish area: last held 12 December 1993 (next to be held December 1998)
Election results: Greek area: House of Representatives_percent of vote by party_DISY 34.5%, AKEL (Communist) 33.0%, DIKO 16.4%, EDEK 8.1%, KED 3.7%, others 4.1%; seats by party_DISY 20, AKEL (Communist) 19, DIKO 10, EDEK 5, KED 2; Turkish area: Assembly of the Republic_percent of vote by party_UBP 29.9%, DP 29.2%, CTP 24.2% TKP 13.3%, others 3.4%; seats by party_UBP (conservative) 17, DP 15, CTP 13, TKP 5; as of 13 May 1997, seats by party_UBP 18, DP 13, CTP 13, TKP 5, independent 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the Supreme Council of Judicature
Note: there is also a Supreme Court in the Turkish Cypriot area
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representationIn the us chief of mission: Ambassador Andros A. NIKOLAIDES
In the us chancery: 2,211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20,008
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 462-5,772
In the us fax: [1] (202) 483-6,710
In the us consulates general: New York
In the us note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot area in the US is Ahmet ERDENGIZ, office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC, telephone [1] (202) 887-6,198
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Kenneth C. BRILL
From the us embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, Engomi, Nicosia
From the us mailing address: P. O. Box 4,536, FPO AE 9,836
From the us telephone: [357] (2) 776,400
From the us fax: [357] (2) 780,944
Flag description
: 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
Note: the Turkish Cypriot flag has a horizontal red stripe at the top and bottom between which is a red crescent and red star on a white field
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: The Greek Cypriot economy is small and prosperous, but highly susceptible to external shocks. Industry contributes 22% to GDP and employs 25% of the labor force, while the service sector contributes 73% to GDP and employs 62% of the labor force. Erratic growth rates in the 1990s reflect the economy's vulnerability to swings in tourist arrivals, caused by political instability on the island and fluctuations in economic conditions in Western Europe. The Turkish Cypriot economy has about one-third the per capita GDP of the south. Because it is recognized only by Turkey, it has had much difficulty arranging foreign financing, and foreign firms have hesitated to invest there. The economy remains heavily dependent on agriculture and government service, which together employ about half of the work force. Moreover, the small, vulnerable economy has suffered because the Turkish lira is legal tender. To compensate for the economy's weakness, Turkey provides direct and indirect aid to nearly every sector. In January 1997, Turkey signed a $250 million economic cooperation accord with the Turkish Cypriot area to support tourism, education, and industry.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: 2.4% (Greek Cypriot area: 2.5%; Turkish Cypriot area: 1.7%) (1997 est.)
Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity: $13,500 (Greek Cypriot area: purchasing power parity: $15,000; Turkish Cypriot area: purchasing power parity: $8,000) (1997 est.)
Gross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture products: potatoes, citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables
Industries: food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products, tourism, wood products
Industrial production growth rate: Greek Cypriot area: -4% (1996; Turkish Cypriot area: 5.1% (1995)
Labor forceTotal: Turkish Cypriot area: 76,500 (1996)
By occupation services: 66%
By occupation industry: 11%
By occupation agriculture: 23% (1995)
Unemployment rate: Greek Cypriot area: 3.3% (1997 est.), Turkish Cypriot area: 6.4% (1996)
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: Greek Cypriot area: $2.9 billion, Turkish Cypriot area: $171 million
Expenditures: Greek Cypriot area: $3.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $345 million, Turkish Cypriot area: $306 million, including capital expenditures of $56.8 million (1997 est.)
Taxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal year: calendar year
Inflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: total value:Greek Cypriot area: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
Commodoties: citrus, potatoes, grapes, wine, cement, clothing and shoes
Partners: Russia 19.1%, Bulgaria 16.4%, UK 11.3%, Greece 6.3%, Germany 4.8%
Partners total value: Turkish Cypriot area: $70.5 million (f.o.b., 1996)
ImportsCommodoties: food, minerals, chemicals, machinery
Partners: Turkey 55.3%, UK 13.8%, other EU 11.6%: total value:Greek Cypriot area: $3.6 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
Partners total value: Turkish Cypriot area: $318.4 million (f.o.b., 1996)
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: Greek Cypriot area: $1.56 billion (1997)
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: Cypriot pounds per US1$ 0.5326 (January 1998), 0.5135 (1997), 0.4663 (1996), 0.4522 (1995), 0.4915 (1994), 0.4970 (1993; Turkish liras (TL) per US$1_187,477 (November 1997), 81,405 (1996), 45,845.1 (1995), 29,608.7 (1994), 10,984.6 (1993)
top of pageElectricityCapacity: 666,000 kW (1995)
Production: 2.6 billion kWh (1995)
Consumption per capita: 3,530 kWh (1995)
CoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones: Greek Cypriot area: 367,000 (1996 est.), Turkish Cypriot area: 80,000 (1996 est.)
Telephone system: excellent in both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot areas
Domestic: open wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relay
International: tropospheric scatter; 3 coaxial and 5 fiber-optic submarine cables; satellite earth stations_3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 2 Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat
Broadcast mediaInternetBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresDollar figure: $405 million (1996)
Percent of gdp: 5.4% (1996)
Military and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 15 (1997 est.)
With paved runways total: 12
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 8
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 3
With paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.)
With unpaved runways total: 3
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 1
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.)
Heliports: 4 (1997 est.)
PipelinesRailways: 0 km
RoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marineTotal: 1,533 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 23,330,565 GRT/37,272,825 DWT
Ships by type: bulk 471, cargo 568, chemical tanker 23, combination bulk 48, combination ore/oil 12, container 139, liquefied gas tanker 5, oil tanker 142, passenger 7, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 54, roll-on/roll-off cargo 42, short-sea passenger 16, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 2
Note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 45 countries among which are Greece 673, Germany 159, Russia 57, Latvia 28, Netherlands 25, Japan 24, Cuba 22, China 18, Belgium 17, and Poland 14; Cyprus owns 78 additional ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,623,560 DWT that operate under the registries of Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Liberia, Malta, Panama, and Philippines (1997 est.)
Ports and terminalsCyprus - Transnational issues 1998
top of pageDisputes international: 1974 hostilities divided the island into two de facto autonomous areas, a Greek Cypriot area controlled by the internationally recognized Cypriot Government (59% of the island's land area) and a Turkish-Cypriot area (37% of the island), that are separated by a UN buffer zone (4% of the island; there are two UK sovereign base areas within the Greek Cypriot portion of the island
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs: transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey; some cocaine transits as well