Background: By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus the UK retained full sovreignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers in total: Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The larger of these of these is the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area which is also referred to as the Eastern Sovereign Base Area.
Population Note: approximately 2,200 military personnel are on the base; there are another 5,000 British citizens who are families of military personnel or civilian staff on both the bases of Akrotiri and Dhekelia; Cyprus citizens work on the base, but do not live there
Executive branch Chief of state: Queen Elizabeth II (since 6 February 1952) Head of government: Administrator Maj. Gen. Peter Tomas Clayton PEARSON (since 9 May 2003) note - reports to the British Ministry of Defence Elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator is appointed by the monarch
Economy overview: Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military and their families located in Dhekelia. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.