President: The presidency rotates every eight months between a Serb, a Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) and a Croat. Prime minister: Vjekoslav Bevanda
Population
1,138,071
3,879,296
Life Expectancy
78.000 years
78.960 years
Capital City
Nicosia (Lefkosia)
Sarajevo
Largest city
Nicosia (population: 200,452)
Sarajevo (population: 696,731)
Human Development Index
0.912
0.802
GDP per capita
$29,400 US
$8,200 US
Literacy Rate
97.6%
96.7%
Corruption Perception Index
6.4
3.2
Percentage of Women in Parliament
14.3%
12.3%
Wealthiest Citizens
John Fredriksen ($4.0bn US)
NA
Unemployment Rate
7.700%
43.300%
Death Penalty
Abolished
NA
Political System
republic note: a separation 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 that followed a Greek junta-supported 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), which is recognized only by Turkey
emerging federal democratic republic
Independence date
16 August 1960 (from UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these proclamations are only recognized by Turkey
1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia; referendum for independence completed 1 March 1992; independence declared 3 March 1992)
Religions
Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, other (includes Maronite and Armenian Apostolic) 4%
Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 14%
Languages
Greek, Turkish, English
Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian
Exports
citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement, and clothing
metals, clothing, wood products
External Debt
$35,870,000,000 $
$10,540,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.673 (2008 est.), Cypriot pounds (CYP) per US dollar - 0.4286 (2007), 0.4586 (2006), 0.4641 (2005), 0.4686 (2004)
konvertibilna markas (BAM) per US dollar - 1.3083 (2008 est.), 1.4419 (2007), 1.5576 (2006), 1.5727 (2005), 1.5752 (2004) note: the convertible mark is pegged to the euro
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
3.800%
1.400%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia
Area
9,251 km sq
51,197 km sq
Coastline
648 km
20 km
Climate
temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast
