Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General Pearlette Louisy Prime minister: Kenny Anthony
Cypriot president: Demetris Christofias
Population
162,178
1,138,071
Life Expectancy
77.040 years
78.000 years
Capital City
Nicosia (Lefkosia)
Largest city
Bisee (population: 12,980)
Nicosia (population: 200,452)
Human Development Index
0.821
0.912
GDP per capita
$29,400 US
Literacy Rate
90.1%
97.6%
Corruption Perception Index
7.1
6.4
Percentage of Women in Parliament
17.2%
14.3%
Wealthiest Citizens
NA
John Fredriksen ($4.0bn US)
Unemployment Rate
7.700%
Death Penalty
Legal
Abolished
Political System
parliamentary democracy
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
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
Religions
Roman Catholic 67.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.5%, Pentecostal 5.7%, Rastafarian 2.1%, Anglican 2%, Evangelical 2%, other Christian 5.1%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.5% (2001 census)
Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, other (includes Maronite and Armenian Apostolic) 4%
Languages
English (official), French patois
Greek, Turkish, English
Exports
citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement, and clothing
External Debt
$35,870,000,000 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)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
3.800%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey
Area
616 km sq
9,251 km sq
Coastline
158 km
648 km
Climate
tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August
temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
