About Cyprus

1. Republic of Cyprus
Cyprus gained its independence from British colonial rule in 1960. In 1974 Turkey invaded Cyprus and occupied 36,2% of its sovereign territory. The ceasefire line runs right across the island and cuts through the heart of the capital, Nicosia (Lefkosia), dividing the city and the country.

Although its northern part is under foreign occupation, the Republic of Cyprus is internationally recognised as the sole legitimate State on the island with sovereignty over its entire territory.

On May 1, 2004 the Republic of Cyprus became a full member of the EU completing a long journey that lasted more than three decades.

2. Facts about Cyprus

1. Cyprus :Largest island in the Eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea.
2. Nicosia :Capital city
3. Population :965,000
4. Language :Greek,Turkish,English
5. Religion :Greek Orthodox,Muslim
6. Currency : Euro(1/1/2008), Turkish Lira
7. Life Expectancy :77
8. GDP per Capita : U.S. $15,000
9. Literacy Percent :98%

3. Cultural Heritage
- Neolithic settlements
- Classical, Hellenistic and Roman monuments
- Byzantine and Latin churches and monasteries
- Lusignan and Venetian fortresses and castles (12th – 16th century)
- Mosques

4. Economy (2006)

1. Per capita income C£ 10.678* (18.544 euro)
2. Inflation 2,5%
3. Rate of Growth 3,8%
4. Unemployment 3,4%
5. Economically active population 375.000
6. Gainfully employed 359.400

* C£1 = US$2.34 (May 2007)

5. Services

The tertiary or services sector is the fastest growing area and today accounts for about 77,6% of GVA (Gross Value Added) and 71,1% of the gainfully employed population. The sector includes tourism, transport and communications, trade, banking, insurance, accounting, real estate, public administration, health, education and business and legal services.

Tourism (hotels and restaurants) in particular plays an important role in the economy. In 2006 it contributed 7,1% to GVA and 10,0% of the workforce was engaged in the industry. In 2006 over 2,4 million tourists visited Cyprus, mainly from the UK (56,7%), Scandinavian countries (8,6%), Russia and former Soviet Union countries (5,4%), Germany (6,4%), Greece (5,3%) and France (1,6%).

Cyprus' role as a regional services centre is being enhanced and plans are also underway
to promote the island as an international information centre.

6. Chronology
The recorded history of Cyprus dates to the 9th millennium BC.
2nd and 1st millennium BC Mycenean and Achean Greeks settled in Cyprus bringing Greek culture to the island
30BC-330AD Cyprus a province of the Roman Empire
330AD-1191 Cyprus a province of the Byzantine Empire
1191-1571 Cyprus under the rule of the Crusaders, the Order of the Knights Templar, the French Lusignans (1192-1489) and the Venetians (1489-1571)
1571-1878 Cyprus under Ottoman rule
1878 Cyprus leased by the Ottoman Empire to Britain
1914 Cyprus annexed by Britain following Turkey’s alignment with Germany in WWI
1923 Under the Treaty of Lausanne Turkey relinquishes all rights to Cyprus
1925 Cyprus declared a British crown colony
1931 First Greek Cypriot uprising against British rule
1950 Makarios III elected Archbishop of Cyprus
1954 Greece brings the issue of self-determination for Cyprus to the UN General Assembly
1955-1959 Greek Cypriot anti-colonial struggle
1959 Under agreements negotiated in Zurich and London by Greece, Turkey and Great Britain, Cyprus is granted independence
1960 (August 16) Proclamation of the Republic of Cyprus
1963 President Makarios submits constitutional amendments for discussion which are rejected by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership. Insurrection by Turkish Cypriot extremists
1964 Arrival of UNFICYP (UN peacekeeping force). Turkey bombs and threatens to invade Cyprus. US President Johnson’s intervention haults the threatened invasion
1967 Turkey threatens to invade Cyprus. The US (Vance mission) ends the invasion threat
1968 Start of UN-sponsored talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities to resolve the inter-communal conflict
1974 - 15 July Coup against the government of the Republic of Cyprus organized by the military junta of Greece
1974 - 20 July Turkey invades Cyprus and in a two-phase operation occupies nearly 37% of the Republic
1975 Turkey, through the Turkish Cypriot leadership, creates the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus" in the areas occupied by the Turkish army
1983 The Turkish Cypriot leadership, with Turkey’s support, unilaterally declares the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC") in the Turkish occupied areas of the Republic. The UN Security Council and all major international organizations condemn the action and call for the respect of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. The Security Council declares the  secessionist act “legally invalid”
1990 The Republic of Cyprus applies for membership in the EEC.
1993 The European Commission issues its positive opinion on the application of Cyprus
1994 The EU Corfu Summit decides that the next phase of enlargement will include Cyprus and Malta
1998 Accession negotiations between Cyprus and the EU commence.
2003 - 16 April The Republic of Cyprus signs the Treaty of Accession to the EU in Athens
2003 - 23 April The Turkish occupation regime announces partial lifting of restrictions it imposed since 1974 on the movement of persons across the ceasefire line
2004 - 24 April The Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly reject the Annan Plan (version V). The Turkish Cypriots, including the settlers, support the plan
2004 - 1 May The Republic of Cyprus becomes a member of the European Union

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