Government
Cyprus is an independent sovereign Republic with a presidential system of government. Under the 1960 Constitution, executive power is exercised by the President of the Republic, elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term of office. The President exercises executive power through a Council of Ministers appointed by him. Ministers may be chosen from outside the House of Representatives.
Cyprus is a member of the United Nations and U.N. Agencies. It is also a member of the Council of Europe, the Commonwealth, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and many other international Organizations.
Legislature
The legislative authority in the Republic is exercised by the House of Representatives now consisting of eighty members (56 of whom are to be Greek Cypriots and 24 Turkish Cypriots) elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term.
Judiciary
The administration of justice is exercised by the island’s separate and independent Judiciary. Under the 1960 Constitution and other legislation in force, the following judicial institutions have been established: The Supreme Court of the Republic, The Assize Courts, District Courts, Military Court, Industrial Disputes Court, Rent Control Courts and Family Courts. The Supreme Courts is the final appellate court in the Republic and the final adjudicator in matters of constitutional and administrative law.
GDP
The GDP for Cyprus for 2002 is CY pounds 6,189 millions (estimated).
Per head, capital CY pounds 8,730 for 2002.
Rate of inflation 2.8% for 2002
Population
Demography
Population: 802,500 (End 2002)
641,700 (80.1%): Greek Cypriots (including 2,600 Armenians, 4,800 Maronites, 900 Latins)
87,400 (10.9%): Turkish Cypriots
72,500 (9%): Foreign residents
Population of Main Towns (End 2002)
Lefkosia (Nicosia): 208,900
Lemesos (Limassol): 163,900
Larnaka: 73,200
Pafos: 48,300
Safety in Cyprus
Crime in Cyprus is, comparatively, at a very low level. The Police are always ready to assist anyone who needs help. In case of emergency, one may telephone 199 or 112 (in all towns). All police officers speak good English.
Geography
Island Contours
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Its 9,251 square kilometers (3,572 square miles) encompass citrus and olive groves, pine forested mountains, and some of Europe's cleanest beaches. In addition, the easternmost island in the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus is approximately 105 kilometers (60 miles) west of Syria, 75 kilometers (47 miles) south of Turkey and 380 kilometers (200 miles) north of Egypt. The nearest Greek point is the Greek island of Rhodes, which is 380 kilometers (200 miles) to the west. The island has a mild, typically Mediterranean climate, with abundant sunshine even in winter and little rainfall. Prominent geographic features include the Troodos massif that occupies most of the southwestern part of the country, the Pentadaktylos range in the north around Kyrenia and the Messaoria Plain in between them. It is here that the capital city, Lefkosia, is located.
The elongated Karpasia Peninsula occupies the northeastern part of Cyprus, while the southeastern point terminates in Cape Gkreco. The southern coast is where the major towns of Larnaka and Lemesos are located. Pafos and the Akamas Peninsula are on the far western edge.
The latitude of Cyprus is 34° 33'-35° 34' north, and its longitude 32° 16'-34° 37' east.
