The Guinness Encyclopedia

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Extensible Markup Language | 1995-06-13 | 5KB | 19 lines

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?> <!DOCTYPE card PUBLIC "-//Apple, Inc.//DTD card V 2.0//EN" "" > <card> <id>15116</id> <filler1>0</filler1> <cantDelete> <false /> </cantDelete> <showPict> <true /> </showPict> <dontSearch> <false /> </dontSearch> <owner>5472</owner> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="stylesheet_3106.css" /> <content> <layer>background</layer> <id>31</id> <text>CYPRUSOfficial name: Kypriaki Dimokratia (in Greek) or Kibris Cumhuriyeti (in Turkish) (The Republic of Cyprus)Member of: UN, Commonwealth, OSCEArea: 9251 km2 (3572 sq mi) ΓÇô of which 3355 km2 (1295 sq mi) are in the Turkish-controlled zonePopulation: 756000 (1992 est) ΓÇô of which 186000 are in the Turkish-controlled zoneCapital: Nicosia (Levkosia) 209000 (including 40000 in the Turkish-controlled zone) (1990 est)Other major cities: Limassol (Lemesos) 135000, Larnaca (Larnax) 63000 (1990 est)Languages: Greek (74%), Turkish (24%; including settlers from the Turkish mainland)Religions: Greek Orthodox (75%), Sunni Islam (over 20%; including settlers from the Turkish mainland)GOVERNMENTA 56-member House of Representatives is elected by universal adult suffrage in the Greek Cypriot community for five years ΓÇô an additional 24 seats for the Turkish Cypriot community remain unfilled. The President ΓÇô who appoints a Council of Ministers ΓÇô is elected from the Greek Cypriot community by universal adult suffrage for a five-year term. There is provision in the constitution for a Vice President to be similarly elected from the Turkish Cypriot community. In 1975, the administration of the Turkish Cypriot community unilaterally established the ΓÇÿTurkish Republic of Northern CyprusΓÇÖ, which is unrecognized internationally except by Turkey.GEOGRAPHYThe south of the island is covered by the Troodos Mountains, which rise to Mount Olympus, 1951 m (6399 ft). Running east to west across the center of Cyprus is a fertile plain, north of which are the Kyrenian Mountains and the Karpas Peninsula. Climate: Cyprus has a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild, variable winters.ECONOMYPotatoes, fruit, wine, clothing and textiles are exported from the Greek Cypriot area, in which ports, resorts and an international airport have been constructed to replace facilities lost since partition. The Turkish Cypriot area ΓÇô which exports fruit, potatoes and tobacco ΓÇô relies heavily on aid from Turkey. Tourism is important in both zones. Currency: Cyprus pound; Turkish currency is used in the Turkish-controlled zone.HISTORYGreek settlements were established on Cyprus in the middle of the second millennium bc. The island was ruled by the Egyptians (from 323 bc) and was part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires. Captured by Crusaders (1191), Cyprus was an independent kingdom until 1489, when Venice acquired the island. In 1571, the Ottoman Turks took Cyprus. British administration was established in 1878. During the 1950s, Greek Cypriots, led by Archbishop (later President) Makarios III (1913ΓÇô77), campaigned for Enosis (union with Greece). The Turkish Cypriots advocated partition, but following a terrorist campaign by the Greek Cypriot EOKA movement, a compromise was agreed. In 1960, Cyprus became an independent republic. Power was shared by the two communities, but the agreement broke down in 1963. UN forces intervened to stop intercommunal fighting. The Turkish Cypriots set up their own administration. When pro-Enosis officers staged a coup (1974), Turkey invaded the north. Cyprus was effectively partitioned. Over 200000 Greek Cypriots were displaced from the north, into which settlers arrived from Turkey. Since then, UN forces have manned the ΓÇÿAttila LineΓÇÖ between the Greek south and Turkish north. Attempts have been made to reunite Cyprus as a federal state. Cyprus is an associate member of the EU/EC and has applied for full membership.</text> </content> <name>Cyprus</name> <script></script> </card>