Flag Description

white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities

Background:A former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia. Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic intercommunal violence continued forcing most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek Government-sponsored attempt to overthrow the elected president of Cyprus was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot-occupied area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), but it is recognized only by Turkey. In February 2014, after a hiatus of nearly two years, the leaders of the two communities resumed formal discussions under UN auspices aimed at reuniting the divided island. The talks are ongoing. The entire island entered the EU on 1 May 2004, although the EU acquis - the body of common rights and obligations - applies only to the areas under the internationally recognized government, and is suspended in the areas administered by Turkish Cypriots. However, individual Turkish Cypriots able to document their eligibility for Republic of Cyprus citizenship legally enjoy the same rights accorded to other citizens of European Union states.

Total Area: 9,251 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus)

Land Area:9,241 sq km

Water Area:10 sq km

Land Boundries Total:156 km

Border Countries:border sovereign base areas: Akrotiri 48 km, Dhekelia 108 km

Coastline:648 km

Lowest Point:Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:Mount Olympus 1,951 m

Population:1,172,458 (July 2014 est.)

Population Growth Rate:1.48% (2014 est.)

Religion:Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, other (includes Maronite and Armenian Apostolic) 4%

Literacy(%):0.987

Literacy(%) Male:0.993

Literacy(%) Female:98.1% (2011 est.)

Independence Day:16 August 1960 (from the UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these proclamations are only recognized by Turkey

National Holiday:Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as "Independence Day"

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