  ''Kypriakí Dimokratía''''Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti''  |conventional_long_name = Republic of Cyprus |common_name        = Cyprus |image_flag         = Flag of Cyprus.svg |image_coat         = Cyprus Coat of Arms.svg |image_map = EU-Cyprus.svg |map_caption =  |national_motto     = |national_anthem    = ''Ýmnos eis tīn Eleutherían''(Ὕμνος εἰς τὴν Ἐλευθερίαν)Hymn to Liberty1 |official_languages =Greek, Turkish[ Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus]: &quot;The official languages of the Republic are Greek and Turkish&quot; (Appendix D, Part 01, Article 3) |demonym            = Cypriot, Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot |ethnic_groups = 77% Greek Cypriots, 18% Turkish Cypriots, 5% others |ethnic_groups_year = 2001  |capital            = Nicosia (Λευκωσία, Lefkoşa) |latd=35 |latm=08 |latNS=N |longd=33 |longm=28 |longEW=E |largest_city       = capital |government_type    = Presidential republic |leader_title1      = President |leader_name1       = Dimitris Christofias |accessionEUdate    = 1 May 2004 |area_rank          = 167th |area_magnitude     = 1_E9 |area_km2           = 9,248 |area_sq_mi         = 3,571  (''Includes North'') |percent_water      = negligible |population_estimate = 803,147 (''Does not include North'')1,088,503 (whole island) |population_estimate_year = 2010 |population_estimate_rank = |population_census        = |population_census_year   = |population_density_km2   = 117 |population_density_sq_mi = 221  |population_density_rank  = 85th |GDP_PPP            = $23.190 billion |GDP_PPP_rank       = |GDP_PPP_year       = 2010 |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $28,256 |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = |GDP_nominal        = $23.174 billion |GDP_nominal_rank   = |GDP_nominal_year   = 2010 |GDP_nominal_per_capita = $28,237 |GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = |Gini               = 29 |Gini_year          = 2005 |Gini_rank = 19th |Gini_category      = low |HDI_year           = 2010 |HDI                =  0.810[ Human Development Report 2009]. The United Nations. Retrieved 12 October 2009. |HDI_rank           = 35th |HDI_category       = very&amp;nbsp;high |sovereignty_type   = Independence |sovereignty_note   = from the United Kingdom |established_event1 = Zürich and London Agreement |established_date1  = 19 February 1959 |established_event2 = Proclaimed |established_date2  = 16 August 1960 |currency           = Euro2 |currency_code      = EUR |time_zone          = EET |utc_offset         = +2 |time_zone_DST      = EEST |utc_offset_DST     = +3 |drives_on                    = Left |cctld              = .cy3 |country_code       = CY (ISO 3166) |calling_code       = 357 |footnote1 = Also the national anthem of Greece. |footnote2 = Before 2008, the Cypriot pound. |footnote3 = The .eu domain is also used, shared with other European Union member states. }}  '''Cyprus''' (; , ''Kýpros'', ; , ), officially the '''Republic of Cyprus''' (, ''Kypriakī́ Dīmokratía'', ; , ), is a Eurasian island country in the Eastern Mediterranean,Fouskas, V. 2002. [ Eurasian gambles over Cyprus' European prospects].  ''Turkish Yearbook of International Relations'' (ISSN: 0544-1943): Vol. 33, pp. 183–207; on p. 186: &quot;[In analysing Cyprus within a wider geopolitical context, t]he requirement is to decipher the parameters and the linkages of the balance of power in the Eurasian region, and in its Near Eastern subregion, to which Cyprus belongs.&quot;Cyprus is approximate to Anatolia (Asia Minor) (which comprises the bulk of Turkey) but it may be considered to be in Asia and/or Europe, which together constitute Eurasia.[  The UN [ classification of world regions] places Cyprus in Western Asia; [ National Geographic] also places Cyprus in Asia. Conversely, numerous sources place Cyprus in Europe such as the BBC [ and [ www.worldatlas.com]; it is also a member of the European Union.  Additionally, sources may place Cyprus in the Middle East, e.g., the CIA World Factbook.[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cy.html] east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of its most popular tourist destinations.Invest in Cyprus website – figures do not include tourism to the Northern Cyprus [ An advanced, high-income economy with a very high Human Development Index, the Republic of Cyprus was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement until it joined the European Union on 1 May 2004.  The earliest known human activity on the island dates back to around the 10th millennium BC. Archaeological remains from this period include the well-preserved Neolithic village of Khirokitia, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, along with the Tombs of the Kings. Cyprus is home to some of the oldest water wells in the world, and is the site of the earliest known example of feline domestication.Wade, Nicholas, &quot;[ Study Traces Cat's Ancestry to Middle East]&quot;, ''The New York Times'', 29 June 2007 At a strategic location in the Middle East,[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cy.html Cyprus], ''CIA World Factbook'' ; ''CIA Atlas of the Middle East'' (1993) ([ online edition])[ Middle East Region], ''Xpeditions Altas'', ''National Geographic''[ Middle East (region, Asia)], ''Britannica Online Encyclopedia''[ Middle East Map], ''MSN Encarta'' Cyprus has been occupied by several major powers, including the empires of the Hittites, Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Rashiduns, Umayyads, Lusignans, Venetians and Ottomans. Settled by Mycenean Greeks in the 2nd millennium BC, the island also experienced long periods of Greek rule under the Ptolemies and the Byzantines. In 333 B.C., Alexander of Macedon conquered the island from the Persians. The Ottoman Empire conquered the island in 1571 and it remained under Ottoman control for over three centuries. It was placed under British administration in 1878 until it was granted independence in 1960,[ Cyprus date of independence] (click on Historical review) becoming a member of the Commonwealth the following year.  In 1974, following 11 years of intercommunal violence, using an attempted ''coup d'état'' by Greek Cypriot nationalists and elements of the Greek military junta with the aim of achieving ''enosis'' (union of the island with Greece) as a pretext,Danopoulos, Constantine Panos. ''Civil-military relations, nation building, and national identity: comparative perspectives'' (2004), Greenwood Publishing Group, [ &quot;On July 15, 1974, the Greek junta, in cooperation with Greek military officers stationed on Cyprus and Greek Cypriot right-wing extremists, organized and executed a coup d'etat aiming at overthrowing President Makarios&quot; Turkey invaded and occupied the northern portion of the island, resulting in the partition of the island, Turkey's objective since 1955. The intercommunal violence and subsequent Turkish invasion led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Cypriots and the establishment of a separate Turkish Cypriot political entity in the north. These events and the resulting political situation are matters of ongoing dispute.  The Republic of Cyprus has ''de jure''[ Cyprus from Britannica.com] Quote: &quot;Two de facto states currently exist on the island of Cyprus: the Republic of Cyprus (ROC), predominantly Greek in character, occupying the southern two-thirds of the island, which is the original and still the internationally recognized de jure government of the whole island...&quot; sovereignty over the entire island of Cyprus and its surrounding waters except small portions, Akrotiri and Dhekelia, that are allocated by treaty to the United Kingdom as sovereign military bases. The Republic of Cyprus is ''de facto'' partitioned into two main parts; the area under the effective control of the Republic of Cyprus, comprising about 59% of the island's area, and the Turkish-controlled area in the north, calling itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, covering about 36% of the island's area and recognized only by Turkey.  ==Etymology== The etymology of the Greek name ''Kypros'' is unknown. Suggestions include: *the Greek word for the Mediterranean cypress tree (''Cupressus sempervirens''), ''κυπάρισσος'' (''kypárissos'') *the Greek name of the henna plant (''Lawsonia alba''), ''κύπρος'' (''kýpros'') * an Eteocypriot word for copper. Georges Dossin, for example, suggests that it has roots in the Sumerian word for copper (''zubar'') or for bronze (''kubar''), from the large deposits of copper ore found on the island.  The earliest attested reference to ''Cyprus'' is the Mycenaean Greek ''ku-pi-ri-jo'', meaning &quot;Cypriot&quot;, written in Linear B syllabic script.[ Palaeolexicon], Word study tool of ancient languages  Through overseas trade, the island has given its name to the Classical Latin word for copper through the phrase ''aes Cyprium'', &quot;metal of Cyprus&quot;, later shortened to ''Cuprum''.Fisher, Fred H. ''Cyprus: Our New Colony And What We Know About It''. London: George Routledge and Sons 1878, pp. 13–14. Cyprus, more specifically the shores of Paphos, was also one of the birthplaces of Aphrodite given in Greek mythology, who was known as ''Kupria'', since according to Phoenician mythology, Astarte, goddess of love and beauty, was later identified with Aphrodite.  The standard demonym relating to Cyprus or its people or culture is ''Cypriot''. The terms ''Cypriote'' and ''Cyprian'' are also, less frequently, used.  ==History==   ===Ancient times===  The [[Neolithic archeological site at Khirokitia]]  The earliest confirmed site of human activity on Cyprus is Aetokremnos, situated on the south coast, indicating that hunter-gatherers were active on the island from around 10,000 BC,Mithen, S. ''After the Ice: A Global Human History, 20000 BC – 5000 BC.'' Boston: Harvard University Press 2005, p.97. [ with settled village communities dating from 8200 BC. The arrival of the first humans correlates with the extinction of the dwarf hippos and dwarf elephants.The earliest prehistory of Cyprus from colonization to exploitation, ed. Swiny, Stuart, American Schools of Oriental Research, 2001,  [ In PDF] Water wells discovered by archaeologists in western Cyprus are believed to be among the oldest in the world, dated at 9,000 to 10,500 years old.  Remains of an 8-month-old cat were discovered buried with its human owner at a separate Neolithic site in Cyprus. The grave is estimated to be 9,500 years old, predating ancient Egyptian civilization and pushing back the earliest known feline-human association significantly. The remarkably well-preserved Neolithic village of Khirokitia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to approximately 6800 BC.Simmons, A.H. ''Faunal extinction in an island society: pygmy hippopotamus hunters of Cyprus''. New York: Springer 1999, p.15. [  Temple to ''[[Apollo Ilatis'' outside the city of Limassol.]]  The island was part of the Hittite empire during the late Bronze Age until the arrival of two waves of Greek settlement.Thomas, Carol G. &amp; Conant, C.: ''The Trojan War'', pages 121–122. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2005. ISBN 0-313-32526-X, 9780313325267. The first wave consisted of Mycenaean Greek traders who started visiting Cyprus around 1400 BC.[ Greek Pottery in the Bronze Age by A.D. Lacy, p. 168] A major wave of Greek settlement is believed to have taken place following the Bronze Age collapse of Mycenaean Greece in the period 1100–1050 BC, with the island's predominantly Greek character dating from this period.Thomas, C.G., Conant, D. ''The Trojan War.'' Santa Barbara, CA, USA: Greenwood Publishing Group 2005. p.64. [ Cyprus occupies an important role in Greek mythology being the birthplace of Aphrodite and Adonis, and home to King Cinyras, Teucer and Pygmalion.Encyclopedia of Freemasonry Part 1 and Its Kindred Sciences Comprising the Whole Range of Arts ... – Page 25 Beginning in the 8th century BC Phoenician colonies were founded on the south coast of Cyprus, near present day Larnaca and Salamis.  Cyprus was ruled by Assyria for a century starting in 708 BC, before a brief spell under Egyptian rule and eventually Persian rule in 545 BC. The Cypriots, led by Onesilus, king of Salamis, joined their fellow Greeks in the Ionian cities during the unsuccessful Ionian Revolt in 499 BC against the Achaemenid Empire. The revolt was suppressed, but Cyprus managed to maintain a high degree of autonomy and remained oriented towards the Greek world.  The island was brought under permanent Greek rule by Alexander the Great and the Ptolemies of Egypt following his death. Full Hellenization took place during the Ptolemaic period, which ended when Cyprus was annexed by the Roman Republic in 58 BC.  ===Middle Ages===  Portrait of [[Catherine Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus.]]  When the Roman Empire was divided into Eastern and Western parts in 395, Cyprus became part of the East Roman, or Byzantine Empire, and would remain part of it until the crusades some 800 years later. Under Byzantine rule, the Greek orientation that had been prominent since antiquity developed the strong Hellenistic-Christian character that continues to be a hallmark of the Greek Cypriot community. Beginning in 649, Cyprus suffered from devastating raids launched from the Levant, which continued for the next 300 years. Many were quick piratical raids, but others were large-scale attacks in which many Cypriots were slaughtered and great wealth carried off or destroyed.  No Byzantine churches survive from this period, thousands of people were killed, and many cities – such as Salamis – were destroyed and never rebuilt. Byzantine rule was restored in 965, when Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas scored decisive victories on land and sea. In 1191, during the Third Crusade, Richard I of England captured the island from Isaac Komnenos of CyprusRiddle, J.M. ''A History of the Middle Ages.'' Lanham, MD, USA: Rowman &amp; Littlefield 2008. p. 326. [ He used it as a major supply base that was relatively safe from the Saracens. A year later Richard sold the island to the Knights Templar, who, following a bloody revolt, in turn sold it to Guy of Lusignan. His brother and successor Amalric was recognized as King of Cyprus by Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor.  Following the death in 1473 of James II, the last Lusignan king, the Republic of Venice assumed control of the island, while the late king's Venetian widow, Queen Catherine Cornaro, reigned as figurehead. Venice formally annexed Cyprus in 1489, following the abdication of Caterina. The Venetians fortified Nicosia by building the famous Venetian Walls, and used it as an important commercial hub. Throughout Venetian rule, the Ottoman Empire frequently raided Cyprus. In 1539 the Ottomans destroyed Limassol and so fearing the worst, the Venetians also fortified Famagusta and Kyrenia.  During the almost four centuries of Latin rule, there existed two societies on Cyprus. The first consisted of Frankish nobles and their retinue, as well as Italian merchants and their families. The second, the majority of the population, consisted of Greek Cypriots, serfs and laborers. Although a determined effort was made to supplant native traditions and culture, the effort failed.  ===Ottoman Empire===  Historical map of Cyprus by [[Piri Reis]]  In 1570, a full scale Ottoman assault with 60,000 troops brought the island under Ottoman control, despite stiff resistance by the inhabitants of Nicosia and Famagusta. 20,000 Nicosians were put to death, and every church, public building, and palace was looted.[ Cyprus – OTTOMAN RULE], ''U.S. Library of Congress'' The previous Latin elite was destroyed and the first significant demographic change since antiquity took place when Ottoman Janissaries were settled on the island.  The Ottomans abolished the feudal system previously in place and applied the millet system to Cyprus, under which non-Muslim peoples were governed by their own religious authorities. In a reversal from the days of Latin rule, the head of the Church of Cyprus was invested as leader of the Greek Cypriot population and acted as mediator between Christian Greek Cypriots and the Ottoman authorities. Ottoman rule of Cyprus was at times indifferent, at times oppressive, depending on the temperaments of the sultans and local officials, and during this period the island fell into economic decline.  Reaction to Ottoman misrule led to uprisings by both Greek and Turkish Cypriots, although none were successful. By 1872, the population of the island had risen to 144,000 comprising 44,000 Muslims and 100,000 Christians.''Osmanli Nufusu 1830–1914'' by Kemal Karpat, ISBN 975-333-169-X and ''Die Völker des Osmanischen'' by Ritter zur Helle von Samo. Centuries of neglect by the Turks, the unrelenting poverty of most of the people, and the ever-present tax collectors fuelled Greek nationalism, and by 19th century the idea of ''enosis'', or union, with newly independent Greece was firmly rooted among Greek Cypriots.  ===British Empire===  Hoisting the British flag at Nicosia  In the aftermath of the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878) and the Congress of Berlin, Cyprus was leased to the British Empire which de facto took over its administration in 1878 (though, in terms of sovereignty, it remained a de jure Ottoman territory until 1914, together with Egypt and Sudan) in exchange for guarantees that Britain would use the island as a base to protect the Ottoman Empire against possible Russian aggression. The island would serve Britain as a key military base in its colonial routes. By 1906, when the Famagusta harbour was completed, Cyprus was a strategic naval outpost overlooking the Suez Canal, the crucial main route to India which was then Britain's most important colony. Following the outbreak of World War I and the entry of the Ottoman Empire on the side of the Central Powers, Great Britain formally annexed the island on 5 November 1914.  In 1915, Britain offered Cyprus to Constantine I of Greece on condition that Greece join the war on the side of the British, which he declined. In 1923, under the Treaty of Lausanne, the nascent Turkish republic relinquished any claim to Cyprus and in 1925 it was declared a British crown colony. Many Greek Cypriots fought in the British Army during both World Wars, in the hope that Cyprus would eventually be united with Greece. During World War II many enlisted in the Cyprus Regiment.  In January 1959, the Church of Cyprus organized a referendum, which was boycotted by the Turkish Cypriot community, where over 90% voted in favor of &quot;enosis&quot;, meaning union with Greece. Restricted autonomy under a constitution was proposed by the British administration but eventually rejected. In 1955 the EOKA organisation was founded, seeking independence and union with Greece through armed struggle. At the same time the Turkish Resistance Organisation (TMT), calling for Taksim, or partition, was established by the Turkish Cypriots as a counterweight. Turmoil on the island was met with force by the British.  ===Independence=== The first president of Cyprus [[Makarios III]]  On 16 August 1960, Cyprus attained independence after the Zürich and London Agreement between the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey. The UK retained the two Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia while government posts and public offices were allocated by ethnic quotas giving the minority Turkish Cypriots a permanent veto, 30% in parliament and administration, and granting the three mother-states guarantor rights.  In 1963 inter-communal violence broke out, partially sponsored by both &quot;motherlands&quot; with Turkish Cypriots being forced into enclaves and Cypriot President Archbishop Makarios III calling for unilateral constitutional changes as a means to ease tensions over the whole island. The United Nations was involved and the United Nations forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP) deployed at flash points.  In 1964, Turkey attempted to intervene in Cyprus in response to the ongoing Cypriot intercommunal violence, but was stopped by a strongly worded telegram from the U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson on 5 June 1964; who warned that the United States would not stand beside Turkey in case of a consequential Soviet invasion of Turkish territory.  ===Contemporary era===  United Nations Buffer Zone (known as the Green line).]] Following a coup d'état engineered by the Greek Junta, Turkey launched a full-scale military invasion of the island in 1974. The Turkish air force began bombing Greek positions on Cyprus, hundreds of paratroops were dropped in the area between Nicosia and Kyrenia, where well-armed Turkish Cypriot enclaves had been long-established, while off the Kyrenia coast 30 Turkish troop ships protected by destroyers landed 6,000 men as well as tanks, trucks, and armored vehicles.  Three days later, when a ceasefire had been agreed, Turkey had landed 30,000 troops on the island and captured Kyrenia, the corridor linking Kyrenia to Nicosia, and Turkish Cypriot quarter of Nicosia itself. The junta in Athens, and then the Sampson regime in Cyprus fell from power. In Nicosia Glafkos Clerides assumed the presidency and constitutional order was restored; ostensibly removing the pretext the Turks gave for the invasion. The Turks used a period of negotiations to reinforce their Kyrenia bridgehead and prepare for the second phase of the invasion, which began on 14 August and resulted in the seizure of Morphou, Karpass, Famagusta and the Mesaoria. The Greek forces were unable to resist the Turkish advance.  International pressure led to a ceasefire at which point 37% of the island had been taken over by the Turks and 180,000 Greek Cypriots were evicted from their homes in the north. U.S. Congressional Record, V. 147, Pt. 3, March 8, 2001 to March 26, 2001 [ At the same time, around 50,000 Turkish Cypriots moved to the areas under the control of the Turkish Forces and settled in the properties of the displaced Greek Cypriots. In mid-1975, the United States Congress amongst a variety of sanctions against Turkey, imposed an arms embargo on Turkey for using American-supplied equipment during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.  In 1983 Turkish Cypriots proclaimed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognised only by Turkey. As of today, there are 1,534 Greek Cypriots and 502 Turkish Cypriots missing as a result of the fighting. The events of the summer of 1974 dominate the politics on the island, as well as Greco-Turkish relations. Around 150,000 settlers from Turkey are believed to be living in the north in violation of the Geneva Convention and various UN resolutions. Following the invasion and the capture of its northern territory by Turkish troops, the Republic of Cyprus announced that all of its ports of entry in the north were closed, as they were effectively not under its control. The last major effort to settle the Cyprus dispute was the Annan Plan in 2004. It gained the support of the Turkish Cypriots but was rejected by the Greek Cypriots, who perceived the Annan Plan to be both unbalanced and excessively pro-Turkish.  On May 1, 2004 Cyprus joined the European Union together with nine other countries.Stephanos Constantinides &amp; Joseph Joseph, 'Cyprus and the European Union: Beyond Accession', ''Études helléniques/Hellenic Studies'' 11 (2), Autumn 2003 In July 2006, the island served as a safe haven for people fleeing Lebanon because of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.  In March 2008, a wall that for decades had stood at the boundary between the Republic of Cyprus and the UN buffer zone was demolished. The wall had cut across Ledra Street in the heart of Nicosia and was seen as a strong symbol of the island's 32-year division. On 3 April 2008, Ledra Street was reopened in the presence of Greek and Turkish Cypriot officials.[ Ledra Street crossing opens in Cyprus]. Associated Press article published on International Herald Tribune Website, 3 April 2008  ==Geography==  Topographic image of Cyprus.  Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia (both in terms of area and population). It is also the world's 81st largest by area and world's 49th largest by population. It measures  long from end to end and  wide at its widest point, with Turkey  to the north. It lies between latitudes 34° and 36° N, and longitudes 32° and 35° E.  Other neighbouring territories include Syria and Lebanon to the east ( and , respectively), Israel  to the southeast, Egypt  to the south, and Greece to the northwest:  to the small Dodecanesian island of Kastelorizo (Megisti),  to Rhodes, and  to the Greek mainland.  [[Paralimni]] The physical relief of the island is dominated by two mountain ranges, the Troodos Mountains and the smaller Kyrenia Range, and the central plain they encompass, the Mesaoria. The Troodos Mountains cover most of the southern and western portions of the island and account for roughly half its area. The highest point on Cyprus is Mount Olympus at , located in the centre of the Troodos range. The narrow Kyrenia Range, extending along the northern coastline, occupies substantially less area, and elevations are lower, reaching a maximum of .  Geopolitically, the island is subdivided into four main segments. The Republic of Cyprus, the internationally recognized government, occupies the southern two-thirds of the island (59.74%). The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus occupies the northern third (34.85%) of the island and is recognized only by Turkey, as it consists of the Turkish-occupied areas. The United Nations-controlled Green Line is a buffer zone that separates the two and covers 2.67% of the island. Lastly, two bases under British sovereignty are located on the island: Akrotiri and Dhekelia, covering the remaining 2.74%.  ===Biodiversity===  The [[mouflon is a national symbol]] One of the unique features of Cyprus' habitats is the wild and sharp differences in elevations and habitats in different parts of the island as well as different climate conditions, all of which supply a diverse habitat for a unique array of fauna and flora. The number of plant species and sub-species of wild plant in Cyprus is possibly in the thousands, many of them being endemic. Wildlife can be seen in Troodos Mountains, Larnaca salt lake, Akrotiri salt lake and undoubtedly Akamas national park. Cyprus is home to Cyprus mouflon which is a national symbol of the country. The mouflon is protected and can be seen in Paphos forests towards the Troodos Mountains.  ===Climate===  Cyprus has a subtropical climate – Mediterranean and Semi-arid type (in the north-eastern part of island) – according to Köppen climate classification signes ''Csa'' and ''Bsh'', ''(direct: [ Final Revised Paper])''[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mt.html#Geo CIA Factbook] – Geographic location with very mild winters (on the coast) and warm to hot summers. Snow is possible only in the Troodos Mountains in the central part of island. Rain occurs mainly in winter, with summer being generally dry.  Cyprus has the warmest climate (and warmest winters) in the Mediterranean part of the European Union. The average annual temperature on the coast is around  during the day and  at night. Generally – summer's/holiday season lasts about 8 months, begins in April with average temperatures of  during the day and  at night, ends in November with average temperatures of  during the day and  at night, although also in remaining 4 months temperatures sometimes exceeds . Among all cities in the Mediterranean part of the European Union, Limassol has the warmest winters, in the period January–February average temperature is  during the day and  at night, in other coastal locations in Cyprus is generally  during the day and  at night. In March and December in Limassol average temperatures is  during the day and  at night, in other coastal locations in Cyprus is generally  during the day and  at night. Middle of summer is hot – in July and August on the coast the average temperature is usually around  during the day and around  at night (inside the island, in the highlands average temperature exceeds ) while in the June and September on the coast the average temperature is usually around  during the day and around  at night. Large fluctuations in temperature are rare. Temperatures inside the island are more stringent, with colder winters and more hot summers compared with the coast of the island.  Average annual temperature of sea is , from  in February to  in August (depending on the location). In total 7 months – from May to November – the average sea temperature exceeds .  Sunshine hours on the coast is around 3,400 per year, from average 5–6 hours of sunshine / day in December to average 12–13 hours in July. This is about double that of cities in the northern half of Europe, for comparison: London – 1,461, however in winter up to some times more sunshine, for comparison: London has 37 hours while coastal locations in Cyprus has around 180 hours of sunshine in December (that is, as much as in May in London).  ===Water supply=== [[Kouris Dam is the largest of a network of 107 dams in Cyprus]]  Cyprus is suffering from an ongoing shortage of water. The country relies heavily on rain to provide household water and for many years now, the average annual rainfall seemed to be falling. Between 2001 and 2004, exceptionally heavy annual rainfall pushed water reserves up, with supply exceeding demand, allowing total storage in the island's reservoirs to rise to an all time high by the start of 2005. However, since then demand has increased annually – a result of local population growth, foreigners relocating to Cyprus and the number of visiting tourists – while supply has fallen. Cyprus has a total of 107 dams (plus one currently under construction) and reservoirs, with a total water storage capacity of about .[ Dams of Cyprus] Water Development Department, Republic of Cyprus. Dams remain the principal source of water both for domestic and agricultural use. Water desalination plants are gradually being constructed in order to deal with recent years of prolonged drought. The Government has invested heavily in the creation of water desalination plants which have supplied almost 50 percent of domestic water since 2001. Efforts have also been made to raise public awareness of the situation and to encourage domestic water users to take more responsibility for the conservation of this increasingly scarce commodity.  ==Politics==  Cyprus is a Presidential republic. The head of state and of the government is elected by a process of Universal suffrage for a five-year term. Executive power is exercised by the government with legislative power vested in the House of Representatives whilst the Judiciary is independent of both the executive and the legislature. The Presidential Palace (Residence) in [[Nicosia.]] The 1960 Constitution provided for a presidential system of government with independent executive, legislative and judicial branches as well as a complex system of checks and balances including a weighted power-sharing ratio designed to protect the interests of the Turkish Cypriots. The executive was led by a Greek Cypriot president and a Turkish Cypriot vice president elected by their respective communities for five-year terms and each possessing a right of veto over certain types of legislation and executive decisions. Legislative power rested on the House of Representatives who were also elected on the basis of separate voters' rolls.  Following clashes between the two communities the Turkish Cypriot seats in the House remain vacant since 1965. Turkish Cypriots refused to establish the state of affairs before the invasion of Cyprus as is evident in the Secretary-General of the United Nations who said &quot;The Turkish Cypriot leaders have adhered to a rigid stand against any measures which might involve having members of the two communities live and work together, or which might place Turkish Cypriots in situations where they would have to acknowledge the authority of Government agents. Indeed, since the Turkish Cypriot leadership is committed to physical and geographical separation of the communities as a political goal, it is not likely to encourage activities by Turkish Cypriots which may be interpreted as demonstrating the merits of an alternative policy. The result has been a seemingly deliberate policy of self-segregation by the Turkish Cypriots.&quot;Quotation from 1965 in a report submitted by Cyprus in the framework of the Convention for the Protectino of Mational Minorities citing [ United Nations Secretary General Report S/6426] Quote: &quot;10. Despite this policy, a certain degree of normality gradually returned to Cyprus and with the active encouragement of the Government, by 1974 a large proportion of Turkish Cypriote were living and working alongside with their Greek Cypriot fellow citizens.&quot; via Internet Archive Retrieved 1 June 2011 By 1974 the two communities had returned to a more tolerant state of living.  In 1974 Cyprus was divided ''de facto'' when the Turkish army occupied the northern third of the island. The Turkish Cypriots subsequently declared independence in 1983 as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus but were recognized only by Turkey. In 1985 the TRNC adopted a constitution and held its first elections. The United Nations recognises the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus over the entire island of Cyprus.  The House of Representatives currently has 59 members elected for a five year term, 56 members by proportional representation and 3 observer members representing the Armenian, Latin and Maronite minorities. 24 seats are allocated to the Turkish community but remain vacant since 1964. The political environment is dominated by the communist AKEL, the liberal conservative Democratic Rally, the centrist Democratic Party, the social-democratic EDEK and the centrist EURO.KO. On 17 February 2008 Dimitris Christofias of the AKEL was elected President of Cyprus, on AKEL's first electoral victory without being part of a wider coalition. Christofias took over government from Tassos Papadopoulos of the Democratic Party who had been in office since February 2003.  ===Administrative divisions===  The Republic of Cyprus is divided into six districts: Nicosia, Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos. These are not the same as those of Northern Cyprus. {| class=&quot;wikitable&quot; |- ! District Map of Cyprus!! Districts !! Greek name !! Turkish name | rowspan=6 |  File:Cyprus districts not named.svg|370px| poly 173 585 62 531 59 484 24 449 20 396 11 339 68 374 118 321 131 301 172 336 162 361 185 392 183 438 198 451 208 458 220 443 242 462 198 512 212 520 174 556 174 585 Paphos poly 141 304 170 337 161 362 187 397 185 439 205 454 219 443 234 452 239 422 252 421 303 432 318 423 336 426 353 445 379 453 395 458 417 440 455 448 485 428 509 432 520 411 561 411 561 380 564 340 594 345 601 331 577 319 589 296 581 249 539 249 510 270 410 264 306 254 286 306 260 323 206 301 177 291 Nicosia poly 174 584 175 561 204 537 211 520 199 511 241 464 234 454 238 426 246 420 278 433 295 433 315 422 333 425 340 438 352 440 363 460 377 454 391 460 394 476 427 483 453 510 454 536 457 551 400 556 344 582 314 597 313 583 323 588 329 586 330 573 313 572 304 579 288 580 266 561 254 560 237 576 226 571 223 584 204 594 Limassol poly 393 472 414 445 428 451 441 449 453 457 473 445 478 435 482 431 490 438 514 436 524 429 519 414 534 421 549 412 561 419 569 395 555 367 565 343 592 349 604 338 622 337 629 364 654 391 649 410 622 436 604 497 475 553 457 551 457 517 431 481 Larnaca poly 299 179 307 250 483 270 532 261 534 252 583 245 637 215 627 205 517 218 386 203 334 199 Kyrenia poly 582 239 589 300 577 323 621 337 632 365 680 373 693 369 736 410 781 406 817 419 780 362 740 266 765 224 809 213 846 169 917 133 964 91 972 72 1034 43 1042 15 919 76 716 173 684 170 630 201 634 209 Famagusta poly 224 587 225 572 237 578 261 560 287 579 319 576 328 578 317 588 338 595 351 638 308 636 282 585 Akrotiri poly 649 410 654 395 638 371 652 358 656 378 667 368 690 373 737 418 723 428 681 409 Dhekelia  | Famagusta&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; || Αμμόχωστος (Ammochostos)&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; || Gazimağusa/Mağusa&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; | Kyrenia || Κερύvεια (Keryneia) || Girne | Larnaca || Λάρνακα (Larnaka) || Larnaka/İskele | Limassol || Λεμεσός (Lemesos) || Limasol/Leymosun | Nicosia || Λευκωσία (Lefkosia) || Lefkoşa | Paphos || Πάφος (Pafos) || Baf/Gazibaf |}  ===Exclaves and enclaves=== [[Episkopi Cantonment in south-southwest Cyprus.]]  Cyprus has four exclaves, all in territory that belongs to the British Sovereign Base Area of Dhekelia. The first two are the villages of Ormidhia and Xylotymvou. The third is the Dhekelia Power Station which is divided by a British road into two parts. The northern part is an exclave, like the two villages, whereas the southern part is located by the sea and therefore not an exclave although it has no territorial waters of its own.  The UN buffer zone runs up against Dhekelia and picks up again from its east side off Ayios Nikolaos and is connected to the rest of Dhekelia by a thin land corridor. In that sense the buffer zone turns the Paralimni area on the southeast corner of the island into a ''de facto'', though not ''de jure'', exclave.  ===Foreign relations===  Cyprus president [[Dimitris Christofias and Cyprus first lady with U.S. President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama.]]  The island nation Cyprus is member of: Australia Group, CN, CE, CFSP, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ITUC, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO.  ===Human rights===   In &quot;Freedom in the World 2011&quot;, the democracy of Cyprus was rated as &quot;free&quot;.[ Freedom in the World 2011 Report] Freedom House's Freedom in the World 2011 Report, page 29  The constant focus on the division of the island can sometimes mask other human rights issues. Prostitution is rife in both the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish-controlled regions leading to the government being criticised for its lack of controls and for the role of Cyprus in the sex trade as one of the main destinations for human trafficking from Eastern Europe.  There have been reports of mistreatment to the Turkish Cypriots in the Republic of Cyprus.''Yearbook of the United Nations 2005'', United Nations, p.491 The US Department of State report about human rights in Cyprus in 2002 said that:[ US Department of State Report on Human Rights in Cyprus in 2002], Retrieved April 21, 2011   Domestic violence legislation remains largely unimplemented and mistreatment of domestic staff, mostly immigrant workers from developing countries, are sometimes reported in the Cypriot press and are the subject of several campaigns by the anti-racist charity KISA.  ===Military===  Soldiers of Cypriot National Guard marching in [[Rome.]]  The Cypriot National Guard is the main military institution of the Republic of Cyprus. It is a combined arms force, with land, air and naval elements. The National Guard is a required 24 month service for all men upon completing their 18th birthday.The land forces of the Cypriot National Guard comprise the following units: *First Infantry Division (Ιη Μεραρχία ΠΖ) *Second Infantry Division (ΙΙα Μεραρχία ΠΖ) *Fourth Infantry Brigade (ΙVη Ταξιαρχία ΠΖ) *Twentieth Armored Brigade (ΧΧη ΤΘ Ταξιαρχία) *Third Support Brigade (ΙΙΙη Ταξιαρχία ΥΠ) *Eighth Support Brigade (VIIIη Ταξιαρχία ΥΠ)  The air force includes the 449th Helicopter Gunship Squadron (449 ΜΑΕ) – operating SA-342L and Bell 206 and the 450th Helicopter Gunship Squadron (450 ME/P) – operating Mi-35P, BN-2B and PC-9. Current Senior officers include Supreme Commander, Cypriot National Guard: Lt. Gen. Konstantinos Bisbikas, Deputy Commander, Cypriot National Guard: Lt. Gen. Savvas Argyrou and Chief of Staff, Cypriot National Guard: Maj. Gen. Gregory Stamoulis.  ==Economy==  The city of [[Limassol is a major port and touristic hub in the Mediterranean.]]  The Cypriot economy is prosperous and has diversified in recent years. According to the latest IMF estimates, its per capita GDP (adjusted for purchasing power) at $28,381 is just above the average of the European Union.List of countries by future GDP (PPP) per capita estimates Cyprus has been sought as a base for several offshore businesses for its highly developed infrastructure. Economic policy of the Cyprus government has focused on meeting the criteria for admission to the European Union. The Cypriot government adopted the euro as the national currency on 1 January 2008. Oil has recently been discovered in the seabed between Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt and talks are underway between Lebanon and Egypt to reach an agreement regarding the exploration of these resources. The seabed separating Lebanon and Cyprus is believed to hold significant quantities of crude oil and natural gas. However the government of Cyprus states that the Turkish Navy does not allow the exploration of oil in the region.  Cyprus has been part of the [[Eurozone since 2008.]]  The economy of the Turkish-occupied areas operates on a free-market basis although it continues to be handicapped by the lack of private and public investment, high freight costs and shortages of skilled labor. Despite these constraints the economy turned in an impressive performance in 2003 and 2004 with growth rates of 9.6% and 11.4%. The average income in the area was $15,984 (S₣16,289) in 2008.[ ''Economic and Social Indicators 1977  (S₣43)–2008''], TRNC State Planning Organization. Growth has been buoyed by the relative stability of the Turkish new lira and by a boom in the education and construction sectors. The island has witnessed a massive growth in tourism over the years and as such the property rental market in Cyprus has grown alongside. Added to this is the capital growth in property that has been created from the demand of incoming investors and property buyers to the island.  The euro was introduced in 2008. Three different designs were selected for the Cypriot coins, chosen from entrants in a competition in 2005. The €2 (S₣2.59) coin is a legacy of an old national practice of minting silver and gold commemorative coins. To commemorate this event, a €5 (S₣6.48) collector coin was also issued. Unlike normal issues these coins are not legal tender in all of the eurozone and so cannot be used in any other country but Cyprus.  ===Transport===  A map showing the main roads of Cyprus [[Larnaca International Airport.]] Cruise ship in [[Limassol.]] Cyprus has a full bus network.  Available modes of transport are by road, sea, and air. Of the  of roads in the Republic of Cyprus as of 1998,  were paved, and  were unpaved. As of 1996 the Turkish occupied area had a similar ratio of paved to unpaved, with approximately  of paved road and  unpaved. Cyprus is one of only four EU nations in which vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road, a remnant of British colonisation, the others being Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom.  ''Motorways''  * A1 Nicosia to Limassol * A2 connects A1 near Pera Chorio with A3 by Larnaca * A3 Larnaca to Agia Napa * A5 connects A1 near Kofinou with A3 by Larnaca * A6 Pafos to Limassol * A9 Nicosia to Astromeritis  {| class=&quot;wikitable&quot; |+ Number of licensed vehicles |- !Vehicle Category !2001 !2002 !2003 !2004 !2005 |- |Private vehicles |270,348 |277,554 |291,645 |324,212 |344,953 |- |Taxis |1,641 |1,559 |1,696 |1,770 |1,845 |- |Rental cars |8,080 |8,509 |9,160 |9,652 |8,336 |- |Buses |3,003 |2,997 |3,275 |3,199 |3,217 |- | Light trucks (lighter than 40 tonnes) |107,060 |106,610 |107,527 |105,017 |105,327 |- | Heavy trucks (over 40 tonnes) |10,882 |11,182 |12,119 |12,808 |13,028 |- |Motorcycles (2 wheels) |12,956 |14,983 |16,009 |16,802 |16,836 |- |Motorcycles (3 wheels) |42 |41 |43 |55 |558 |- |Scooters |28,987 |25,252 |25,464 |24,539 |22,987 |- |'''TOTAL''' |442,999 |448,687 |466,938 |498,054 |517,087 |}  In 1999, Cyprus had six heliports and two international airports: Larnaca International Airport and Paphos International Airport. Nicosia International Airport has been closed since 1974 and although Ercan airport was still in use it was only for flights from Turkey.  Per capita private car ownership is the 5th highest in the world. In 2006 extensive plans were announced to improve and expand bus services and restructure public transport throughout Cyprus, with the financial backing of the European Union Development Bank. In 2010 the new revised and expanded bus network got implemented.  The main harbours of the island are ''Limassol harbour'' and ''Larnaca harbour'', which service cargo, passenger, and cruise ships.  ===Communications===  Cyta, the state-owned telecommunications company, manages most Telecommunications and Internet connections on the island. However, following the recent liberalisation of the sector, a few private telecommunications companies have emerged including MTN, Cablenet, TelePassport, OTEnet Telecom, Omega Telecom and PrimeTel. In the Turkish-controlled area of Cyprus, three companies are also present. These are Turkcell, Vodafone and Turk Telekom.  ==Demographics==  Ethnographic map of Cyprus showing the distribution of the population during the 1960 census. Population growth (numbers for the entire island, excluding in recent years some 150,000 Turkish immigrants residing in Northern Cyprus). Population structure  It has traditionally been accepted that Greek Cypriots form up to 80%, Turkish Cypriots 18% (not including Turkish settlers), and Christian minorities (including Maronites, Latin Catholic and Armenians) 2% of the Cypriot population.  According to the first population census after the declaration of independence, carried out in December 1960 and covering the entire island, Cyprus had a total population of 573,566; of whom 442,138 (77.1%) were Greek Cypriots, 104,320 (18.2%) Turkish Cypriots, and 27,108 (4.7%) others.[ Eric Solsten, ed. ''Cyprus: A Country Study''], Library of Congress, Washington, DC, 1991.  Due to the inter-communal ethnic tensions between 1963 and 1974, an island-wide census was regarded as impossible. Nevertheless, the Greek Cypriots conducted one in 1973, without the Turkish Cypriot populace. According to this census, the Greek Cypriot population was 482,000. One year later, in 1974, the Cypriot government's Department of Statistics and Research estimated the total population of Cyprus at 641,000; of whom 506,000 (78.9%) were Greek Cypriots, and 118,000 (18.4%) Turkish Cypriots. After the partition of the island in 1974, Greek Cypriots conducted four more censuses: in 1976, 1982, 1992 and 2001; these excluded the Turkish Cypriot population which was resident in the northern part of the island.  According to the Republic of Cyprus's latest estimate, in 2005, the number of Cypriot citizens currently living in the Republic of Cyprus is around 656,200. In addition to this the Republic of Cyprus is home to 110,200 foreign permanent residents and an estimated 10,000–30,000 undocumented illegal immigrants currently living in the south of the island.  According to the 2006 census carried out by Northern Cyprus, there were 256,644 (de jure) people living in Northern Cyprus. 178,031 were citizens of Northern Cyprus, of which 147,405 were born in Cyprus (112,534 from the north; 32,538 from the south; 371 did not indicate what part of Cyprus they were from); 27,333 born in Turkey; 2,482 born in the UK and 913 born in Bulgaria. Of the 147,405 citizens born in Cyprus, 120,031 say both parents were born in Cyprus; 16,824 say both parents born in Turkey; 10,361 have one parent born in Turkey and one parent born in Cyprus.  In 2010, the International Crisis Group estimated that the total population of Cyprus was 1.1&amp;nbsp;million, of which there was an estimated 300,000 residents in the north, perhaps half of which were either born in Turkey or are children of such settlers. However, some academic sources claim that the population in the north has reached 500,000, 50% of which are thought to be Turkish settlors or Cypriot-born children of such settlers.  The village of Pyla in the Larnaca District is the only settlement in the Republic of Cyprus with a mixed Greek and Turkish Cypriot population.  Y-Dna haplogroups are found at the following frequencies in Cyprus : J (43.07% including 6.20% J1), E1b1b (20.00%), R1 (12.30% including 9.2% R1b), F (9.20%), I (7.70%), K (4.60%), A (3.10%).(n=65), [ Population structure in the Mediterranean basin: a Y chromosome perspective], Capelli et al. 2005 J, K, F and E1b1b haplogroups consist of lineages with differential distribution within Middle East, North Africa and Europe while R1 and I are typical in West European populations.  Outside Cyprus there is a significant and thriving Greek Cypriot diaspora and Turkish Cypriot diaspora in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, the United States, Greece and Turkey.  ===Religion===     }} Almost all Greek Cypriots are members of the autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus, whereas most Turkish Cypriots are adherents of Sunni Islam. According to Eurobarometer 2005, Cyprus is one of the most religious countries in the European Union, alongside Malta, Romania, Greece, and Poland. The first President of Cyprus, Makarios III, was an archbishop.   Given the special legal status of the Church of Cyprus, the country is also one of only six EU states to have an established state church, alongside Finland (Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church and Finnish Orthodox Church), Denmark (Danish National Church), Greece (Church of Greece), Malta (Roman Catholic Church) and the United Kingdom (Church of England (only in England)). In addition to the Greek Orthodox and Muslim communities, there are also small Hindu, Sikh, Bahá'í, Jewish, Protestant (including Pentecostal), Catholic (including Latin Rite and Maronite) and Armenian Apostolic communities in Cyprus.  Hala Sultan Tekke, situated near the Larnaca Salt Lake, is considered by some secular orientalists as the third holiest site in Sunni Islam Cited by: [  The Story of Hala Sultan Tekke], ''University of Arizona: Center for  Middle Eastern Studies'', &quot;The  Mosque of Umm Haram is the chief Muslim shrine on the island of Cyprus  and an important holy site for the entire Muslim world... The Hala  Sultan Tekke is the third most revered site of pilgrimage in the Muslim  world.&quot; Retrieved: 23-02-2009Papalexandrou, Nassos. [  Hala Sultan Tekke, Cyprus: An Elusive  Landscape of Sacredness in a Liminal Context], ''Journal of Modern Greek Studies'', Volume 26, Number 2. Johns Hopkins  University Press, (October 2008) pp. 251–281. &quot;Der Parthog calls it the &quot;third most holy  space in Islam&quot; (1995:222–223)&quot;  southwest of Larnaca. It is the main Muslim pilgrimage site of Cyprus  and the third most important holy place of Islam.'' }}  and an object of pilgrimage for both Muslims and Christians.&quot;[  The Tekke of Hala Sultan]&quot;, A Virtual Reconstruction of the  Hala Sultan TekkePapalexandrou,  Nassos, &quot;[  Hala Sultan Tekke, Cyprus: An Elusive  Landscape of Sacredness in a Liminal Context]&quot;, Journal of Modern Greek Studies,  Volume 26, Number 2, October 2008, pp. 251–281  The current leader of the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus is Archbishop Chrysostomos II. He is known for his right-wing nationalist views, branding for example, illegal immigrants as &quot;‘interlopers’ who do not belong on the island&quot; and admits espousing several other political ideas of Cyprus' National People’s Front (ELAM).[ ]  ===Languages=== The country has two official languages: Greek and Turkish. Armenian, Cypriot Maronite Arabic and Romani are also recognized as minority languages. In addition to these languages – according the Eurobarometer by European Commission – 76% of the population of Cyprus speak English, 12% speak French, and 5% speak German.[ Europeans and their Languages], 2006  ===Education===  [[University of Cyprus modern facilities.]] [[Faneromeni School, the oldest functioning all-girl primary school in Cyprus.]]  Cyprus has a highly developed system of primary and secondary education offering both public and private education. The high quality of instruction can be attributed to a large extent to the above-average competence of the teachers but also to the fact that nearly 7% of the GDP is spent on education which makes Cyprus one of the top three spenders of education in the EU along with Denmark and Sweden.[ UNICEF, Division of Policy and Practice, Statistics and Monitoring Section] childinfo.org, May 2008.  State schools are generally seen as equivalent in quality of education to private-sector institutions. However, the value of a state high-school diploma is limited by the fact that the grades obtained account for only around 25% of the final grade for each topic, with the remaining 75% assigned by the teacher during the semester, in a minimally transparent way. Cypriot universities (like universities in Greece) ignore high school grades almost entirely for admissions purposes. While a high-school diploma is mandatory for university attendance, admissions are decided almost exclusively on the basis of scores at centrally administered university entrance examinations that all university candidates are required to take.  The majority of Cypriots receive their higher education at Greek, British, Turkish, other European and North American universities. It is noteworthy that Cyprus currently has the highest percentage of citizens of working age who have higher-level education in the EU at 30% which is ahead of Finland's 29.5%. In addition 47% of its population aged 25–34 have tertiary education, which is the highest in the EU. The body of Cypriot students is highly mobile, with 78.7% studying in a university outside Cyprus.  ==Culture==  The culture of Cyprus is divided between the two distinct cultures of Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Each community maintains its own culture, linked to the cultures of Greece and Turkey, and there is little cultural interchange between the two groups. Due to the complex history of the island, cultures have shifted over time. The Greek culture first became prominent in the running of the island in the 1400s. The Turkish culture arrived with the invasion of the Ottoman Empire in 1570, and it was under this rule that the divide between the two communities became prominent and encouraged by government policies. The British did nothing to change this, leaving the island in its divided state with no unified culture.  ===Art===  The art history of Cyprus can be said to stretch back up to 10,000 years, following the discovery of a series of Chalcolithic period carved figures in the villages of Khoirokoitia and Lempa and the island is also the home to numerous examples of high quality religious icon painting from the Middle Ages. Cypriot architecture was heavily influenced by French Gothic and Italian renaissance introduced in the island during the era of Latin domination (1191–1571). [[Aphrodite; Greek goddess of love, beauty and sexuality is said to be born in Cyprus.]]  In modern times Cypriot art history begins with the painter Vassilis Vryonides (1883–1958) who studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice.Chrysanthos Christou, ''A short History of Modern and Contemporary Cypriot Art,'' Nicosia 1983. Arguably the two founding fathers of modern Cypriot art were Adamantios Diamantis (1900–1994) who studied at London's Royal College of Art and Christopheros Savva (1924–1968) who also studied in London, at St Martins School of Art.Ministry of Education and Culture, ''State Gallery of Contemporary Cypriot Art'' (Nicosia: MOEC,1998) In many ways these two artists set the template for subsequent Cypriot art and both their artistic styles and the patterns of their education remain influential to this day. In particular the majority of Cypriot artists still train in EnglandMichael Paraskos, 'The Art of Modern Cyprus', in ''Sunjet,'' Spring 2002, 62f although art schools in Greece are also popular and local art institutions such as the Cyprus College of Art, University of Nicosia and the Frederick Institute of Technology are becoming more popular.  One of the features of Cypriot art is a tendency towards figurative painting although conceptual art is being rigorously promoted by a number of art “institutions” and most notably the Nicosia Municipal Art Centre [ Municipal art galleries exist in all the main towns and there is a large and lively commercial art scene. Cyprus was due to host the international art festival Manifesta in 2006 but this was cancelled at the last minute following a dispute between the Dutch organizers of Manifesta and the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture over the location of some of the Manifesta events in the Turkish sector of the capital Nicosia. Michael Paraskos, 'Was Manifesta a CIA Plot?' in ''Artcyprus,'' issue 2, Autumn 2006, 2 : see chat--&gt;  Other notable Cypriot artists include Rhea Bailey, Mihail Kkasialos, Ioannis Kissonergis, Theodoulos Gregoriou, Helene Black, George Skoteinos, Kalopedis family, Nicos Nicolaides, Stass Paraskos, Arestís Stasí, Telemachos Kanthos, Konstantia Sofokleous and Chris Achilleos.  ===Music===  [[Bouzouki, the mainstay of most Cypriot folk music.]]  The traditional folk music of Cyprus has several common elements with Greek, Turkish, and Arabic music including Greco-Turkish dances such as the ''sousta'', ''syrtos'', ''zeibekikos'', ''tatsia'', and ''kartsilamas'' as well as the Middle Eastern-inspired ''tsifteteli'' and ''arapie''. There is also a form of musical poetry known as ''chattista'' which is often performed at traditional feasts and celebrations. The instruments commonly associated with Cyprus folk music are the bouzouki (''pictured''), oud (&quot;outi&quot;), violin (&quot;fkiolin&quot;), lute (&quot;laouto&quot;), accordion, Cyprus flute (&quot;pithkiavlin&quot;) and percussion (including the &quot;toumperleki&quot;). Composers associated with traditional Cypriot music include Evagoras Karageorgis, Marios Tokas, Solon Michaelides and Savvas Salides.  Popular music in Cyprus is generally influenced by the Greek ''Laïka'' scene with several artists including Anna Vissi, Evridiki, and Sarbel earning widespread popularity in Cyprus, Greece and parts of the Middle East. Hip Hop, R&amp;B and reggae are also very popular genres on the island and have been supported by the emergence of Cypriot rap and the urban music scene at Ayia Napa. Cypriot rock music and ''Éntekhno'' rock is often associated with artists such as Michalis Hatzigiannis and Alkinoos Ioannidis. Metal also has a small following in Cyprus represented by bands such as Winter's Verge and Quadraphonic.  ===Literature===  [[Zeno of Citium, founder of the Stoic school of philosophy.]]  Literary production of the antiquity includes the Cypria, an epic poem, probably composed in the late seventh century BC and attributed to Stasinus. The Cypria is one of the very first specimens of Greek and European poetry.&quot;An indication that at least the main contents of the ''Cypria'' were known around 650 BCE is provided by the representation of the Judgment of Paris on the Chigi vase&quot; (Burkert 1992:103). On the proto-Corinthian ewer of ca. 640 BCE known as the [ Chigi &quot;vase&quot;], Paris is identified as ''Alexandros'', as he was apparently called in ''Cypria''. The Cypriot Zeno of Citium was the founder of the Stoic School of Philosophy.  Epic poetry, notably the &quot;acritic songs&quot;, flourished during Middle Ages. Two chronicles, one written by Leontios Machairas and the other by Georgios Voustronios, cover the entire Middle Ages until the end of Frankish rule (4th century – 1489). Poèmes d'amour written in medieval Greek Cypriot date back from 16th century. Some of them are actual translations of poems written by Petrarch, Bembo, Ariosto and G. Sannazzaro.Th. Siapkaras- Pitsillidés, Le Pétrarchisme en Cypre. Poèmes d' amour en dialecte Chypriote d' après un manuscript du XVIe siècle, Athènes 1975 (2ème édition)  Hasan Hilmi Efendi, a Turkish Cypriot poet, was rewarded by the Ottoman sultan Mahmud II and said to be the &quot;sultan of the poems&quot;.Gazioğlu, Ahmet C. (1990). The Turks in Cyprus: a province of the Ottoman Empire (1571–1878), 293–295, K. Rüstem.  Modern literary figures from Cyprus include the poet and writer Kostas Montis, poet Kyriakos Charalambides, poet Michalis Pasiardis, writer Nicos Nicolaides, Stylianos Atteshlis, Altheides, Loukis Akritas and Demetris Th. Gotsis. Dimitris Lipertis, Vasilis Michaelides and Pavlos Liasides are folk poets who wrote poems mainly in the Cypriot-Greek dialect. Lawrence Durrell lived in Northern Cyprus from 1952 until 26 August 1956 and wrote the book Bitter Lemons concerning his time there which won the second Duff Cooper Prize in 1957. The majority of the play ''Othello'' by William Shakespeare is set on the island of Cyprus. Cyprus also figures in religious literature such as the Acts of the Apostles according to which the Apostles Barnabas and Paul preached on the island.  ===Cuisine===  Slices of fresh [[haloumi cheese with mint leaves packed in the centre.]]  Halloumi cheese originated in Cyprus and was initially made during the Medieval Byzantine period, subsequently gaining popularity throughout the Middle-East. Halloumi (Hellim) is commonly served sliced, either fresh or grilled, as an appetiser.  Meat meze with sliced luntza, chiromeri, onions and olives  Seafood and fish dishes of Cyprus include squid, octopus, red mullet, and sea bass. Cucumber and tomato are used widely in salads. Common vegetable preparations include potatoes in olive oil and parsley, pickled cauliflower and beets, asparagus and ''Taro''. Other traditional delicacies of the island are meat marinated in dried coriander, seeds and wine, and eventually dried and smoked, such as ''lountza'' (smoked pork loin), charcoal-grilled lamb, souvlaki (pork and chicken cooked over charcoal), and sheftalia (minced meat wrapped in mesentery). ''Pourgouri'' (bulgur, cracked wheat) is the traditional carbohydrate other than bread, and is used to make the Cypriot delicacy koubes.  Fresh vegetables and fruits are common ingredients in Cypriot cuisine. Frequently used vegetables include courgettes, green peppers, okra, green beans, artichokes, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and grape leaves, and pulses such as beans, broad beans, peas, black-eyed beans, chick-peas and lentils. The commonest among fruits and nuts are pears, apples, grapes, oranges, mandarines, nectarines, mespila, blackberries, cherry, strawberries, figs, watermelon, melon, avocado, lemon, pistachio, almond, chestnut, walnut, hazelnut.  Cyprus is also well-known for its desserts, including ''lokum'' (also known as Turkish Delight) and Soutzoukos.&quot;[ Cyprus villagers make giant sweet]&quot;, ''BBC News'', 18 October 2004 This island has protected geographical indication (PGI) for its ''lokum'' produced in the village of Geroskipou.  ===Sports=== [[Petter Solberg driving his Citroën Xsara WRC in Cyprus Rally.]] [[Marcos Baghdatis, Cypriot professional tennis player]] Governing bodies of sports in Cyprus include the Cyprus Football Association, Cyprus Basketball Federation, Cyprus Volleyball Federation, Cyprus Automobile Association, Cyprus Badminton Federation, Cyprus Cricket Association and the Cyprus Rugby Federation.  Football is by far the most popular spectator sport. The Cyprus League is nowadays considered as quite competitive and includes notable teams such as AC Omonia, APOEL FC, AEL Lemesos, Apollon FC, Anorthosis Famagusta FC, Nea Salamis Famagusta FC and AEK Larnaca FC. Stadiums or sports venues in Cyprus include the GSP Stadium (the largest in Cyprus), Tsirion Stadium (second largest), Neo GSZ Stadium, Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium, Ammochostos Stadium and Makario Stadium. Cyprus, also has a football national team which in the last decade has evolved to a promising squad within the European rankings.   Apart from the main interest in football, Cyprus has exhibited certain accomplishments in other sports. Marcos Baghdatis is one of the most successful tennis players in international stage. He was a finalist at the Australian Open in 2006, and reached the Wimbledon semi-final in the same year. Also Kyriakos Ioannou a Cypriot high jumper achieved a jump of 2.35&amp;nbsp;m at the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics held in Osaka, Japan, in 2007 winning the bronze medal. He was recently ranked as 3rd at international level and 2nd in Europe.  ===Media=== Newspapers include Phileleftheros, Politis (Cyprus), Simerini, Kıbrıs, Cyprus Mail, the Cyprus Observer, Cyprus Today, Cyprus Weekly, Halkın Sesi, Yeni Düzen, Havadis, Haravgi and Kathimerini (in a special Cypriot edition). TV channels include ANT1 Cyprus, Alfa TV, CNC Plus TV, Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, Mega Channel Cyprus, Bayrak, Kanal SIM and Sigma TV.  ===Research Centers=== Notable research institutions include: Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute, The Cyprus Institute, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, etc.  ===Architecture=== Exterior view of [[Kykkos Monastery]] There are nine churches and one monastery in Troodos that are counted among UNESCO's World Heritage Sites and several other monasteries, of which the Kykkos monastery is the richest and most famous. The churches are:  * Stavros tou Ayiasmati * Panayia tou Araka * Timiou Stavrou at Pelendri * Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis * Panayia Podithou * Assinou * Ayios loannis Lampadistis * Archangel Michael at Pedhoulas  [[Hala Sultan Tekke]] The area has been known since ancient times for its copper mines, and in the Byzantine period it became a great centre of Byzantine art, as churches and monasteries were built in the mountains, away from the threatened coastline.  The three prominent mosques in Cyprus are: * Hala Sultan Tekke * Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque * Arabahmet Mosque    