Cyprus

AREA: 9,251 square miles (including the Turkish part).

Population: 771,657 (2003, including the Turkish part).

Population Density: 82 per sq km.

CAPITAL: Nicosia. Population: 197,000 (2003; Turkish part not included).

GEOGRAPHY: Cyprus lies in the eastern Mediterranean. The island has rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, rocky hills and wooded mountains. The Troodos mountains in the country in mid-climb to over 1950 m and offer excellent ski slopes in winter. Between this mountain chain and in an easterly direction running hills of the northern coast and the countryside in eastern tip extends the fruitful Messaoria level. The Morphou level on the coast of the bay is located in the west of the island.

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Presidential (the Commonwealth) since 1960. Constitution of 1960. Parliament with 80 seats, and 24 for the Turkish Cypriots any seats remain vacant.
State and Head of government: Tassos Papadopoulos, since March 2003. Regardless since 1960 (former British colony). International is the only government in Greek Cypriot territory recognized. Greek Cypriot area since 2004 mietglied the EU, only Turkey recognizes the unilaterally proclaimed "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in the northern part of the island.

LANGUAGE: The official languages are Greek and Turkish. The Greek-Cypriot dialect differs significantly from the Greek mainland. English is as education and transport important language. In holiday areas is often either German or French.

RELIGION: 80% Greek Orthodox, 19% Muslims (Sunnis), minority Armenian Christians, Maronites, Catholics and Anglicans.

Time: + 1 (GMT + 2); March through October: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3).

Electricity: 240 V, 50 Hz adapter required.

POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR:

Phone: Selbstwählferndienst. Card and coin available, tele cards are 3, 5 or £ 10 C available.

Country Code: 357th

Phone: GSM 900th Network is CYTAGSM. The cellular network is limited to the government-controlled territory. Turkish part; KKTCELL, Vodafone.

Faxes: standing in the main post offices of Nicosia, Larnaca, Paphos and Lemesos available.

Internet: Internet providers are Cytanet, Spidernet, Logosnet and Avacomnet. In Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos and Ayia Napa, there are internet cafes.

Telegrams: Is it possible in major hotels as well as in Haupttelegrafenamt (Egypt Avenue, Lefkosia) abandon. There is a 24-hour service with three price levels.

Post: Airmail within Europe is three days. The post offices of all major cities and tourist destinations to take general delivery.