Cyprus has been an independent state in the Eastern Mediterranean since 1960. The state’s official name is the Republic of Cyprus. On May 1st, 2004, the Republic of Cyprus became a member of the European Union.
Surface and Population: Cyprus has a surface of 9.251 square meters. It is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily and Sardinia.
Since 1974, 36.2% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus has been illegally occupied by Turkey.
According to data from the Cypriot Statistical Service, the population of Cyprus in 2011 was 952.100 inhabitants. 681.000 of this number were Greek Cypriots (71.5%), 90.100 were Turkish Cypriots (9.5%) and 181.000 were foreigners. Maronites, Armenians and Latins (Catholics) are counted among the Greek Cypriots, as –in accordance with the Constitution of 1960- they have decided to be a part of the Greek Cypriot community.
Most important cities: The capital of the Republic of Cyprus is Nicosia. Nicosia is also the largest city on the island with 245.900 inhabitants (2011 census). On the south tip of the island, Limassol forms the largest commercial port and is the city with the second highest population (184.600 inhabitants). The main airport of the island is located just outside the city of Larnaca, which forms the third biggest city of Cyprus. The second international airport of Cyprus is in Pafos, which is located on the south-western coast of the island and is famous for its ancient monuments. Other major Cypriot cities are Kyrenia on the northern coast and the (today uninhabited) Famagusta on the eastern coast. Both cities are located in the part of the island occupied by Turkey since the invasion of 1974.
Form of Governance: Cyprus is an independent sovereign republic with a presidential system of governance. The President appoints the members of the Council of Ministers, which exercises the executive power. The President, who is the Head of State, is directly elected by the popular vote. The duration of his term of office is 5 years.
The legislative power is exercised by the House of Representatives. The deputies are elected for 5 years. By the time of the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, the number of the deputies was 50. 35 of them were Greek Cypriots and 15 of them were Turkish Cypriots. Following the constitutional amendment of 1985, the number of the members of the House of Representatives increased to 80 parliamentary seats. 56 parliamentary seats are allotted to Greek Cypriots. The remaining 24 seats are reserved for the Turkish Cypriots and remain vacant.