Cyprus Overview

Climate
temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
Terrain
central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast
Elevation
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Olympus 1,951 m
Geography note
the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia)
Ethnic groups
Greek 85.2%, Turkish 11.6%, other 3.2% (2000)
Religions
Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4%
Languages
Greek, Turkish, English
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus, conventional short form: Cyprus.
Capital: Nicosia
Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos; note - Turkish Cypriot area's administrative divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta, and small parts of Lefkosa (Nicosia) and Larnaca Independence: 16 August 1960 (from UK); note - Turkish Cypriot area proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriot area celebrates 15 November (1983) as Independence Day.
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