STUDY IN  CYPRUS - About CYPRUS

General Information

Area of Cyprus: 9,251 km2

Population: 1.1 million (2011- estimate)

Capital of Cyprus: Nicosia

Ethnicity / Race diversity in Cyprus:  Greek 60%, Turkish 24%,  other 16%

Official Languages of Cyprus: Greek & Turkish

Currency used in Cyprus: Euro

Religion: diversity in Cyprus 73% Orthodox, 25% Islamic, 2% other

Time: zone of Cyprus GMT + 3

Electricity:, Type G (3 prong plug), 240V, 50hz

Telephone code of Cyprus:  +357

Internet TLD: .cy

Geography

Location of Cyprus: Island in the Mediterranean Sea

Geographic coordinates of Cyprus: 35°N 33°E

Coastline of Cyprus: 648 km

Climate of Cyprus: sub Tropicl/semi – arid:  maintain cool winters (lows of 8'C) but warm and hot summers (highs of 35'C). Snowfall is only seen in the mountains and rain fall is greatest in Cyprus during the winter months.

Terrain of Cyprus : Cyprus has two large main mountain ranges the Troodos Mountains and the Kyrenia Mountain range. In between them lies a large central plains land called the Mesaoria. Despite this plain, most of the country is hilly or mountainous

Highest point in Cyprus: 1,952 m (6,404 ft)

Natural resources: Copper, salt, marble, clay

Natural hazards: Drought, Earthquake, Storms, Wildfire, Extreme temperatures (all however are uncommon)

Government

The government of Cyprus is considered a presidential republic where the president is voted in for a five year term. Government policies are voted for and in the House of Representatives- there are seats for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, yet the Turkish seats have been vacant since 1964. The Northern Republic of Cyprus considers itself its own government and holds its own separate elections with its own parliament. Despite this divide, the United Nations still only recognizes the [Southern] Republic of Cyprus as the government for the entire island country.

Cyprus is a part of the European Union as well as the Euro zone, using the Euro as its default currency. Cyprus has not however, joined the Schengen Area as of yet, but is promised to do so in the future.