The Third Isle of the Mediterranean
Cyprus has an area of 9251 square kilometers and is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, after Sicily and Sardinia. It is 240 km wide and 100 km from north to south. Its actual territory has been cut by 3% due to the existence of two sovereign British bases, and also by 37% because of the existence, since 1974, of a Turkish territory. The territory is divided by the so-called Attila line. The island has 700 km of coastline. Its highest point, Olympos, is 1952 m high.

Status
Republic - independent since August 16, 1960

Government
Republic, multi-party regime, including a President of the Republic, a President of the Northern Turkish Republic, and a house of representatives made up of 80 members.

Capital: Nicosia

Currency: Cyprian pound

Languages spoken
Greek, Turkish

Religions
Muslim (brought to the island by the Turks in the 16th century) and Orthodox Christian (brought by the Greeks, who have been on the island since the third century BC)

Main industries
Cement, candy-making, agro-agriculture, tourism

Agriculture
Barley, citrus, potatoes, wheat and wine grapes