World Country Guide

Area
9251 sq km (3572 sq miles, including Turkish-occupied territory).

Population
793,100 (2001, including Turkish-occupied region).

Population Density
119.3 per sq km

Capital
Nicosia (Lefkosia). Population: 205,633 (2001, excluding Turkish-occupied portion).

Geography
Cyprus is an island in the eastern Mediterranean. The landscape varies between rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, rocky hills and forest-covered mountains. The Troodos Mountains in the centre of the island rise to almost 1952m (6400ft) and provide good skiing during the winter. Between these and the range of hills which run eastward along the north coast and the ‘panhandle’ is the fertile Messaoria Plain. The Morphou Basin runs around the coast of Morphou Bay in the west.

Government
Republic since 1960. Head of State and Government: President Tassos Papadopoulos since 2003.

Language
The majority (approximately 80 per cent) speak Greek and approximately 20 per cent speak Turkish. The Greek Cypriot dialect is different from mainland Greek. Turkish is spoken by Turkish Cypriots. English, German and French are also spoken in tourist centres.

Religion
Greek Orthodox, with Muslim minority.

Time
GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Electricity
240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square 13-amp three-pin plugs (UK-type) are used.

Communications

Telephone
Full IDD is available. Country code: 357. Outgoing international code: 00. Telecard (C3, 5 or 10 denominations) or coin-operated public telephones are installed at various central locations in towns and villages. Call Direct (cheaper than ordinary collect calls) is available to most EU countries, as well as Australia, USA and Canada.

Mobile telephone
GSM 900/1800/3G network. Main operators include CYTA (website: www.cytamobile-vodafone.com) and Scancom (www.scancomcyprus.com).

Fax
This is available at district post offices in Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol and Pafos.

Internet
ISPs include Avacomnet (website: www.avacom.net), Cytanet (website: www.cytanet.com.cy), Logosnet (website: www.logosnet.com.cy) and Spidernet (website: www.spidernet.net). Public access is available in Internet cafes located in the cities, for instance Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Pafos and Ayia Napa.

Telegram
There are telegraph links to the international network through major hotels and the Central Telegraph Office, Egypt Avenue, Nicosia. A 24-hour service is provided with three charge rates.

Post
There are daily airmail services to all developed countries. Service to Europe takes three to four days. Poste Restante facilities are available in main cities and resorts. District Post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1330 and 1500-1800 except Wednesday, Saturday 0830-1030 during the winter period (1 Sep to 30 Jun); Mon-Fri 0730-1330 and 1600-1900 except Wednesday, Sat 0830-1030 during the summer period (1 Jul to 31 Aug). Other post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1330, Thurs 1500-1800 at other times.

Press
Newspapers published in English are the The Blue Beret, Cyprus Financial Mirror, Cyprus Mail (daily), Cyprus Today (Turkish Cypriot) and Cyprus Weekly. Most others are in Greek and most English papers are available.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Note
In addition, the CTO sponsors programmes for tourists Mon-Sat on 603kHz (498m) and FM94.8. The times are as follows: German 0800; English 0830; French 0900; Swedish 0930; Arabic 1000.