General Information
Area: 9251 sq km (3572 sq miles, including Turkish-occupied territory).
Population: 751,500 (1998, including population of Turkish-occupied region).
Population Density: 81.2 per sq km
Capital: Nicosia (Lefkosia). Population: 195,000 (1998, 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 Glafkos Klerides since 1993.
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. 13-amp square three-pin plugs (UK-type) are used.
Communications:
Telephone: Full IDD is available. Country code: 357. Outgoing international code: 00. Telecard (C£3,5 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: 900/1800 GSM network. Main operators include CYTAGSM.
Fax: This is available at district post offices in Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos.
Internet: ISPs include Cytanet (website: www.cytanet.com.cy), Spidernet (website: www.spidernet.net), Logosnet (website: www.logosnet.com.cy) and Avacomnet (website: www.avacom.net). Public access is available in cybercafés located in the cities, for instance Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos 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 during the winter period (Sep 1-Jun 30); Mon-Fri 0730-1330 and 1600-1900 except Wednesday; Sat 0830-1030 during the summer period (Jul 1-Aug 31). Other post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1330; Thurs 1500-1800 at other times.
Press: Newspapers published in English are the Cyprus Mail (daily), Cyprus Review (weekly), Cyprus Weekly and Cyprus Financial Mirror. Most others are in Greek and most English papers are available.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.
BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice):
Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov):
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.
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