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If
you could sneak your way past the UN guards and local toughs
patrolling the Green Line, Cyprus would be two countries for
the price of one. Unfortunately, this really is a country
divided - since 1974, visitors have had to choose between
the Turkish experience of the north and the Greek experience
of the south. Most have chosen the southern Republic, and
as a consequence this part of the country has broken out in
a nasty rash of pastel hotels and chips-with-everything tavernas.
With
a bit of effort, however, it's possible to escape the hordes
and immerse yourself in a culture that draws on Europe, the
Middle East, and 9000 years of constant invasion. Crusader
castles rub shoulders with ancient vineyards, frescoed monasteries
overlook citrus orchards, and sandy, sun-soaked feet tread
Roman mosaic floors.
Full
country name: Republic of Cyprus
Area: 9251 sq km (3608 sq mi), with 3355 sq km in North Cyprus
Population:785,000 (including 141,000 in North Cyprus)
Capital city: Lefkosia (pop 193,000)
People: Cypriot (Greek 78%, Turkish 18%)
Language: Greek, Turkish, English
Religion: Greek Orthodox, Muslim
Government: Presidential Republic
President: Tassos Papadopoulos
GDP: US$10 billion
GDP per head: US$15,400 (Republic), US$5000 (North)
Annual growth: 3%
Inflation: 1.7% (much higher in the North)
Major industries: Tourism,fruit & vegetables, wine, cement,
clothing, shoes
Major trading partners: Russian, Bulgaria, UK, Greece, Japan,
Germany, Turkey (North only)
Member of EU: no, but negotiating membership
Euro zone participant: no
Cyprus
Flight from UK
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