5 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Cyprus \Cy"prus\ (s?"pr?s), n. [OE. cipres, cypirs; perh. so
named as being first manufactured in Cyprus. Cf {Cipers}.]
A thin, transparent stuff, the same as or corresponding to
crape. It was either white or black, the latter being most
common, and used for mourning. [Obs.]
Lawn as white as driven snow, Cyprus black as e'er was
crow. --Shak.
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
Cyprus
n 1: a country on the island of Cyprus; 80% of the people are of
Greek origin and 20% or Turkish origin [syn: {Cyprus}]
2: an island in the Mediterranean [syn: {Cyprus}]
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:
Cyprus
one of the largest islands of the Mediterranean, about 148 miles
long and 40 broad. It is distant about 60 miles from the Syrian
coast. It was the Chittim" of the Old Testament (Num. 24:24).
The Greek colonists gave it the name of Kypros from the cyprus,
i.e., the henna (see {CAMPHIRE}), which grew on this
island. It was originally inhabited by Phoenicians. In B.C. 477
it fell under the dominion of the Greeks; and became a Roman
province B.C. 58. In ancient times it was a centre of great
commercial activity. Corn and wine and oil were produced here in
the greatest perfection. It was rich also in timber and in
mineral wealth.
It is first mentioned in the New Testament (Acts 4:36) as the
native place of Barnabas. It was the scene of Paul's first
missionary labours (13:4-13), when he and Barnabas and John Mark
were sent forth by the church of Antioch. It was afterwards
visited by Barnabas and Mark alone (15:39). Mnason, an "old
disciple," probaly one of the converts of the day of Pentecost
belonging to this island, is mentioned (21:16). It is also
mentioned in connection with the voyages of Paul (Acts 21:3;
27:4). After being under the Turks for three hundred years, it
was given up to the British Government in 1878.
From Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary (late 1800's) [hitchcock]:
Cyprus, fair; fairness
From The CIA World Factbook (1995) [world95]:
Cyprus
Cyprus:Geography
Location: Middle East, island in the Mediterreanean Sea, south of
Turkey
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 9,250 sq km (note - 3,355 sq km are in the Turkish area)
land area: 9,240 sq km
comparative area: about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 648 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: 1974 hostilities divided the island into two
de facto autonomous areas, a Greek area controlled by the Cypriot
Government (59% of the island's land area) and a Turkish-Cypriot area
(37% of the island), that are separated by a UN buffer zone (4% of the
island); there are two UK sovereign base areas within the Greek
Cypriot portion of the island
Climate: temperate, Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool, wet
winters
Terrain: central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered
but significant plains along southern coast
Natural resources: copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt,
marble, clay earth pigment
Land use:
arable land: 40%
permanent crops: 7%
meadows and pastures: 10%
forest and woodland: 18%
other: 25%
Irrigated land: 350 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: water resource problems (no natural reservoir
catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, and most potable resources
concentrated in the Turkish Cypriot area); water pollution from sewage
and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats
from urbanization
natural hazards: moderate earthquake activity
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,
Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change
Cyprus:People
Population:
total: 736,636 (July 1995 est.) (78% Greek, 18% Turk, 4% other)
Greek area: 602,656 (July 1995 est.) (94.9% Greek, 0.3% Turk, 4.8%
other)
Turkish area: 133,980 (July 1995 est.) (2.1% Greek, 97.7% Turk, 0.2%
other)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26% (female 92,179; male 97,723)
15-64 years: 64% (female 234,929; male 236,693)
65 years and over: 10% (female 42,190; male 32,922) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.88% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 16.27 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 7.48 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.47 years
male: 74.19 years
female: 78.85 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.3 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Cypriot(s)
adjective: Cypriot
Ethnic divisions:
total: Greek 78% (99.5% of the Greeks live in the Greek area; 0.5% of
the Greeks live in the Turkish area), Turkish 18% (1.3% of the Turks
live in the Greek area; 98.7% of the Turks live in the Turkish area),
other 4% (99.2% of the other ethnic groups live in the Greek area;
0.8% of the other ethnic groups live in the Turkish area)
Religions: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian
Apostolic, and other 4%
Languages: Greek, Turkish, English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1987 est.)
total population: 94%
male: 98%
female: 91%
Labor force:
Greek area: 285,500
by occupation: services 57%, industry 29%, agriculture 14% (1992)
Turkish area: 74,000
by occupation: services 52%, industry 23%, agriculture 25% (1992)
Cyprus:Government
Names:
conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus
conventional short form: Cyprus
note: the Turkish area refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic" or
the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus"
Abbreviation: the Turkish area is sometimes referred to as the TRNC
which is short for "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus"
Digraph: CY
Type: republic
note: a disaggregation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the
island began after the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this
separation was further solidified following the Turkish invasion of
the island in July 1974, which gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto
control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally
recognized government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot President
Rauf DENKTASH declared independence and the formation of a "Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), which has been recognized only by
Turkey; both sides publicly call for the resolution of intercommunal
differences and creation of a new federal system of government
Capital: Nicosia
note: the Turkish area's capital is Lefkosa (Nicosia)
Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Famagusta Kyrenia Larnaca
Limassol Nicosia, Paphos; note - Turkish area administrative
divisions include Kyrenia all but a small part of Famagusta and
small parts of Nicosia and Larnaca
Independence: 16 August 1960 (from UK)
note: Turkish area proclaimed self-rule on NA February 1975 from
Republic of Cyprus
National holiday: Independence Day 1 October
note: Turkish area celebrates 15 November as Independence Day
Constitution: 16 August 1960; negotiations to create the basis for a
new or revised constitution to govern the island and to better
relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held
intermittently; in 1975 Turkish Cypriots created their own
Constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated State
of Cyprus," which was renamed the "Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus" in 1983; a new Constitution for the Turkish area passed by
referendum on 5 May 1985
Legal system: based on common law, with civil law modifications
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Glafcos CLERIDES
(since 28 February 1993); election last held 14 February 1993 (next to
be held February 1998); results - Glafkos CLERIDES 50.3%, George
VASSILIOU 49.7%
cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed jointly by the president and
vice-president
note: Rauf R. DENKTASH has been president of the Turkish area since 13
February 1975; Hakki ATUN has been prime minister of the Turkish area
since 1 January 1994; there is a Council of Ministers (cabinet) in the
Turkish area; elections last held 15 and 22 April 1995 (next to be
held April 2000); results - Rauf R. DENKTASH 62.5%, Dervis EROGLU
37.5%
Legislative branch: unicameral
Greek area: House of Representatives (Vouli Antiprosopon): elections
last held 19 May 1991 (next to be held NA); results - DISY 35.8%, AKEL
(Communist) 30.6%, DIKO 19.5%, EDEK 10.9%; others 3.2%; seats - (56
total) DISY 20, AKEL (Communist) 18, DIKO 11, EDEK 7
Turkish area: Assembly of the Republic (Cumhuriyet Meclisi): elections
last held 12 December 1993 (next to be held NA); results - UBP 29.9%,
DP 29.2%, CTP 24.2% TKP 13.3%, others 3.4%; seats - (50 total) UBP
(conservative) 15, DP 16, CTP 13, TKP 5, UDP 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; note - there is also a Supreme Court
in the Turkish area
Political parties and leaders:
Greek area: Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL, Communist
Party), Dimitrios CHRISTOFIAS Democratic Rally (DISY), John MATSIS;
Democratic Party (DIKO), Spyros KYPRIANOU United Democratic Union of
the Center (EDEK), Vassos LYSSARIDIS Socialist Democratic Renewal
Movement (ADISOK), Mikhalis PAPAPETROU Liberal Party, Nikos ROLANDIS
Free Democrats, George VASSILIOU
Turkish area: National Unity Party (UBP), Dervis EROGLU Communal
Liberation Party (TKP), Mustafa AKINCI Republican Turkish Party
(CTP), Ozker OZGUR New Cyprus Party (YKP), Alpay DURDURAN Free
Democratic Party (HDP), Ismet KOTAK; National Justice Party (MAP),
Zorlu TORE; Unity and Sovereignty Party (BEP), Arif Salih KIRDAG
Democratic Party (DP), Hakki ATUN; Fatherland Party (VP), Orhan UCOK;
National Birth Party (UDP); the HDP, MAP, and VP merged under the
label National Struggle Unity Party (MMBP) to compete in the 12
December 1993 legislative election
Other political or pressure groups: United Democratic Youth
Organization (EDON, Communist controlled); Union of Cyprus Farmers
(EKA, Communist controlled); Cyprus Farmers Union (PEK, pro-West);
Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation (PEO, Communist controlled);
Confederation of Cypriot Workers (SEK, pro-West); Federation of
Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions (Turk-Sen); Confederation of
Revolutionary Labor Unions (Dev-Is)
Member of: C, CCC, CE EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICFTU IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO,
INMARSAT INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer),
OSCE, PCA, UN UNCTAD UNESCO, UNIDO UPU, WCL, WFTU WHO WIPO, WMO,
WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Andreas J. JACOVIDES
chancery: 2211 R Street NW Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772
consulate(s) general: New York
note: Representative of the Turkish area in the US is Namik KORMAN,
office at 1667 K Street NW Washington, DC telephone [1] (202)
887-6198
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard A. BOUCHER
embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, Engomi Nicosia
mailing address: P. O. Box 4536 APO AE 09836
telephone: [357] (2) 476100
FAX: [357] (2) 465944
Flag: white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name
Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green
crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches
symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and
Turkish communities
note: the Turkish Cypriot flag has a horizontal red stripe at the top
and bottom between which is a red crescent and red star on a white
field
Economy
Overview: The Greek Cypriot economy is small diversified, and
prosperous. Industry contributes 14% to GDP and employs 29% of the
labor force, while the service sector contributes 53% to GDP and
employs 57% of the labor force. An average 6.8% rise in real GDP
between 1986 and 1990 was temporarily checked in 1991, because of the
adverse effects of the Gulf war on tourism. After surging 8.5% in
1992, growth slowed to 2.0% in 1993 - its lowest level in two decades
- because of the decline in tourist arrivals associated with the
recession in Western Europe, Cyprus' main trading partner, and the
loss in export competitiveness due to a sharp rise in unit labor
costs. Real GDP is likely to have picked up in 1994, and inflation is
estimated to have risen to between 5% and 6%. The Turkish Cypriot
economy has less than one-third the per capita GDP of the south.
Because it is recognized only by Turkey, it has had much difficulty
arranging foreign financing, and foreign firms have hesitated to
invest there The economy remains heavily dependent on agriculture,
which employs one-quarter of the work force. Moreover, because the
Turkish lira is legal tender, the Turkish Cypriot economy has suffered
the same high inflation as mainland Turkey. The small vulnerable
economy is estimated to have experienced a sharp drop in growth during
1994 because of the severe economic crisis affecting the mainland. To
compensate for the economy's weakness, Turkey provides direct and
indirect aid to nearly every sector; financial support has risen in
value to about one-third of Turkish Cypriot GDP.
National product:
Greek area: GDP - purchasing power parity - $7.3 billion (1994 est.)
Turkish area: GDP - purchasing power parity - $510 million (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate:
Greek area: 5% (1994 est.)
Turkish area: -4% (1994 est.)
National product per capita:
Greek area: $12,500 (1994 est.)
Turkish area: $3,500 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Greek area: 4.8% (1993)
Turkish area: 63.4% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
Greek area: 2.3% (1993)
Turkish area: 1.2% (1992)
Budget:
revenues: Greek area - $1.8 billion Turkish area - $285 million
expenditures: Greek area - $2.4 billion, including capital
expenditures of $400 million Turkish area - $377 million, including
capital expenditures of $80 million (1995 est.)
Exports: $868 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: citrus, potatoes, grapes, wine, cement, clothing and
shoes
partners: UK 18%, Greece 9%, Lebanon 14%, Germany 6%
Imports: $2.6 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, food and feed
grains, machinery
partners: UK 13%, Japan 9%, Italy 10%, Germany 8%, US 8%
External debt: $2.4 billion (1993)
Industrial production: growth rate 0.1% (1993); accounts for 14% of
GDP
Electricity:
capacity: 550,000 kW
production: 2.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,903 kWh (1993)
Industries: food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products,
tourism, wood products
Agriculture: contributes 6% to GDP and employs 25% of labor force in
the south; major crops - potatoes, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives,
citrus fruits; vegetables and fruit provide 25% of export revenues
Illicit drugs: transit point for heroin via air routes and container
traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey
Economic aid:
recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $292 million;
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $250 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $62 million;
Communist countries (1970-89), $24 million
Currency: 1 Cypriot pound (#C) = 100 cents; 1 Turkish lira TL = 100
kurus
Exchange rates: Cypriot pounds per $US1 - 0.4725 (January 1995),
0.4915 (1994), 0.4970 (1993), 0.4502 (1992), 0.4615 (1991), 0.4572
(1990); Turkish liras TL per US$1 - 37,444.1 (December 1994),
29,608.7 (1994), 10,984.6 (1993), 6,872.4 (1992), 4,171.8 (1991),
2,608.6 (1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Cyprus:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways:
Greek area: *** No data for this item ***
total: 10,448 km
paved: 5,694 km
unpaved: gravel, crushed stone, earth 4,754 km (1992)
Turkish area: *** No data for this item ***
total: 6,116 km
paved: 5,278 km
unpaved: 838 km
Ports: Famagusta Kyrenia Larnaca Limassol Vasilikos Bay
Merchant marine:
total: 1,446 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,911,818
GRT/39,549,216 DWT
ships by type: bulk 473, cargo 530, chemical tanker 28, combination
bulk 55, combination ore/oil 24, container 92, liquefied gas tanker 3,
multifunction large-load carrier 5, oil tanker 120, passenger 5,
passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 58,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 33, short-sea passenger 14, specialized tanker
2, vehicle carrier 2
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes 48 countries among
which are ships of Greece 705, Germany 174, Russia 56, Netherlands 45,
Japan 27, Belgium 25, UK 21, Spain 17, Switzerland 14, Hong Kong 13
Airports:
total: 15
with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 4
with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1
Cyprus:Communications
Telephone system: 210,000 telephones; excellent in both the area
controlled by the Cypriot Government (Greek area), and in the
Turkish-Cypriot administered area; largely open-wire and microwave
radio relay
local: NA
intercity: microwave radio relay
international: international service by tropospheric scatter, 3
submarine cables, and 2 INTELSAT (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
and 1 EUTELSAT earth station
Radio:
Greek sector: NA
broadcast stations: AM 11, FM 8, shortwave 0
radios: NA
Turkish sector: NA
broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 6, shortwave 0
radios: NA
Television:
Greek sector: NA
broadcast stations: 1 (repeaters 34)
televisions: NA
Turkish sector: NA
broadcast stations: 1
televisions: NA
Cyprus:Defense Forces
Branches:
Greek area: Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG; includes air and naval
elements), Greek Cypriot Police
Turkish area: Turkish Cypriot Security Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 188,231; males fit for military
service 129,397; males reach military age (18) annually 5,467 (1995
est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $457 million, 5.6% of
GDP (1995)
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