About Cyprus

Cyprus is a small island nation of the southern coast of Turkey. The country routinely welcomes millions of tourists every year. To give you a better understanding of Cyprus we have provided a general outline of the country so that you may better enjoy your stay.

Official Name: Republic of Cyprus, also known simply as Cyprus. It is important to note, however that the Turkish administered northern part of the country refers to itself as the TRNC, or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Capital: The capital of Cyprus is Nicosia, and is located roughly in the middle of the country just south of the demilitarized zone.

Location: Cyprus is located in the Eastern Mediterranean off the southern coast of Turkey. As Cyprus is an island country it shares no land borders with any other nation. Despite being a member of the EU, Cyprus is technically, geographically located in the Middle East.

Size: With a total area of 9,250 square kilometers Cyprus is the 178 th largest country in the world behind Lebanon and ahead of Brunei.

Climate: Cyprus experiences a temperate climate due to its location in the Mediterranean. Summers are normally hot and dry while winters are cool and windy.

Population: Cyprus has a total population of approximately 788,457 making it one of the lowest populated countries in the world. In terms of total population Cyprus ranks 168 th on a global level.

Life expectancy at birth: There is an average life expectancy in Cyprus of 77.98 years at birth. This is actually the 46 th highest national life expectancy in the world and can be attributed to the extremely high standard of healthcare services throughout the country.

Major illnesses: There are no major disease risks in Cyprus, however visitors should be aware that illnesses such as malaria may be a possible concern and are advised to consult a medical expert before departing on their journey.

Ethnicities: There are two main ethnic groups in Cyprus. 77% of the population is of Greek origin while 18% claim Turkish ancestry. The remaining 5% of the population is split between a number of nationalities including British nationals.

Languages: The major languages spoken in Cyprus are Greek in the south, Turkish in the north, and English throughout the country.

Religion: The main religion of Cyprus is Greek Orthodox with 78% of the population regularly attending services. 18% of the Cypriot population observes Islam while the remaining 4% practice a number of religions.

Government: Cyprus, despite the split between the north and south, is a republic. However it is only the government of the southern half of the country that is recognized on an international level as a sovereign nation. Despite the ‘declaration of independence' by the TRNC, the northern half of the country is still viewed, at an international level, as being under Cypriot control.

Head of State: The Cypriot head of State is also the head of the government, and at present this is President Dimitris Christofias. Under the 1960 constitution the post of Vice president is reserved for a Cypriot of Turkish ethnicities and remains vacant at present.

Economy: The economy of the Republic of Cyprus is dominated by service industries, mainly finance and tourism. Comparatively the Cypriot economy is one of the strongest in Europe as the nations GDP is slightly less than those of France, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom. With the recent discovery of Oil in the sea between Egypt and Cyprus, the nations economy is expected to experience a boom in the coming years as foreign investment and interest are heightened with a view to harvesting these potentially large fields of oil and natural gas.

GDP: With a purchasing power parity of US$ 21.4 billion and an actual GDP of US$ 17.42 billion, Cyprus has the 90 th highest GDP in the world.

For more information about Cyprus expat insurance, the international health insurance plans that we can offer in Cyprus, or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our expert advisers today.

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