Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia. It is at the crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa, and one of its roles is to build bridges between these continents. The island's main economic activities are banking, tourism, craft exports and merchant shipping. Over the years, the economy has gradually developed into a modern one with dynamic services, industrial and agricultural sectors, and an advanced physical and social infrastructure. The capital of Cyprus is Nicosia (Lefkosia). The official languages of the Republic of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish. English is widely spoken.
National name: Kypriaki Dimokratia-Kibris Cumhuriyeti
Current government officials
Languages: Greek, Turkish (both official); English
Ethnicity/race: Greek 77%, Turkish 18% (each concentrated almost exclusively in separate areas); other 5% (2001)
At present, all universities in Cyprus are state universities, namely, the University of Cyprus, the Open University of Cyprus and the Cyprus University of Technology. Higher education in Cyprus is also provided by a number of State Higher Education Institutions, and an even greater number of Private Institutions of Higher Education, none of which has university status.