Background: Independence from the UK was approved in 1960 with constitutional guarantees by the Greek Cypriot majority to the Turkish Cypriot minority. In 1974, a Greek-sponsored attempt to seize the government was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled almost 40% of the island. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", but it is recognized only by Turkey. UN-led talks on the status of Cyprus resumed in December 1999 to prepare the ground for meaningful negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement.

Location: Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey

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