Cyprus

Islands in Cyprus

Name: Kypros/Kibris · Zypern · Chypre · Chipre · Cipro
Location: Eastern Mediterranean Sea
Initials: CY
International country code: 357 (south) and 90 (north)
International access code: 00
Language: Greek, Turkish
Area: 9,251 km² / 3,572 sq mi.
Currency: 1 Euro (€) = 100 Cents (south part). 1 Turkish Lira (TL) =100 Kurus
Population: 854,300
Capital: Nicosia (south part), Lefkosa (north part)
Religions: 95% Christ Orthodox
Climate: Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers (Jun-Aug) and cooler, wet winters.
Important gay cities: Nicosia

In 2004 Cyprus joined the European Community, making life easier for the gay community. The EU directives do not tolerate discrepancy in any of the member states in regard to the treatment of homosexuals and heterosexuals. These differences, along with paragraph 171 were abolished before the new EU countries were accepted. Furthermore the age of consent was lowered from 18 to 17 years and raised for heterosexuals to 17. Nevertheless Cypriot society remains conservative. The situation in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (controlled by the Turkish military) remains unclear although we made several attempts to obtain clarification from the Turkish authorities.