COUNTRY PROFILE

Cyprus Flag, Capital and Country Facts

Cyprus lies in the eastern Mediterranean Sea between Europe, West Asia and North Africa. Its flag depicts the whole island and connects the outline with olive branches. The peace-oriented motive contrasts with an unresolved political division. Archaeological settlements, painted mountain churches and coastal towns make very different periods of island history visible.

Test your knowledge →

Cyprus Flag: Meaning & Country Facts · supplied learning collection

Cyprus at a glance

Capital: Nicosia
Quiz continent: Asia
Languages in reference record: Greek and Turkish
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Population: 1,370,754 (2025, World Bank)
Area: 9,251 km²
Coastal setting: Not landlocked
ISO codes: CY / CYP
Internet country suffix: .cy

Highest mountain: Olympus in Troodos, 1,951 m
UN mission: UNFICYPES
Independence Year: 1960
National holiday: 1 October
Northeastern Peninsula: Carpas
Mountains: Troodos

Cyprus Flag: Design, Meaning and History

On a white background, the copper-colored outline of the island of Cyprus appears. Among them are two crossed green olive branches. Both a cross and a crescent and star are missing. The map is not an additional territory, but the actual image motif; the long peninsula in the northeast helps with recognition.

The copper-colored representation recalls the historical significance of copper. The olive branches stand for peace and reconciliation between Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. The flag belongs to the Republic of Cyprus and was introduced to independence in 1960. It must be distinguished from the flag of the North Cypriot administration recognised only by Turkey.

Capital: Nicosia

Nicosia is inland. Greek is the town of Lefkosia, Turkish Lefkoşa. The capital is divided by a buffer zone monitored by the United Nations. It also runs through the historic city center and distinguishes Nicosia from capitals whose political functions are organized on an undivided urban area.

UNFICYP describes several transitions in the city, including Ledra Street and Ledra Palace. Such a connection does not annul the political separation. For classification, the capital of the republic, effective administration of northern areas and international status must be kept apart. The geographical representation of the entire island on the flag does not decide these questions.

Practise this capital →

Cyprus: Geography, History and Culture

In the west and south rises the Troodos Mountains with the Olympus as the highest mountain. In between and on the coast are plains and agricultural areas. Mediterranean summer drought makes water an important resource. The contrast between mountains and coastal areas also characterizes the distribution of historical settlements. The central Mesaoria plain lies between the mountain trains. It complements the image of a mountainous island with an important open settlement and agricultural area in the vicinity of the capital.

Greek and Turkish are the constitutional official languages. Political division since 1974 has greatly altered the spatial distribution of communities. The UN buffer zone is therefore more than an ordinary regional border. The Republic of Cyprus is a member of the European Union; the actual application of EU law in the north has a special status.

The cultural sites range from the Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia to early Christian and Byzantine evidence. Paphos stands for ancient coastal culture, the painted churches for the mountain interior. This different location helps to compare the historical functions: port and city life on the one hand, rural religious buildings on the other. Basic data comes in addition from the factbook archive status of 2025.

Choirokoitia

The Neolithic settlement is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It traces far back to the epochs associated with today’s religious and political identities.