_#_Literacy: 90% (male 96%, female 85%) age 10 and over can read and write (1976)
_#_Labor force: Greek area—246,100; services 42%, industry 33%, agriculture 22%; Turkish area—NA (1989)
_#_Organized labor: 156,000 (1985 est.)
_*Government #_Long-form name: Republic of Cyprus
_#_Type: republic; a disaggregation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began after the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified following the Turkish invasion of the island in July 1974, which gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot President Rauf Denktash declared independence and the formation of a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which has been recognized only by Turkey; both sides publicly call for the resolution of intercommunal differences and creation of a new federal system of government
_#_Capital: Nicosia
_#_Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos
_#_Independence: 16 August 1960 (from UK)
_#_Constitution: 16 August 1960; negotiations to create the basis for a new or revised constitution to govern the island and to better relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held intermittently; in 1975 Turkish Cypriots created their own Constitution and governing bodies within the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus, which was renamed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983; a new Constitution for the Turkish area passed by referendum in May 1985
_#_Legal system: based on common law, with civil law modifications