Cyprus
Cyprus
- Capital
- Nicosia
- Population
- 1,207,361
- Region
- Europe
- Languages
- Greek (modern), Turkish, Armenian
The shape of the entire island is depicted on its national flag, making it one of only two countries in the world to feature its territory's silhouette. Halloumi cheese, which is protected under European law, originated here and is traditionally made from a mixture of goat and sheep milk. Curiously, the island is home to the oldest known pet cat in the world, discovered in a burial site dating back approximately 9,500 years. This pre-dates the famous feline associations of Ancient Egypt by several millennia.
Currency
The official currency is the Euro, denoted by the ISO code EUR. Before adopting the Euro in 2008, the nation used the Cypriot Pound, which was unique because it was originally equivalent to the British Pound Sterling and was subdivided into 1,000 mils instead of the standard 100 units.
Flag symbolism
The flag features a copper-colored silhouette of the island centered on a plain white field, symbolizing the copper ore deposits that gave the island its name in antiquity. Underneath the map are two crossed olive branches, which represent the hope for peace between the Greek and Turkish communities. The white background was specifically chosen as a neutral color to signify harmony and non-partisanship. According to the constitution, the flag must specifically avoid using red or blue, as those colors are associated with the flags of Turkey and Greece respectively.
Emblem history
The coat of arms depicts a copper-yellow shield bearing a white dove carrying an olive branch, an internationally recognized symbol of peace. Below the dove, the year 1960 is inscribed, marking the date the island gained independence from British colonial rule. The shield is surrounded by two green olive-tree branches, further emphasizing the national desire for reconciliation and unity. This emblem was designed to be culturally neutral during the establishment of the republic to represent both major ethnic groups equally.