On Aug. 7, 1960, the Republic of Cyprus was proclaimed with a national flag of a neutral design. It bears the island in silhouette and a green olive wreath, for peace. In 1974 there was a Turkish invasion of the island. A puppet government, which adopted a flag based on the Turkish model, was set up on the northern third of Cyprus.

Cyprus Population (1998): 861,000. Official name: Kipriakí Dimokratía (Greek); Kibris Cumhuriyeti (Turkish) (Republic of Cyprus). Form of government: unitary multiparty republic with a unicameral legislature (House of Representatives [80]). Head of state and government: President. Population (1998): 673,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1995): 7.7 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (1996): U.S.$8,926,000,000 (U.S.$13,720 per capita)