By terms of the 1960 Treaty of
Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK
retained full sovreignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254
square kilometers in total: Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The southernmost and
smallest of these is the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area, which is also
referred to as the Western Sovereign Base Area.
Geography
Akrotiri
Location:
peninsula on the southwest
coast of Cyprus
Geographic coordinates:
34 37 N, 32 58 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 123 sq km
note: includes a salt lake and wetlands
Area - comparative:
about 0.7 times the size of
Washington, DC
Climate:
temperate; Mediterranean with
hot, dry summers and cool winters
Environment - current issues:
shooting around the salt lake;
note - breeding place for loggerhead and green turtles; only remaining
colony of griffon vultures is on the base
Geography - note:
British extraterritorial rights
also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus
People
Akrotiri
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
note: approximately 1,300 military personnel are on the base;
note - there are another 5,000 British citizens who are families of
military personnel or civilian staff on both Akrotiri and Dhekelia; Cyprus
citizens work on the base, but do not live there
Government
Akrotiri
Country name:
conventional long form:
Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area conventional short form: Akrotiri
Dependency status:
overseas territory of UK;
administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces
Cyprus
Capital:
Episkopi; also serves as
capital of Dhekelia
Legal system:
the laws of the UK, where
applicable, apply
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen
Elizabeth II (since 6 February 1952) elections: none; the
monarch is hereditary; the administrator is appointed by the monarch
head of government: Administrator Maj. Gen. Peter Tomas Clayton
PEARSON (since 9 May 2003) note - reports to the British Ministry of
Defence
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the
UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the
UK)
Flag description:
the flag of the UK is used
Economy
Akrotiri
Economy - overview:
Economic activity is limited to
providing services to the military and their families located in Akrotiri.
All food and manufactured goods must be imported.
Military
Akrotiri
Military - note:
Akrotiri has a full RAF base,
Headquarters for British Forces on Cyprus, and Episkopi Support Unit