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 larger of these of
these is the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as
the Eastern Sovereign Base Area.
Geography
Dhekelia
Location:
on the southeast coast of
Cyprus near Famagusta
Geographic coordinates:
34 59 N, 33 45 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 130.8 sq km
note: area surrounds three Cypriot enclaves
Area - comparative:
about three-quarters the size
of Washington, DC
Climate:
temperate; Mediterranean with
hot, dry summers and cool winters
Environment - current issues:
netting and trapping of small
migrant songbirds in the spring and autumn
Geography - note:
British extraterritorial rights
also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus
People
Dhekelia
Population:
no indigenous personnel
note: approximately 2,200 military personnel are on the base;
there are another 5,000 British citizens who are families of military
personnel or civilian staff on both the bases of Akrotiri and Dhekelia;
Cyprus citizens work on the base, but do not live there
Government
Dhekelia
Country name:
conventional long form:
Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area conventional short form: Dhekelia
Dependency status:
overseas territory of UK;
administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces
Cyprus
Capital:
Episkopi; located in Akrotiri
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
Dhekelia
Economy - overview:
Economic activity is limited to
providing services to the military and their families located in Dhekelia.
All food and manufactured goods must be imported.
Military
Dhekelia
Military - note:
includes Dheklia Garrison and
Ayios Nikolaos Station connected by a roadway