Dhekelia
Code: DX | Region: Europe
Introduction
Background
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By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers -- Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The larger of these is the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Eastern Sovereign Base Area.
Geography
Location
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Eastern Mediterranean, on the southeast coast of Cyprus near Famagusta
Geographic coordinates
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34 59 N, 33 45 E
Map references
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Middle East
Area
total
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131 sq km
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<strong>note:</strong> area surrounds three Cypriot enclaves
Area - comparative
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about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries
total
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108 km
border countries
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Cyprus 108 km
Coastline
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27.5 km
Climate
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temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
Geography - note
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British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus; several small Cypriot enclaves exist within the Sovereign Base Area (SBA); of the SBA land, 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the Ministry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land
People and Society
Population
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approximately 15,500 on the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia including 9,700 Cypriots and 5,800 Service and UK-based contract personnel and dependents
Languages
Languages
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English, Greek
major-language sample(s)
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<br>Το Παγκόσμιο Βιβλίο Δεδομένων, η απαραίτητη πηγή βασικών πληροφοριών. (Greek)<br><br>The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Age structure
0-14 years
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NA
15-64 years
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NA
65 years and over
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NA
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
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NA
youth dependency ratio
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NA
elderly dependency ratio
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NA
potential support ratio
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NA
Birth rate
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NA
Death rate
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NA
Contraceptive prevalence rate
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NA
Drinking water source
improved: urban
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urban: NA
improved: rural
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rural: NA
improved: total
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total: NA
unimproved: urban
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urban: NA
unimproved: rural
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rural: NA
unimproved: total
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total: NA
Current health expenditure
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NA
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
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NA
Education expenditures
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NA
Environment
Environment - current issues
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netting and trapping of small migrant songbirds in the spring and autumn
Climate
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temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
Government
Country name
conventional long form
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none
conventional short form
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Dhekelia
Dependency status
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a special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus
Capital
name
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Episkopi Cantonment (base administrative center for Akrotiri and Dhekelia); located in Akrotiri
geographic coordinates
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34 40 N, 32 51 E
time difference
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UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
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+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
etymology
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"Episkopi" means "episcopal" in Greek and stems from the fact that the site previously served as the bishop's seat of an Orthodox diocese
Constitution
history
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presented 3 August 1960, effective 16 August 1960 (The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960, serves as a basic legal document); amended 1966
Legal system
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laws applicable to the Cypriot population are, as far as possible, the same as the laws of the Republic of Cyprus; note - the Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own court system to deal with civil and criminal matters
Executive branch
chief of state
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King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022)
head of government
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Administrator Air Vice-Marshal Peter J.M. SQUIRES (since 1 September 2022); note - the administrator reports to the British Ministry of Defense and is also Commander, British Forces Cyprus (BFC); the chief officer, an appointed civilian, is responsible for the day-to-day running of the civil government of the Sovereign Base Areas
elections/appointments
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the monarchy is hereditary; administrator appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Ministry of Defense
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
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Senior Judges' Court (consists of several visiting judges from England and Wales)
judge selection and term of office
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see entry for United Kingdom
subordinate courts
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Resident Judges' Court; military courts
Diplomatic representation in the US
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none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US
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none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description
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the flag of the UK is used
National anthem
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<p><strong>note:</strong> as a United Kingdom area of special sovereignty, "God Save the King" is official (see United Kingdom)</p>
Economy
Industries
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none
Exchange rates
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<p><strong>note:</strong> uses the euro</p>
Communications
Broadcast media
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British Forces Broadcast Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite TV service as well as BFBS radio broadcasts to the Dhekelia Sovereign Base
Transportation
Military and Security
Military - note
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defense of Dhekelia (aka Eastern Sovereign Base Area) is the responsibility of the UK; includes Dhekelia Garrison and Ayios Nikolaos Station connected by a roadway