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Europe :: Dhekelia (UK sovereign base area)

- ## Introduction :: DHEKELIA

- Background:
  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 :: DHEKELIA

- Location:
  Eastern Mediterranean, 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
  country comparison to the world: 223
  Area - comparative:
  about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  total: 108 km
  border countries (1): Cyprus 108 km
  Coastline:
  27.5 km
  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; of the Sovereign Base Area land 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the Ministry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land

- ## People and Society :: DHEKELIA

- Languages:
  English, Greek
  Population:
  approximately 15,700 live on the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia including 7,700 Cypriots, 3,600 service and UK based contract personnel, and 4,400 dependents

- ## Government :: DHEKELIA

- Country name:
  conventional long form: none
  conventional short form: Dhekelia
  Dependency status:
  a special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus
  Capital:
  name: Episkopi Cantonment (base administrative center for Akrotiri and Dhekelia); located in Akrotiri
  geographic coordinates: 34 40 N, 32 51 E
  time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
  Constitution:
  presented 3 August 1960, effective 16 August 1960; amended 1966 (The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960 serves as a basic legal document) (2013)
  Legal system:
  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: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
  head of government: Administrator Air Vice Marshall Graham STACEY (since 4 November 2010); note - reports to the British Ministry of Defense
  elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; administrator appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Ministry of Defense
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Senior Judges' Court (consists of several visiting judges from England and Wales)
  judge selection and term of office: judges appointment and tenure NA
  subordinate courts: Resident Judges' Court; Courts Martial
  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
  National anthem:
  note: as a United Kingdom area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

- ## 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.
  Industries:
  none
  Exchange rates:
  note: uses the euro

- ## Communications :: DHEKELIA

- Broadcast media:
  British Forces Broadcast Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite TV service as well as BFBS radio broadcasts to the Dhekelia Sovereign Base (2009)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM NA, FM 1 (located in Akrotiri), shortwave NA (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006)
  Television broadcast stations:
  0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006)

- ## Military :: DHEKELIA

- Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of the UK; includes Dhekelia Garrison and Ayios Nikolaos Station connected by a roadway

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