A former colony of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Cyprus is situated in the Middle East as an island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey. With its capital in Nicosia, Cyprus is comprised of six districts: Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos. It also has disputed claims over territories held by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus: Kyrenia, Famagusta, Lefkosa in Nicosia, and Larnaca. Cyprus is currently in a violent struggle with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for reunification.
As a republic, Cyprus is led by a popularly elected President. He governs in five-year terms as both head of state and government. Legislation is the jurisdiction of the unicameral House of Representatives or Vouli Antiprosopon. It consists of 80 seats: 56 are assigned to the Greek Cypriots and 24 to Turkish Cypriots. Only the seats of Greek Cypriots are filled rendering the 24 Turkish seats vacant.
