Europe :: Dhekelia
  • 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; 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 :: Dhekelia
  • Population:
    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:
    English, Greek
    HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
    NA
  • 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
    etymology: "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: 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
    Executive branch:
    chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
    head of government: Administrator Major General James ILLINGWORTH (since 14 March 2017); 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 courts: Senior Judges' Court (consists of several visiting judges from England and Wales)
    judge selection and term of office: see entry for United Kingdom
    subordinate courts: Resident Judges' Court; military courts
    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
  • Military and Security :: Dhekelia
  • Military - note:
    defense is the responsibility of the UK; includes Dhekelia Garrison and Ayios Nikolaos Station connected by a roadway
  • Transportation :: Dhekelia
  • Roadways: