Akrotiri and Dhekelia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Akrotiri and Dhekelia
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| Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia | |||
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| Anthem: "God Save the King" | |||
Location of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (deep pink)
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Location of Akrotiri (southwest) and Dhekelia (southeast) in deep pink on Cyprus
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| Sovereign state |  United Kingdom |
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| Treaty of Establishment | 16 August 1960 | ||
| Capital | Episkopi Cantonment | ||
| Largest civilian settlement | Akrotiri | ||
| Official languages | |||
| Government | De facto stratocratic dependency under a constitutional monarchy | ||
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• Monarch
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Charles III | ||
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• Administrator
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Air Vice-Marshal Peter Squires ex officio | ||
| Area | |||
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• Total
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254 km2 (98 sq mi) | ||
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• Akrotiri
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123 km2 (47 sq mi) | ||
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• Dhekelia
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131 km2 (51 sq mi) | ||
| Population | |||
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• 2020 estimate
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18,195 (not ranked) | ||
| Currency | Euro (€) (EUR) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 (EET) | ||
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• Summer (DST)
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UTC+03:00 (EEST) | ||
| Driving side | left | ||
| Calling code | +357 | ||
| Postal codes in Cyprus UK postcode |
4640 (Akrotiri)
7502 (Dhekelia) BFPO 57 / BF1 2AT (Akrotiri) BFPO 58 / BF1 2AU (Dhekelia) |
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Akrotiri and Dhekelia, officially called the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (SBA), is a special territory belonging to the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea. These areas include important British military bases and facilities. They were kept by the British when Cyprus became independent in 1960. The main purpose of these areas is to serve as a key location for gathering signals intelligence, which helps the UK with its surveillance work in the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
Contents
History of the Base Areas
The Sovereign Base Areas were set up in 1960. This happened when Cyprus gained its independence from the British Empire. The United Kingdom wanted to keep control over these areas. This was to make sure they could continue using their military bases in Cyprus, like RAF Akrotiri.
The bases are very important to the British because of Cyprus's location. It is at the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea, close to the Suez Canal and the Middle East. This makes it a good place for military aircraft to stop and for training.
In the early 1970s, the United States built a special radar system called Cobra Shoe. This system could watch airplane operations and missile tests in southern Russia. The British Royal Air Force (RAF) operated it for the U.S. Air Force.
In 1974, there was a conflict in Cyprus. Turkey invaded the north of Cyprus. This event did not change the status of the British bases. Many Greek Cypriots who were fleeing the conflict were allowed to pass through the Dhekelia Base Area. They received help there. Some even set up a new village called Dasaki Achnas, which is still inside the Dhekelia Base Area. The Turkish forces stopped their advance when they reached the edge of the Dhekelia Base Area to avoid fighting with the UK military.
How the Areas are Governed
The territory is made up of two main base areas. One is Akrotiri, also known as the Western Sovereign Base Area (WSBA). It includes the main bases at RAF Akrotiri and Episkopi Cantonment. The other area is Dhekelia, or the Eastern Sovereign Base Area (ESBA). It includes a base at Ayios Nikolaos Station.
What is the Current Status?
As of 2024, several military units are based here. These include:
- No. 903 Expeditionary Air Wing RAF
- No. 84 Squadron RAF
- 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
- Cyprus Operations Support Unit
- 1st Battalion, The Rifles
- Joint Service Signal Unit (Cyprus)
Ayios Nikolaos Station is an important listening station. It is part of a global intelligence network.
How the Government Works
The British government kept these areas in 1960 to have military bases under their own control. This makes them different from other British Overseas Territories. The main idea behind how they are run is that they are for military purposes only.
The British government promised:
- Not to develop the areas for anything other than military uses.
- Not to create new "colonies" or civilian towns.
- Not to set up customs checks or borders between the bases and the Republic of Cyprus.
- Not to allow new people to settle there permanently.
- Not to take private property unless it's for military needs, and then only with fair payment.
The territory is managed by an Administrator. This person is also the Commander of British Forces Cyprus. The Administrator is appointed by the British monarch. They have all the power to make decisions and laws for the territory. There are no elections held in the territory.
The areas have their own legal system. It is separate from the UK and the Republic of Cyprus. Law and order are kept by the Sovereign Base Areas Police.
Crossing Borders and Travel
Normally, you do not need a passport to cross the border from Akrotiri or Dhekelia into Cyprus. Much of the territory looks just like the rest of Cyprus. This means visitors might not even realize they have crossed an international border. The British government promised not to create customs posts or other border barriers.
However, you do need a passport to travel between Cyprus (or the SBAs) and Northern Cyprus.
What About Brexit?
Even though the UK left the European Union (Brexit), the special rules for Akrotiri and Dhekelia mostly stayed the same. This means that about 15,000 Cypriots who work in the SBAs still have similar rights as before.
Geography and Nature
Akrotiri and Dhekelia cover about 3% of Cyprus's land. This is a total of 254 square kilometers (about 123 km² for Akrotiri and 131 km² for Dhekelia). Most of the land (60%) is owned by Cypriot citizens. The rest is controlled by the British Ministry of Defence.
Akrotiri is in the south of the island, near the city of Limassol. Dhekelia is in the southeast, near Larnaca. Both areas have military bases, farms, and some homes. Akrotiri is surrounded by land controlled by the Republic of Cyprus. Dhekelia also borders the UN buffer zone and the area controlled by Turkish forces.
Some villages, like Xylotympou and Ormideia, are completely surrounded by Dhekelia. This means they are enclaves of the Republic of Cyprus within the British territory.
Amazing Wildlife and Ecology
Cyprus is a very important stop for birds migrating between Africa and Europe. Sadly, many birds are illegally trapped each year. To protect these birds, groups like BirdLife Cyprus and the RSPB work to stop illegal trapping. They use cameras and other methods to reduce this activity.
The Episkopi Cliffs area is a special place for birds. Over 300 bird species have been seen here. The wetlands, including a large salt lake, are also important habitats for birds. Many species, like the ferruginous duck and black-winged stilt, nest in these wetlands.
The beaches in the British Sovereign Base Areas are vital nesting spots for endangered green and loggerhead turtles. The SBA Environment Department works with volunteers to monitor turtle nesting. They try to protect the turtles from things like camping on beaches or illegal fishing.
In 2015, five Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) were created in the SBAs. These areas help protect nature and wildlife.
People and Education
_in_Akrotiri_(village).jpg)
When the areas were first set up, the borders were drawn to avoid large towns. About 18,195 people live in the areas. Around 11,000 are native Cypriots who work there or on farms. The rest are British military personnel and their families.
Most Cypriots living in the areas are not British citizens just because they live there. They use their Cypriot passports.
Education for Kids
Service Children's Education looks after schools for children of military personnel and Ministry of Defence employees. In the Eastern Sovereign Base Area, there are Dhekelia Primary School and Ayios Nikolaos Primary School. These feed into King Richard School. In the Western Sovereign Base Area, Episkopi Primary School and Akrotiri Primary School feed into St. John's School.
Economy and Connections
There are no special economic statistics for Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The main economic activities are providing services to the military and some farming. When Cyprus started using the euro currency in 2008, Akrotiri and Dhekelia also switched to the euro. This makes them the only British territory to officially use the euro.
Getting Around
Cypriot motorways (highways) pass through both areas. There is no public airport. However, the RAF Akrotiri airbase has a runway for long-distance flights, but it is not used for public travel.
Staying Connected
The base areas use the same telephone numbers as the Republic of Cyprus, starting with the international code +357.
Postal services for military personnel are handled by the British Forces Post Office. For civilians, Cyprus Postal Services delivers mail.
Amateur radio operators in the bases use special call signs that start with "ZC4". This prefix is given to Great Britain.
Culture and Fun
Media and Entertainment
BFBS Radio 1 and 2 are broadcast on FM and can be heard across Cyprus. BFBS Television is available to viewers via satellite.
Sports and Games
Football clubs in the territory, like Ethnikos Achna FC and APEA Akrotiri, play in the Cypriot football league. There is also a separate league for British military teams called the Cyprus Forces Football League.
An annual sports competition, the Commander British Forces Cyprus Sporting Competition (CBF Cup), is held between teams from different bases and military battalions.
See Also
In Spanish: Akrotiri y Dekelia para niños
- List of British overseas territories
- United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus
- Overseas military bases of the United Kingdom
Images for kids
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Inside the officers' mess, circa March 1969
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Garrison officers' mess Dhekelia, 1969
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An SBA Police station in Akrotiri
