25-02-2004, 18:56
There is no sufficient information available about the population of the island until the period of Venetians. The population of the island varied between 100.000 and 200.000 during the Venetians (1489-1570) and the population course was as follows in that period:
YEARS POPULATION
1490 106.000
1504 110.000
1510 147.700
1523 121.179
1529 126.000
1540 197.000
1559 150.000
1562 180.000
1571 197.586
1881 186.173
1911 274.108
1931 347.959
1946 450.114
1952 500.000
1956 521.000
1963 600.000
Before the conquest by the Ottomans in 1571, the total island population was 197.586: 56.044 in Nicosia, 6.616 in Magosa and 134.926 in other places.
The male population of the island was 120.000 according to the census carried out with the order of the first governor Muzaffer Paşa after the conquest. It is said that the total island population declined to 80.000 in late 18th century due to invasions, aridity, plague and grasshopper swarms. The population of the island which was 186.173 in 1881 when the island was transferred to the English continuously increased to 274.108 before World War I (1911), 347.959 before World War II (1931), 450.114 after the war (1946) and 500.000 in 1952. In the 1956 census the total population was 521.000, of which Turks constituted 130.000 (25 %) and Greeks 391.999 (75 %), and 571.000 in the 1960 census. In the first years of the Republic when 1963 event occurred, the population was 600.000. at that time, 1/5 of the population was constituted by Turks and 4/5 by Greeks. Here, yet, the endeavors of Greek census officials to underrate the Turkish population should not be ignored.
The ratio between the Turkish and Greek communities was 1/4 (1937 and 1956) and 1/5 from time to time. There were times that this ratio was to the advantage of the Turks. According to Priest Kyprianos, the total population was 84.000 in 1777. Of this, 47.000 were Turks and 37.000 were Greeks. The Turkish Cypriots' population growth is lower than that of Anatolian Turks. The reasons for these are significant political turmoil , the 1877-78 War, World War I and II, 1950-56 Enosis campaigns, emigration to Turkey and English Nations Community and the acts of Terror on 1963 Christmas. For example, many Turks of Cypriot origin live in England, Canada and America today.
Although the Turkish population was fewer in number, the area of the lands they lived on was bigger when the ratio of their population to the general population was considered.. Despite all negative conditions, Turks possessed 38 % of the arable lands in the island. According to the 1946 census, they had 51 % of a land of 500 - 1000 acres.
YEARS POPULATION
1490 106.000
1504 110.000
1510 147.700
1523 121.179
1529 126.000
1540 197.000
1559 150.000
1562 180.000
1571 197.586
1881 186.173
1911 274.108
1931 347.959
1946 450.114
1952 500.000
1956 521.000
1963 600.000
Before the conquest by the Ottomans in 1571, the total island population was 197.586: 56.044 in Nicosia, 6.616 in Magosa and 134.926 in other places.
The male population of the island was 120.000 according to the census carried out with the order of the first governor Muzaffer Paşa after the conquest. It is said that the total island population declined to 80.000 in late 18th century due to invasions, aridity, plague and grasshopper swarms. The population of the island which was 186.173 in 1881 when the island was transferred to the English continuously increased to 274.108 before World War I (1911), 347.959 before World War II (1931), 450.114 after the war (1946) and 500.000 in 1952. In the 1956 census the total population was 521.000, of which Turks constituted 130.000 (25 %) and Greeks 391.999 (75 %), and 571.000 in the 1960 census. In the first years of the Republic when 1963 event occurred, the population was 600.000. at that time, 1/5 of the population was constituted by Turks and 4/5 by Greeks. Here, yet, the endeavors of Greek census officials to underrate the Turkish population should not be ignored.
The ratio between the Turkish and Greek communities was 1/4 (1937 and 1956) and 1/5 from time to time. There were times that this ratio was to the advantage of the Turks. According to Priest Kyprianos, the total population was 84.000 in 1777. Of this, 47.000 were Turks and 37.000 were Greeks. The Turkish Cypriots' population growth is lower than that of Anatolian Turks. The reasons for these are significant political turmoil , the 1877-78 War, World War I and II, 1950-56 Enosis campaigns, emigration to Turkey and English Nations Community and the acts of Terror on 1963 Christmas. For example, many Turks of Cypriot origin live in England, Canada and America today.
Although the Turkish population was fewer in number, the area of the lands they lived on was bigger when the ratio of their population to the general population was considered.. Despite all negative conditions, Turks possessed 38 % of the arable lands in the island. According to the 1946 census, they had 51 % of a land of 500 - 1000 acres.