Akrotiri and Dhekelia, British military bases in Cyprus
Akrotiri and Dhekelia are two separate British military territories in Cyprus covering roughly 254 square kilometers (98 square miles) along the southern and eastern coastlines. Both areas contain airfields, radar stations, port facilities and residential quarters for military personnel as well as Cypriot villages that lie within their boundaries.
Britain retained these two zones as military bases in 1960 when Cyprus gained independence and colonial administration ended. The bases served as important surveillance and communication centers throughout the Cold War for the eastern Mediterranean.
These territories show a mixed way of life where British military personnel work alongside Cypriot civilians, and everyday services are often provided by local communities. Shops, schools and public facilities inside the zones follow British administrative rules while Cypriot life continues just outside the perimeter.
Visitors need authorization to enter military areas and must show identification documents at checkpoints. Public roads cross through some parts of the territories but photography is restricted near facilities.
The bases host one of the United Kingdom's most important satellite monitoring facilities outside the British Isles. Akrotiri has an active airfield used regularly by military aircraft during operations in the Middle East.
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