General Information
Cyprus is a Eurasian island nation located in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean and a major tourist destination.
It is referred to as the Island of Two Faces. It is divided into Greek and Turkish parts, which are separated by the Green Line and Attila's line. While the southern part, the Republic of Cyprus, is internationally recognized (as evidenced by its membership in the European Union), only Turkey recognized the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
History
From 1878 the island was ruled by the British. As their colonial power began to crumble in the second half of the 20th century, Turkish Cypriots began to seek annexation to Turkey, while Greek politicians called for unification with Greece. The Greek and Turkish governments supported these tendencies.
Britain granted independence in 1960.
On July 15, 1974, Greek nationalists came to power and, in cooperation with the Greek military junta, planned to annex Cyprus to Greece. Turkey responded on July 20 with a military invasion of northern Cyprus. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriots declared a unilaterally independent state, Northern Cyprus. However, the only one who ever recognized Northern Cyprus was Turkey.
The situation remains the subject of ongoing disputes. The Republic of Cyprus has de jure sovereignty over the whole island and adjacent waters, with the exception of the military bases of Akrotiri and Dekelia belonging to the United Kingdom. In fact, around 59% of the island is under the administration of the Republic of Cyprus, 36% of the island's area is controlled by the Turks, and another 4% by UN troops.
Quick guide
Cyprus is one of the Mediterranean countries with the richest history. It was inhabited about ten thousand years BC.
Cypriot cities have two names. The second names originated at a time when the area fell under the rule of the Lusignans, who were unable to pronounce the original names. The new names were usually created by translating the original ones from Greek.
In Cyprus you drive on the left side of the road. Most indicators are in Greek and English, in the northern part of the island in Turkish.
Interesting facts
The ruins of the castle of St. Hilarion reportedly inspired Walt Disney to animate a fairy tale about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. There are a large number of cats living in Cyprus. Legend has it, that they were brought here by St. Helena, the mother of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, to deal with the multiplied snakes.
