Difference between revisions of "Cyprus" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Infobox Country
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|native_name = {{native name|el|Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία}}<br />{{native name|tr|Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti}}
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|conventional_long_name = Republic of Cyprus
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|common_name        = Cyprus
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|image_flag        = Flag of Cyprus.svg
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|image_coat        = Cyprus_Coat_of_Arms.png
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|image_map = EU-Cyprus.svg
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|map_caption = {{map_caption |location_color=green |region=the [[European Union]] |region_color=light green  |legend=EU-Cyprus.svg}}
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|national_motto    =
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|national_anthem    = {{polytonic|Ýmnos is tin Eleftherían}}<br />Ὕμνος εἰς τὴν Ἐλευθερίαν<br />[[Hymn to Liberty]]{{Smallsup|1}}
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|official_languages =[[Greek language|Greek]]<br/>[[Turkish language|Turkish]]<ref name=languages>[http://www.cyprus.gov.cy/portal/portal.nsf/0/302578ad62e1ea3ac2256fd5003b61d4?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=3#_Section3 Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus]: "The official languages of the Republic are Greek and Turkish" (Appendix D, Part 01, Article 3) Retrieved January 3, 2012.</ref>
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|demonym            = [[Cypriot (disambiguation)|Cypriot]]
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|ethnic_groups      = 77% [[Greeks|Greek]]<br />18%[[Turkish people|Turkish]]<br />5% others<ref name="CIA">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cy.html|title=Cyprus|work=The World Factbook|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|accessdate=January 3, 2012}}</ref>
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|ethnic_groups_year = 2001
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|capital            = [[Nicosia]] (Λευκωσία, Lefkoşa)
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|latd=35 |latm=08 |latNS=N |longd=33 |longm=28 |longEW=E
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|largest_city      = capital
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|government_type    = [[Presidential republic]]
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|leader_title1      = [[Presidents of Cyprus|President]]
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|leader_name1      = [[Dimitris Christofias]]
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|accession EU date    = 1 May 2004
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|area_rank          = 167th
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|area_magnitude    = 1_E9
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|area_km2          = 9,251|area_sq_mi        = 3,572 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]—>
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''(Includes North)''
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|percent_water      = Negligible
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|population_estimate = 803,147 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/tgm/table.do?tab=table&language=en&pcode=tps00001&tableSelection=1&footnotes=yes&labeling=labels&plugin=1|title=Total population as of 1&nbsp;January|publisher=Eurostat|accessdate=January 3, 2012}}</ref> ''(Does not include North)''<br />1,088,503 (whole island)
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|population_estimate_year = 2010
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|population_estimate_rank =
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|population_census        =
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|population_census_year  =
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|population_density_km2  = 117
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|population_density_sq_mi = 221 <!-- Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]] —>
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|population_density_rank  = 115th
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|GDP_PPP            = $23.190 billion<ref name=imf2>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2011/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=53&pr.y=0&sy=2008&ey=2011&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=423&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a= |title=Cyprus|publisher=International Monetary Fund|accessdate=January 3, 2012}}</ref>
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|GDP_PPP_rank      =
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|GDP_PPP_year      = 2010
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|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $28,256<ref name=imf2/>
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|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank =
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|GDP_nominal        = $23.174 billion<ref name=imf2/>
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|GDP_nominal_rank  =
 +
|GDP_nominal_year  = 2010
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|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $28,237<ref name=imf2/>
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|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank =
 +
|Gini              = 29
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|Gini_year          = 2005
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|Gini_rank = 19th
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|Gini_category      = <span style="color:#090;">low</span>
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|HDI_year          = 2011
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|HDI                = {{increase}} 0.840
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|HDI_rank          = 31st
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|HDI_category      = <span style="color:#090;">very&nbsp;high</span>
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|sovereignty_type  = [[Independence]]
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|established_event1 = [[Zürich and London Agreement]]
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|established_date1  = 19 February 1959
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|established_event2 = from the [[United Kingdom]]
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|established_date2  = 16 August 1960
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|currency          = [[Euro]]<sup>2</sup>
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|currency_code      = EUR
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|time_zone          = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
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|utc_offset        = +2
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|time_zone_DST      = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
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|utc_offset_DST    = +3
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|drives_on                    = Left
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|cctld              = [[.cy]]<sup>3</sup>
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|country_code      = CY (ISO 3166)
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|calling_code      = [[Telephone numbers in Cyprus|357]]
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|footnote1 = Also the national anthem of [[Greece]].
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|footnote2 = Before 2008, the [[Cypriot pound]].
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|footnote3 = The [[.eu]] domain is also used, shared with other [[European Union]] member states.
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}}
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'''Cyprus''' ({{lang-el|Κύπρος, ''Kýpros''}}; {{lang-tr|Kıbrıs}}), officially the '''Republic of Cyprus''' ({{lang-el|Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία, ''Kypriakí Dhimokratía''}}; {{lang-tr|Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti}}) is an [[Eurasia]]n [[island country|island nation]] in the eastern part of the [[Mediterranean Sea]] south of the [[Anatolia]]n peninsula (Asia Minor) or modern-day [[Turkey]]. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.
  
{{Infobox Country or territory
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The island has a rich history with human habitation dating back at least 10,000 years and played a role in the ancient history of both southern Europe and the Middle East. Today it remains a symbol of the division between the two civilizations which often vied for control over its strategic location and natural resources.
|native_name              = <span style="line-height:1.33em;"> Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία <small>([[Greek language|Greek]])</small><br/>''Kypriakí Dhimokratía''<br/>''Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti'' <small>([[Turkish language|Turkish]])</small></span>
 
|conventional_long_name  = <span style="line-height:1.33em;">Republic of Cyprus</span>
 
|common_name              = Cyprus
 
|image_flag              = Flag of Cyprus.svg
 
|image_coat              = Cyprus Coat of Arms.png
 
|image_map                = EU location CYP.png
 
|map_caption              = <!-- PLEASE maintain intricate styles and phrasing —>Location of <span style="font-size:2px;">&nbsp;</span>[[Cyprus]] &nbsp;(circled beside inset)<p style="text-align:left;margin-left:1.2ex;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-2px;line-height:1em;">– at the southwestern tip of mainland [[Asia]]<span style="font-size:87%;">&nbsp;(<span style="font-size:2px;">&nbsp;</span>grey),&nbsp;n</span>ear<br /><span style="visibility:hidden;">–&nbsp;</span>[[Africa]] <span style="font-size:87%;">(<span style="font-size:2px;">&nbsp;</span>grey, bottom)</span> and [[Europe]] <span style="font-size:87%;">(<span style="font-size:2px;">&nbsp;</span>light orange & white)</span><br />– in the [[European Union]] <span style="font-size:87%;">&nbsp;(<span style="font-size:2px;">&nbsp;</span>light orange)</span>{{spaces|13}}&#91;<span style="font-size:87%;">[[:Image:EU location legend en.png|Legend]]</span>&#93;</p>
 
|national_motto          = none
 
|national_anthem          = <span style="line-height:1.33em;"> Ύμνος εις την Ελευθερίαν<br/>[[Transliteration]]: ''[[Hymn to Freedom|Imnos is tin Eleftherian]]''<br/><small>''Hymn to Freedom''<sup>1</sup></small></span>
 
|official_languages      = [[Greek language|Greek]], [[Turkish language|Turkish]]
 
|capital                  = [[Image:Nicosia emblem.gif|22px]]&nbsp;[[Nicosia]]
 
|latd=35|latm=08|latNS=N|longd=33|longm=28|longEW=E
 
|largest_city            = [[Image:Nicosia emblem.gif|22px]]&nbsp;[[Nicosia]]
 
|government_type          = [[Republic]]
 
|leader_title1            = [[Presidents of Cyprus|President]]
 
|leader_name1            = [[Tassos Papadopoulos]]
 
|accessionEUdate          = May 1 2004
 
|area_rank                = 167th
 
|area_magnitude          = 1_E9
 
|area                    = 9,251
 
|areami²                  = 3,572 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]—>
 
|percent_water            = negligible
 
|population_estimate      = 784,301
 
|population_estimate_year = 2006
 
|population_estimate_rank = 157th
 
|population_census        = 835,000
 
|population_census_year  = 2005
 
|population_density      = 90
 
|population_densitymi²    = 233 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]—>
 
|population_density_rank  = 105th
 
|GDP_PPP_year            = 2007
 
|GDP_PPP                  = $ 19.69 billion
 
|GDP_PPP_rank            = 113th
 
|GDP_PPP_per_capita      = $ 23,481
 
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank  = 30th
 
|HDI_year                = 2004
 
|HDI                      = {{increase}} 0.903
 
|HDI_rank                = 29th
 
|HDI_category            = <font color="#009900">high</font>
 
|sovereignty_type        = [[Independence]]
 
|sovereignty_note        = from [[United Kingdom]]
 
|established_event1      = Date
 
|established_date1        = 16 August 1960
 
|currency                = [[Cyprus Pound]]
 
|currency_code            = CYP
 
|time_zone                = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
 
|utc_offset              = +2
 
|time_zone_DST            = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
 
|utc_offset_DST          = +3
 
|cctld                    = [[.cy]]<sup>3</sup>
 
|country_code            = CY (ISO 3166)
 
|calling_code            = 357
 
|footnotes                = <sup>1</sup> "Ymnos pros tin Eleutherian" is also used as the national anthem of [[Greece]].<br/><sup>2</sup> UN population estimate for entire island including Turkish-controlled areas.<br/><sup>3</sup> The [[.eu]] domain is also used, shared with other [[European Union]] member states.
 
}}
 
  
'''Cyprus''' ({{lang-el|Κύπρος, ''Kýpros''}}; {{lang-tr|Kıbrıs}}), officially the '''Republic of Cyprus''' ({{lang-el|Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία, ''Kypriakí Dhimokratía''}}; {{lang-tr|Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti}}) is a [[Eurasia]]n [[island country|island nation]] in the eastern part of the [[Mediterranean Sea]] south of the [[Anatolia]]n peninsula (Asia Minor) or modern-day [[Turkey]].  It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.  The Republic of Cyprus is divided into six districts <ref>[http://europa.eu/abc/maps/members/cyprus_en.htm EUROPA - The EU at a glance - Maps - Cyprus]</ref>: [[Nicosia]] (the capital, Greek: Lefkosia, Anglicised: Nicosia, [[Cypriot Turkish]]:Lefkoşa), [[Ammochostos]] (Famagusta,Mağusa), [[Keryneia]] (Kyrenia, Girne), [[Larnaka]] (Larnaca,İskele), [[Lemesos]] (Limassol,Limasol), and [[Pafos]] (Baf). A [[British Empire|former British colony]], the Republic of Cyprus gained independence in 1960 while the [[United Kingdom]] retained two [[Akrotiri and Dhekelia|Sovereign Base Areas]]. Following 11 years of alternating intercommunal violence and peaceful attempts at reconciliation, including the establishment of the [[United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus]] in 1964, [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus|Turkey launched a two-stage invasion]] of the island in 1974 in response to an [[Athens]]-engineered coup which overthrew the legitimate Cypriot government of President Makarios. The invasion led to the [[Internally displaced person|internal displacement]] of thousands of Greek and Turkish Cypriots and the subsequent establishment of a [[Disputed territory]] regime to govern the invaded area, currently styling itself the [[Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]], separated from the south by the UN-controlled [[Green Line (Cyprus)|Green Line]] and recognized only by Turkey. Today the Republic of Cyprus is a [[developed country]] and a member of the [[European Union]] since 1 May, 2004.  
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After [[World War II]], Cyprus gained independence from British colonial rule and a democratic constitution was enacted. However, underlying tensions between Greek and Turkish residents soon escalated. Following 11 years of alternating violence and peaceful attempts at reconciliation, including the establishment of the [[United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus]] in 1964, Turkey launched a two-stage invasion of the island in 1974 in response to an [[Athens]]-engineered coup which had overthrown the legitimate Cypriot government.
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{{toc}}
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The invasion led to the [[Internally displaced person|internal displacement]] of thousands of Greek and Turkish Cypriots and the subsequent establishment of a disputed territorial regime to govern the invaded area, calling itself the [[Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]], separated from the south by the UN-controlled [[Green Line (Cyprus)|Green Line]] and recognized only by Turkey. Today the Republic of Cyprus is a [[developed country]] and a member of the [[European Union]] since May 1, 2004.
  
 
==Etymology==
 
==Etymology==
The name '''Cyprus''' has a somewhat uncertain [[etymology]]. suggestion is that it comes from the Greek word for the [[Cupressus|Mediterranean cypress tree]] (''[[Cupressus sempervirens]]''), '''κυπάρισσος''' (''kypárissos'') or even from the Greek name of the [[henna|henna plant]] (''[[Lawsonia alba]]''), '''κύπρος''' (''kýpros''). Another school suggests that it stems from the [[Eteocypriot language|Eteocypriot]] word for [[copper]]. Dossin, for example, suggests that it has roots to the [[Sumerian language|Sumerian]] word for copper (''zubar'') or even the word for [[bronze]] (''kubar''), due to the large deposits of copper ore found on the island. Through overseas trade, the island has already given its name to the [[Classical Latin]] word for the metal, which appears in the phrase ''aes Cyprium'', "metal of Cyprus", later shortened to ''Cuprum''. <ref>[Fisher, Fred H. '''Cyprus: Our New Colony And What We Know About It'''. London: George Routledge and Sons 1878 pg 13-14.]</ref>
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The name '''Cyprus''' has a somewhat uncertain [[etymology]]. A likely explanation is that it comes from the Greek word for the [[Cupressus|Mediterranean cypress tree]], '''κυπάρισσος''' ''(kypárissos)''. Another suggestion is that the name derives from the Greek name of the [[henna|henna plant]], '''κύπρος''' ''(kýpros)''. Another school of thought suggests that it stems from the [[Eteocypriot language|Eteocypriot]] word for [[copper]], and is related to the [[Sumerian language|Sumerian]] word for copper, ''(zubar)'', or even the word for [[bronze]] ''(kubar)'', due to the large deposits of copper ore found on the island.
 
 
  
 
==Geography==
 
==Geography==
[[Image:modis_cyprus_lrg.jpg|right|thumb|300px|[[MODIS]] satellite image of Cyprus.]]
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[[Image:Cyprus_topo.png|right|thumb|300px|Topography of Cyprus]]
[[Image:Cyprus_topo.png|right|thumb|300px|Topography of Cyprus.]]
 
{{main|Geography of Cyprus}}
 
{{seealso|List of cities in Cyprus}}
 
The third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after [[Sicily]] and [[Sardinia]]), Cyprus is geographically situated in the eastern Mediterranean and just south of the [[Anatolia]]n [[peninsula]] (or Asia Minor) of the [[Asia]]n mainland; thus, it is commonly included in the [[Middle East]] (see also [[Southwest Asia|Western Asia]] and [[Near East]]).  [[Turkey]] is 75 kilometres (47 miles) north; other neighbouring countries include [[Syria]] and [[Lebanon]] to the east, [[Israel]] to the southeast, [[Egypt]] to the south, and [[Greece]] to the west-north-west.
 
  
Historically, politically and culturally, however, it is closely aligned with [[Europe]] – the [[Greeks|Greek]] Cypriots in the internationally recognised Government controlled area with Greece and the [[Turkish people|Turkish]] Cypriots in the occupied North with Turkey.  Historically, Cyprus has been at the crossroads between Europe, Western Asia, and [[North Africa|Northern Africa]], with lengthy periods of mainly Greek and intermittent Anatolian, [[Levant]]ine, and [[British Empire|British]] influences.  Thus, it is generally considered a [[transcontinental nation|transcontinental island]].
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The third largest island in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] (after [[Sicily]] and [[Sardinia]]), Cyprus is geographically situated in the eastern Mediterranean and just south of the [[Anatolia]]n [[peninsula]] (or Asia Minor). Thus, it is commonly included in the [[Middle East]]. [[Turkey]] is 75 kilometers (47 miles) north; other neighboring countries include [[Syria]] and [[Lebanon]] to the east, [[Israel]] to the southeast, [[Egypt]] to the south, and [[Greece]] to the west-north-west.
  
The central plain ([[Mesaoria]]) with the [[Kyrenia]] and [[Pentadactylos]] mountains to the north and the [[Troodos Mountains|Troodos mountain range]] to the south and west. There are also scattered, but significant, plains along the southern coast.
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Historically, Cyprus has been at the crossroads between [[Europe]], Western [[Asia]], and [[North Africa|Northern Africa]], with lengthy periods of mainly Greek and intermittent Anatolian, [[Levant]]ine, and [[British Empire|British]] influences. Thus, it is generally considered a [[transcontinental nation|transcontinental island]].
  
The climate is temperate and [[Mediterranean climate|Mediterranean]] with dry summers and variably rainy winters. Summer temperatures range from warm at higher elevations in the Troodos mountains to hot in the lowlands. Winter temperatures are mild at lower elevations, where snow rarely occurs, but are significantly colder in the Troodos mountains, where there is sufficient snow for a seasonal ski facility.
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The climate is temperate and [[Mediterranean climate|Mediterranean]] with dry [[summer]]s and variably rainy [[winter]]s. Summer temperatures range from warm at higher elevations in the Troodos mountains to hot in the lowlands. Winter temperatures are mild at lower elevations, where snow rarely occurs, but are significantly colder in the mountains, where there is sufficient snow for a seasonal ski facility.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
{{main|History of Cyprus}}
 
 
 
===Prehistoric and ancient Cyprus===
 
===Prehistoric and ancient Cyprus===
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[[Image:Choirokitia.jpg|thumb|250px|Khirokitia, an archaeological site on Cyprus, dating from the Neolithic age, and a [[UNESCO]] World Heritage Site]]
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[[Image:Akamas Peninsula.jpg|thumbnail|left|180px|The [[Akamas]] Peninsula, site of early human habitation on Cyprus]]
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The earliest confirmed site of human activity on the island is ''Aeotokremnos'' situated on the Akrotiri Peninsula on the south coast. Evidence from this site indicates that hunter-gatherers were active on the island from around 10,000 B.C.E.. There is also evidence that suggests that there may be short lived occupation sites contemporary with Aeotokremnos on the west coast of the island in the area of the [[Akamas]].
  
{{main|Cyprus (Prehistory)|Ancient history of Cyprus}}
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The appearance of more settled village pastorialists is evident at around 8200 B.C.E.. These people probably practiced a limited form of agriculture and animal husbandry, supplemented by hunting. Important remains from this early-Neolithic period can be found at ''Mylouthkia'', ''Shillourokambos'', ''Tenta'' and later towards the end of this period the famous village of ''Khirokitia''.
 
 
Over the past 20 years there have been a number of discoveries that have greatly enhanced our knowledge of the early prehistory of Cyprus. Currently, the earliest confirmed site of human activity on the island is ''Aeotokremnos'' situated on the Akrotiri Peninsula on the south coast. Evidence from this site indicates that hunter-gatherers were active on the island from around 10,000 B.C.E. There is also new evidence that suggests that there may be short lived occupation sites contemporary with Aeotokremnos on the west coast of the island in the area of the [[Akamas]].
 
 
 
[[Image:salamis.jpg|thumbnail|left|250px|Ruins of ancient [[Salamis, Cyprus|Salamis]], near [[Famagusta]].]]
 
 
 
At present the archaeological record presents us with a chronological gap in the use or occupation of the island between the earliest hunter-gatherers and the appearance in the record of more settled village pastorialists at around 8200 BC. These people probably practiced a limited form of agriculture and animal husbandry, supplemented by hunting. Important remains from this early-Neolithic period can be found at ''Mylouthkia'', ''Shillourokambos'', ''Tenta'' and later towards the end of this period the famous village of ''Khirokitia''.
 
 
 
During the Painted-Pottery Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods that follow small scale settlements and activity areas were in use all over the island. During this period the people of Cyprus developed a rich craft industry producing decorated pottery and figurines of stone quite distinct from the cultures of the surrounding mainland. This has traditionally led some archaeologists to consider the island as being somewhat isolated and insular at this time. More recently this idea is being challenged.
 
  
[[Image:Salamis_gym_01.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|Ruins of ancient [[Salamis, Cyprus|Salamis]], near [[Famagusta]].]]
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Following this, during the Painted-Pottery [[Neolithic]] and [[Chalcolithic]] periods, small scale settlements and activity areas were in use all over the island. A rich craft industry produced decorated [[pottery]] and figurines of stone quite distinct from the cultures of the surrounding mainland.
[[Image:CYP.PAPHOS.jpg|thumbnail|left|250px|Petra tou Romiou, near [[Paphos]].]]
 
[[Image:Akamas Peninsula.jpg|thumbnail|right|180px|[[Akamas]] Peninsula]]
 
  
The [[Bronze Age]] is also rich in finds. The people learned to work the rich copper mines of the island. The [[Mycenaean Greece|Mycenæan]] culture seems to have reached Cyprus at around 1600 BC and several Greek and Phœnician settlements that belong to the [[Iron Age]] can be found on the island. Cyprus came into contact with [[Ancient Egypt|Egypt]] about 1500 BC and became an important trade partner.
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During the [[Bronze Age]], the people of Cyprus learned to work the rich [[copper]] mines of the island. The [[Mycenaean Greece|Mycenæan]] culture seems to have reached Cyprus at around 1600 B.C.E., and several Greek and Phœnician settlements that belong to the [[Iron Age]] can also be found on the island. Cyprus became a significant trading partner with [[Ancient Egypt|Egypt]] about 1500 B.C.E..
  
Around 1200 BC, the [[Sea Peoples]] may have arrived in Cyprus, although the nature of their influence is disputed. The Phœnicians arrived at the island in the early first millennium BC. In those times, Cyprus supplied the [[Greeks]] with timber for their fleets.
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Around 1200 B.C.E., the [[Sea Peoples]], groups of seafarers who invaded eastern [[Anatolia]], [[Syria]], [[Palestine]], [[Cyprus]], and [[Egypt]], may have arrived in Cyprus, although the nature of their influence is disputed. The Phœnicians arrived at the island in the early first millennium B.C.E.. In those times, Cyprus supplied the [[Greeks]] with timber for their fleets.
  
In the sixth century B.C.E., [[Amasis]] of [[Egypt]] conquered Cyprus, which soon fell under the rule of the [[Persian Empire|Persians]] when [[Cambyses]] conquered Egypt. In the Persian Empire, Cyprus formed part of the fifth satrapy and in addition to tribute it had to supply the Persians with ships and crews. In their new fate, the Greeks of Cyprus had as companions the Greeks of [[Ionia]] (west coast of [[Anatolia]]) with whom they forged closer ties. When the Ionian Greeks revolted against [[Persia]] (499 B.C.E.), the Cypriots, except for the city of [[Amathus]], joined in, led by [[Onesilos]] who dethroned his brother, the king of [[Salamis, Cyprus|Salamis]], for not wanting to fight for independence. The Persians reacted quickly, sending a considerable force against Onesilos. The Persians finally won despite Ionian help.
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[[Image:salamis.jpg|thumbnail|left|250px|Ruins of ancient [[Salamis, Cyprus|Salamis]], near [[Famagusta]]]]
  
After their defeat, the Greeks mounted various expeditions in order to take Cyprus from Persian rule, but all their efforts bore only temporary results. Eventually, under [[Alexander the Great]] (356-323 B.C.E.) the island went over to the Macedonians. Later, the [[Ptolemies]] of Egypt controlled it; finally [[Rome]] annexed it in 58-57 B.C.E.. Cyprus was visited by the Apostles [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]] and [[Barnabas]] accompanied by [[Mark the Evangelist|St Mark]] who came to the island at the outset of their first [[missionary]] journey in 45 C.E. After their arrival at [[Salamis, Cyprus|Salamis]] they proceeded to [[Paphos]] where they converted the Roman Governor [[Sergius Paulus]] to [[Christianity]], making Cyprus the first country in the world governed by a Christian ruler.
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In the sixth century B.C.E., [[Amasis]] of [[Egypt]] conquered Cyprus, which soon fell under the rule of the [[Persian Empire|Persians]] when [[Cambyses]] conquered Egypt. In the Persian Empire, Cyprus formed part of the fifth ''satrapy'' (area ruled by ancient Persian governor), and in addition to other tributes had to supply the Persians with ships and crews. In this work, the Greeks of Cyprus had as companions the Greeks of [[Ionia]] (west coast of [[Anatolia]]) with whom they forged closer ties. When the Ionian Greeks revolted against [[Persia]] in 499 B.C.E., the Cypriots (except for the city of [[Amathus]]) joined in, led by [[Onesilos]], who dethroned his brother, the king of [[Salamis, Cyprus|Salamis]], for refusing to fight for independence. The Persians reacted quickly, sending a considerable force against Onesilos. The Persians finally won, despite Ionian support for the Cypriots.
  
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After their defeat, the Greeks mounted various expeditions in order to liberate Cyprus from Persian rule, but these efforts gained only temporary victories. Eventually, under [[Alexander the Great]] (356-323 B.C.E.) the island went over to the Macedonians. Later, the [[Ptolemies]] of Egypt controlled it; finally [[Rome]] annexed it in 58-57 B.C.E.
  
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Cyprus was visited by the Apostles [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]], [[Barnabas]], and [[Mark the Evangelist]] who came to the island at the outset of their first [[missionary]] journey in 45 C.E. After their arrival at [[Salamis, Cyprus|Salamis]] they proceeded to [[Paphos]], where they converted the Roman Governor [[Sergius Paulus]] to [[Christianity]]. This biblical report (Acts 13) is cited by some Cypriots as evidence that theirs was the first country in the world governed by a Christian ruler.
  
===Post-classical and modern Cyprus===
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===Post-classical Cyprus===
 
[[image:Kolossi Castle 01.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Kolossi Castle]]]]
 
[[image:Kolossi Castle 01.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Kolossi Castle]]]]
Cyprus became part of the [[Byzantine Empire]] after the partitioning of the [[Roman Empire]] in 395, and remained so for almost eight hundred years, interrupted by a brief period of [[Arab]] domination and influence.
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Cyprus became part of the [[Byzantine Empire]] after the partitioning of the [[Roman Empire]] in 395, and remained so for almost 800 years, interrupted by a brief period of [[Arab]] domination and influence.
  
After the rule of the rebellious Byzantine Emperor [[Isaac Komnenos of Cyprus|Isaac Komnenos]], King [[Richard I of England]] captured the island in 1191 during the [[Third Crusade]]. On May 6, 1191, Richard's fleet arrived in the port of Lemesos and took the city. When Isaac arrived to stop the Crusaders he discovered he was too late and retired to [[Kolossi Castle]]. Richard called Isaac to negotiations but Isaac broke his oath of hospitality and started demanding Richard's departure. Richard ordered his cavalry to follow him in a battle against Isaac's army in Tremetusia. The few Roman Catholics of the island joined Richard's army and so did the island's nobles who were dissatisfied with Isaac's seven years of tyrannical rule. Though Isaac and his men fought bravely, Richard's army was bigger and better equipped, assuring his victory. Isaac continued to resist from the castles of Pentadactylos but after the siege of his castle of Kantara he finally surrendered. In a fit of sardonic irony, Richard had Isaac confined with silver chains, scrupulously abiding by a previous promise that he would not place Isaac in irons should he be taken prisoner. Richard became the new ruler of Cyprus, gaining for the Crusade a major supply base that was not under immediate threat from the Turks as was Tyre. Richard looted the island and massacred those trying to resist him. He and most of his army left Cyprus for the Holy Land early in June. In his absence Cyprus would be governed by Richard Camville.
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After the rule of the rebellious Byzantine Emperor [[Isaac Komnenos of Cyprus|Isaac Komnenos]], King [[Richard I of England]] captured the island in 1191 during the [[Third Crusade]]. On May 6, 1191, Richard's fleet arrived in the port of Lemesos and took the city. When Isaac arrived to stop the Crusaders he discovered he was too late and retired to [[Kolossi Castle]]. Richard called Isaac to negotiations, and Isaac demanded Richard's departure. Richard then led his cavalry into battle against Isaac's army in Tremetusia. The few [[Roman Catholic]]s of the island joined Richard's army, and so did the island's nobles, who were dissatisfied with Isaac's seven years of rule. Though Isaac and his men fought bravely, Richard's army was larger and better equipped, assuring his victory. Isaac continued to resist from the castle of Pentadactylos but after the siege of his fortress of Kantara, he finally surrendered. In a fit of sardonic irony, Richard had Isaac confined with silver chains, scrupulously abiding by a previous promise that he would not place Isaac in irons should he be taken prisoner.
  
In 1192 [[Guy of Lusignan]] purchased the island, in compensation for the loss of his kingdom, from the [[Knights Templar|Templars]]. The [[Republic of Venice]] took control in 1489 after the death of the last Lusignan Queen.
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Richard became the new ruler of Cyprus, gaining for the Crusade a major supply base that was not under immediate threat from the Turks, as was Tyre. Richard looted the island and massacred those who tried to resist him. He and most of his army left Cyprus for the [[Holy Land]] early in June of 1191. In his absence, Cyprus was governed by Richard Camville.
  
Throughout the period of [[Republic of Venice|Venetian]] rule, [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] Turks raided and attacked the peoples of Cyprus at will. The [[Greeks|Greek]] population of Cyprus were given weapons by the Venetians and fought the attacking Ottomans.  
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In 1192, [[Guy of Lusignan]] purchased the island, in compensation for the loss of his kingdom from the [[Knights Templar|Templars]]. The [[Republic of Venice]] took control in 1489 after the death of the last Lusignan queen.  
  
In 1489, the first year of Venetian control, Turks attacked the [[Karpasia]] Peninsula, pillaging and taking captives to be sold into slavery. In 1539 the Turkish fleet attacked and destroyed [[Limassol]]. Fearing the ever-expanding [[Ottoman Empire]], the Venetians had fortified [[Famagusta]], [[Nicosia]], and [[Kyrenia]], but most other cities were easy prey.  
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Throughout the period of [[Republic of Venice|Venetian]] rule, [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] Cyprus was vulnerable to Turkish raids.
  
In the summer of 1570, the Turks struck again, but this time with a full-scale invasion rather than a raid. A fleet commanded by [[Piyale Pasha]] carried about 60,000 troops, including cavalry and artillery, under the command of [[Lala Kara Mustafa Pasha]] to the island and landed unopposed near [[Limassol]] on July 2, 1570, and laid siege to [[Nicosia]]. In an orgy of victory on the day that the city fell — 9 September 1570 — 20,000 Nicosians Greeks were put to death, and every [[church]], public building, and palace was looted. Word of the massacre spread, and a few days later Mustafa took Kyrenia without having to fire a shot. Famagusta, however, resisted and put up a heroic defense that lasted from September 1570 until August 1571.
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==Modern Cyprus==
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===Ottoman rule===
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In 1489, the first year of Venetian control, Turks attacked the [[Karpasia]] Peninsula, pillaging and taking captives to be sold into slavery. In 1539 the [[Turkey|Turkish]] fleet attacked and destroyed [[Limassol]]. Fearing the ever-expanding [[Ottoman Empire]], the Venetians had fortified [[Famagusta]], [[Nicosia]], and [[Kyrenia]], but most other cities were easy prey. In the summer of 1570, the Turks launched a full-scale invasion, seizing Nicosia. After a long siege, Famagusta fell the following year.
 
[[Image:Venetian-walls.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Part of the Venetian Wall fortifications in the city of [[Nicosia]]]]
 
[[Image:Venetian-walls.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Part of the Venetian Wall fortifications in the city of [[Nicosia]]]]
  
Ottoman rule brought about two radical results in the history of the island. For the first time since the [[Phoenicians]] in the ninth century B.C.E., a new population group appeared, the Turks. The Ottoman Empire gave ''timars'' &ndash; land grants &ndash; to soldiers under the condition that they and their families would stay there permanently. This event radically changed the demographics of Cyprus. During the seventeenth century the Turkish population grew rapidly. Most of the Turks who had settled on the island during the three centuries of Ottoman rule remained when control of Cyprus &ndash; although not sovereignty {{Fact|date=February 2007}} &ndash; was ceded to Britain in 1878. Many, however, left for Turkey during the 1920s. By 1970, ethnic Turks represented 18% of the total population of the island, with ethnic Greeks representing the remainder. The distinction between the two groups was by religion and language.
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Three centuries of [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] rule followed, in which the Latin church was suppressed and the Orthodox hierarchy was restored. The Orthodox archbishop was made responsible for tax collection, and feudal tenure was abolished, giving the Greeks the right to acquire land by purchase, and thus become owners. Taxes were greatly reduced, but later grew increasingly onerous.
 
 
The second important result of the Ottoman conquest benefited the Greek peasants who no longer remained serfs of the land they were cultivating. Now they could acquire it by purchase, thus becoming owners of it. In reality, they were purchasing their own land from invaders and conquerors. The Ottomans also applied the millet system to Cyprus, which allowed religious authorities to govern their own non-Muslim minorities. This system reinforced the position of the Orthodox Church and the cohesion of the ethnic Greek population. Gradually the [[Archbishop of Cyprus]] became not only the religious but the ethnic leader as well. In this way the Church undertook the task of the guardian of Greek cultural legacy, which is partly carried on even now, although diminished after independence. The Church itself paid no taxes to the Ottoman conquerors but was responsible for collecting taxes from the population and passing it on to the rulers.
 
 
 
The heavy taxes and the abuses against the population on the part of the Ottoman rulers in the early years after the Ottoman conquest gave rise to opposition, following which the Sultan ordered the Governor (the "Kadi") and the Treasurer to govern with justice. {{Fact|date=February 2007}} While the Sultan's orders indicated his goodwill towards the local population, the local administration proved indifferent, arbitrary and often corrupt, along with imposing a heavy burden of taxes.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Cypriots disappointed at the mismanagement of  Ottoman governors, soon turned to Western Europe in search of help for liberation as their motherland, Greece, was also under the Ottomans.
 
 
 
Between 1572 and 1668, around twenty-eight bloody uprisings took place on the island and in many of these both Greeks and Turk peasants took part. {{Fact|date=February 2007}} All ended in failure.
 
 
 
About 1660, in order to eliminate the mismanagement of the Ottoman administration, the Sultan recognised the Archbishop and the Bishops as "the protectors of people" and the representatives of the Sultan. In 1670, Cyprus ceased to be a "pasaliki" for the Ottoman Empire and came under the jurisdiction of the Admiral of the Ottoman fleet. In his turn, the Admiral sent an officer to govern in his place.
 
 
 
In 1703, Cyprus came under the jurisdiction of the Grand Vizier (Anthony Petane) who sent to the island a military and civil administrator. The title and function of this officer were awarded to the person who could raise the highest revenues in exchange. As a result, even heavier taxation was imposed. About 1760 the situation in Cyprus was intolerable. A terrible epidemic of plague, bad crops and earthquakes, drove many Cypriots to emigrate. In addition, what was worse for the Greeks and Turks of the island, the newly- appointed Pasha, doubled the taxes in 1764. In the end, Chil Osman and 18 of his friends were killed by Greek and Turkish Cypriots, but the two ethnic elements had to pay a huge sum of money to the Sultan and the families of the victims. The latter did not accept this judgement and broke into an open rebellion, having Khalil Agha, the commander of the guard of the castle of Kyrenia, as their leader. Finally the uprising was crushed and Khalil Agha was beheaded.
 
 
 
Detailed population statistics from Cyprus are available going back to the 1830s. The first large scale census of the Ottoman Empire in 1831 included Cyprus. Only men were counted and information on religion was recorded. The male population at the time was 14,983 Muslims and 29,190 Christians. <ref>"Memalik-i Mahrusa-i Sahanede 1247 senesinde mevcut olan nufus defteri", Istanbul University library, ms.kat d-8 no:8867</ref> This implies a total population of 88,000 for the island.
 
 
 
By 1872, the population of the island had risen to 144,000 comprising 44,000 Muslims (mostly Turks) and 100,000 Christians (mostly Greeks). <ref>"Osmanli Nufusu 1830-1914" by Kemal Karpat, ISBN 975-333-169-X and "Die Volker des Osmanischen" by Ritter zur Helle von Samo</ref>
 
  
Cyprus was placed under [[United Kingdom|British]] control on 4 June 1878 as a result of the [[Cyprus Convention]], which granted control of the island to Britain in return for British support of the Ottoman Empire in the [[Russo-Turkish War, 1877–1878|Russian-Turkish War]].
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Thousands of Turks were already settled on the island and during the seventeenth century the Turkish population grew rapidly. However, dissatisfaction grew with the Ottoman administration, which was widely viewed by both Turk and Greeks as inefficient, arbitrary, and corrupt. There were Turkish uprisings in 1764 and 1833. In 1821 the Orthodox archbishop was hanged on suspicion of links and sympathies with Greek rebels on the mainland. Between 1572 and 1668, numerous uprisings took place on the island, in which both Greeks and Turk peasants took part. All ended in failure.
  
Famagusta harbour was completed in June 1906; by this time the island was a strategic naval outpost for the [[British Empire]], shoring up influence over the Eastern [[Mediterranean]] and [[Suez Canal]], the crucial main route to [[India]].
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By 1872, the population of the island had risen to 144,000, comprised of 44,000 Muslims (mostly Turks) and 100,000 Christians (mostly Greeks).
  
Cyprus was formally annexed by the [[United Kingdom]] in 1913 in the run-up to the [[World War I|First World War]], since former British ally (Turkey) had joined the Central Powers. Many Cypriots, now British subjects, signed up to fight in the British Army, promised by the British that when the war finished Cyprus would be united with Greece. This happened twice both in the First and in the [[World War II|Second World War]].
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===British rule===
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Cyprus was placed under [[United Kingdom|British]] control on June 4, 1878 as a result of the [[Cyprus Convention]], which granted control of the island to Britain in return for British support of the Ottoman Empire in the [[Russo-Turkish War, 1877–1878|Russian-Turkish War]].
  
During the 1900s and 1950s,Greek Cypriots began to demand [[Enosis|union with Greece]]. In 1950, 98% of all Cypriots {{Fact|date=February 2007}} voted in a referendum in support of enosis. Turkish Cypriots claim that the enosis movement largely ignored the Turkish Cypriots minority presence on the island, but all peoples of Cyprus recognize that the British sought to quell any movement which could threaten their possession of the island. In 1955, the struggle against British rule erupted with the foundation of [[EOKA]], which lasted until 1959. In this struggle the overwhelming majority of the island, the Greek Cypriots, took part.  
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Famagusta harbor was completed in June 1906. By this time the island was a strategic naval outpost for the [[British Empire]], shoring up influence over the Eastern [[Mediterranean]] and the [[Suez Canal]], the crucial main route to [[India]]. Cyprus was formally annexed by the [[United Kingdom]] in 1913 in the run-up to the [[World War I|First World War]], since their former British ally, [[Turkey]], had joined the [[Central Powers]]. Many Cypriots, now British subjects, signed up to fight in the British Army, promised by the British that when the war finished, Cyprus would be united with [[Greece]].
  
Independence was attained in 1960 after exhaustive negotiations between the United Kingdom, as the colonial power, and Greece and Turkey, the cultural 'motherlands' for both the majority and minority communities in Cyprus. The UK ceded the island under a constitution allocating government posts and public offices by ethnic quota, but retained two small [[Sovereign Base Areas]].
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After [[World War I]], Cyprus remained under British rule. A different outcome would occur, however, after [[World War II]]. In the 1950s, Greek Cypriots began to demand [[Enosis|union with Greece]]. In 1950, a huge majority of Cypriots voted in a referendum in support of such a union. In 1955, the struggle against British rule erupted, lasting until 1959.
  
<references />
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Independence was attained in 1960 after negotiations between the United Kingdom, Greece, and Turkey. The UK ceded the island under a constitution allocating government posts and public offices by ethnic quota, but retained two small base areas under British sovereignty.
  
 
===Post-independence===
 
===Post-independence===
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[[Image:Makarios III and Robert F. Wagner NYWTS cropped.jpg|thumb|Makarios III, first president of the Republic of Cyprus]]
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Cyprus was declared an independent state on August 16, 1960. The [[constitution]] of the new state divided the people of Cyprus into a majority and minority, based on national origin. Shortly after, the two communities became entangled in a constitutional crisis. In November 1963, [[Archbishop Makarios]], the first President of the Republic of Cyprus, proposed [[Zurich and London Agreement #13 Amendments proposed by Makarios III|13 Amendments]] to the constitution designed, from the Greek point of view, to remove some of the causes of friction. The Turkish population of Cyprus, however, rejected the proposal, arguing that the amendments would have restricted the rights of the Turkish Cypriot community.
  
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Unable to reach a solution, the government of the Republic of Cyprus brought the matter before the [[United Nations]]. UN Security Council Resolution 186/1964, the first of a series of UN resolutions on the [[Cyprus dispute|Cyprus issue]], provided for the stationing of the UN peacekeeping force (UNFICYP) on the island, and the start of UN efforts at mediation.
 
 
[[Image: Makarios Statue.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Statue of [[Makarios III]] at the Archiepiscopal Palace in [[Nicosia]]]]
 
Cyprus was declared an independent state on August 16th, 1960. The Constitution of the new state, which was imposed by the [[Zürich and London Agreement]]s, divided the people of Cyprus into a majority and minority, based on national origin. Shortly after, the two communities became entangled in a constitutional crisis. In November 1963, Archbishop Makarios, the first President of the Republic of Cyprus, proposed [[Zurich and London Agreement#13 Amendments proposed by Makarios III|13 Amendments]] to the constitution in his desire to improve the situation, amendments not involving any radical changes but designed rather to remove some of the more obvious causes of [[Intercommunal violence during the Cyprus conflict|friction]].
 
The minority Turks rejected the proposal, arguing that the amendments would have restricted the rights of the Turkish Cypriot community. Unable to reach a solution, the government of the Republic of Cyprus brought the matter before the UN. UN Security Council Resolution 186/1964<ref name='S/5575'> {{cite web|url=http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/NR0/211/44/IMG/NR021144.pdf?OpenElement |title= Resolution 186: The Cyprus Question |accessdate=2007-01-29 |date=4 Mar 1964 |format=PDF |publisher=United Nations }}</ref>, the first of a series of UN resolutions on the [[Cyprus dispute|Cyprus issue]], provided for the stationing of the UN peacekeeping force (UNFICYP) on the island, and the start of UN efforts at mediation, aimed at promoting a peaceful resolution and finding a mutually acceptable solution, in accordance with the UN Charter.
 
 
 
By 1974, dissatisfaction among Greek nationalist right-wing elements in favour of the long-term goal of [[Enosis|unification with Greece]] precipitated a [[coup d'etat]] against President Makarios which was sponsored by [[Greek military junta of 1967-1974|the military government of Greece]] and led by Greek officers in the Cypriot National Guard. The Greek military junta and their suporters attempted to assassinate President Makarios. The new regime replaced Makarios with [[Nikos Sampson|Nikos Giorgiades Sampson]] as president, and Bishop Gennadios as head of the [[Cypriot Orthodox Church]]. Seven days after these events [[Turkish Invasion of Cyprus|Turkey invaded  militarily in Cyprus]] by sea and air on 20 July 1974using U.S.weaponry. At the time Turkey claimed it was invading to uphold its obligation under the [[1960 Treaty of Guarantee]]"to re-enstate the constitution of the Republic of Cyprus". The coup was dissolved after strong resistance by the Greek Cypriot people, however the constitution was replaced only in the free areas of Cyprus, not under the Turkish occupation army. Talks in [[Geneva]] involving Greece, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the two Cypriot factions failed in mid-August as Turks demanded the establishment  of the long existing (1930) Anglo Turkish plan for the  partition of the island. {fact} A month after the talks, Turkish forces subsequently moved from the previous cease-fire lines to gain control of 37% of the island's territory. During the invasion, 200,000 Greek Cypriots <ref>[http://www02.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/mfa.nsf/FEB4D72828085695C2256FD50031BF1E/$FILE/MEMOResponse10.3.05.doc]</ref> were displaced from their home land. While this was happening, 300 Turkish Cypriots from a number of villages were killed in reprisal for the killings of Greek Cypriot civilians by the Turkish invading army. paramilitaries.<ref>http://www.cyprus-conflict.net/narrative%20-%20part%204.htm</ref> As of today, there are still 1,468 Greek Cypriots and 502 Turkish Cypriots unaccounted for as well as over 150.000 Greek Cypriot refugees and over 60,000 Turkish Cypriot displaced persons <ref>http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=30795&cat_id=1</ref>. The events of the summer of 1974 have dominated Cypriot politics ever since and have been a major point of contention between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, as well as Greece and Turkey.
 
[[Image:Limassol-Seafront'.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Limassol]] Seafront]]
 
 
 
Since 1974, there have been continual efforts to negotiate a settlement, which met with varying levels of disagreement from either side. The Turkish government arranged an influx of settlers from Turkey whose exact numbers are disputed, but believed to be in the range of over 100,000, thus altering the demographics of the island against the rules of the [[geneva Convention]].  Turkey counters that the Turkish Cypriots - before 1963 - owned and farmed 33% of Cypriot land before being forced into enclaves by the TMT (TMT=Turkish Cypriot counter organisation to EOKA and later EOKA-B), thus the take-over of one-third of Cyprus was seen as compensating the Turkish Cypriots for their lost land. These figures are rejected by both the Colonial land registry and the Cyprus Republic Authorities as fictional. According to the records held by the Cyprus Land Registry, only 12.3% of all Cypriot land, or 16.7% of privately owned land was owned by Turkish Cypriots. Of the 3,240 square kilometres of the occupied area, 60.27% is owned by Greek Cypriots, 16.39% is owned by Turkish Cypriots and 23.09% is state owned land.
 
 
 
Turkish Cypriots proclaimed a separate state, the [[Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]] (TRNC), under [[Rauf Denktaş]] on November 15 1983. The UN [[Security Council]], in its Resolution 541 of November 18 1983, declared the action legally invalid and called for a withdrawal of Turkish troops. The above-mentioned Resolutions also asked all states to refrain from recognising the declaration, which was created through secessionist actions, and not to facilitate or in any other way aid the secessionist entity. Turkey is the only country to date that recognises the administration ("subordinate state of Turkey in Cyprus")on the northern third of Cyprus in violation of the charter. Turkey does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus's authority over the whole island, and refers to it as the Greek Cypriot administration.  However, in 2005, United States Congressional staffers (led by Turkish Caucus) and their families flew into the illegal Tymbou airport directly from Turkey, bypassing the legal entry points to Occupied Cyprus via Larnaca and Paphos.  The Turkish Caucus Co-Chairman [[Edward Whitfield]] (R-KY) and Representatives [[Nathan Deal]] (R-GA), [[Eddie Bernice Johnson]] (D-TX), staffers from the offices of Rep. [[Mike Pence]] (R-IN), Rep. [[Robert B. Aderholt]] (R-AL), Rep. [[Jim McDermott]] (D-WA), Rep. [[Dan Burton]] (R-IN), Rep.[[Kay Granger]] (R-TX), Senator [[Robert F. Bennett]] (R-UT), and Senator [[Gordon H. Smith]] (R-OR), have participated in trips through this illegal entry point.
 
 
 
Illegal excavation is a frequent occurrence in [[Salamis, Cyprus|Salamis]], [[Kyrenia]], [[Famagusta]] and the Karpasian Peninsula. Such excavations apart, the authorities in occupied Cyprus at times also destroy archaeological sites. A typical example of such destruction was suffered by a Neolithic settlement in the vicinity of Castro, on the Agios Andreas promontory. The most violent and systematic attack has been on churches, which are the most obvious and easily recognized symbols of the areas cultural identity. In all, of the 275 churches in occupied Cyprus, 75 have been converted into mosques, 141 have been desecrated, 13 have been converted into storage spaces or stockyards, 3 into icon museums, and 4 for propaganda purposes into cultural centres, whilst a further 20 are used by the occupying regime as military depots, barracks, restaurants and military hospitals. Churches throughout occupied Cyprus have been stripped of their contents and converted into mosques (as in the case of the church of Andreas the Apostle in Neapolis), hospitals, night clubs, livestock pens, warehouses and stables.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Icons, murals, hagiographic paintings, and precious and unique mosaics have been looted or destroyed. The church of Agia Anastasia in occupied Lapithos, built in the late 19th century, and which has been converted into a hotel and Casino, is a case in point.
 
  
It is estimated that about 160,000 settlers from Turkey have been illegally established in the occupied section of Cyprus since 1974, many of whom live in Greek Cypriot property. These settlers were given citizenship and the right to vote. At the same time, a number of native Turkish Cypriots have emigrated, possibly due to the unfavourable economic conditions prevailing in the occupied areas. Of the approximately 120,000 native Turkish Cypriot residents in 1974, today there are fewer than 90,000. With a further 40,000 Turkish soldiers stationed permanently on the island, the ratio of Turks to Turkish Cypriots in occupied Cyprus is about 2 to 1.  
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By 1974, dissatisfaction among Greek nationalist elements in favor of the long-term goal of [[Enosis|unification with Greece]] precipitated a [[coup d'etat]] against President Makarios, sponsored by the military government of Greece and led by officers in the Cypriot National Guard. The new regime replaced Makarios with [[Nikos Sampson|Nikos Giorgiades Sampson]] as president, and Bishop Gennadios as head of the [[Cypriot Orthodox Church]].  
  
In 2004, the UN backed [[Annan plan]] sought to reunify the island before EU accession. Turkish Cypriots accepted the plan whilst Greek Cypriots rejected it, with the result that the island entered the EU as a divided country. EU countries recognise the official government and still officially treat the North as a militarily occupied area: although this has affected discussions with Turkey over accession, it has not prevented them, and EU ministers have repeatedly stressed their intention to open direct trade links with the occupied area.  The EU [[Acquis]] communautaire applies only to those (Greek) areas under the control of the Republic of Cyprus.  
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Seven days after these events, Turkey invaded Cyprus by sea and air, on July 20, 1974. Turkey claimed this action was conducted to uphold its obligation under a 1960 treaty commitment, "to reinstate the constitution of the Republic of Cyprus." After it became clear that neither the Greeks nor the Turks on Cyprus supported the coup, the new regime was resolved. However, some areas remained under the Turkish occupation army. Talks in [[Geneva]] involving [[Greece]], [[Turkey]], the [[United Kingdom]], and the two Cypriot factions failed in mid-August. By the end of September, Turkish forces controlled 37 percent of the island's territory.  
  
Since the invasion, the economy of Cyprus has grown greatly and citizens of the Republic in particular enjoy a high standard of living. The north maintains a lower standard of living due to international embargoes, and is still reliant on Turkey for aid, though increased revenues through tourism and a recent construction boom have led to rapid economic development in recent years. The Turkish Cypriot administration has allowed the illegal sale of real estate, consisting almost entirely of property and land still owned by Greek Cypriots from before the 1974 Turkish invasion, to private buyers from overseas. In 2005, the UK's Guardian Newspaper reported that up to 10,000 Europeans had invested in property in the north of Cyprus, a trend that still causes concern in the south. This concern was highlighted by the UK's Telegraph Newspaper in 2006 when the wife of Britain's prime minister, [[Cherie Blair]], touched a diplomatic nerve; Mrs Blair, in her capacity as an advocate at law, represented a UK couple, the Orams, who had been taken to court by Greek Cypriots who claimed ownership of the land on which the Orams had built a house. President [[Tassos Papadopoulos]] referred to Blair's decision to represent the Orams as "a provocative action".
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The events of the summer of 1974 have dominated Cypriot politics ever since and have been a major point of contention between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, as well as between Greece and Turkey.
  
On 5 December 2006, the [[United Nations]] Secretary-General Kofi Annan recommended a further six-month extension in the [[United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus|mandate of the UN mission]] that has been deployed on the island for over four decades. Mr. Annan said that while the situation remained “calm and stable with no major violations of the ceasefire lines,” he regretted the continued stalemate in the political process and the “missed opportunities” over the past 10 years.  In July of 2006, the Island served as a safe haven for Lebanese displaced by the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. [http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200607/21/eng20060721_285223.html]
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===Independent Turkish state===
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[[Image:Cy-map.png|thumb|300px|Map showing the political division of Cyprus]]
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Turkish Cypriots proclaimed a separate state, the [[Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]] (TRNC) under [[Rauf Denktaş]] on November 15, 1983. The UN [[Security Council]], in its Resolution 541 of November 18, 1983, declared the action legally invalid and called for a withdrawal of Turkish troops. Turkey is the only country to date that recognizes the administration on the northern third of Cyprus. Turkey does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus's authority over the whole island and refers to it as the Greek Cypriot administration.
  
==Administrative divisions==
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Renewed UN peace-proposal efforts in 1984 and 1985 were unsuccessful, and in May 1985 a constitution for the TRNC was approved by referendum.
[[Image:Cyprus_districts_named.png|right|thumb|300px|Map of Cyprus showing political divisions and districts]]
 
{{main|Districts of Cyprus}}
 
Cyprus is divided into six districts:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! !! [[Greek language|Greek]] !! [[Turkish language|Turkish]]
 
|-
 
| [[Famagusta District|Famagusta]] || Αμμόχωστος (Ammochostos) || Gazimağusa
 
|-
 
| [[Kyrenia District|Kyrenia]]    || Κερύvεια (Keryneia)      || Girne
 
|-
 
| [[Larnaca District|Larnaca]]    || Λάρνακα (Larnaka)        || Larnaka
 
|-
 
| [[Limassol District|Limassol]]  || Λεμεσός (Lemesos)        || Limasol/Leymosun
 
|-
 
| [[Nicosia District|Nicosia]]    || Λευκωσία (Lefkosia)      || Lefkoşa
 
|-
 
| [[Paphos District|Paphos]]      || Πάφος (Pafos)            || Baf
 
|}
 
  
==Politics==
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==Government and Politics==
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[[Image:EU location CYP magnified.png|thumb|left|Cyprus (magnified) and the European Union]]
 
[[Image:presidential-palace.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Presidential Palace (Residence) in [[Nicosia]]]]
 
[[Image:presidential-palace.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Presidential Palace (Residence) in [[Nicosia]]]]
 
[[Image:Modern City.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Part of the Modern section of the city of [[Nicosia]]]]
 
[[Image:Modern City.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Part of the Modern section of the city of [[Nicosia]]]]
 
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After its independence, the Republic of Cyprus became a founding member of the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] despite all three guarantor powers ([[Greece]], [[Turkey]], and the [[United Kingdom|UK]]) being [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] members. Cyprus left the Non-Aligned Movement in 2004 to join the [[European Union]], although it retains special observer status.
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{{morepolitics|country=Cyprus}}
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The 1960 Cypriot Constitution provided for a presidential system of government with independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as a complex system of [[checks and balances]], including a weighted power-sharing ratio designed to protect the interests of the Turkish Cypriots. The executive branch, for example, was headed by a Greek Cypriot president, and a Turkish Cypriot vice-president, elected by their respective communities for five-year terms and each possessing a right of veto over certain types of legislation and executive decisions. The House of Representatives was elected on the basis of separate voters' rolls. However, since 1964, following clashes between the Greek and Turkish communities, the Turkish Cypriot seats in the House remained vacant and the Greek Cypriot Communal Chamber was abolished.
After independence Cyprus became a founding member of the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] despite all three guarantor powers (Greece, Turkey and the UK) being [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] members. Cyprus left the Non-Aligned Movement in 2004 to join the [[European Union]], though it retains special observer status.
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In the north, Turkish Cypriots established separate institutions with a popularly elected ''[[de facto]]'' President and a Prime Minister responsible to a National Assembly, exercising joint executive powers. Since 1983, the [[Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]] (TRNC) has existed as a separate state. In 1985, the TRNC adopted a formal constitution and held its first elections.
The 1960 Cypriot Constitution provided for a presidential system of government with independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as a complex system of checks and balances, including a weighted power-sharing ratio designed to protect the interests of the Turkish Cypriots. The executive, for example, was headed by a Greek Cypriot president, [[Makarios III|Archbishop Makarios III]], and a Turkish Cypriot vice president, [[Fazil Kucuk|Dr Fazıl Küçük]], elected by their respective communities for 5-year terms and each possessing a right of veto over certain types of legislation and executive decisions.
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The House of Representatives was elected on the basis of separate voters' rolls. Since 1964, following clashes between the two communities, the Turkish Cypriot seats in the House remained vacant, while the Greek Cypriot Communal Chamber was abolished. The responsibilities of the chamber were transferred to the newly founded Ministry of Education.
 
 
 
By 1967, when a [[Regime of the Colonels|military junta]] had seized power in Greece, the political impetus for enosis had faded, partly as a result of the non-aligned foreign policy of Cypriot President Makarios. Enosis remained an ideological goal, despite being pushed significantly further down the political agenda. Dissatisfaction in Greece with Makarios's perceived failure to deliver on earlier promises of enosis convinced the Greek colonels to sponsor the 1974 coup in Nicosia.
 
 
 
Turkey responded by launching a military operation on Cyprus, the "Cyprus Peace Operation". Turkish forces captured the northern part of the island. Many thousands of others, from both sides, left the island entirely. In addition to many of the Greek Cypriot refugees (a third of the population), many Turkish Cypriots also moved to the UK and other countries where for the past 30 years they have lived as neighbours with the Greek Cypriots. In the meantime Turkey illegally imported Turkish colonists to populate the occupied territories, thereby altering the ethnic make up of the occupied north. Under the [[Geneva conventions|Geneva Conventions]] of 1949, it is a war crime to transfer, directly or indirectly, the civilian population of a country power onto land under that country's military occupation.
 
 
 
Subsequently, the Turkish Cypriots established their own separatist institutions with a popularly elected ''[[de facto]]'' President and a Prime Minister responsible to the National Assembly exercising joint executive powers. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriots declared an independent state called the [[Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]] (TRNC), an action opposed by the United Nations Security Council. In 1985, the TRNC adopted a constitution and held its first elections.
 
 
 
{{seealso|Foreign relations of Cyprus|List of political parties in Cyprus|Military of Cyprus}}
 
 
 
 
===Political division===
 
===Political division===
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[[Image:buffer_zone.jpg|thumbnail|right|180px|The capital, [[Nicosia]], remains divided since 1974. The UN buffer zone separates the two sectors.]]
Cyprus gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1960, with the UK, Greece and Turkey retaining limited rights to intervene in internal affairs.
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Continued difficulties in finding a settlement presented a potential obstacle to Cypriot entry to the [[European Union]], for which the government had applied in 1997. UN-sponsored talks between the Greek and Turkish leaders, continued intensively in 2002, but without resolution. In December 2002, the EU formally invited Cyprus to join in 2004, insisting that EU membership would apply to the whole island and hoping that it would provide a significant enticement for reunification resulting from the outcome of ongoing talks. However, after the election of [[Tassos Papadopoulos]] as the new president of Cyprus, negotiations stalled, and the UN declared that the talks had failed.
 
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[[Image:buffer_zone.jpg|thumbnail|right|180px|The capital Nicosia remains divided since 1974. The UN buffer zone separates the two sectors.]]
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A [[United Nations]] plan sponsored by [[Secretary-General of the United Nations|Secretary-General]] [[Kofi Annan]] was announced in March, 2004. Cypriot civilians on both sides voted on the plan in separate referendums on April 24. The Greek side overwhelmingly rejected the [[Annan Plan]], while the Turkish side voted in favor.  
 
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In July 1974, after an attempted coup against the Makarios government by  extreme right-wing factions aided by the Greek junta, Turkey invaded Cyprus. The coup had been quashed before the arrival of Turkish paratroopers. Turkey has ever since occupied the northern part by a massive military force, estimated at 35 to 60 thousand troops. Cyprus has been divided, ''de facto'', into the Greek-Cypriot controlled rump of the Republic, somewhat less than two-thirds of the island and the Turkish-occupied 37 percent area in the north. Further, British sovereign bases under the term of the establishment of the Republic in 1960, occupy 99 square miles (256 square kilometers). The '''Republic of Cyprus''' is the legitimate internationally-recognised government of Cyprus. Turkey aside, all foreign governments and the United Nations recognise the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus over the whole island of Cyprus.
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In May 2004, Cyprus entered the EU, although in practice membership only applies to the southern part of the island which is in the control of the Republic of Cyprus.
 
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The Turkish Cypriot administration of the northern part of the island, together with Turkey, rejects the Republic's rule over the whole island and refers to it as the "Greek Authority of Southern Cyprus". Its territory, known as the "occupied area", extends over the northern 34 percent of the island.
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In July, 2006, the Greek Cypriot leader, Tassos Papadopoulos, and Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, signed a set of principles and decisions recognizing that the status quo was unacceptable and that a comprehensive settlement was both desirable and possible. They agreed to begin a two-track process involving discussions by technical committees regarding issues affecting the day-to-day life of the people and, concurrently, consideration by working groups on substantive issues, leading to a comprehensive settlement. They also committed to ending mutual recriminations.
 
 
The other power with territory on Cyprus is the United Kingdom. Under the independence agreement, the UK retained entitlement to lease two extensive areas on the southern coast of the island, around [[Akrotiri and Dhekelia]], known collectively as the [[Sovereign Base Areas|UK sovereign base]] areas. They are used as military bases.
 
 
 
===Exclaves and enclaves===
 
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Cyprus has four [[exclave]]s, all in territory that belongs to the [[Akrotiri and Dhekelia|British Sovereign Base Area of Dhekelia]]. The first two are the villages of [[Ormidhia]] and [[Xylotymvou]]. Additionally there is the Dhekelia Power Station, which is divided by a British road into two parts. The northern part is an enclave, like the two villages, whereas the southern part is located by the sea and therefore not an enclave —although it has no territorial waters of its own [http://geosite.jankrogh.com/cyprus.htm].
 
 
 
The UN buffer zone separating the territory controlled by the Turkish Cypriot administration from the rest of Cyprus runs up against Dhekelia and picks up again from its east side, off [[Ayios Nikolaos (Cyprus)|Ayios Nikolaos]] (connected to the rest of Dhekelia by a thin land corridor). In that sense, the buffer zone turns the south-east corner of the island, the [[Paralimni]] area, into a ''de facto'', though not ''[[de jure]]'', exclave.
 
 
 
===Reunification, the Annan Plan and EU entry===
 
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The results of early negotiations between Greek and Turkish politicians led to a broad agreement in principle for reunification as a bi-cameral, bi-zonal [[federation]] with territory allocated to the Greek and Turkish communities within a united island. However, agreement was never reached on the finer details, and negotiations where often deadlocked over the following points, among others:
 
 
 
The Greek side:
 
* took a strong line on the right of return for refugees to properties vacated in the 1974 displacement of Cypriots on both sides, which was based on both UN Resolutions and decisions of the European Court of Human Rights;
 
* took a dim view of any proposals which did not allow for the repatriation of Turkish settlers from the mainland who had emigrated to Cyprus since 1974; and
 
* supported a stronger central government.
 
 
 
The Turkish side:
 
* favoured a weak central government presiding over two sovereign states in voluntary association, a legacy of earlier fears of domination by the majority Greek Cypriots; and
 
* opposed plans for demilitarisation, citing security concerns.
 
 
 
The continued difficulties in finding a settlement presented a potential obstacle to Cypriot entry to the [[European Union]], for which the government had applied in 1997. UN-sponsored talks between the Greek and Turkish leaders, [[Glafkos Klerides]] and [[Rauf Denktash]], continued intensively in 2002, but without resolution. In December 2002, the EU formally invited Cyprus to join in 2004, insisting that EU membership would apply to the whole island and hoping that it would provide a significant enticement for reunification resulting from the outcome of ongoing talks. However, weeks before the UN deadline, Klerides was defeated in presidential elections by centre candidate [[Tassos Papadopoulos]]. Papadopoulos had a reputation as a hard-liner on reunification and based his stance on international law and human rights. By mid-March, the UN declared that the talks had failed.
 
 
 
A United Nations plan sponsored by [[Secretary-General of the United Nations|Secretary-General]] [[Kofi Annan]] was announced on 31 March 2004, based on what progress had been made during the talks in [[Switzerland]] and fleshed out by the UN, was put for the first time to civilians on both sides in separate referenda on 24 April 2004. The Greek side overwhelmingly rejected the [[Annan Plan]], and the Turkish side voted in favour. In considering the outcome it is interesting to note that whilst the Turkish settlers (who make up the majority in the occupied north) were allowed to vote, the refugees who had fled Cyprus had no right to vote in a referendum which would ultimately determine their future (their right to return and right to their property).
 
  
In May 2004, Cyprus entered the EU, although in practice membership only applies to the southern part of the island which is in the control of the Republic of Cyprus, but this reality does not concern the personal rights of native Turkish Cypriots as EU citizens, as they are considered as citizens of the Member State Republic of Cyprus. [http://ec.europa.eu/comm/enlargement/turkish_cypriot_en.htm]
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==Exclaves and enclaves==
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[[Image:Cyprus_districts_named.png|right|thumb|350px|Map of Cyprus showing political divisions and districts]]
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Cyprus has four [[exclave]]s—territories geographically separated from the main part. These are all located in territory that belongs to the [[Akrotiri and Dhekelia|British Sovereign Base Area of Dhekelia]]. The first two are the villages of [[Ormidhia]] and [[Xylotymvou]]. Additionally there is the Dhekelia Power Station, which is divided by a British road into two parts. The northern part is an enclave (territory geographically separated from the main part by surrounding alien territory), like the two villages, whereas the southern part is located by the sea and therefore not an enclave—although it has no territorial waters of its own.
  
{{seealso|Annan Plan|Cyprus reunification referendum, 2004|UN Buffer Zone on Cyprus}}
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The UN buffer zone, separating the territory controlled by the Turkish Cypriot administration from the rest of Cyprus, runs up against Dhekelia and picks up again from its east side, off [[Ayios Nikolaos (Cyprus)|Ayios Nikolaos]] (connected to the rest of Dhekelia by a thin land corridor). In that sense, the buffer zone turns the south-east corner of the island, the [[Paralimni]] area, into a ''de facto'', though not ''[[de jure]]'', exclave.
  
 
==Economy==
 
==Economy==
{{main|Economy of Cyprus}}
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[[Image:Limassol-Seafront'.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The [[Limassol]] seafront]]
Economic affairs in Cyprus are dominated by the division of the country.
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Economic affairs in Cyprus are dominated by the division of the country. Nevertheless, the [[economy]] of the island has grown greatly. The north maintains a lower standard of living than the south due to international embargoes, and is still reliant on [[Turkey]] for aid. However, increased revenues through tourism and a recent construction boom have led to rapid economic development in recent years.
  
The Cypriot economy is prosperous and has diversified in recent years.  Cyprus has been sought as a basis for several offshore businesses, due to its highly developed infrastructure. Economic policy of the Cyprus government has focused on meeting the criteria for admission to the European Union.  
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Recently, oil has been discovered in the sea south of Cyprus between Cyprus and Egypt and talks are under way with Egypt to reach an agreement as to the exploitation of these resources.  
  
Recently, oil has been discovered in the sea south of Cyprus (between Cyprus and Egypt) and talks are under way with Egypt to reach an agreement as to the exploitation of these resources. The level of the oil field in terms of production (barrels per day) that the two countries will be able to produce is still a matter of speculation.
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The Cypriot economy is prosperous and has diversified in recent years. Cyprus has been sought as a basis for several offshore businesses, due to its highly developed infrastructure. The economic policy of the Cyprus government has focused on meeting the criteria for admission to the European Union. Eventual adoption of the [[euro]] currency is required of all new countries joining the European Union, and the Cyprus government is scheduled to adopt the currency on January 1, 2008. The largest bank on the island is the [[Bank of Cyprus]].
  
The economy of the Turkish Cypriot North is dominated by the services sector including the public sector, trade, tourism and education, with smaller agriculture and light manufacturing sectors. The economy operates on a free-market basis, although it continues to be handicapped by the political isolation of Turkish Cypriots, the lack of private and governmental investment, high freight costs, and shortages of skilled labor. Despite these constraints, the Turkish Cypriot economy turned in an impressive performance in 2003 and 2004, with growth rates of 9.6% and 11.4%. Over the same period, per capita income almost doubled. This growth has been buoyed by the relative stability of the [[New Turkish Lira|Turkish Lira]] and by a boom in the education and construction sectors. The most vital reason for the sudden increase of the per capita income of the Turkish Cypriot economy was the conditional “opening” of the borders. This event gave the Greek Cypriots the chance to visit the northern part of Cyprus and see their homes and properties that they were forced to abandon 33 years ago. By visiting the “other” part the people were forced to pay entrance fees and car insurance, which contributed to a great degree in the improvement of the economy. The northern part of the island has also been undeveloped and as a result most goods and services remained relatively cheap. This was appealing to the Greek Cypriots that spend a lot of money buying products from the Northern part contributing greatly to the amazing increase of the per capita income by spending millions of pounds only in the first year.
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The economy of the north is dominated by the services sector including the public sector, trade, [[tourism]], and [[education]], with smaller [[agriculture]] and light manufacturing sectors. The Turkish Cypriot economy has benefited from the conditional opening of the border with the south.
 
 
Eventual adoption of the [[euro]] currency is required of all new countries joining the European Union, and the Cyprus government currently intends to adopt the currency on 1 January 2008.
 
 
 
The largest bank on the island is the [[Bank of Cyprus]].
 
  
 
==Demographics==
 
==Demographics==
{{main|Demographics of Cyprus}}
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Greek and Turkish Cypriots share many customs but maintain separate ethnic identities based on religion, language, and close ties with their respective motherlands. [[Greeks]] comprise 77 percent of the island's population, [[Turkish people|Turks]] 18 percent, while the remaining 5 percent are of other ethnicities. The population is estimated at 855,000.
Greek and Turkish Cypriots share many customs but maintain separate ethnic identities based on religion, language, and close ties with their respective motherlands. [[Greeks]] comprise 77% of the island's population, [[Turkish people|Turks]] 18%, while the remaining 5% are of other ethnicities.
 
 
 
After the Turkish invasion of 1974, about 150,000 Turks from Anatolia were transferred or decided to settle in the north. This has changed the actual demographic structure of the island.  Northern Cyprus now claims 265,100 inhabitants <ref>http://www.observercyprus.com/observer/NewsDetails.aspx?id=1180</ref>.
 
 
 
In the years since the census data was gathered in 2000, Cyprus has also seen a large influx of [[guest workers]] from countries such as [[Thailand]], the [[Philippines]] and [[Sri Lanka]], as well as major increases in the numbers of permanent British residents.  The island is also home to a significant [[Armenians in Cyprus| Armenian]] minority, as well as a large refugee population consisting of people mainly from [[Serbia]], [[Palestine]] and [[Lebanon]].  
 
  
Since the country joined the [[European Union]], a significant [[Poland|Polish]] population has also grown up, joining sizeable communities from [[Russia]] and [[Ukraine]] (mostly [[Pontic Greeks]], immigrating after the fall of the [[Eastern Bloc]]), [[Bulgaria]], [[Romania]] and Eastern European states.
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After the Turkish invasion of 1974, about 150,000 Turks from Anatolia settled in the north. Northern Cyprus now claims 265,100 inhabitants. In the years since the census data was gathered in 2000, Cyprus has also seen a large influx of [[guest workers]] from countries such as [[Thailand]], the [[Philippines]], and [[Sri Lanka]], as well as major increases in the numbers of permanent British residents. The island is also home to a significant [[Armenia]]n minority, as well as a large refugee population consisting of people mainly from [[Serbia]], [[Palestine]], and [[Lebanon]]. Since the country joined the [[European Union]], a significant [[Poland|Polish]] population has also grown up, joining sizable communities from [[Russia]] and [[Ukraine]] (mostly [[Pontic Greeks]]), immigrating after the fall of the [[Soviet Union]].
  
Most Greek Cypriots, and thus the majority of the population of Cyprus, belong to the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Cyprus ([[Cypriot Orthodox Church]]), whereas most Turkish Cypriots are [[Sunni Islam|Sunni Muslims]]. Church attendance is relatively high and Cyprus is known, along with [[Malta]] and [[Greece]], as one of the most religious countries in the [[European Union]]. In addition, there are also small [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]], [[Maronite Church|Maronite]] and [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian Apostolic]] communities in Cyprus.
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[[Image:SSalvatore SAnna.jpg|thumb|350px|Churches in Nicosia]] 
 +
Most Greek Cypriots, and thus the majority of the population of Cyprus, belong to the [[Autocephalous Orthodox Church]] of Cyprus ([[Cypriot Orthodox Church]]), whereas most Turkish Cypriots are [[Sunni Islam|Sunni Muslims]]. Church attendance is relatively high, and Cyprus is known as one of the most religious countries in the [[European Union]]. In addition, there are also small [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]], [[Maronite Church|Maronite]], and [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian Apostolic]] communities in Cyprus.
  
[[Greek language|Greek]] is the predominant language in the south, while [[Turkish language|Turkish]] is spoken in the north and by some Greek Cypriots, too. This delineation is only reflective of the post-1974 division of the island, which involved an expulsion of Greek Cypriots from the north and the analoguous move of Turkish Cypriots from the south. Historically, the Greek language was largely spoken by all Greek Cypriots and by many Turkish Cypriots too, given the fact that the Greek Cypriots formed the majority of the population. Turkish Cypriots use Turkish as [[VO language]] and as a rather distinctive dialect of Turkish.
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[[Greek language|Greek]] is the predominant language in the south, while [[Turkish language|Turkish]] is spoken in the north and by some Greek Cypriots, too. This delineation is only reflective of the post-1974 division of the island, which involved an expulsion of Greek Cypriots from the north and the analogous move of Turkish Cypriots from the south. Historically, the Greek language was largely spoken by all Greek Cypriots and by many Turkish Cypriots too, given the fact that the Greek Cypriots formed the majority of the population. Cypriot Turkish is a rather distinctive dialect of Turkish, and uses a number of sound alternations not found in standard Turkish.
  
[[English language|English]] is widely understood, and is taught in schools from the primary age. Many official documents are published in English as well as the official languages of Greek and Turkish.
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[[English language|English]] is widely understood and is taught in schools from the primary age. Many official documents are published in English as well as the official languages of Greek and Turkish.
  
 
==Human rights==
 
==Human rights==
 +
Both Turkish Cypriots living in the Republic of Cyprus and Greek Cypriots in Turkish areas report discrimination directed towards them. However, the focus on the division of the island has sometimes masked other human rights issues.
  
The constant focus on the division of the island can sometimes mask other human rights issues.  Prostitution is rife in both the Republic of Cyprus and the TRNC, and the island has been criticised<ref>[http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=26259&cat_id=1]</ref> as forming one of the main routes of [[human trafficking]] of girls from Eastern Europe for the sex trade <ref>[http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=24784&cat_id=9]</ref>The regime in the North has been the focus of occasional [[freedom of speech]] criticisms<ref>[http://www.freemedia.at/cms/ipi/statements_detail.html?ctxid=CH0055&docid=CMS1168350896599]</ref> regarding heavy-handed treatment of newspaper editors. [[Domestic violence]] legislation in the Republic remains largely unimplemented <ref>[http://www.hri.org/docs/USSD-Rights/95/Cyprus95.html#Section5]</ref>, and has not yet been passed into law in the North.  Reports on mistreatment of maids (often immigrant workers from Third World countries) are frequent in the Greek Cypriot press.  
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Prostitution is rife in both the Republic of Cyprus and the TRNC, and the island has been criticized as forming one of the main routes of [[human trafficking]] of girls from Eastern Europe for the sex trade. <ref>Jacqueline Theodoulou, [http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=24784&cat_id=9 A shame on our society], ''www.cyprus-mail.com''. Retrieved September 22, 2007.</ref> The regime in the north has been the focus of occasional [[freedom of speech]] criticisms regarding the heavy-handed treatment of newspaper editors. Reports on mistreatment of domestic servants, often immigrant workers from Third World countries, are frequent in the Greek Cypriot press.  
 
 
[[Amnesty International]] has criticised the Cypriot government over the treatment of foreign nationals, particularly asylum seekers, in Cypriot police stations and prisons.  The 2005 report also restated Amnesty's long concern over discrimination towards [[Roma_people|Roma]] peoples in Cyprus.<ref>[http://web.amnesty.org/report2005/cyp-summary-eng]</ref>
 
  
Both Turkish Cypriots living in the Republic of Cyprus, and Greek Cypriots in the occupied areas, report racism directed towards them.
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[[Amnesty International]] has criticized the Cypriot government over the treatment of foreign nationals, particularly asylum seekers, in Cypriot police stations and prisons. The 2005 report also restated Amnesty International's long standing concern over discrimination towards the [[Roma_people|Roma]] peoples in Cyprus.<ref>[http://web.amnesty.org/report2005/cyp-summary-eng Amnesty International 2005 Report on Cyprus] ''web.amnesty.org''. Retireved September 22, 2007.</ref>
  
 
==Education==
 
==Education==
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[[Image:University cyprus.jpg|thumb|250px|The University of Cyprus]]
 +
Cyprus has a well-developed system of primary and secondary education offering both public and private education. State schools are generally seen as equivalent in their quality of education to private sector institutions. Graduates of public schools are required to take an entrance examination in order to enroll at the [[University of Cyprus]] or other universities in [[Greece]]. Private school students usually study in Britain and the United States, although some of them go to the University of Cyprus or Greek universities.
  
Cyprus has a well-developed system of primary and secondary education offering both public and private education. State schools are generally seen as equivalent in quality of education to private sector institutions. Although they don't offer A-level examinations, their end of year reports are partly recognized by the British universities. Graduates of public schools are required to take an entrance examination in order to enroll at the [http://www.ucy.ac.cy University of Cyprus] or other Universities in Greece ([[List of universities in Greece]]). Private school students usually study in Britain and the USA although some of them go to the [http://www.ucy.ac.cy University of Cyprus] or other Greek Universities.  The main problem faced in public education is the need of extended extra lessons, while students in private schools need virtually no extra lessons. Neither for their entrance to the university nor for the school syllabus.  The government is trying to eliminate this problem but this seems impossible at its current state.
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According to the 1960 constitution, education was under the control of the two communities (the communal chambers). After 1974, the Cypriot system followed the Greek system and the Turkish system exists in the area not under the Republic's effective control. In the north there are several universities, which are mostly attended by Turkish Cypriot and Turkish students, the most notable of which is [[Eastern Mediterranean University]]. The qualifications issued by the universities are not formally recognized by the Republic, the EU, or American institutions: however, most universities outside Cyprus accept that the degrees they offer are broadly equivalent to Turkish university standards, enabling students to go on to postgraduate study outside the TRNC.
  
The majority of Cypriots receive their higher education at Greek, British, Turkish, other European and North American universities, while there are also sizeable emigrant communities in the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Australia]]. Private colleges and state-supported universities have been developed by both the Turkish and Greek communities.
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==Notes==
 
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<references />
According to the 1960 constitution, education is under the control of the two communities (the communal chambers). State education was based on nationalisation of existing community supported schools from the colonial period. Thus following 1974 the Cypriot system follows the Greek system in the area under the Republic's effective control, in other words providing their students with an [[apolytirion]], and the Turkish system in the area not under the Republics effective control. A large number of students after sitting for A-levels and/or  SATs study abroad, mainly in English speaking countries such as the [[United Kingdom]] or the [[United States]], but also in other European destinations such as [[France]] and [[Germany]]. Traditionally the communist party [[AKEL]] provided scholarships for its members to study in [[Eastern Europe]]. Eastern European countries, especially [[Bulgaria]] and [[Hungary]], are still popular destinations for students.
 
 
 
In the north there are several universities, which are mostly attended by Turkish Cypriot and Turkish students, the most notable of which is [[Eastern Mediterranean University]].  These institutions are not regulated by the Republic of Cyprus, but are regulated by the Turkish higher education council [http://www.yok.gov.tr/universiteler/uni_web.htm] and Turkish Cypriot Educational Administrations. The qualifications issued by the universities are not formally recognised by the Republic, the EU or American institutions: however, most universities outside Cyprus accept that the degrees they offer are broadly equivalent to Turkish university standards, enabling students to go on to postgraduate study outside the TRNC.
 
  
==Footnotes==
 
<div class="references-small">
 
<references />
 
</div>
 
  
==Further reading==
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==References==
*{{cite book | author=Hitchens, Christopher| title=Hostage to History: Cyprus from the Ottomans to Kissinger | publisher=Verso | year=1997 | id=ISBN 1-85984-189-9}}
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* Anastasiou, Harry. ''The Broken Olive Branch: Nationalism Ethnic Conflict and the Quest for Peace in Cyprus''. Author House, 2006. ISBN 1425943608
*{{cite book | author=Brewin, Christopher| title=European Union and Cyprus | publisher=Eothen Press | year=2000 | id=ISBN 0-906719-24-0}}
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* Brewin, Christopher. ''European Union and Cyprus''. Eothen Press, 2000. ISBN 0906719240
*{{cite book | author=Dods, Clement (ed.)| title=Cyprus: The Need for New Perspectives | publisher=The Eothen Press | year=1999 | id=ISBN 0-906719-23-2}}
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* Dodd, Clement (ed.). ''Cyprus: The Need for New Perspectives''. The Eothen Press, 1999. ISBN 0906719232
*{{cite book | author=Gibbons, Harry Scott| title=The Genocide Files | publisher=Charles Bravos Publishers | year=1997 | id=ISBN 0-9514464-2-8}}
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* Gibbons, Harry Scott. ''The Genocide Files''. Charles Bravos Publishers, 1997. ISBN 0951446428
*{{cite book | author=Hannay, David| title=Cyprus: The Search for a Solution | publisher=[[I.B. Tauris]] | year=2005 | id=ISBN 1-85043-665-7}}
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* Hannay, David. ''Cyprus: The Search for a Solution''. [[I.B. Tauris]], 2005. ISBN 1850436657
*{{cite book | author=Ker-Lindsay, James| title=EU Accession and UN Peacemaking in Cyprus | publisher=Palgrave Macmillan | year=2005 | id=ISBN 1-4039-9690-3}}
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* Hitchens, Christopher. ''Hostage to History: Cyprus from the Ottomans to Kissinger''. Verso; 3rd edition, 1997. ISBN 1859841899
*{{cite book | author=Mirbagheri, Farid| title=Cyprus and International Peacemaking | publisher=Hurst | year=1989 | id=ISBN 1-85065-354-2}}
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* Ker-Lindsay, James. ''EU Accession and UN Peacemaking in Cyprus''. Palgrave Macmillan, 2006. ISBN 1403996903
*{{cite book | author=Nicolet, Claude| title=United States Policy Towards Cyprus, 1954-1974 | publisher=Bibliopolis | year=2001 | id=ISBN 3-933925-20-7}}
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* Mirbagheri, Fari. ''Cyprus and International Peacemaking''. Routledge; 1st edition, 1998. ISBN 9780415919753
*{{cite book | author=Oberling, Pierre| title=The Road to Bellapais | publisher=Columbia University Press | year=1982 | id=ISBN 0-88033-000-7}}
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* Oberling, Pierre. ''The Road to Bellapais''. East European Monographs, 1982. ISBN 0880330007.
*{{cite book | author=O'Malley, Brendan and Ian Craig| title=The Cyprus Conspiracy | publisher=[[I.B. Tauris]] | year=1999 | id=ISBN 1-86064-737-5}}
+
* O'Malley, Brendan and Ian Craig. ''The Cyprus Conspiracy''. I. B. Tauris; New Ed edition, 2001. ISBN 1860647375.
*{{cite book | author=Palley, Claire| title=An International Relations Debacle: The UN Secretary-General's Mission of Good Offices in Cyprus, 1999-2004 | publisher=Hart Publishing | year=2005 | id=ISBN 1-84113-578-X}}
+
* Palley, Claire. ''An International Relations Debacle: The UN Secretary-General's Mission of Good Offices in Cyprus, 1999-2004''. Hart Publishing, 2005. ISBN 184113578X.
*{{cite book | author=Papadakis, Yiannis| title=Echoes from the Dead Zone: Across the Cyprus Divide | publisher=[[I.B. Tauris]] | year=2005 | id=ISBN 1-85043-428-X}}
+
* Papadakis, Yiannis. ''Echoes from the Dead Zone: Across the Cyprus Divide''. I.B. Tauris, 2005. ISBN 185043428X.
*{{cite book | author=Plumer, Aytug| title=Cyprus, 1963-64: The Fateful Years| publisher=Cyrep (Lefkosa) | year=2003 ID=ISBN 975-6912-18-9}}
+
* Plumer, Aytug. ''Cyprus, 1963-64: The Fateful Years''. Cyrep (Lefkosa), 2003. ISBN 9756912189
*{{cite book | author=Richmond, Oliver| title=Mediating in Cyprus | publisher=Frank Cass | year=1998 | id=ISBN 0-7146-4431-5}}
+
* Richmond, Oliver. ''Mediating in Cyprus''. Routledge; 1 edition, 1998. ISBN 0714644315
*{{cite book | author=Richmond, Oliver and James Ker-Lindsay (eds.)| title=The Work of the UN in Cyprus: Promoting Peace and Development | publisher=Palgrave Macmillan | year=2001 | id=ISBN 0-333-91271-3}}
+
* Richmond, Oliver and James Ker-Lindsay (eds.). ''The Work of the UN in Cyprus: Promoting Peace and Development''. Palgrave Macmillan, 2001. ISBN 0333912713
*{{cite book | author=Tocci, Nathalie| title=EU Accession Dynamics and Conflict Resolution: Catalysing Peace or Consolidating Partition in Cyprus? | publisher=Ashgate | year=2004 | id=ISBN 0-7546-4310-7}}
+
* Tocci, Nathalie. ''EU Accession Dynamics and Conflict Resolution: Catalyzing Peace or Consolidating Partition in Cyprus?''. Ashgate Publishing, 2004. ISBN 0754643107
*{{cite book | author=Anastasiou, Harry| title=Broken Olive Branch: Nationalism Ethnic Conflict and the Quest for Peace in Cyprus | publisher=Author House | year=2006 | id=ISBN 1-4259-4360-8}}
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
{{wikiatlas|Cyprus}}
+
All links retrieved July 24, 2013.
; Government
+
* [http://www.kypros.org/Constitution/English/index.htm Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus] ''www.kypros.org''.  
*[http://www.cypriotdiaspora.com/ Cypriot Diaspora Project]
+
* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cy.html CIA World Factbook - ''Cyprus''] ''www.cia.gov''.
* [http://www.cyprus.gov.cy/ Republic of Cyprus]
+
* [http://www.state.gov/p/eur/ci/cy/''Cyprus''] US State Department - Cyprus. ''www.state.gov''.  
* [http://www.kypros.org/Constitution/English/index.htm Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus]
 
* [http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio.nsf/index_en/index_en?opendocument# Press and Information Office]
 
* [http://www.centralbank.gov.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_name=home Central Bank of Cyprus]
 
 
 
; General information
 
* [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/cy.html CIA World Factbook - ''Cyprus'']
 
* [http://www.state.gov/p/eur/ci/cy/ US State Department - ''Cyprus''] includes Background Notes, Country Study and major reports
 
* [http://www.cyprus-conflict.net "The Cyprus Conflict"] An extensive educational web site dedicated to the Cyprus Conflict
 
* [http://dmoz.org/Regional/Middle_East/Cyprus/ Open Directory Project - ''Cyprus''] directory category
 
* [http://www.cips.com.cy News and information about both parts of Cyprus]
 
 
 
; Miscellaneous
 
* [http://www.lucadea.com/static.php?page=cipro Lucadea.com] Pictures of Cyprus
 
* [http://www.agora-cyprus.com Cyprus Guide] Everything about Cyprus
 
 
 
; Official publications
 
*[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmfaff/113/11302.htm The British government's Foreign Affairs Committee report on Cyprus].
 
*[http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio.nsf/All/E570E4948868A105C2256EAE003CAAE0?OpenDocument Letter by the President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, to the U.N. Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, dated June 7, which circulated as an official document of the U.N. Security Council]
 
*[http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio.nsf/All/BD477C55623013C5C2256D740027CF98?OpenDocument Legal Issues arising from certain population transfers and displacements on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus in the period since 20 July 1974]
 
*[http://www.hri.org/news/cyprus/cna/2004/04-04-08.cna.html#01 Address to Cypriots by President Papadopoulos (FULL TEXT)]
 
*The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office, [http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio.nsf/a_problem_en/a_problem_en?OpenDocument Aspects of the Cyprus Problem]
 
*[http://www.hr-action.org/chr/ECHR01.html 1st Report of the European Commission of Human Rights; Turkey's intervention in Cyprus and aftermath (20 July 1974 - 18 May 1976)]
 
*[http://www.hr-action.org/chr/ECHR02.html 2nd Report of the European Commission of Human Rights; Turkey's intervention in Cyprus and aftermath (19 May 1976 to 10 February 1983)]
 
*[http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio.nsf/0/5CFDB55E726D86C1C2256DC3007953BB/$file/Application%20no%2025781_94.pdf?OpenElement European Court of Human Rights Case of Cyprus v. Turkey (Application no. 25781/94)]
 
*[http://www.visiteuropes.com/ccm/vacation/downloads/?lang=en_US&33019=205 Cyprus Tourism Brochures] - Official Publications
 
{{Geolinks-buildingscale|35°9'41|33°21'40}}
 
 
 
{{Template group
 
|title = Geographic locale
 
|list  =
 
{{Countries of Europe}}
 
{{Countries and territories of the Middle East}}
 
{{Countries of Southwest Asia}}
 
{{Countries of Asia}}
 
{{Countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea}}
 
}}
 
{{Template group
 
|title = International membership
 
|list  =
 
{{EU members}}
 
{{Council of Europe members}}
 
{{Commonwealth of Nations}}
 
{{Non-Aligned Movement}}
 
}}
 
 
 
{{Turkic-speaking}}
 
 
   
 
   
[[category:nations and places]]
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[[Category:Geography]]
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[[Category:Countries]]
 
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Revision as of 16:15, 24 July 2013

Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία
Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti
Republic of Cyprus
Flag of Cyprus Coat of arms of Cyprus
Anthem: Ýmnos is tin Eleftherían
Ὕμνος εἰς τὴν Ἐλευθερίαν
Hymn to Liberty1
Location of Cyprus
Location of  Cyprus (green)
in the European Union (light green)  —  [Legend]
Capital
(and largest city)
Nicosia (Λευκωσία, Lefkoşa)
35°08′N 33°28′E
Official languages Greek
Turkish[1]
Ethnic groups (2001) 77% Greek
18%Turkish
5% others[2]
Demonym Cypriot
Government Presidential republic
 -  President Dimitris Christofias
Independence
 -  Zürich and London Agreement 19 February 1959 
 -  from the United Kingdom 16 August 1960 
Area
 -  Total 9,251 km² (167th)
3,572 (Includes North) sq mi 
 -  Water (%) Negligible
Population
 -  2010 estimate 803,147 [3] (Does not include North)
1,088,503 (whole island) 
 -  Density 117/km² (115th)
221/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2010 estimate
 -  Total $23.190 billion[4] 
 -  Per capita $28,256[4] 
GDP (nominal) 2010 estimate
 -  Total $23.174 billion[4] 
 -  Per capita $28,237[4] 
Gini (2005) 29 (low) (19th)
Currency Euro2 (EUR)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 -  Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Internet TLD .cy3
Calling code [[+357]]
1 Also the national anthem of Greece.
2 Before 2008, the Cypriot pound.
3 The .eu domain is also used, shared with other European Union member states.

Cyprus (Greek: Κύπρος, Kýpros; Turkish: Kıbrıs), officially the Republic of Cyprus (Greek: Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία, Kypriakí Dhimokratía; Turkish: Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti) is an Eurasian island nation in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea south of the Anatolian peninsula (Asia Minor) or modern-day Turkey. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.

The island has a rich history with human habitation dating back at least 10,000 years and played a role in the ancient history of both southern Europe and the Middle East. Today it remains a symbol of the division between the two civilizations which often vied for control over its strategic location and natural resources.

After World War II, Cyprus gained independence from British colonial rule and a democratic constitution was enacted. However, underlying tensions between Greek and Turkish residents soon escalated. Following 11 years of alternating violence and peaceful attempts at reconciliation, including the establishment of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus in 1964, Turkey launched a two-stage invasion of the island in 1974 in response to an Athens-engineered coup which had overthrown the legitimate Cypriot government.

The invasion led to the internal displacement of thousands of Greek and Turkish Cypriots and the subsequent establishment of a disputed territorial regime to govern the invaded area, calling itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, separated from the south by the UN-controlled Green Line and recognized only by Turkey. Today the Republic of Cyprus is a developed country and a member of the European Union since May 1, 2004.

Etymology

The name Cyprus has a somewhat uncertain etymology. A likely explanation is that it comes from the Greek word for the Mediterranean cypress tree, κυπάρισσος (kypárissos). Another suggestion is that the name derives from the Greek name of the henna plant, κύπρος (kýpros). Another school of thought suggests that it stems from the Eteocypriot word for copper, and is related to the Sumerian word for copper, (zubar), or even the word for bronze (kubar), due to the large deposits of copper ore found on the island.

Geography

Topography of Cyprus

The third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia), Cyprus is geographically situated in the eastern Mediterranean and just south of the Anatolian peninsula (or Asia Minor). Thus, it is commonly included in the Middle East. Turkey is 75 kilometers (47 miles) north; other neighboring countries include Syria and Lebanon to the east, Israel to the southeast, Egypt to the south, and Greece to the west-north-west.

Historically, Cyprus has been at the crossroads between Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa, with lengthy periods of mainly Greek and intermittent Anatolian, Levantine, and British influences. Thus, it is generally considered a transcontinental island.

The climate is temperate and Mediterranean with dry summers and variably rainy winters. Summer temperatures range from warm at higher elevations in the Troodos mountains to hot in the lowlands. Winter temperatures are mild at lower elevations, where snow rarely occurs, but are significantly colder in the mountains, where there is sufficient snow for a seasonal ski facility.

History

Prehistoric and ancient Cyprus

File:Choirokitia.jpg
Khirokitia, an archaeological site on Cyprus, dating from the Neolithic age, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
File:Akamas Peninsula.jpg
The Akamas Peninsula, site of early human habitation on Cyprus

The earliest confirmed site of human activity on the island is Aeotokremnos situated on the Akrotiri Peninsula on the south coast. Evidence from this site indicates that hunter-gatherers were active on the island from around 10,000 B.C.E.. There is also evidence that suggests that there may be short lived occupation sites contemporary with Aeotokremnos on the west coast of the island in the area of the Akamas.

The appearance of more settled village pastorialists is evident at around 8200 B.C.E.. These people probably practiced a limited form of agriculture and animal husbandry, supplemented by hunting. Important remains from this early-Neolithic period can be found at Mylouthkia, Shillourokambos, Tenta and later towards the end of this period the famous village of Khirokitia.

Following this, during the Painted-Pottery Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, small scale settlements and activity areas were in use all over the island. A rich craft industry produced decorated pottery and figurines of stone quite distinct from the cultures of the surrounding mainland.

During the Bronze Age, the people of Cyprus learned to work the rich copper mines of the island. The Mycenæan culture seems to have reached Cyprus at around 1600 B.C.E., and several Greek and Phœnician settlements that belong to the Iron Age can also be found on the island. Cyprus became a significant trading partner with Egypt about 1500 B.C.E..

Around 1200 B.C.E., the Sea Peoples, groups of seafarers who invaded eastern Anatolia, Syria, Palestine, Cyprus, and Egypt, may have arrived in Cyprus, although the nature of their influence is disputed. The Phœnicians arrived at the island in the early first millennium B.C.E.. In those times, Cyprus supplied the Greeks with timber for their fleets.

Ruins of ancient Salamis, near Famagusta

In the sixth century B.C.E., Amasis of Egypt conquered Cyprus, which soon fell under the rule of the Persians when Cambyses conquered Egypt. In the Persian Empire, Cyprus formed part of the fifth satrapy (area ruled by ancient Persian governor), and in addition to other tributes had to supply the Persians with ships and crews. In this work, the Greeks of Cyprus had as companions the Greeks of Ionia (west coast of Anatolia) with whom they forged closer ties. When the Ionian Greeks revolted against Persia in 499 B.C.E., the Cypriots (except for the city of Amathus) joined in, led by Onesilos, who dethroned his brother, the king of Salamis, for refusing to fight for independence. The Persians reacted quickly, sending a considerable force against Onesilos. The Persians finally won, despite Ionian support for the Cypriots.

After their defeat, the Greeks mounted various expeditions in order to liberate Cyprus from Persian rule, but these efforts gained only temporary victories. Eventually, under Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.E.) the island went over to the Macedonians. Later, the Ptolemies of Egypt controlled it; finally Rome annexed it in 58-57 B.C.E.

Cyprus was visited by the Apostles Paul, Barnabas, and Mark the Evangelist who came to the island at the outset of their first missionary journey in 45 C.E. After their arrival at Salamis they proceeded to Paphos, where they converted the Roman Governor Sergius Paulus to Christianity. This biblical report (Acts 13) is cited by some Cypriots as evidence that theirs was the first country in the world governed by a Christian ruler.

Post-classical Cyprus

Kolossi Castle

Cyprus became part of the Byzantine Empire after the partitioning of the Roman Empire in 395, and remained so for almost 800 years, interrupted by a brief period of Arab domination and influence.

After the rule of the rebellious Byzantine Emperor Isaac Komnenos, King Richard I of England captured the island in 1191 during the Third Crusade. On May 6, 1191, Richard's fleet arrived in the port of Lemesos and took the city. When Isaac arrived to stop the Crusaders he discovered he was too late and retired to Kolossi Castle. Richard called Isaac to negotiations, and Isaac demanded Richard's departure. Richard then led his cavalry into battle against Isaac's army in Tremetusia. The few Roman Catholics of the island joined Richard's army, and so did the island's nobles, who were dissatisfied with Isaac's seven years of rule. Though Isaac and his men fought bravely, Richard's army was larger and better equipped, assuring his victory. Isaac continued to resist from the castle of Pentadactylos but after the siege of his fortress of Kantara, he finally surrendered. In a fit of sardonic irony, Richard had Isaac confined with silver chains, scrupulously abiding by a previous promise that he would not place Isaac in irons should he be taken prisoner.

Richard became the new ruler of Cyprus, gaining for the Crusade a major supply base that was not under immediate threat from the Turks, as was Tyre. Richard looted the island and massacred those who tried to resist him. He and most of his army left Cyprus for the Holy Land early in June of 1191. In his absence, Cyprus was governed by Richard Camville.

In 1192, Guy of Lusignan purchased the island, in compensation for the loss of his kingdom from the Templars. The Republic of Venice took control in 1489 after the death of the last Lusignan queen.

Throughout the period of Venetian rule, Ottoman Cyprus was vulnerable to Turkish raids.

Modern Cyprus

Ottoman rule

In 1489, the first year of Venetian control, Turks attacked the Karpasia Peninsula, pillaging and taking captives to be sold into slavery. In 1539 the Turkish fleet attacked and destroyed Limassol. Fearing the ever-expanding Ottoman Empire, the Venetians had fortified Famagusta, Nicosia, and Kyrenia, but most other cities were easy prey. In the summer of 1570, the Turks launched a full-scale invasion, seizing Nicosia. After a long siege, Famagusta fell the following year.

File:Venetian-walls.jpg
Part of the Venetian Wall fortifications in the city of Nicosia

Three centuries of Ottoman rule followed, in which the Latin church was suppressed and the Orthodox hierarchy was restored. The Orthodox archbishop was made responsible for tax collection, and feudal tenure was abolished, giving the Greeks the right to acquire land by purchase, and thus become owners. Taxes were greatly reduced, but later grew increasingly onerous.

Thousands of Turks were already settled on the island and during the seventeenth century the Turkish population grew rapidly. However, dissatisfaction grew with the Ottoman administration, which was widely viewed by both Turk and Greeks as inefficient, arbitrary, and corrupt. There were Turkish uprisings in 1764 and 1833. In 1821 the Orthodox archbishop was hanged on suspicion of links and sympathies with Greek rebels on the mainland. Between 1572 and 1668, numerous uprisings took place on the island, in which both Greeks and Turk peasants took part. All ended in failure.

By 1872, the population of the island had risen to 144,000, comprised of 44,000 Muslims (mostly Turks) and 100,000 Christians (mostly Greeks).

British rule

Cyprus was placed under British control on June 4, 1878 as a result of the Cyprus Convention, which granted control of the island to Britain in return for British support of the Ottoman Empire in the Russian-Turkish War.

Famagusta harbor was completed in June 1906. By this time the island was a strategic naval outpost for the British Empire, shoring up influence over the Eastern Mediterranean and the Suez Canal, the crucial main route to India. Cyprus was formally annexed by the United Kingdom in 1913 in the run-up to the First World War, since their former British ally, Turkey, had joined the Central Powers. Many Cypriots, now British subjects, signed up to fight in the British Army, promised by the British that when the war finished, Cyprus would be united with Greece.

After World War I, Cyprus remained under British rule. A different outcome would occur, however, after World War II. In the 1950s, Greek Cypriots began to demand union with Greece. In 1950, a huge majority of Cypriots voted in a referendum in support of such a union. In 1955, the struggle against British rule erupted, lasting until 1959.

Independence was attained in 1960 after negotiations between the United Kingdom, Greece, and Turkey. The UK ceded the island under a constitution allocating government posts and public offices by ethnic quota, but retained two small base areas under British sovereignty.

Post-independence

Makarios III, first president of the Republic of Cyprus

Cyprus was declared an independent state on August 16, 1960. The constitution of the new state divided the people of Cyprus into a majority and minority, based on national origin. Shortly after, the two communities became entangled in a constitutional crisis. In November 1963, Archbishop Makarios, the first President of the Republic of Cyprus, proposed 13 Amendments to the constitution designed, from the Greek point of view, to remove some of the causes of friction. The Turkish population of Cyprus, however, rejected the proposal, arguing that the amendments would have restricted the rights of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Unable to reach a solution, the government of the Republic of Cyprus brought the matter before the United Nations. UN Security Council Resolution 186/1964, the first of a series of UN resolutions on the Cyprus issue, provided for the stationing of the UN peacekeeping force (UNFICYP) on the island, and the start of UN efforts at mediation.

By 1974, dissatisfaction among Greek nationalist elements in favor of the long-term goal of unification with Greece precipitated a coup d'etat against President Makarios, sponsored by the military government of Greece and led by officers in the Cypriot National Guard. The new regime replaced Makarios with Nikos Giorgiades Sampson as president, and Bishop Gennadios as head of the Cypriot Orthodox Church.

Seven days after these events, Turkey invaded Cyprus by sea and air, on July 20, 1974. Turkey claimed this action was conducted to uphold its obligation under a 1960 treaty commitment, "to reinstate the constitution of the Republic of Cyprus." After it became clear that neither the Greeks nor the Turks on Cyprus supported the coup, the new regime was resolved. However, some areas remained under the Turkish occupation army. Talks in Geneva involving Greece, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the two Cypriot factions failed in mid-August. By the end of September, Turkish forces controlled 37 percent of the island's territory.

The events of the summer of 1974 have dominated Cypriot politics ever since and have been a major point of contention between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, as well as between Greece and Turkey.

Independent Turkish state

Map showing the political division of Cyprus

Turkish Cypriots proclaimed a separate state, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) under Rauf Denktaş on November 15, 1983. The UN Security Council, in its Resolution 541 of November 18, 1983, declared the action legally invalid and called for a withdrawal of Turkish troops. Turkey is the only country to date that recognizes the administration on the northern third of Cyprus. Turkey does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus's authority over the whole island and refers to it as the Greek Cypriot administration.

Renewed UN peace-proposal efforts in 1984 and 1985 were unsuccessful, and in May 1985 a constitution for the TRNC was approved by referendum.

Government and Politics

Cyprus (magnified) and the European Union
File:Presidential-palace.jpg
The Presidential Palace (Residence) in Nicosia
File:Modern City.jpg
Part of the Modern section of the city of Nicosia

After its independence, the Republic of Cyprus became a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement despite all three guarantor powers (Greece, Turkey, and the UK) being North Atlantic Treaty Organization members. Cyprus left the Non-Aligned Movement in 2004 to join the European Union, although it retains special observer status.

The 1960 Cypriot Constitution provided for a presidential system of government with independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as a complex system of checks and balances, including a weighted power-sharing ratio designed to protect the interests of the Turkish Cypriots. The executive branch, for example, was headed by a Greek Cypriot president, and a Turkish Cypriot vice-president, elected by their respective communities for five-year terms and each possessing a right of veto over certain types of legislation and executive decisions. The House of Representatives was elected on the basis of separate voters' rolls. However, since 1964, following clashes between the Greek and Turkish communities, the Turkish Cypriot seats in the House remained vacant and the Greek Cypriot Communal Chamber was abolished.

In the north, Turkish Cypriots established separate institutions with a popularly elected de facto President and a Prime Minister responsible to a National Assembly, exercising joint executive powers. Since 1983, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has existed as a separate state. In 1985, the TRNC adopted a formal constitution and held its first elections.

Political division

The capital, Nicosia, remains divided since 1974. The UN buffer zone separates the two sectors.

Continued difficulties in finding a settlement presented a potential obstacle to Cypriot entry to the European Union, for which the government had applied in 1997. UN-sponsored talks between the Greek and Turkish leaders, continued intensively in 2002, but without resolution. In December 2002, the EU formally invited Cyprus to join in 2004, insisting that EU membership would apply to the whole island and hoping that it would provide a significant enticement for reunification resulting from the outcome of ongoing talks. However, after the election of Tassos Papadopoulos as the new president of Cyprus, negotiations stalled, and the UN declared that the talks had failed.

A United Nations plan sponsored by Secretary-General Kofi Annan was announced in March, 2004. Cypriot civilians on both sides voted on the plan in separate referendums on April 24. The Greek side overwhelmingly rejected the Annan Plan, while the Turkish side voted in favor.

In May 2004, Cyprus entered the EU, although in practice membership only applies to the southern part of the island which is in the control of the Republic of Cyprus.

In July, 2006, the Greek Cypriot leader, Tassos Papadopoulos, and Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, signed a set of principles and decisions recognizing that the status quo was unacceptable and that a comprehensive settlement was both desirable and possible. They agreed to begin a two-track process involving discussions by technical committees regarding issues affecting the day-to-day life of the people and, concurrently, consideration by working groups on substantive issues, leading to a comprehensive settlement. They also committed to ending mutual recriminations.

Exclaves and enclaves

Map of Cyprus showing political divisions and districts

Cyprus has four exclaves—territories geographically separated from the main part. These are all located in territory that belongs to the British Sovereign Base Area of Dhekelia. The first two are the villages of Ormidhia and Xylotymvou. Additionally there is the Dhekelia Power Station, which is divided by a British road into two parts. The northern part is an enclave (territory geographically separated from the main part by surrounding alien territory), like the two villages, whereas the southern part is located by the sea and therefore not an enclave—although it has no territorial waters of its own.

The UN buffer zone, separating the territory controlled by the Turkish Cypriot administration from the rest of Cyprus, runs up against Dhekelia and picks up again from its east side, off Ayios Nikolaos (connected to the rest of Dhekelia by a thin land corridor). In that sense, the buffer zone turns the south-east corner of the island, the Paralimni area, into a de facto, though not de jure, exclave.

Economy

File:Limassol-Seafront'.jpg
The Limassol seafront

Economic affairs in Cyprus are dominated by the division of the country. Nevertheless, the economy of the island has grown greatly. The north maintains a lower standard of living than the south due to international embargoes, and is still reliant on Turkey for aid. However, increased revenues through tourism and a recent construction boom have led to rapid economic development in recent years.

Recently, oil has been discovered in the sea south of Cyprus between Cyprus and Egypt and talks are under way with Egypt to reach an agreement as to the exploitation of these resources.

The Cypriot economy is prosperous and has diversified in recent years. Cyprus has been sought as a basis for several offshore businesses, due to its highly developed infrastructure. The economic policy of the Cyprus government has focused on meeting the criteria for admission to the European Union. Eventual adoption of the euro currency is required of all new countries joining the European Union, and the Cyprus government is scheduled to adopt the currency on January 1, 2008. The largest bank on the island is the Bank of Cyprus.

The economy of the north is dominated by the services sector including the public sector, trade, tourism, and education, with smaller agriculture and light manufacturing sectors. The Turkish Cypriot economy has benefited from the conditional opening of the border with the south.

Demographics

Greek and Turkish Cypriots share many customs but maintain separate ethnic identities based on religion, language, and close ties with their respective motherlands. Greeks comprise 77 percent of the island's population, Turks 18 percent, while the remaining 5 percent are of other ethnicities. The population is estimated at 855,000.

After the Turkish invasion of 1974, about 150,000 Turks from Anatolia settled in the north. Northern Cyprus now claims 265,100 inhabitants. In the years since the census data was gathered in 2000, Cyprus has also seen a large influx of guest workers from countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, as well as major increases in the numbers of permanent British residents. The island is also home to a significant Armenian minority, as well as a large refugee population consisting of people mainly from Serbia, Palestine, and Lebanon. Since the country joined the European Union, a significant Polish population has also grown up, joining sizable communities from Russia and Ukraine (mostly Pontic Greeks), immigrating after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Churches in Nicosia

Most Greek Cypriots, and thus the majority of the population of Cyprus, belong to the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Cyprus (Cypriot Orthodox Church), whereas most Turkish Cypriots are Sunni Muslims. Church attendance is relatively high, and Cyprus is known as one of the most religious countries in the European Union. In addition, there are also small Roman Catholic, Maronite, and Armenian Apostolic communities in Cyprus.

Greek is the predominant language in the south, while Turkish is spoken in the north and by some Greek Cypriots, too. This delineation is only reflective of the post-1974 division of the island, which involved an expulsion of Greek Cypriots from the north and the analogous move of Turkish Cypriots from the south. Historically, the Greek language was largely spoken by all Greek Cypriots and by many Turkish Cypriots too, given the fact that the Greek Cypriots formed the majority of the population. Cypriot Turkish is a rather distinctive dialect of Turkish, and uses a number of sound alternations not found in standard Turkish.

English is widely understood and is taught in schools from the primary age. Many official documents are published in English as well as the official languages of Greek and Turkish.

Human rights

Both Turkish Cypriots living in the Republic of Cyprus and Greek Cypriots in Turkish areas report discrimination directed towards them. However, the focus on the division of the island has sometimes masked other human rights issues.

Prostitution is rife in both the Republic of Cyprus and the TRNC, and the island has been criticized as forming one of the main routes of human trafficking of girls from Eastern Europe for the sex trade. [5] The regime in the north has been the focus of occasional freedom of speech criticisms regarding the heavy-handed treatment of newspaper editors. Reports on mistreatment of domestic servants, often immigrant workers from Third World countries, are frequent in the Greek Cypriot press.

Amnesty International has criticized the Cypriot government over the treatment of foreign nationals, particularly asylum seekers, in Cypriot police stations and prisons. The 2005 report also restated Amnesty International's long standing concern over discrimination towards the Roma peoples in Cyprus.[6]

Education

File:University cyprus.jpg
The University of Cyprus

Cyprus has a well-developed system of primary and secondary education offering both public and private education. State schools are generally seen as equivalent in their quality of education to private sector institutions. Graduates of public schools are required to take an entrance examination in order to enroll at the University of Cyprus or other universities in Greece. Private school students usually study in Britain and the United States, although some of them go to the University of Cyprus or Greek universities.

According to the 1960 constitution, education was under the control of the two communities (the communal chambers). After 1974, the Cypriot system followed the Greek system and the Turkish system exists in the area not under the Republic's effective control. In the north there are several universities, which are mostly attended by Turkish Cypriot and Turkish students, the most notable of which is Eastern Mediterranean University. The qualifications issued by the universities are not formally recognized by the Republic, the EU, or American institutions: however, most universities outside Cyprus accept that the degrees they offer are broadly equivalent to Turkish university standards, enabling students to go on to postgraduate study outside the TRNC.

Notes

  1. Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus: "The official languages of the Republic are Greek and Turkish" (Appendix D, Part 01, Article 3) Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  2. Cyprus. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  3. Total population as of 1 January. Eurostat. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Cyprus. International Monetary Fund. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  5. Jacqueline Theodoulou, A shame on our society, www.cyprus-mail.com. Retrieved September 22, 2007.
  6. Amnesty International 2005 Report on Cyprus web.amnesty.org. Retireved September 22, 2007.


References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Anastasiou, Harry. The Broken Olive Branch: Nationalism Ethnic Conflict and the Quest for Peace in Cyprus. Author House, 2006. ISBN 1425943608
  • Brewin, Christopher. European Union and Cyprus. Eothen Press, 2000. ISBN 0906719240
  • Dodd, Clement (ed.). Cyprus: The Need for New Perspectives. The Eothen Press, 1999. ISBN 0906719232
  • Gibbons, Harry Scott. The Genocide Files. Charles Bravos Publishers, 1997. ISBN 0951446428
  • Hannay, David. Cyprus: The Search for a Solution. I.B. Tauris, 2005. ISBN 1850436657
  • Hitchens, Christopher. Hostage to History: Cyprus from the Ottomans to Kissinger. Verso; 3rd edition, 1997. ISBN 1859841899
  • Ker-Lindsay, James. EU Accession and UN Peacemaking in Cyprus. Palgrave Macmillan, 2006. ISBN 1403996903
  • Mirbagheri, Fari. Cyprus and International Peacemaking. Routledge; 1st edition, 1998. ISBN 9780415919753
  • Oberling, Pierre. The Road to Bellapais. East European Monographs, 1982. ISBN 0880330007.
  • O'Malley, Brendan and Ian Craig. The Cyprus Conspiracy. I. B. Tauris; New Ed edition, 2001. ISBN 1860647375.
  • Palley, Claire. An International Relations Debacle: The UN Secretary-General's Mission of Good Offices in Cyprus, 1999-2004. Hart Publishing, 2005. ISBN 184113578X.
  • Papadakis, Yiannis. Echoes from the Dead Zone: Across the Cyprus Divide. I.B. Tauris, 2005. ISBN 185043428X.
  • Plumer, Aytug. Cyprus, 1963-64: The Fateful Years. Cyrep (Lefkosa), 2003. ISBN 9756912189
  • Richmond, Oliver. Mediating in Cyprus. Routledge; 1 edition, 1998. ISBN 0714644315
  • Richmond, Oliver and James Ker-Lindsay (eds.). The Work of the UN in Cyprus: Promoting Peace and Development. Palgrave Macmillan, 2001. ISBN 0333912713
  • Tocci, Nathalie. EU Accession Dynamics and Conflict Resolution: Catalyzing Peace or Consolidating Partition in Cyprus?. Ashgate Publishing, 2004. ISBN 0754643107

External links

All links retrieved July 24, 2013.

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