Cyprus

Formal Name: Cyprus Island

North-"Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus"

South-"Republic of Cyprus"

Capital: Nicosia

Other Major Cities:

Population: 700,000

Life Expectancy:

Religion:

Government:

Language(s): Greek, Turkish

Currency: Cyprus pound, Turkish lira

Per Capita: $8,956

20th Century Recap: A former British colony, Cyprus received independence in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule.

Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia. Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic intercommunal violence continued forcing most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island.

In 1974, a Greek-sponsored attempt to seize the government was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island.

In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," but it is recognized only by Turkey.

Greek Cypriot-controlled Republic of Cyprus joined the EU on 1 May 2004. Every Cypriot carrying a Cyprus passport will have the status of a European citizen. EU laws, however, will not apply to north Cyprus.

Fun Fact:

Must see sights/landmarks: Paphos

Painted Churches in the Troodos Region (1985 , 2001 )

Choirokoitia

cyprustourism.org

kypros.org/Cyprus/tourism.html