Cyprus

Cyprus is an island located in the Mediterranean Sea south of Turkey and the third largest island in the Mediterranean. Although the island is geographically located in Asia, the island state in Europe and belongs to the European Union.

Cities in Cyprus

Nicosia (Capital city)	Limassol	Larnaca	Paphos
Aya napa	Parlimani

History of Cyprus

Like many Mediterranean islands, Cyprus has long been an important strategic base and subsequently won many conquests. The Athenians, Persians, Egyptians, Alexander the Great and the Romans were invading the most important in ancient times. After the division of the Roman Empire in the fourth century AD, Cyprus became part of the eastern Byzantine Empire. From -1571, Ottoman Turks ruled Cyprus for three centuries, before being transferred to Britain in 1878. Independence was achieved in August 1960, after the military struggle of four years between Britain and the National Organization of Cypriot Fighters who wanted union with Greece. The political leader of the liberation movement, Archbishop Makarios, the president was elected in December 1956. The new Constitution of the island was a compromise between the British and the Greek and Turkish communities rivalry between them remain highly skeptical. The British kept in two large tracts of land designated for military purposes. But they lost the territories in July 1974 when expelled by Makarios coup. Within days Turkish troops reached the northern coast of Cyprus after they were summoned by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, to intervene and protect the Turkish community on the island. The Greeks were unable to respond effectively, partly because of a temporary breakdown of the military junta in Athens. After the Turkish army took control of the northern part of the island, the ceasefire was organized under the auspices of the United Nations. Since the island remains divided and UN forces guarding maintain the ceasefire between the two sides. In November 1983, the Turkish part of the island declared independence. However, official recognition of the Turkish part of the island as an independent country has been granted only by Turkey. For most of the international community, the legitimate government of Cyprus is Greek Cypriot government in Nicosia, the Greek part of the island.

Geography

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. The landscape is vary and includes rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, high mountains covered with forests and mountains. Troodos Mountains in the center island reaches to 1,952 meters and in winter also allow skiing.

Weather in Cyprus

Cyprus has a Mediterranean climate. Sunny summer and rainy winter season.

The language in Cyprus

Most of the residents of the island (about 80% of the population) speak Greek and 11% speak Turkish. Greek-Cypriot accent different Greek accent in question throughout Greece. Turkish is spoken by the Turkish population on the island. English, German and French is also spoken in tourist areas on the island.