Category: Cyprus

Cyprus is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea, considered part of Europe, but geographically located in the Middle East. There are 1.2 million residents (2018). The capital is Nicosia. Until 1960, Cyprus was a British colony, when it gained its independence. Tensions between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots resulted in conflicts in 1963. In the following year, a UN peacekeeping force settled on the Island, but the conflicts continued. In 1983, the area occupied by Turkish Cypriots proclaimed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey. In 2004, the entire island became part of the European Union and negotiations between the Greek and Turkish communities in Cyprus are still underway.