Cyprus which is officially known as the republic of Cyprus shares its borders with the Mediterranean island to the north, Turkey to the south, Levant to the west, Egypt to the north and Greece to the south east. It is also the third largest Mediterranean island.
Cyprus Capital:-
The capital of the Cyprus is Nicosia and is also the largest city.
Cyprus Etymology:-
On the derivation of the name of the country Cyprus various theories are suggested. Some says that the name is originated from the Greek word called Mediterranean cypress tree or from the henna plant while other suggests that it comes from the eteocyproit or Sumerian word for copper or bronze because these are found in large quantity on the island.
When the exports and imports are done on the island it was known by the name as Cyprium which means the metal of Cyprus. In this way the country got its name. As the Greek goddess Aphrodite was born on the island it is also known by the name the island of Aphrodite.
Cyprus History:-
In ancient times Cyprus was known as the birthplace of Aphrodite and Adonis. The Mycenaean Greeks were the first who arrived in the country in 1600 BC. After the Egyptian and the Persian rule Cyprus was ruled by the Assyria and due to the failure of the Ionian Revolt the Cypriots have to join the Greeks in the Ionian cities. After the death of Egypt ruler the island was under the full control of the Greek.
In 1489 the Republic of Venice take the possession of the island and after that the Venetians made a great wall around the capital Nicosia but under their rule the Ottoman Empire frequently attacked Cyprus as a result of which Limmasol was completely destroyed.
After the Russia Turkish war the administration was surrendered to the British Empire in 1878 and has to depend on the military of Britain for colonial routes. Cyprus was connected to India through Famagusta Harbor and the United Kingdom gets attached to the country due to the central powers of the Ottoman Empire. In 1923 under the Treaty of Lausanne the Turkish republic was declared as the British Crown Colony.
After both the wars the Cyprus is divided into two parts consisting of Greek Cypriots as well as the Turkish Cypriots. In 1955 the two organizations were established EOKA by Greek Cypriots and Takism by the Turkish Cypriots. Then British followed a divide and rule policy and started creating the problems by favoring the Turkish Cypriots. But Cyprus finally got independence in 1960 by signing an agreement in London with the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey. Suddenly the internal vehemence broke out and to void tensions the leader of Greek Cypriot make the changes in the Constitution. As a result of which the Cyprus is again united with the Greece.
The union of Cyprus and Greece was not digested by the Turkey and he attacked the Cyprus just after seven days as a result of which most of the northern territory were occupied by the Turkey. Due to this Cyprus blocked the north entries of all the ports.
To end the dispute so many plans are tried but all in vain. Lastly the Annan Plan was made which also has to undergo several revisions but later came into effect and destroy all the walls.
Cyprus Politics and Government:-
Here the president is the head of the government as well as of the state who is elected for five year term limit. There are generally three powers in the government namely executive, legislative and the judiciary. The executive power is headed by the government and the legislative power by the government as well as the house of representative whereas the judicial power is independent.
When the constitution came into power in 1960 the executive branch was headed by the Greek president as well as by the Turkish vice president and also they have the right to take the decisions on legislative and executive matters. But due to clashes between the two powers the Turkish Cypriot seat remains empty.
When Turkey attacked the island in 1974 Cyprus is divided into two parts in which two-third of the island in the southern side is ruled by the Greek Cypriot and the northern third part is ruled by the Turkish. When the Turkish Cypriots got independence in 1983 they declared the island as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the elections were held. In these elections 59 seats are allotted to House of Representatives and 24 to the Turkish community. Other small parties which came into power are the Democratic Party, EDEK the social-democratic party, and AKEL the communist party.
Cyprus Geography:-
The country is situated between 35 degree 8 minutes north latitude and 33 degree 28 minutes east longitude. Mostly the country is surrounded by the Troodos Mountains and Kyrenia Range central plains.
The important rivers of the country are Yialias, Pedhieos, and the Serraghis but mostly they remain dry in summer season. Dams and waterways are the sources of water for the farming areas. Even the agriculture has to depend on winter rainfall. Rainfall and temperature depends largely on the distance from the coast.
Cyprus Currency:-
Euro is the currency which is basically used in the Cyprus.
Cyprus Economy:-
The economy of Cyprus is very good and it was ranked as the third highest in the European Union. Cyprus is acted as a base for the infrastructure. The economy of the Cyprus is highly dependent on the services sector which includes trade, tourism, education, agriculture and light manufacturing sectors.
In future may be oil resources also play a vital role in increasing the economy of the country because it is recently discovered between Cyprus and Egypt and talks are going on its full research.
Cyprus Demographics:-
Due to the attack of Turkey on the country it is divided into two parts and ruled by the Greek Cypriots as well as the Turkish Cypriots therefore most of the population was of the Greek Cypriots as compared to the Turkish Cypriots. In 2000 guest workers also arrived in the country from Thailand, Philippines and Sri Lanka. The other minorities like Kurdish, Armenian and polish are also residing in the country.
Greek Cypriots follow the religion of Christianity and are the members of the Greek Orthodox Church whereas Turkish Cypriots are Muslims thus the religion followed by them is Islam.
From education point of view the Greek occupied area consists of University of Cyprus, University of Nicosia, and Cyprus University of technology while the Turkish area has Near East University, Cyprus International University.
Cyprus Culture:-
In the cuisine of Cyprus a cheese made up of goat and sheep’s milk called Halloumi is served in each festival as well as in daily routine. Cucumber and tomato are commonly used in every vegetable and other vegetable preparations are pickled cauliflower and beets, potatoes in olive oil and parsley. Octopus in red wine and sea bass are the major sea-food dishes of the country. In meat dishes charcoal-grilled lamb and sheftalia are common.
Folk dance like sousta, syrtos, and zeibekikos are the most popular dances of the country. In festivals chattista which is the musical form of poetry is played and the instruments used in the music are violin, accordion, and lute.
Cypria the epic poem referred to the Stasinus was a great literature of the historic times. The play Othello written by the William Shakespeare is also very popular in the country. Some of the famous poets and writers of the modern times are Kostas Montis, Nicos Nicolaides, Altheides, and Vasilis Michaelides.
The national sport of the country is football and the famous teams are AC Omonia, APOEL, and AEL Limassol. Out of many stadiums the largest stadium to play football is GSP Stadium. |
