The Republic of Cyprus is known as the garden of Europe. Here, Turkish culture and Greek culture collide. You can see Ionian columns and trace the footsteps of Aphrodite; you can find exquisite and colorful mosaics within the ancient Roman walls; you can experience a luxurious lifestyle in the haze of a Turkish bath… This small island carries too much history and culture, politics and struggles, joys and sorrows…
The island nation of Cyprus, located in the eastern Mediterranean, is roughly situated at the crossroads of Asia and Europe. In 1571, the Ottoman Empire seized Cyprus from the Venetians, and the Ottoman rule lasted until 1878, when the British took control of the island.
Initially, most Greek Cypriots welcomed British rule, believing that the British would ultimately join forces with Greece to help the Greek Cypriots achieve their desire for unification with Greece.
However, when they realized that the British authorities had no such intention, secret attacks against British troops and authorities began to occur frequently across the country.
In 1960, the Republic of Cyprus was declared established, but the violence that erupted in 1963 further divided the Greek and Turkish communities in Cyprus. In 1964, the United Nations deployed peacekeeping forces to the island, and the British general in charge drew a green line on the map that divided the capital, Nicosia, into two. This "green line" gradually extended, ultimately dividing the entire Cyprus into two parts belonging to the Greek and Turkish communities.
Since 2003, the "green line" has been opened to all Cypriots. Many residents from the northern part of Cyprus cross over to the south daily for work. Although the north and south remain divided, relations between the two sides have relatively eased. Many respondents have written extensively about this historical and political process. Lonely Planet offers a different perspective on Cyprus. Discover the beauty and civilization of Cyprus. The Republic of Cyprus is still regarded by the British as a holiday paradise today.