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Cyprus

Image from Kypros-Net

Cyprus lies in the eastern Mediterranean. Since 1974, it has been forcibly partitioned between the Turkish-occupied north and the Greek south.

The majority of the population are Greek-Orthodox Christians. Since the 16th century, a community of Turkish Muslims have lived in the north of the island. In 1974 Turkish troops invaded and occupied the north, bringing with them Turkish settlers to change the demographics of the nation. The illegal Turkish settlers have been used to keep the so-called Turkish Cypriot governament in power to this day. The invasion by Turkish troops ethnically cleansed the north of Cyprus. This created 200,000 refugees which was 40% of the total Greek Cypriot population. Since 1974, increasing amounts of Turkish Cypriots have been fleeing from the suppressed north to the southern democratic Republic of Cyprus. The north remains poor due to internationally imposed sanctions, while the south, where the tourist industry is booming, is wealthy.

As of 2001, the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus consists of 120,000 Turkish settlers and 85,000 Turkish Cypriots whilst 55,000 Turkish Cypriots have fled.

Cyprus Links

• Cyprus News Agency
• Cyprus Tourism Organization
• University of Cyprus