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Cyprus Delights Plus Invasion by Turkey 1974
By Mark on May 23, 2008
Cyprus is a small Mediterranean island surrounded by three continents, Africa, Asia and Europe. Cyprus is two hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime. Cyprus has become one of the most popular holiday resort countries to visitors from around the world, with the towns in the south of Ayia Napa, Paphos, Limassol, Lanarka and the capital Nicosia. And in the North of Ammochostos(Famagusta) and Keryneia (Kyrenia). Its very hot summers and very mild and moist winters, its nightlife (clubs and pubs), shopping, history, gold sandy beaches, blue sea and beautiful warm sunshine bring tourism to the island. Very rarely is there a cloud in sight in Cyprus.
In 1974, war broke out due to the Greeks over throwing Archbishop Makarios. This led to the Turkish invasion, which forced two hundred thousand of Greeks-Cypriots to flee the north of Cyprus and head south for safety, that was almost a third of the population. Meaning that Turkey ended up owning about 40% of the country, splitting this beautiful island in half. Nicosia the capital is the only remaining city that is split in two and owned by two countries. The north of the islands is only recognized by the Turks as a state. There have been many occasions where the north and south ministers, have met to try and reunify the island, but with very little progress. In 2002 the European Union, invited Cyprus to join the EU membership. But in April 2004, the Turkish-Cypriots wanted to, but the Greek-Cypriots would not join if the Turkish-Cypriots did, so in May 2004, only the south of Cyprus became a member of the European Union and the north did not join. I do know that today the two countries are trying to come to some agreement to reunify Cyprus. Lets hope it works this.
This is the beautiful sunny beach of the harbour town of Ayia Napa, which is situated on the most southeastern point of Cyprus. Ayia Napa is a harbour town rich in clubs and bars to take you through the night and shopping to take you through the day, even though most shops are tourist shops. For the best shops in Cyprus you need to visit the capital city of Nicosia.
This picture below is a seafront view of Paphos, the former capital of Cyprus and the city which is packed full of history, hotels, hostels, pubs and clubs, shopping and entertainment an all round city for the tourist. There is plenty of sightseeing in Paphos.
Learn more about Cyprus:
- Google co-ordinates:34°30′46.00N34°04′57.21E
- Cyprus on Google Maps
- Learn about Cyprus on Wikipedia
- Learn about the Cyprus dispute on Wikipedia
Posted in Europe | 4 Comments
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4 Responses to “Cyprus Delights Plus Invasion by Turkey 1974”
Comments
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Nick Ramsay, exploring the world from a zabuton in Japan.
10:55 pm on May 23rd, 2008
Didn’t you go on a real trip to Cyprus not so long ago? It looks beautiful, and I had no idea Turkey had claimed almost half the island. Very eduational, thanks Mark!
5:52 am on May 24th, 2008
Cheers bro I like it to, there are still people in this world who do not know what cyprus went through 34 years ago. But whatever has happen they are booming now well done. It is a definate country to visit ofr holidays.
11:35 am on May 29th, 2008
Thanks! Some minor mistakes.
1) It was not hundreds but two hundred THOUSAND Greek-Cypriots that fled the North. A third of the total population! That is ethnic cleansing!
2) The whole of Cyprus is a member of EU. The northern part is considered as occupied area of EU.
Practically all Turkish-Cypriots (including politicians) have Cypriotic EU-passports!
3) Cyprus is the most beautiful place in Mediterranean (well, almost!)
Thanks again
Sigge
9:30 am on May 31st, 2008
Thank you Sigge for your comments and for updating me with important information about Cyprus and it’s history.