Discovering Cyprus

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Discovering Cyprus

Transcript of Discovering Cyprus

Page 1: Discovering Cyprus

Discovering Cyprus

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Cyprus

Cyprus (Κύπρος in Greek, Kıbrıs in Turkish) is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia). It is located 70 km to the south of the Anatolian peninsula.Since 1 May 2004 it is a Member State of the European Union.

Main source of data: Wikipedia. L’Enciclopedia Libera: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cipro.

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Cyprus is divided into two areas by the so-called Green Line, which is the demilitarized zone established by the UN in 1974, after the military intervention by the Turkish army on the island:- The area under the effective

control of the Republic of Cyprus, which comprises about 59 % of the island;

- The Turkish-Cypriot area in the north (self-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus), which covers about 36 % of the island and it is recognized only by Turkey.

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EtymologyThe etymology of the word Kypros is unknown. Suggestions include:• the Greek name of cypress tree (κυπάρισσος);• the Greek name of the henna plant (κύπρος);• the Sumerian word indicating either copper (Zubar) or bronze (Kubar). This

refers to the large copper deposits present in the island.The island gave its name to the Latin word for copper through the phrase aes Cyprium, “metal of Cyprus”, which was later shortened to Cuprum.According to Greek mythology, the coast of Paphos was one of the birthplaces of Aphrodite, who was also known as Kýpria for this reason.

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Morphology and climateThe island has three mountain ranges: Kyrenia and Pentadaktylos in the North, Troodos in the South-West. The Mount Olympus is the highest peak of the island (1,953 m).The fertile central plain of Messaria is between the two chains of mountains and it is rich in woods.The only rivers with regular flow, Yialias and Peidos, are both approximately 100 km long.Cyprus has a Mediterranean-subtropical climate with very mild winters (on the coast) and warm to hot summers. During winter, snow falls only on the Troodos Mountains in the central part of island. Rain occurs mainly in winter, with summer being generally dry. Often hot winds blow on Cyprus from the African deserts.

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History of Cyprus Prehistory The earliest confirmed site of human activity on Cyprus is Aetokremnos, situated on the south coast, where hunter-gatherers were active on the island from around 10,000 BC.In the first half of the seventh millennium BC, in Cyprus there was already a flourishing Neolithic culture in the village of Khirokitia.The penetration of cultural elements from Minor Asia can be traced back to the beginning of the Bronze Age (2300-2000 BC).In the period 2000-1600 BC, significant deposits of copper were discovered on the island, which became an important Mediterranean commercial area. The renewed wealth brought to a flourishing artistic and craft production.

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Ancient History and Middle AgeIn the period 1600-1050 BC the island became part of the Hittite Empire. There was a gradual wave of Mycenaean people, who brought a new culture and more advanced technologies. This caused a dramatic improvement of the Cypriot culture, as shown by the artistic evolution and the realization of huge fortresses, palaces and sacred places.The Hittite domination lasted up to the invasion of the Sea Peoples (late XIII-early XII century BC). The Hittite Empire, the Mycenaean civilization, and other ancient cultures disappeared. After the subsequent trade crisis in the Mediterranean, the arrival of a large migratory wave (probably of Achaean origin) led to a big change within the culture, the language and the religion which became similar to the Greek ones.With the beginning of the Iron Age (I millennium BC), Cyprus opened again to businesses with the Middle East. From the eighth century BC the Phoenician colonies were founded on the southern coast of Cyprus.The island was conquered by Alexander the Great in 334 BC. Following his death and the subsequent division of his empire among his successors, Cyprus became part of the Hellenistic kingdom of Ptolemaic Egypt. In 58 BC Cyprus was acquired by the Roman Empire.When the Roman Empire was divided in two parts in 395 by Theodosius, the island became part of the East Roman Empire and it remained so until the Crusades.In 1191, during the Third Crusade, Richard I of England conquered the island and he used it as a supply base that was relatively safe from the Saracens.A year later the island was sold to the Knights Templar, who, following a bloody revolt, in turn sold it to Guy de Lusignan.

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Modern EraFollowing the death of the last Lusignan king in 1473, the Republic of Venice took control of the island. The Venetians fortified Nicosia, using it as an important commercial hub. During the Venetian control there were two communities, one Greek and the other Levantine.Following the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878) and the Congress of Berlin, Cyprus was given to the British Empire which took over its administration in 1878. In exchange, Britain guaranteed that they would use the island to protect the Ottoman Empire against possible Russian aggression.The island served as a military base for its colonial conquests. Following the outbreak of the First World War, on Nov. 5 1914 the British Empire formally annexed Cyprus, Egypt and Sudan.It became independent in 1960 with the Zurich agreement, but it was immediately affected by ethnic tensions. In 1974 the Greek militaries carried out a “coup d’état” which gave the opportunity to Turkey to intervene militarily. The Turkish army invaded the island and they occupied a far larger area than that one where the Turkish minority lived . The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was created with no international recognition (except from Turkey).Due to a referendum in April 2004, only the Greek part of the island joined the European Union.

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Europe or Asia?

Whether Cyprus should be considered as part of Europe or part of Asia is a controversial issue. From the point of view of cultural history, Cyprus can be seen as an European state. However, from the geographical point of view it belongs to Asia (because of geographical proximity; in fact, Turkey is very close to the island and it is universally considered Asia).In conclusion, Cyprus may be considered either Europe or Asia, depending on the criteria adopted.

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Main citiesThe capital city of the Republic of Cyprus is Nicosia, which is also the most important city. Nicosia is located in the plain of Mesoira and, being situated on the border between the two national ethnic areas, it is also divided into two areas: the southern Greek part and the northern Turkish part. Nicosia is the main economic center, where the largest companies, the national bank, some middle size factories, as well as the national museum and theater can be found.

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Main citiesOther important cities are: • Limassol, which is the second

largest city after the capital, port of the southern coast, and famous touristic center;

• Paphos, which is an ancient port, located on the western cost, and has the second biggest airport of the island;

• Kouklia, well known for the Aphrodite sanctuary. It is a World Heritage Site (UNESCO);

• Larnaca, a city on the south-east coast, where there is the main airport of Cyprus.

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Population

Cyprus has a total population of 970,000 inhabitants of whom 78% are Greek Cypriots, 18% are Turkish Cypriots, and the remaining 4% belong to other ethnic groups.The Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots share several traditions but maintain distinct identities based on the religion and on the connections with Greece and Turkey respectively .Before 1974, the two communities lived throughout the island. After the war in 1974, the geographical separation of the different ethnic groups became more marked.

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Languages and religions

Cyprus has two official languages: Greek and Turkish. Greek is mainly spoken in the South of the island (especially the Cypriot dialect), while Turkish is spoken in the North. English is also widely used.An Arabic dialect like Syro-Palestinian is used as well but it is spoken only by the small Maronite community in Kormakiti.Nowadays the majority of Greek Cypriots identify as Greek Orthodox (over 80%) while most Turkish Cypriots are Muslims (18%). There are also some minorities: Armenian-Gregorian, Maronite (Archeparchy of Cyprus) and Catholics (about 25,000).

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European Union and United NationsThe Cypriot government adopted the euro in 2008 and this introduced a change in the national economy. Euro became the new currency only in the southern part of the island, replacing the old currency also known as lira-Cyprus pound. As for each state member, Cyprus chose the design of the coins. They chose to show on 1, 2 and 5 cents coins a couple of wild sheep (which were very common in the island in the past and nowadays almost extinct). For the coins of 10, 20 and 50 cents it was decided to show the ship of Kyrenia. Finally for the coins of 1 euro and 2 euro the idol of Pomos was chosen, a mythological Cypriot character linked to fertility and abundance.

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Politics and administrative divisions

Cyprus is a presidential republic. The president is elected by a process of universal suffrage for a five-years term. The Parliament comprises 59 deputies, elected every five years by universal suffrage.Cyprus is divided into six districts: Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos.

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Armed forces

Even the armed forces − police, army and national guards − are divided between the Cypriots and the Turkish minority. The Turkish armed forces are directly controlled and financed by Turkey, to ensure the survival of the Turkish part in the island.Military service is required for all men only and it is mandatory at the age of 18 years. The main forces of state are three:• the Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG);• State Greek-Cypriot Police;• the Greek Regiment forces in Cyprus.The number of armed forces rises to four if we consider also the “ground units” of the Turkish army, managed by Turkey and reaching 40,000 units.

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Flag and national anthemThe current Cypriot flag was adopted on August 17, 1960. The flag is white with a central copper-colored silhouette of the island, with two olive branches below it.It was chosen by the first President Makarios III, among several “neutral” and “peaceful” options: the prevalence of white (which is the symbol of peace) and the absence of colors recalling Greek and Turkish flags determined the choice of this flag, which gives the idea of an island free from foreign dominations.The national anthem Cypriot Ύμνος εις την Ελευθερίαν, which means “Ode to Freedom”, was written in 1824. It was sung for the first time after that Cyprus obtained the independence from the UK. The song follows the same melody as the Greek anthem, to underline the link between the two peoples.

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ArtThanks to its location, Cyprus has collected cultural elements from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Phoenicia, Greece and Rome. The history of Cyprus can be divided into several stages. Stone tools and traces of temples trace back to the oldest, dating from 4000 BC to 3500 BC.The next phase, from 3500 BC to 3000 BC, was characterized by the production of ceramics, and vases painted with geometric decorations. The discovery of mineral resources, such as copper, took place from 3000 BC to 2400 BC, but this period is mostly remembered for the transformation of the island in a great emporium for the Mediterranean and also for the greater complexity of the funerary construction and sacred statuettes.During the Bronze Age (II millennium), the island reached its greatest period of prosperity, thanks to copper mines and the wood used to build ships, as shown by the fortress Nitovikla. The seventh century BC marked the beginning of a period of splendor for sculpture (several clay figurines) and architecture (wonderful forts and palaces, such as the one in Vuni).

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Economy and TransportsThe most important economical sector of Cyprus is the tourism. Its main partners for imports/exports are Greece, UK and Israel. Cyprus is no longer considered a “tax haven” and is indeed included in the “white list” like Italy.Cyprus is linked to the rest of the world mainly by air. The island has several airports but the main one is Larnaca International Airport in Paphos. The airport of Nicosia is only used as a military airport by the UN contingent. The airport of Northern Cyprus is Ercan but it is used only by Turkish lines.Due to its location in the center of the eastern Mediterranean sea, the maritime transports are essential for Cyprus. Its main commercial ports are: Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos, Vassiliko.

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Tourism and archaeologyMarine and archaeological tourism have been highly developing in the last 30 years. The paradisiacal southern costs are prototypical of the Mediterranean Sea and its climate and the landscape of the hinterland (despite being a bit isolated) fascinates visitors, especially during the summer.Cyprus has three UNESCO World Cultural Heritage protected sites:• Choirokoitia. It was a village during the Neolithic

period and is one of the best preserved settlements of this age. The city was fortified by massive bastions and walls and its inhabitants lived by raising sheep.

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Tourism and archaeology• Painted Churches in Troodos

Mountains. The site comprises 10 Byzantine buildings (nine churches and a monastery) built between the eleventh and sixteenth centuries. Among the mountains some churches and monasteries were erected, mostly decorated with frescoes that represent the painting evolution in the culture of Cyprus.

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Tourism and archaeology• Paphos. This old port city (nowadays

called Kouklia) was well known for the temple dedicated to Aphrodite, whose legendary birthplace was on the island. Some massive palaces were built in Paphos during its rich history (which is also linked to the Roman empire); and there several mosaics showing historical and mythological events still remain.

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Tourism and archaeologyNicosia is the ideal place from which to begin the discovery of Cyprus. In the city there are several very interesting museums which preserve artifacts ranging from the Neolithic period to the Middle Age, up to the World War II. Exploring Nicosia you can not miss a visit to the Buyuk Han, located in the Arab part of the city. The Buyuk Han is the largest caravanserai of the island and, after an extensive renovation, it is now open to the public. It was built in 1572 immediately after the city was torn from the Venetians by the Arabs. In the centre of the open courtyard there is a mosque with a fountain for pre-prayer ablutions.

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Tourism and archaeologyThe Selimiye Mosque is the symbol of Nicosia. It merges Gothic French and Arabic styles. The Selimiye Mosque was founded in 1209 and, after its completion in 1326, it was converted into a mosque after the expulsion of the Venetians. They removed all the references to the Christianity and they built two minarets.

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Relations with the European UnionThe Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. From the legal point of view, the territory of Northern Cyprus should be considered as part of EU. The inhabitants of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus TRNC (but not the Turkish settlers) are considered by the government of Cyprus as citizens in every aspect. They can require identity cards and passports and, as such, they can be considered as European citizens.

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Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Northern Cyprus, officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (in Turkish Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti, abbreviated KKTC), is a self-proclaimed republic which is not recognized by the international community. This extends into areas controlled by the Turkish army.The President from the foundation (1983) until 2005 was the historic leader Rauf Denktaş. He was hostile to compromise with the government of the Republic of Cyprus (Greek Cypriot) to facilitate the reunification of the island. Since 2003, a political movement that aims to reunify the island and to entry into the European Union has growing consensus.Its capital is North Nicosia (Lefkoşa in Turkish), the northern part of the city which is under the Turkish military occupation. In fact, Nicosia is divided by the armistice demarcation line (the Green Line).

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Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

The TRNC is recognized only by Turkey. It is a member of the International Turkish Culture (TURKSOY), observer to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Parliamentary Union of the OIC.Some legal experts have called the TRNC as an example of a “puppet state” on the basis of a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights of 18 December 1996 which recognized the responsibility of Turkey in the current business in the northern Cyprus.The TRNC adopted as currency the Turkish lira. On 8 August 2003, the TRNC and Turkey signed a customs union agreement.

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Sport

The Northern Cyprus national football team is affiliated to the New Federations Board, which is made up of teams that represent nations, dependencies, unrecognized states, minorities, stateless peoples, regions and micronations not affiliated to FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). The federation is called CTFF in English, and KTTF in Turkish. Their best win was in the Turkish-Cypriot territory against Tibet (10-0), while their worst defeat was in Izmir in Turkey during the Muslim games (5-0).