Cyprus – A divided island

Posted on May 23, 2019

The Mediterranean island of Cyprus is a divided island where the Turkish Cypriots live north of the demilitarized zone, and Greek Cypriots to the south. The predominantly Greek population of the Republic of Cyprus live uncomfortably, and with regret, south of their Turkish neighbours.

Welcome to a guitar-shaped island that claims to be the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love! An island with an amber-coloured sweet dessert wine – commandaria – recognised as the world’s oldest named wine, dating back to the 13th century. Here, ancient tombs are carved from solid rock and decorated with among the world’s best Roman mosaics.

Located a mere 70 kilometres (43 mi) south of Turkey and 100 kilometres (62 mi) west of Syria, Cyprus is a glowing gemstone in the turquoise waters of the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Travellers are attracted to the Island for many reasons. Some come here for the world-class diving and wide sandy beaches, others come for the mountains, turquoise seas, the food and people in quaint villages. Many are attracted to the ancient historic sites, remnants of bygone civilisations.

During the 70s and early 80s, Cyprus went through a tumultuous time when hundreds of thousands of Greek Cypriots fled the northern areas occupied by the Turkish troops while tens of thousands of Turkish Cypriots were transferred from the south. These forced displacements left people on both sides of the dividing line with a never-ending bitterness. The Cyprus divide, also known as the “Cyprus problem”, still remains unsolved.

How the “Cyprus problem” was created: Britain took over Cyprus from the Ottoman Empire as a protectorate back in 1878, then annexed it in 1914. After the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire in 1925, the island was made a British Crown Colony.

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Globerovers Magazine July 2019