The minimum you must know

The Republic of Cyprus is an island nation in the Mediterranean Sea near Israel, Lebanon and Syria that became a member of the European Union recently. It's naturally very beautiful, and densely populated as consequence of immigration, especially refugees from Iraq who traveled there through Turkey over the past two decades. The country supports itself well with tourism and natural resources.

The population of Cyprus are happy and peace-loving. Tourists feel very safe enjoying the beaches and resorts there. But Turkey used to occupy Cyprus by force for several decades. People speak Turkish as a result. And the island ultimately had to gain its independence by deterring the Turkish government away. The island has also been surrounded by conflict almost ever since in Israel, Lebanon and Syria. But Cyprus currently enjoys internal and external peace anyway. The President of Cyprus patterned "peace" at the United Nations, and called for peace and respect for individual rights globally.

Cyprus is at peace with all other nations but seeks a reduction of tensions and improving relations with Turkey.