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 around twenty years ago. It's naturally very beautiful, and densely populated as consequence of immigration with around 1.3 million people, including refugees from Syria and beyond who traveled there through Turkey. 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, and still exerts influence over the northern third of the country. Many people speak both Greek and Turkish as a result. And the island has had to maintain its independence by deterring the Turkish government, and previously by deterring the United Kingdom, in 1960. 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 once patterned "peace" at the United Nations, and called for peace and respect for individual rights globally. He also invited the President of Turkey there for diplomacy, which this writer hopes is already very successful.

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