Paityn+&+Raena

​
 * *Religion

ok i have some more like money cites holidays The Ofical holidayds include new year jan 1, greek national day march 25 when the greetings began rebelling against Ottoman rule in 1821

music

The traditional [|folk music] of Cyprus has many common elements with Greek mainland and island folk music, including dances like the [|sousta], [|syrtos], [|zeibekikos], tatsia, and the kartsilamas. The instruments commonly associated with Cyprus folk music are the **violin** ["fkiolin"], the **lute** ["laouto"], the **accordion**, and the Cyprus flute "**pithkiavlin**". There is also a form of musical poetry known as "chattista", which is often performed at traditional feasts and celebrations. Composers associated with traditional music in Cyprus include [|Evagoras Karageorgis], [|Marios Tokas], Solon Michaelides, Savvas Salides. [|Pop music] in Cyprus is generally influenced by the Greek pop music "[|Laïka]" scene, with several artists such as [|Anna Vissi] and [|Evridiki] earning widespread popularity. Cypriot rock and "[|Éntekhno]" [|rock music] is often associated with artists such as [|Michalis Hatzigiannis] and [|Alkinoos Ioannidis]. Metal also has a following in Cyprus, represented by bands such as Armageddon Rev. 16:16, [|Winter's Verge],

RUST, Blynd and Quadraphonic. recreation landmarks- hotels time zones hobbies

entertament costoms arts

Religion!
 * Works Cited**

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Cyprus.10/5/09

Most Greek Cypriots, and thus the majority of the population of [|Cyprus], are members of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Cyprus ([|Cypriot Orthodox Church]), whereas most Turkish Cypriots are Muslim. According to Eurobarometer 2005 [|[1]], Cyprus is one of the most religious countries in [|Europe], along with [|Turkey], [|Malta], [|Romania], [|Greece] and [|Poland]. In addition to the Orthodox Christian and Muslim communities, there are also small [|Baha'i], [|Jewish], [|Protestant], [|Roman Catholic], [|Maronite][|Armenian Apostolic] communities in Cyprus.[|Armenian Apostolic] communities in Cyprus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_religion_in_Cyprus.10/5/09

The [|Constitution] provides for freedom of religion, and the [|Government] generally respected this right in practice. There were few reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious belief or practice, and prominent societal leaders took positive steps to promote religious freedom. 125753195612575319561257531956125753195612575319561257531956125753195612575319561257531956125753195612575319561257531956125753195612575319561257531956125753195612575319561257531956125753195612575319561257531956~

History!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Cyprus.5/6/09

Cyprus was not [|settled] in the [|old stone age] which led to the survival of numerous dwarf forms, such as [|dwarf elephants] (// Elephas cypriotes //) and [|pygmy hippos] (//Hippopotamus minor//), well into the [|Holocene]. There are claims of an association of this [|fauna] with [|artifacts] of [|Epipalaeolithic] foragers at [|Aetokremnos] near Limassol on the southern coast of Cyprus. The first undisputed settlement occurred in the 9 th (or perhaps 10 th ) millennium BC from the [|Levant]. The first [|settlers] were agriculturalists of the so called PPNB ( [|pre] [| pottery Neolithic B]) era, but did not yet produce [|pottery] ( [|aceramic] [|Neolithic]). The dog, sheep, goats and possibly [|cattle] and pigs were introduced, as well as numerous wild animals like [|foxes] (// Vulpes vulpes //) and [|Persian fallow deer] (// Dama mesopotamica //) that were previously unknown on the island. The PPNB settlers built round houses with floors made of [|terrazzo] of burned lime (e.g. [|Kastros], [|Shillourokambos] ) and cultivated [|einkorn] and [|emmer]. Pigs, sheep, goat and cattle were kept but remained, for the most part, behaviourally wild. Evidence of cattle such as that attested at Shillourokambos is rare, and when they apparently died out in the course of the 8 th millennium they were not re-introduced until the ceramic Neolithic. In the 6 th millennium BC, the aceramic [|Khirokitia] culture was characterised by [|roundhouses], [|stone vessels] and an economy based on sheep, goats and pigs. Cattle were unknown, and Persian [|fallow deer] were hunted. It was followed by the ceramic [|Sotira] phase. The [|Eneolithicaracterised] by stone [|figurines] with spread arms. Water wells discovered by archaeologists in western Cyprus are believed to be among the oldest in the world, dated at 9,000 to 10,500 years old, putting them in the [|Stone Age]. They are said to show the sophistication of early settlers, and their heightened appreciation for the environment.[|[1]] In 2004, the remains of an 8-month-old [|cat] were discovered buried with its human owner at a Neolithic archeological site in Cyprus.[|[2]] The grave is estimated to be 9,500 years old, predating Egyptian civilization and pushing back the earliest known feline-human association significantly.[|[3]] In the [|Bronze Age] the first cities, like [|Enkomi], were built. Systematic copper mining began, and this resource was widely traded. The [|Cypriot syllabic script] was first used in early phases of the late Bronze Age ( LCIB ) and continued in use for ca. 500 years into the to LC IIIB, maybe up to the second half of the eleventh century BC. Most scholars believe it was used for a native Cypriot language ( [|Eteocypriot] ) that survived until the 4 th century BC, but the actual proofs for this are scant, as the tablets still have not been completely deciphered.

Late Bronze Age horned altar at [|Pigadhes], Cyprus. The LCIIC (1300-1200 BC) was a time of local prosperity. Cities were rebuilt on a rectangular grid plan, like Enkomi, where the town gates now Gates correspond to the grid axes and numerous grand buildings front the street system or newly founded. Great official buildings constructed from [|Ashlar]-masonry point to increased social hierarchisation and control. Some of these buildings contain facilities for processing and storing [|olive oil], like at [|Maroni] - Vournes and building X at [|Kalavassos] - Ayios Dhimitrios. A Sanctuary with a horned altar constructed from [|ashlar]-masonry has been found at Myrtou - Pigadhes, other temples have been located at Enkomi , [|Kition] and [|Kouklia] ( Palaepaphos ). Both the regular layout of the cities and the new masonry techniques find their closest parallels in Syria, especially in Ras - Shamra ( [|Ugarit] ). Rectangular corbelled tombs point to close contacts with Syria and Palestine as well. The practice of writing spread and tablets in the [|Cypriot syllabic script] have been found at [|Ras Shamra] which was the Phoenician city of Ugarit. Ugaritic texts from Ras Shamra and Enkomi mention Ya, the Assyrian name of Cyprus, that thus seems to have been in use already in the late Bronze Age. Copper ingots shaped like Ox hides have been recovered from shipwrecks such as at [|Ulu Burun], Iria and [|Cape] [|Gelidonya] which attest to the widespread metal trade. Weights in the shape of animals found in Enkomi and Kalavassos follow the Syro -Palestinian, Mesopotamian, Hittite and Aegean standards and thus attest to the wide ranging trade as well. Late Bronze Age Cyprus was a part of the [|Hittite empire] but was a client state and as such was not invaded but rather merely part of the empire by association and governed by the ruling kings of Ugarit [|[4]]. As such Cyprus was essentially "left alone with little intervention in Cypriot affairs"[|[4]]. However during the reign of [|Tudhaliya] the island was briefly invaded by the Hittites for either reasons of securing the copper resource or as a way of preventing piracy. Shortly afterwards the island was reconquered by his son around 1200 BCE In the later phase of the late Bronze Age ( LCIIIA, 1200-1100 BC) great amounts of ' Mycenean ' IIIC :1b pottery were produced locally. New architectural features include [|cyclopean] [| walls], found on the Greek mainland, as well and a certain type of rectangular stepped capitals, endemic on Cyprus. Chamber tombs are given up in favour of shaft graves. Many scholars therefore believed that Cyprus was settled by Mycenean Greeks by the end of the Bronze Age. But this view has increasingly been criticised in recent years, as there is no distinct break in most areas of material culture between the LCIIC (1400-1200 BC) and LCIII. Large amounts of IIIC :1b pottery are found in Palestine during this period as well. While this was formerly interpreted as evidence of an invasion ('[|Sea Peoples]'), this is seen more and more as an indigenous development, triggered by increasing trade relations with Cyprus and [|Crete]. Evidence of early trade with Crete is found in archaeological recovery on Cyprus of pottery from [|Cydonia], a powerful urban center of ancient Crete.[|[5]] There are finds that show close connections to Egypt as well. In [|Hala] [| Sultan] [|Tekke] Egyptian pottery has been found, among them wine jugs bearing the [|cartouche] of [|Seti] [| I] and fish bones of the Nile [|perch]. Another wave of Greek settlement is believed to have taken place in the following century ( LCIIIB, 1100-1050), indicated, among other things, by a new type of graves (long dromoi ) and Mycenean influences in pottery decoration. Most authors claim that the Cypriot city kingdoms, first described in written sources in the 8 th century BC were already founded in the 11 th century BC. Other scholars see a slow process of increasing social complexity between the 12 th and the 8 th centuries, based on a network of chiefdoms. In the 8 th century (geometric period) the number of settlements increases sharply and monumental tombs, like the 'Royal' tombs of [|Salamis] appear for the first time. This could be a better indication for the appearance of the Cypriot kingdoms. The [|Iron Age] follows the Submycenian period (1125-1050 BC) or Late Bronze Age and is divided into the: Foundations myths documented by classical authors connect the foundation of numerous Cypriot towns with immigrant Greek heroes in the wake of the [|Trojan war]. For example, [|Teucer], brother of [|Aias] was supposed to have founded [|Salamis], and the Arcadian [|Agapenor] of Tegea to have replaced the native ruler Kinyras and to have founded [|Paphos]. Some scholars see this a memory of a Greek colonisation already in the 11 th century. In the 11 th century tomb 49 from Palaepaphos - Skales three bronze [|obeloi] with inscriptions in Cypriot syllabic script have been found, one of which bears the name of Opheltas. This is first indication of the use of Greek language on the island. Cremation as a burial rite is seen as a Greek introduction as well. The first cremation burial in Bronze vessels has been found at Kourion - Kaloriziki, tomb 40, dated to the first half of the 11 th century ( LCIIIB ). The shaft grave contained two bronze rod tripod stands, the remains of a shield and a golden sceptre as well. Formerly seen as the Royal grave of first Argive founders of Kourion, it is now interpreted as the tomb of a native Cypriote or a Phoenician prince. The cloisonné enamelling of the sceptre head with the two falcons surmounting it has no parallels in the Aegean, but shows a strong Egyptian influence. In the 8 th century, several Phoenician colonies were founded, like Kart- Hadasht ('New Town'), present day [|Larnaca] and [|Salamis]. The oldest cemetery of Salamis has indeed produced children's burials in Canaanite jars, clear indication of Phoenician presence already in the LCIIIB 11 th century. Similar jar burials have been found in cemeteries in Kourion - Kaloriziki and Palaepaphos - Skales near Kouklia. In Skales, many Levantine imports and Cypriote imitations of Levantine forms have been found and point to a Phoenician expansion even before the end of the 11 th century.
 * Geometric 1050-700
 * Archaic 700-525

[[|edit]] Ancient history
Main article: [|Cyprus (Ancient history)] The first written source shows Cyprus under [|Assyrian] rule. A [|stela] found 1845 in [|Kition] commemorates the victory of king [|Sargon II] (721-705 BC) in 709 over the seven kings in the land of Ia', in the district of Iadnana or Atnana. The former is supposedly the Assyrian name of the island, while some authors take the latter to mean Greece (the Islands of the Danaoi ). There are other inscriptions referring to Ia' in Sargon's palace at [|Khorsabad]. The ten kingdoms listed by an inscription of [|Esarhaddon] in 673/2 BC have been identified as [|Salamis], [|Kition], [|Amathus] , [|Kourion] , [|Paphos] and [|Soli] on the coast and [|Tamassos] , [|Ledra] , [|Idalium] and [|Chytri] in the interior. Cyprus gained independence for some time around 669 but was conquered by Egypt under [|Amasis] [|545 BC]. A Persian palace has been excavated in the territory of [|Marion] on the North coast near Soli. The inhabitants took part in the Ionian rising. At the beginning of the 4 th century BC, Euagoras I, King of Salamis, took control of the whole island and tried to gain independence from Persia. Another uprising took place in 350 but was crushed by [|Artaxerxes] in 344. (570-526/525). The island was conquered by the Persians around During the siege of [|Tyre], the Cypriot Kings went over to [|Alexander the Great]. In 321 four Cypriot kings sided with [|Ptolemy I] Soter and defend the island against [|Antigonos]. Ptolemy lost Cyprus to [|Demetrios Poliorketes] in 306 and 294 BC, but after that it remained under [|Ptolemaic] rule till 58 BC. It was ruled by a governor from Egypt and sometimes formed a minor Ptolemaic kingdom during the power-struggles of the 2 nd and 1st centuries. Strong commercial relationships with [|Athens] and [|Alexandria], two of the most important commercial centres of antiquity, developed. Full [|Hellenisation] only took place under Ptolemaic rule. Phoenician and native Cypriot traits disappeared, together with the old [|Cypriot syllabic script]. A number of cities were founded during this time, e.g. [|Arsinoe] that was founded between old and new [|Paphos] by [|Ptolemy II]. Cyprus became a Roman [|province] in 58 BC, according to [|Strabo] because [|Publius Clodius Pulcher] held a grudge against [|Ptolemy] and sent [|Marcus Cato] to conquer the island after he had become [|tribune]. [|Marc Anthony] gave the island to [|Cleopatra VII] of Egypt and her sister [|Arsinoe], but it became a Roman province again after his defeat at the [|Battle of] [|Actium] (31 BC) in 30 BC. Since 22 BC it was a senatorial province, after the reforms of [|Diocletian] it was placed under the Consularis Oriens. The island suffered great losses during the Jewish rising of 115/116 AD. Several earthquakes led to the destruction of [|Salamis] at the beginning of the 4 th century, at the same time drought and famine hit the island. Christianisation : The apostle [|Paul] is reported to have converted the people of Cyprus to Christianity. The Levit Barnabas, a Cypriot, travels to Cyprus and Anatolia with Paul ( Apg . 12, 13). During the 5 th century AD, the church of Cyprus achieved its independence from the [|Patriarch of Antioch] at the [|Council of Ephesus] in [|431].

[[|edit]] Middle Ages to High Middle Ages and Byzantine Renaissance
Main article: [|Cyprus in the Middle Ages] After the division of the Roman Empire into an eastern half and a western half, Cyprus came under the rule of [|Byzantium]. At that time, its [|bishop], while still subject to the [|Church], was made [|autocephalous] [|Council of Ephesus]. by the When the [|Arabs] invaded Cyprus in [|688], the emperor [|Justinian II] and the [|caliph] [|Abd al] [|-] [|Malik] reached an unprecedented agreement. For the next 300 years, Cyprus was ruled jointly by both the Arabs and the Byzantines as a [|condominium], despite the nearly constant warfare between the two parties on the mainland. This period lasted until the year [|965], when a resurgent Byzantium conquered the island. In [|1185], the last Byzantine governor of Cyprus, [|Isaac] [|Comnenus] [| of Cyprus] from a minor line of the Imperial house, rose in rebellion and attempted to seize the throne. His attempted coup was unsuccessful, but Comnenos was able to retain control of the island. Byzantine actions against Comnenos failed because he enjoyed the support of [|William II of Sicily]. The Emperor had an agreed with the [|sultan] of Egypt to close Cypriot harbours to the Crusaders. Isaac Comnenos was displaced by [|Richard I Plantagenet] in 1192 and kept prisoner till his death in 1194 or 1195. In the [|12] [|th] [| century] A.D. the island became a target of the [|crusaders]. [|Richard the Lionhearted] landed in [|Limassol] on the 1st of June 1191 in search of his sister and his bride [|Berengaria], whose ship had become separated from the fleet in a storm. Richard married Berengaria in Limassol on the 12 th of May 1192. She was crowned as Queen of England by [|John] [|Fitzluke], [|Bishop of] [|Évreux]. The crusader fleet continued to St. Jean d'Acre (Syria) on the 5 th of June. The army of [|Richard the Lionhearted][|Knights Templar], before they moved to [|Rhodes] and finally to [|Malta]. Soon after that, the [|Franks] ( Lusignans ) occupied the island, establishing the [|Kingdom of Cyprus]. The relationship between the Cypriots and the Franks was never harmonious. They declared Latin the official language, later replacing it with French; much later, Greek was recognised as a second official language. In [|1196], the Latin Church was established, and the Orthodox Cypriot Church experienced a series of religious persecutions. [|Maronites] settled on Cyprus during the crusades and still maintain some villages in the North. continued to occupy Cyprus and raised taxes. He sold the island to the

[[|edit]] Late Middle Ages and Renaissance
|| || This section requires [|expansion]. || Main article: [|Cyprus (Ottoman Empire)]== [[|edit]] Modern era == Main article: [|Modern history of Cyprus] In [|1878], as the result of the [|Cyprus Convention], the [|United Kingdom] took over the government of Cyprus as a protectorate from the [|Ottoman Empire]. In [|1914], at the beginning of [|World War I], Cyprus was annexed by the United Kingdom. In [|1925], following the [|dissolution of the Ottoman Empire], Cyprus was made a [|Crown Colony]. Between 1955-59 [|EOKA] was created by Greek Cypriots and led by [|George] [|Grivas] to perform [|enosis] (union of the island with Greece). However the EOKA campaign did not result union with Greece but rather an independent republic, The Republic of Cyprus, in 1960. In [|1960], Turkish Cypriots were only the 18% of the Cypriot population. However, the [|1960] constitution carried important safeguards for the participation of Turkish Cypriots to the state affairs, such as the vice-president being Turkish Cypriot, 30% of parliament being Turkish Cypriot, etc. Archbishop Makarios would be the [|President] and [|Dr] [|Fazil Kucuk] would become Vice President. One of the articles in the constitution was the creation of separate local municipalities so that Greek and Turkish Cypriots could manage their own municipalities in the big towns. This article of the constitution was never implemented by the Republic and President Archbishop Makarios. Internal conflicts turned into full-fledged armed fighting between the two communities on the island which prompted the United Nations to send peace keeping forces in 1964; these forces are still in place today. [|Turkey invaded the island] in [|1974] and seized the northern third of the island, Turkish Cypriots in the south would travel north and [|Greek Cypriots] in the north were forced to move to the south. The [|DE facto] state of Northern Cyprus was proclaimed in [|1975] under the name "Turkish Federated State of Northern Cyprus". The name was changed to its present form on 15 November 1983. The only country to formally recognise The "[|Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]" is [|Turkey]. Turkey has repeatedly violated numerous UN Resolutions[|[6]] and refers to the [|Republic of Cyprus] as the "Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus". After the southern, [|Greek speaking] part of Cyprus became a member of the [|European Union], it adopted the [|Euro] as its currency on January 1, 2008, replacing the previously used [|Cypriot Pound]; whilst the northern area continued to use the Turkish Lira and on January 1st 2008 the [|New Turkish Lira]. Cyprus entered the EU in 2004. ' yeah haha i typed ll of this like juts now but omg i cant believe that u didnt wear ur dress

population 784,00 the greek cypriots and 264,000 for turkish cypriots (including setalers from turkey) and its growing 2.3%. these numbers are subject t considerable seasonable change since cyprus recieves over a million tourists durring the summer. the capital city, nicosia, has been divided between turkish and greek portions of the islands since 1974. greek ans turkish form north to south. the remaining 5 percent of the population is made up of americans, maronites, and others. migrant woekers from asia and the middle east work in service industies and do manual presesnt.

costoms and courtesies grettings family and friends of both sexes greet wachother wiht a kught hug ad kidd on both cheeks.handchakes are becoming more common id urban settings. upon metting an older person fo the first time turkish cypriot youth maykiss the elders hand and touch it to his or her forhead as a sign of repect, surnames are used relatively infrequently, with titles commonly paores with first names. imformally, turkish cypriots may refer to elders as abi or abla(elder brothers or sisters)

daTING AND MARRIGE while dating, young couples like to dine out, attend movies, and go dancing. Marrige is an iportant curtulal institution, and parents usually exery pressure on their children o marry, which most fo before age 30, ans start a family. unmarried womenwhere lookeddown upon in the often live together after they have become enfafes, evern thet postpone the actual wedding become engaged, even two years years. children rarely born out of wedlock, however. before marrige all couples are tested for sickle cell disaese. which affects a sizable minority of the population. Wedding receptions are expensive, lavish events, to which hundreds of guests are invited. Guestss give gifts of domestic apliances or money and may paw money to the clothing of the bride and groom. Divorce historically stigmatized, is on the rise.

[[|edit]]
and copy and pasted this bt here is some information

governtment

Cyprus is a [|Presidential republic]. The head of state and of the government is the President, who is elected by a process of [|Universal suffrage] for a five-year term. Executive power is exercised by the government with legislative power vested in the House of Representatives whilst the Judiciary is independent of both the executive and the legislature. The 1960 Constitution provided for a presidential system of government with independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as a complex system of checks and balances, including a weighted power-sharing ratio designed to protect the interests of the Turkish Cypriots. The executive, was headed by a Greek Cypriot president and a Turkish Cypriot vice president elected by their respective communities for five-year terms and each possessing a right of veto over certain types of legislation and executive decisions. Legislative power rested on the House of Representatives, also elected on the basis of separate voters' rolls. Since 1964, following clashes between the two communities, the [|Turkish Cypriot] seats in the House remain vacant. Turkish Cypriots refuse to establish the state of affairs before the invasion of Cyprus in their attempt to de jure partition the Republic of Cyprus. This is evident in the Secretary-General of the United Nations report at the time. The Turkish Cypriot leaders have adhered to a rigid stand against any measures which might involve having members of the two communities live and work together, or which might place Turkish Cypriots in situations where they would have to acknowledge the authority of Government agents. Indeed, since the Turkish Cypriot leadership is committed to physical and geographical separation of the communities as a political goal, it is not likely to encourage activities by Turkish Cypriots which may be interpreted as demonstrating the merits of an alternative policy. The result has been a seemingly deliberate policy of self-segregation by the Turkish Cypriots//[|[46]]// In 1974 Cyprus was divided //de facto// into the Greek Cypriot controlled southern two-thirds of the island and the [|Turkish] controlled northern third. The Turkish Cypriots subsequently declared independence in 1983 as the [|Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus], but were recognized only by [|Turkey]. In 1985, the TRNC adopted a constitution and held its first elections. The United Nations recognizes the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus over the entire island of Cyprus.[//[|citation needed]//] The House of Representatives currently has 59 members elected for a five year term, 56 members by [|proportional representation] and 3 observer members representing the [|Armenian], [|Latin] and [|Maronite] minorities. 24 seats are allocated to the [|Turkish] community but remain vacant since 1964. The political environment is dominated by the communist [|AKEL], the liberal conservative [|Democratic Rally], the [|centrist][|[47]] [|Democratic Party], the [|social-democratic] [|EDEK] and the centrist [|EURO.KO]. On 17 February 2008 [|Dimitris Christofias] of the [|AKEL] was elected President of Cyprus, on AKEL's first electoral victory without being part of a wider coalition. Cyprus is currently one of only two countries in the world to have a democratically elected [|communist] government (the other being [|Nepal]), and the only European Union member state under communist leadership. Christofias took over government from [|Tassos Papadopoulos] of the [|Democratic Party] who had been in office since February 2003.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus

Cyprus is the third largest [|island] in the Mediterranean (after the [|Italian] islands of [|Sicily] and [|Sardinia]) and the [|world's 81st largest]. It measures 240 kilometres [|latitudinally] and 100 km [|longitudinally], with Turkey 75 km to the north. Other neighbouring territories include [|Syria] and [|Lebanon] to the east (105 km and 108 km, respectively), [|Israel] 200 km to the southeast, [|Egypt] 380 km to the south, and [|Greece] to the west-northwest: 280 km to the small [|Dodecanesian] island of [|Kastellórizo (Meyísti)], 400 km to [|Rhodes], and 800 km to the Greek mainland. The physical setting for life on the island is dominated by the mountain masses and the central plain they encompass, the [|Mesaoria]. The [|Troodos Mountains] cover most of the southern and western portions of the island and account for roughly half its area. The narrow [|Kyrenia Range], extending along the northern coastline, occupies substantially less area, and elevations are lower. [|Geopolitically], the island is subdivided into four main segments. The Republic of Cyprus, the internationally recognised government, occupies the southern two-thirds of the island (59.74%). The [|Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus] occupies the northern third (34.85%) of the island and is recognised only by Turkey, as it consists of the Turkish-occupied areas. The [|United Nations]-controlled [|Green Line] is a buffer zone that separates the two and covers 2.67% of the island. Lastly, [|two bases under British sovereignty] are located on the island: [|Akrotiri and Dhekelia], covering the remaining 2.74%.



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[|Football] is the most popular spectator and participation sport in the island. The [|Cypriot national team] has not succeeded any major events, while major Cypriot clubs compete at [|European competitions] with limited success. The [|first division league] is semi-professional with a few professional clubs. [|Basketball] is also quite popular in Cyprus. The Cypriot league is semi-professional, but Cypriot teams have had good European campaigns. Recently, [|EKA AEL] has finished 3rd in the [|FIBA EuroCup]. The Cyprus Rally is a rallying competition held yearly in Cyprus since 1970. The event is run by the Cyprus Automobile Association[1] and is based in the city of Limassol (Lemesos). It is run on the winding gravel roads of the nearby mountains of Troodos. It was part of the FIA's World Rally Championship from 2000 to 2006. In 2007, the event was part of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship. The same applies for 2008. It is due to rejoin the World Rally Championship in 2009. The **Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus** (**TRNC**) ([|Turkish]: //Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti//, //KKTC//), commonly called **Northern Cyprus** or **North Cyprus** [|[4]] ([|Turkish]: //Kuzey Kıbrıs//), is a [|de facto] independent republic[|[5]][|[6]][|[7]] located in the north of [|Cyprus]. The TRNC declared its independence in 1983, nine years after a Greek Cypriot [|coup] attempting to annex the island to Greece triggered [|an invasion] by [|Turkey]. It has received [|diplomatic recognition] only from Turkey, on which it has become dependent for economic, political and military support. The rest of the international community, including the United Nations and European Union, recognises the sovereignty of the [|Republic of Cyprus] over the territory of the TRNC. The Turkish Army maintains a large force in the TRNC that apparently meets with the approval of much of the Turkish Cypriot population. However, the Republic of Cyprus regards it as an illegal occupation force; its presence has also been denounced in several United Nations Security Council resolutions.[|[8]] Attempts to reach a solution to the dispute have so far been unsuccessful. In 2004 the [|UN] [|Annan Plan] to reunite the island was accepted by a majority of [|Turkish Cypriots] in [|a referendum], but rejected by a resounding majority of [|Greek Cypriots]. The TRNC extends from the tip of the [|Karpass Peninsula] ([|Cape Apostolos Andreas]) in the northeast, westward to [|Morphou Bay] and [|Cape Kormakitis] (the Kokkina/Erenköy [|exclave] marks the westernmost extent of the area), and southward to the village of [|Louroujina/Akıncılar]. The [|buffer zone] stretching between the two areas is under the control of the [|United Nations]. REASERCH NOT COPIED OR PASTED!!!
 * Cyprus** due to its population and size does not have many international sporting achievements. Most sports are governed by associations under the umbrella of the [|Cyprus Sport Organisation] ([|Greek]: Κυπριακός Οργανισμός Αθλητισμού).
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HISTORY!!~ Cyprus became independent on Aug. 16, 1960, Makarios became the country's first president. Extended family is common in Cyprus. Cyprus was the site of early Phoenician and Greek colonies. For centuries its rule passed through many hands. It fell to the Turks in 1571, and a large Turkish colony settled on the island. Cyprus lies off the southern coast of Turkey and the western shore of Syria Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediteranian The capital of Cyprus is Nicosia Prehistoric sites in Cyprus prove that the island was inhabitated as early as 10,000 years ago. Cyprus was conquered by Egypt then later on Persia took Cyprus over. !FOOD! If you are a vegitarian you won't want to go to Cyprus for the food because you would find meat on every menu there. Food is very healthy and fresh in Cyprus. During the week most people have a light breakfast like coffee and i a piece of toast...weekend breakfasts are might include Olives,boiled eggs,local cheese,tomatoes,and fruit. lunch is between noon and three pm people would snack on sunflower Seeds, and others. Pork is most common in Cyprus but Muslems are not allowed to eat it. Other meats that are popular are chicken and lamb. Fresh fruits are are commonly avilable in the winter time.

~!SPORTS!! But they enjoy playing all sports! There really isn't to many sports but they like to play football, and soccer like most countries. Cypriots especially males are passinote about football(soccer)

~!~!~!~!~!~!CLOTHING~!~ There is many different types of clothing from leather to clothes we wear. They prefer casual styles like; jeans t shirts stufff like that. Traditional costumes are worn during the holidays and festvals. Women where skirts dresses and jeans as a western style.

DATING AND MARRIAGE while dating, young couples like to dine out, attend movies, and go dancing. Marriage is an iportant curtulal institution, and parents usually every pressure on their children o marry, which most fo before age 30, ans start a family. unmarried women where looked down upon in the often live together after they have become enfafes, evern thet postpone the actual wedding become engaged, even two years years. children rarely born out of wedlock, however. before marrige all couples are tested for sickle cell disaese. which affects a sizable minority of the population. Wedding receptions are expensive, lavish events, to which hundreds of guests are invited. Guests give gifts of domestic apliances or money and may paw money to the clothing of the bride and groom. Divorce historically stigmatized, is on the rise.

costoms and courtesies grettings family and friends of both sexes greet wachother wiht a kught hug ad kidd on both cheeks.handchakes are becoming more common id urban settings. upon metting an older person fo the first time turkish cypriot youth may kiss the elders hand and touch it to his or her forhead as a sign of repect, surnames are used relatively infrequently, with titles commonly paores with first names. imformally, turkish cypriots may refer to elders as abi or abla(elder brothers or sisters)

population 784,00 the greek cypriots and 264,000 for turkish cypriots (including setalers from turkey) and its growing 2.3%. these numbers are subject t considerable seasonable change since cyprus recieves over a million tourists durring the summer. the capital city, nicosia, has been divided between turkish and greek portions of the islands since 1974. greek ans turkish form north to south. the remaining 5 percent of the population is made up of americans, maronites, and others. migrant woekers from asia and the middle east work in service industies and do manual presesnt.

Holidays

Ofical holidays include New Year's Day ( Jan. 1st), Greek National Day (March 25, when greeks began rebelling against Ottoman rle in 1821), Greek Cypriot National Day (April 1, when the National Organization of Cypriot Fighters was formed in 1955 to begin armed struggle against British rule in Cyprus), Labor Day (May 1), Cyprus Independence Day (Oct. 1), and Ochi Day (Oct. 28), whih commemorates the day greek troops said ochi, or "no," to Mussolini's attempt to invade and conquer Greece during World War II.

Christian holidays such as Christmas (Jan. 24- 25), Boxing Day (Dec. 26), Epiphany Day (Jan. 6) Easter, Pentecost (called the Kataklysmos Festival, May - June), and Assumption (Aug. 15) are also legal holidays. Easter is a major holiday, celebrated by cracking painted eggs, roasting lamb on a spit, and holding traditional dances and games. In the Turkish Cypriot community, Beyram, the feast at the end of the month of Ramadan, is an important holiday. Peace of Freedom Day (July 20) commemorates the landing pf Turkish Cypriot Resistance Movement is marked on TMT (Aug 1)

Religion. Religion is mainly a marker of cultural identity. Roughly 75% of the population is Greek Orthodox, 18% is Muslim (mainly Sunni), and the remaining 4% includes a mixture of Maronite, Armenian, Anglican, Catholic, and other (mainly Christian) faiths. Though he elderly still regularly attend religious traditions associated with weddings, funerals, and the like remain important.

Government

Cyprus is a democratic republic. The president is chief of state and head of government and is elected to five-year term. Politicians from the self-proclaimed TRNC do not take part in the government of the Republic Of Cyprus; therefore, the office of vice president and 24 legislative seats- reserved for members of the Turkish Cypriot community- are vacant. Democratic process are transparent in the Republic of Cyprus, while politics in morthers Cyprus maybe sebject to influence from Turkey. Voting is legally mandatory in the Republic of Cyrus, and fines can be levied on people who fail to vote on election days.