The Country
The Republic of Cyprus is an island country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, south of the Anatolian Peninsula. It is the third-largest and third-most populous island in the Mediterranean.
It is divided into two parts separated by the so-called Green Line: the area under the effective control of the Republic of Cyprus, which comprises about 59% of the surface of the island, and the area occupied since 1974 by Turkey in the north, the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which covers about 36% of the surface of the island and is recognised by Turkey alone.
The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities share many customs but maintain distinct identities, based on religion, and deep ties with Greece and Turkey respectively.
Cyprus has been a member of the European Union since 1 May 2004 and a member of the Commonwealth since 13 March 1961.