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Cyprus is the mythical island and birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love and beauty. Situated in the north-eastern corner of the Mediterranean, 75km south of Turkey, 90km west of Syria, 380km north of Egypt and 380km east of the Greek island of Rhodes. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia and is commonly referred to as the strategic crossroads to the three continents of Europe, Africa and Asia. The island is typified by superb infrastructure, high quality of life, low cost of living and generous tax incentives that appeal to people from all over the world. Cyprus is an island of culture, enchantment and passion.
Cyprus has one of the oldest recorded histories with the first signs of civilisation traced as far back as the 9th millennium BC (over 9000 years ago). Cyprus, having occupied such a strategic position has witnessed many rulers and changes, all indelibly leaving their mark on the island’s landscape.
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Early settlements and villages have been dated back to the Neolithic Age. Bronze Age discoveries coincide with the arrival of the Mycenaeans, whilst the Roman Byzantine era brought architectural wonders of churches and monasteries. The Lusignan period of the Franks gave the island its palaces and castles, whilst the Venetian occupation led to the construction of the great fortified walls (Famagusta). These same walls managed to temporarily delay the next great rulers, the Ottoman Turks. Having arrived in 1570, the Ottomans captured Nicosia and laid siege to Famagusta, eventually taking the city a year later. Their legacy includes the large mosque, Hala Sultan Tekke, the Fort of Larnaca and the Roman style, Aqueduct known as ‘Kamares’, on the outskirts of the district towards Limassol The Ottoman ruled until 1878 when they handed control to Britain in return for protection against possible Russian attack. It formally remained part of the Ottoman Empire until Turkey entered the First World War on the side of Germany and Britain in consequence, annexed Cyprus in 1914. In 1923 under the Treaty of Lausanne, Turkey gave up all rights to Cyprus. Cyprus was declared a Crown colony in 1925. The Second World War witnessed the first Cypriot volunteers to serve in the British Armed Forces.
Other notable rulers have included Alexander the Great and King Richard the Lionheart. |
