 Cyprus has always been an important trading post between the empires of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and throughout history has been influenced and governed by many different cultures. During the BC centuries the Mycenaeanst, Phoenicians, Egyptians, Assyrians and Persians all occupied.
The Romans then kept peace on the island until the 7th century and for the next 300 years the Islamic and Byzantine empires fought for control. After the reigns of Richard the Lionheart, The Templars and Guy de Lusigan, the Venetians eventually came to power in the 15th century, before handing it to Great Britain.
In 1925 Cyprus became a Crown colony of the UK. Many Cypriots however wanted a union with Greece whilst the Turkish population did not causing the British to grant Cyprus its independence in 1960.
After a Greek organised coup in 1974, Turkey invaded, Greece pulled out and the Turks occupied the northern part of the island. Nearly 200,000 Greek Cypriots were forced to flee their homes. Nine years later the Turkish Cypriots proclaimed a separate state but even now this state has only been recognised by Turkey.
Although Cyprus remains divided, constant peace talks are held and now the north side of the island is easily accesible.
The fact that Cyprus entered the EU in 2004 and Turkey is moving towards entry at the next intake, may force both sides to come to a diplomatic solution and end the divide very soon.
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