What’s one thing you associate people from Cyprus with?

[Anonymous]

I’m not too familiar with them

I have some idea

Other

[nightdrot]

Briefly and off the top of my head.

Capital and largest city - Nicosia. In legend, it is where the Greek goddess Aphrodite came from.

Former British colony - I recall that two sovereign British military bases remained on its' soil - it was granted independence in 1960. It is divided between ethnic Greek and Turkish populations.

In 1974, a war broke out between Greece and Turkey - both NATO allies - and the latter occupied the northern third of the island. That portion later proclaimed itself a separate state, though none but Turkey recognized it as such.

The divide remains even though Cyprus joined the European Union. Membership for northern Cyprus being held in abeyance until the issue is resolved.

The foregoing is what I recall off the top of my head. I work in politics - including some foreign policy issues - and am a history buff. (Plus, believe it or not, as a kid I remember watching the news about the Turkish invasion. Not that I cared all that much at 11 years old.)

[Asker]

That’s a good summary of the political sphere and history in Cyprus! I’m into history and documentaries too. It’s great fun.

[nightdrot]

Agreed. Still, it is funny the things that stick in your head. If you are Cypriot it is not that unusual that you would know these kinds of things.

Yet I would be willing to bet that you could not swing a dead cat on a crowded street corner in the USA and hit one person who would know anything about Cyprus. Unless of course you hit me.

Still, I agree. Lots of fun. Thanks for the "thumbs up" too.

[Asker]

My dad’s family is originally from Nicosia. I’m not 100% Cypriot. I didn’t grow up there, but I do know enough about it and I visited a few times, even lived there for a few months thinking I’d stay forever but eventually didn’t.

I’m glad you know this much about Cyprus. As small as Cyprus is, it has such rich history and traditions.

[nightdrot]

Yes. In fact, it was on my target list to visit at some point - I have visited 38 countries to date. However, the combination of family and pandemics has put that off for a bit.

Sooner or later, though, I plan to visit.

[Asker]

Hope you get to soon!

[AlexanderAnttila]

*People* from Cyprus? My friend I'm afraid that's asking a little too much of us to have widespread opinions of a very obscure and unrecognized nation. No offense meant but that's the truth.

Cyprus itself however is easy; Crystal blue seas, warmth, sand coloured caverns on the beach, I personally have connotations with the Crusades and Templar Knights as Cyprus was heavily involved in it.

[Asker]

You’re right! That’s a very specific question about an Island that’s lost in the middle of earth. It’s exactly why I asked the question; to see if enough people have an idea about Cyprus/Cypriots.

You described Cyprus beautifully though.

[EmmaMary]

George's Fun Bus... His tours are just good and it's fun and excitement all day, especially the barbecue and singalong on the beach at the end... Just Brilliant.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/SJ2Faadi2oA

[Asker]

Thanks for linking this here. I’ll watch it sometime soon. I’ve never heard of this channel but looks interesting!

[EmmaMary]

Thank you for the MHGirl.

[AmandaYVR]

Voted not too familiar with them, but in my extensive survey of one, they are intelligent, worldly, witty, open-minded, and have good taste in many things. A high-calibre person (people?), I would say.

[Asker]

You know someone from Cyprus? Well, at least you formed a good image.

[imfreeze95]

It’s an island in the Mediterranean so I just associate them with the Mediterranean and living on an island

[Asker]

I mean you’re not wrong but that applies to all that area.

[Tomtom9090]

running sewer system or was that crete? I don't know

[Asker]

I’m not sure if Crete has that too but Cyprus does have a reusable water supply.

[abc3643]

Turkey and Greece having a shitfit over it in 1974 and things never got better...

[Anonymous]

They’re just like Greeks.. they are Greeks actually not even like them

[Asker]

Ethnically yeah, but I wouldn’t say they’re 100% the same.

[Anonymous]

Greeks Christians in the south
Muslim Turks in the north

[OddBeMe]

Are they Greek? The island is closer to Islamic countries right?

[Asker]

They’re half Greek half Turkish

[taleswapper]

The Greek-Turkish conflict.

[Asker]

The never-ending conflict

[sheikalana]

Good food.

[Asker]

What’s your favorite?

[TwoToTooTutu2]

War.

[Asker]

What war exactly?

[TwoToTooTutu2]

Civil war, Turkish invasion

[Tamera952]

Turkey?

[Asker]

Half is Turkish, other is Greek

[Stoner710]

The minotaur

[Asker]

Why lol

[Stoner710]

Because I’m getting it mixed up with the Island of Crete.

Cypress is more of the half way point between Europe and Africa isn’t it, so that where a lot of sailor would stop to restock there supplies.

[Stoner710]

I’m probably now going to have to relook at Greek history.

[Asker]

Yeah you’re right. Cyprus had it fair share of violence. The location is why most probably.

[Stoner710]

Yea it’s right in the middle of the mediterranean it’s the half way point between Spain Italy Egypt turkey etc so a lot of people stopped there to resupply. Also from what I understand it was kind of the neutral point of course you’d still have fist fight beyond that if I remember right it was mostly peaceful. Unlike the riots in 2020