Cyprus
The Republic of Cyprus has a complex past. Called by some Aphrodite’s birthplace, the island has ancient temples, Roman mosaics, remote monasteries, crusader castles and magnificent mosques. It also has the famous “Green Line”. The land abounds in natural beauty from sandy beaches to the cool, Alpine air of Platres. The people are friendly, and hospitable, and tourism is becoming one of the island’s more important industries. Many of the residents speak English and you will find that most signs are in both Greek and English.
The Governments of a Divided Island
The Government of the Republic of Cyprus is based on the Constitution of 1960 that was devised by conservative governments in London, Athens and Ankara. The constitution was never intended to be a permanent document and it was not truly designed for the Cypriot people. It was meant as a compromise among the British, Greek and Turkish governments over control of the island. Now in use for 38 years, the documents curious beginnings created a government that remains deeply divided between its two communities. For example, the president is always a Greek-Cypriot and the vice-president a Turkish-Cypriot. They govern their respective areas and are elected by separate elections, but both retain the right of veto. Civil service, police, & parliament posts were divided along a controversial 70:30 split meant to mirror the population. For a bill to pass in the 100 member parliament, it not only requires an overall majority, but also a majority within both communities. So, in theory, 16 Turkish-Cypriot representatives could oppose a measure that was favored by the remainder and the bill would fail. The government meets in Geneva.
The Green Line (Just for your interest, it is not suggested or recommended to cross the line). The infamous Green Line divides the north (Turkish) part of the island from the south (Greek) portion. (The Greek capital of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicosia (called by the Greeks, Lefkosia), is split by the Green Line running east to west at the north end of the city.) The Turks control approximately 37% of the island and since 1983 that area has been known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Though only Turkey has recognized the new state, the TRNC has established trading relations in Europe and with several Arab nations. It lags far behind the Republic of Cyprus economically but is generally supported by Turkish Cypriots who have been joined in recent years by thousands of settlers from mainland Turkey.
Crossing the Green Line from the south is relatively easy if you follow the very strict regulations. Greek citizens and those of Greek descent are not permitted to cross the line. There is a checkpoint at the border which is a former hotel, its interior is gutted and its exterior is marred by bullet holes, it stands on neutral territory and houses UN troops. Passports are checked on both sides of the Line and a form is filled out for a visa. If the officials stamp someones passport, they will not be allowed to re-enter the Greek side. If someone is coming from the north and has a Turkish stamp in the passport, they can never enter the south. There are also strict rules about crossing: Northern Cyprus can only be entered during certain hours of the day and the return has a deadline. People must cross on foot, cars are not allowed. Pictures are forbidden of anything that has to do with the military or the police. If coming from the Greek side, you are not allowed to buy anything on the Turkish side. Any items brought from the south to the north will be confiscated. Crossing from the North is impossible. The quickest way to get to south Nicosia, is to first fly to London, and then to the south. You can only do this if you do not have a Northern Cyprus stamp in your passport. A cheaper way is to go by ferry to a place called Tasucu in Turkey, take a bus to Marmaris, and then a ferry to Rhodes and then another ferry to Southern Cyprus. The journey should only take about 2 days. Talk about red tape!!!! P. S. If all that is not interesting enough, the people drive on the left side of the road in the Greek part of the island and on the right side in the Turkish part of the island.