Cyprus with the way of political economic and cultural directions: 1974-2004

Cyprus is the third largest island found in the Mediterranean Sea, the two largest being Sicily and Sardinia islands. The island of Cyprus is 70 km off the coast of Turkey. It's known for it's protruding and re-entrant landscape and it's 782 km long coast line. It's located in the north-west region of the Mediterranean at 34 33' and 35 41' North and 32 17' and 34 35' west. It's covered with lemur plants and has a mild climate. It's not known for its underground riches; however archeological research shows that it is potentially rich in iron. The first signs of life on the island have been found at the Besparmak Mountains. Cyprus is known by many different names. 'Kibris' in Turkish, 'Kubrus' in Arabic and 'Cyprus, Cypre, Gipros, Cypren in western countries. It is believed that the Godess Afrodite was born on this island so it is also referred to as Afrodite's island, Afrodisia and Amotosia.1 From 1450 B.C. to the present many civilizations tried to govern this island. As a result it has experienced many political, economical and cultural changes. The Cyprus situation no doubt started in the 1950's and has been one of Turkey's most important foreign policy matters. It has at the same time affected Turkey's domestic policies as well. Cyprus throughout its historical past has been ruled by many different people and religions. The ethnic structure on the land after 19th century has been mainly settled by the Greeks and Turkish populations. Because of the language, cultural, religious and east-west cultural differences it has not able to become a homogeneous society.