The Crossroad of History

The war in 1974 was one of all the violent events that have bashed Cyprus. With its strategic position in the east Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus has always been at the crossroads of marching empires and superpowers. The island's history of independence is rather short. The Republic of Cyprus was declared as late as 1960 as a joint state for Greek and Turk Cypriots. Before then the island had been controlled for more than 3000 years by Phoenicians, Persians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Knights of Templar, Lusignans, Venetians and Ottomans. During the last 80 years before the liberation in 1960 Cyprus was a British colony. Can you imagine how much hardship that has affected the long-suffering people of this island of love?