Flag of Cyprus

Cyprus, Cyprus of the Ancients, is a large island of the eastern Mediterranean, the third of the Mediterranean for the greatness, the second for the historical and economic importance.

It was smaller in area than Sicily and Sardinia, only slightly larger than Corsica, and played a role comparable to that of Sicily. It is located in the northern angle of the Eastern Mediterranean formed by the coasts of Asia Minor (Turkey) and Syria.

The island is divided politically into two parts, the south-western part (Republic of Cyprus) is under the control of the Government of Cyprus (Greek Cypriot), the only one internationally recognized; the northern part (Turkish Republic of Cyprus) is under Turkish-Cypriot administration; between the two there is a buffer zone (blue helmets), plus two enclaves under British sovereignty : Akrotiri and Dhekelia.