nPostednon April 1, 2015
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nCyprusnis a nation divided. The Republic of Cyprus, according to Cyprusnitself and every country in the world other than Turkey, rules thenentire island of Cyprus. However, ever since Cyprus’s independencenfrom Britain in 1960, there has always been strife between GreeknCypriots and Turkish Cypriots. For eleven years the “strife”nbecame violence, and when Greek Cypriots grabbed control of thengovernment in 1974, Turkey responded by invading the island.
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nSincenthat 1974 war, the northern part of the island of Cyprus has been thenTurkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (according to itself and Turkey),nor illegally occupied by Turkish armed forces (according to everyonenelse in the world). n
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nThenRepublic of Cyprus (the Greek-majority part) is major tourist spotnwith gorgeous beaches, modern facilities, high incomes, and a strongnhuman rights record. However, the division of the nation is a painfulnreminder that people cannot move as freely throughout the island asnthey might wish.
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nTodaynis the celebration of this date in 1955 when Greek Cypriots firstnstarted a struggle against the British in their efforts to achievenindependence. Apparently some Greek Cypriots celebrate the day byngoing to special church services or school programs that focus on thenhistory of the day.
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As you can see from this map, Cyprus is closer to Turkey than it is to the Greek islands, such as Crete. |
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nHerenare some things Cyprus can be proud of:
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- AphroditenBeach, on which Aphrodite was supposed to have been born by risingnfrom the foam…and whose rocks reportedly make pillars of foam that islanders claim look like Aphrodite rising up again.
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- Paphos,nincluding the Tombs of the Kings and Roman mosaics.
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- Wildnsheep, the national symbol – BUT they were once considered vermin andnwere hunted almost to extinction!
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- Halloumi,na cheese made from goat and/or sheep’s milk.
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- Anwishing tree that is adorned with handkerchiefs, ribbons, and votivenrags – all tied onto branches in the hopes that people would havengood luck, illnesses would be cured, people lost at sea would return,nand so forth.
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- Thenwreck of the Zenobia, rated one of the world’s best wreckndiving sites.
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nAlsonon this date:
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nNationalnKite Month
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nAprilnFool’s Day
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nMathematiciannSophie Germain’s birthday
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nAnniversary of a Google Joke
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nPlannahead:
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nChecknout my Pinterest boards for:
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nApriln holidays
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nAndnhere are my Pinterest boards for:
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nMayn holidays
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nMayn birthdays
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nHistoricaln anniversaries in May
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