Digital Magazine "Maths and Science Adventure" Digital Magazine "Maths and Science Adv_1st issue | Page 15

DIG IT AL
MAGA ZINE
„MA T HS
A ND
SC IENC E
ADV ENT UR E”
side and the Greek flag on the right-hand side. It was in-
teresting to hear that the orange colour on the Cypriot
flag symbolizes copper, which Cyprus is famous for. It is
said that the name of the country itself was derived from
the Latin word for copper, “kuprum”. The olive branches
symbolize peace. As to the Greek flag, the influence of
Greece has been strong in Cyprus and the Greeks first
came on the island as early as about 1000 years BC . The
majority of the population on the island are Greek Cypri-
ots and they speak their own dialect of Greek. The north-
ern part is occupied by Turks.In the course of history, Cy-
prus has been influenced by many different rulers and na-
tions. After the Greeks, the Romans came to Cyprus, and
in the 4 th century Cyprus became part of the Byzantine
Empire, followed by the French (Lusignans) rule from the
13 th century to the 15 th century, the Venetian rule from the
15 th to the 16 th century, the Ottoman rule from the 16 th to
19 th century and the British rule from the late 19 th century
up to 1960. Cyprus is rich in copper and it is situated in a
strategically excellent spot, close to Europe, Africa and
the Middle East, so that is why so many invaders have
been interested in it. The Lusignans built a wall around
Nicosia, but when the Venetians arrived, they built a new
and stronger one. It has 11 heart-shaped bastions. Next
we were taken to Archbishop’s palace where the famous
archbishop and the first president of Cyprus, Makarios,
had lived. In the front yard, there is also a statue of him.
He sought to find peace between the Turkish and Greek
populations, but some groups were not happy about it, so
in 1974 there was a coup and Makarios was overthrown.
One of the conditions of gaining independence was to ac-
cept the intervention of “guarantor powers” (Greece and
Turkey) in cases of conflict. Turkey took advantage of the
situation and occupied the northern part of the country.
About 200 000 thousand Greek Cypriots became refugees
and had to leave their homes in the north, and Turkish
Cypriots in the south had to move north. According to the
deal, the guarantors had to leave the country after the sit-
uation had been settled, but Turkey still remains in the
north and the country remains divided. About 38 % of the
area is under Turkish occupation. There is a so called
green line that divides the north and the south. Even the
capital, Nicosia (the international name) or Lefkosia (as
Cypriots call it), is divided. In order to get to the Turkish
side, one has to show an ID card or a passport. The north-
ern part is only recognized by Turkey and the situation
remains complicated. Hopefully negotiations will lead to
reunification!Next to Arcbishop’s palace, there is Saint
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John’s cathedral, which was
built during the Ottoman
rule. In those days, it wasn’t
forbidden to build Christian
cathedrals, but they had to
be quite modest. On the oth-
er side of the street we could
also see Pancyprian Gymna-
sium, the