5 assumptions about Cyprus that are just not true
Cyprus is a small island and, overall, not very famous. Many people wouldn’t even be able to point it out on a map. However, there are a few things that I believe must be said about it. Living in Cyprus allowed me to have access to different beliefs and opinions that people have about the small Mediterranean island, especially if they have never been there before. So, I believe I will take this opportunity to clear up some of the most common misunderstandings.
For the people who don’t know anything about Cyprus, the island is split in half. The northern part is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (which is recognized only by Turkey) while the southern part is called the Republic of Cyprus. Since the whole conflict is way to complicated to explain it all here, I’ll leave you to do some research in it yourself if you’re interested. It’s all quite fascinating. Anyway, going back on topic, I believe that I should tell you a few things that are just not true concerning what many believe about Cyprus.
1) Cyprus belongs to Greece.
Big no! In the Republic of Cyprus, they speak Greek, eat the same type of food; listen to the same music; dance the Zorba and are generally very similar to the Greeks, but Cyprus does not politically or in any other way belong to Greece. Throughout history there have been attempts to change that, one leading to the war of 1974 and eventually the division of Cyprus, but Cyprus is independent.
2) Cyprus is in Asia.
Now here’s where it gets really tricky. This statement is not necessarily wrong since Cyprus is, according to the continental division, in Asia. However, there is much more to it. Being close to the middle east, it is sometimes considered to belong to that category, but that is also a far reach. Northern Cyprus can definitely be seen as the middle east, but can the south? They don’t really have any connection with that area at all. Since the south is part of the European union as well, Cyprus is Europe too. You getting it? In short, Cyprus is Europe, Asia and Middle east combined.
3) Cyprus is dangerous
The school I went to in Cyprus was international and since it was a Christian school, some of our teachers had been sent from places such the US and Canada by mission boards. One day they heard that they were going to have someone with a military background come visit them to check on their safety. Safety check? In Cyprus? It is so safe that you can leave the windows and doors of your car open with the key still in the ignition, go to the shop for a while and come back to find your car EXACTLY as you left it. For some reason, people tend to believe that because of its close location to the middle east that there is a certain danger. Trust me, THERE IS NOT! There are many people I know that have stated that Cyprus is safer than the country they came from. They even FEEL safer, and yes, this includes Americans and Canadians.
4) South Cypriots and North Cypriots hate each other
This one may sound strange but to a certain degree understandable. I mean, the country is divided right? Even with this, it is not the south and north Cypriots that hate each other, but it is the Cypriots that don’t like the Turks. After the invasion, Turkey sent a lot of Turkish people to fill the country again since many of the Greek Cypriots had fled to the south. There were already Greek and Turkish speaking Cypriots and they had no problem with each other. They still don’t! Sure, there are always a few grudges on both sides, but generally there are no hard feelings between the two groups, only between the Cypriots and the Turks that have been shipped in. Confusing right? Don’t worry, I know how it feels.
5) There are Greek soldiers in Cyprus
Now I know that this one is a bit of an odd one out. The other ones could be taken into consideration when going to Cyprus, but I really felt obligated to put it in here. This one has many Greek Cypriots shaking their heads in confusion. There are British soldiers (two of the best areas in Cyprus are British garrisons), Americans (whose presence is actually supposed to be a secret, but nobody can miss seeing them), Belgium, German, Cypriot (obviously), Turkish (obviously again, though in the north) and some other nationalities involved with the UN. Even Russian sailors are a common sight. But Greek? They will have to be pointed out at me, because in all my years in Cyprus I have not seen or heard of a Greek military base. The reason I added this was because in the reunification talks, the turks said they would withdraw the Turkish soldiers if the Greeks withdrew from the Republic of Cyprus. That is completely crazy! So, with that in mind I decided that it would be necessary to let you know about the current situation.
So, these are 5 misunderstood points about Cyprus. I’m sorry if it became a little political and confusing at times, but that’s how Cyprus is, one beautiful, sunny, politically and geographically confusing island. The reasons for telling you these things (apart from that last one, which just needed to be said) is to let you know that these assumptions are not true and that they shouldn’t stop you from visiting Cyprus or, if you visit, that you don’t end up looking silly for a comment you made like telling a Cypriot that you have never visited Greece before and this is your first time (oops, mistake). All that said, Cyprus is definitely worth visiting, even with the confusion. Makes it all the more interesting right?