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Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey. After Sicily and Sardinia, Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Although the island lies close to the Middle East, it is measured to be a European country and is a member of the European Union. Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1960. In spite of a constitution which assured a quantity of power-sharing among the Greek Cypriot majority and the Turkish Cypriot minority, the two populations – with backing from the governments of Greece and Turkey, correspondingly – clashed fervently in 1974, with the end result being the occupation of the northern and eastern 40% of the island by Turkey. In 1983, the Turkish-held area stated itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus".

Culture: The customary folk music of Cyprus has many frequent rudiments with Greek mainland and island folk music, including dances. The instruments usually connected with Cyprus folk music are the violin, the lute, the accordion, and the Cyprus flute. Climate: Temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters. Talk: The official languages of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish. Other common languages spoken on the island are English, French, German and Russian.

Religion: Most Greek Cypriots, and thus the bulk of the population of Cyprus, are members of the Greek Orthodox Church, whereas most Turkish Cypriots are Muslim. According to Euro barometer 2005, Cyprus is one of the most spiritual countries in Europe, along with Turkey, Malta, Romania, Greece and Poland. Besides to the Orthodox Christian and Muslim communities, there are also small Jewish, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Maronite (Eastern Rites Catholic) and Armenian Apostolic communities in Cyprus.

Study: Cyprus has a highly sensitive system of primary and secondary education offering together private and public teaching. The high quality of teaching can be attributed to a large level to the above-average aptitude of the teachers. State schools are generally seen as comparable in excellence of education to private-sector institutions. Sports: Governing bodies of sport in Cyprus consist of the Cyprus Automobile Association, Cyprus Badminton Federation, Cyprus Basketball Federation, Cyprus Cricket Association, Cyprus Football Association, Cyprus Rugby Federation and the Cyprus Volleyball Federation. Marcos Baghdatis is one of the most winning tennis players in international stage. The island has a keen football culture.