Talk:Cyprus

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Greek and Turkish Cyprus

The division of the island state is, of course, a tragedy, and is even more marked, it seems, than that of Ireland and bears resemblance to the painful division of Yugoslavia in part.

Nevertheless, the Turkish population and mini-state has been treated appallingly by the international community since their separation in 1974.

It was the Greeks under the EOKA leader Nicos Sampson who took power in a coup in 1974 and proclaimed the Enosis (union) with Greece. The Turks, who had always made it clear they would not accept Enosis, immediately defended themselves. They created their own state in the North, and expelled Greeks to south of the line.

The Greeks of Cyprus have only themselves to blame. The Turks never proclaimed a union with Turkey, but the Greeks wanted to subject the Turks to rule from Athens.

Fairly definitive, I think.

I think you have forgotten how Turkey forced the Turkish-Cypriots to abandon the government in 1963 thus paralysing the Republic of Cyprus in an effort to subotage it. Both mainlands, Greece and Turkey, have to be blamed with the victims being the Cypriots, both Christian and Muslims. In addition Turkey still has troops on EU soil and tries to diminish the Turkish Cypriot community with Turkish settlers from Anatolia. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.170.48.195 (talk) 11:40, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

US has troops on EU soil too. What is the point?

The division of Ireland is trajic to the outside world but not in Ireland itself. The modern generation do not want the north. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.45.15.238 (talk) 20:50, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Demographics section: next iteration

• Here is the next iteration that incorporates (faithfully, I hope) all the previous comments and (again I hope) is sufficiently neutral to satisfy all sides. If this is acceptable, we can move it to the main article. Please let me have your feedback. --Zlerman (talk) 16:06, 24 February 2009 (UTC)

According to the first population census after the declaration of independence, carried out in December 1960 and covering the entire island, Cyprus had a total population of 573,566, with Greek Cypriots comprising 77% of the island's population and Turkish Cypriots 18% (other nationals accounted for the remaining 5%) . According to the last census covering the entire island (April 1973), the population of Cyprus was 631,778 with the Turkish Cypriots estimated at 19% of the total (about 120,000). .

The subsequent censuses conducted in 1976-2001 after the de facto division of the island covered only the population in the area controlled by the Republic of Cyprus government, and the number of Turkish Cypriots residing in Northern Cyprus was estimated by the Republic of Cyprus Statistical Service based on population growth rates and migration data. In the last census of 2001 carried out by the Republic of Cyprus, the population in the area controlled by the government was 703,529. The number of Turkish Cypriots residing in Northern Cyprus was estimated by the Republic of Cyprus Statistical Service at 87,600, or 11% of the total.

The latest available estimates by the Republic of Cyprus Statistical Service put the island’s population at the end of 2006 at 867,600, with 89.8% (778,700) in the government controlled area and 10.2% (88,900) Turkish Cypriots in Northern Cyprus. However, the Republic of Cyprus estimate of Turkish Cypriots does not represent the total population of Northern Cyprus. In addition, the Republic of Cyprus Statistical Service also estimated that 150,000-160,000 Turkish immigrants (“illegal settlers” in the language of the Republic of Cyprus Statistical Abstract 2007, p. 72) were living in Northern Cyprus, bringing the de facto population of Northern Cyprus to about 250,000. This estimate produced by the Republic of Cyprus matches the results of the 2006 population census carried out by the government of Northern Cyprus, which gives 265,100 as the total population of TRNC. The total population of Cyprus is thus slightly over 1 million, comprising 778,700 in the territory controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus and 265,100 in the territory controlled by the government of TRNC.

Hi guys - sorry but I have been a little ill - recovering now though.

I think this is about right, although I would personally put (listed as "illegal settlers" in the abstract from the Republic of Cyprus Statistical Service...) to avoid any possibility of objections and edits from disgruntled parties.

Apart from that it's fine. Achieves NPoV and accurate figures.

Thanks for your work Zlerman, I can only apologise for my illness taking me out of action for a couple of days after my return home--Chaosdruid (talk) 01:26, 25 February 2009 (UTC)

I'm confused to what consensus was achieved for the paragraph of the Demographics section when I explained a few complaints about it. The current paragraph is less detailed and less referenced than the one me and Chaosdruid prepared. --WhiteMagick (talk) 23:04, 25 February 2009 (UTC)

levant category

I have had some correspondence with an anonymous editor who added a category tag to the Cyprus page. I deleted it as the category guides say that to add a category there should be enough material in the article to clearly show relevance. I am not concerned with anything apart from that fact, and remain as ever, NPoV. The anonymous user has mentioned the discussion being broadened to the Cyprus Project and so I have included our conversations here on the Project page--Chaosdruid (talk) 09:33, 23 February 2009 (UTC)

Checking and reverting edits by banned user

I owe a word of explanation to the community: User:NIR-Warrior began making massive changes to this article starting 9 March 2009 at 18:21. This user is now banned for sockpupetting (and also disruptive editing). Since I had a number of clashes with this user over his/her edits between 9 March and 12 March, I am now going over all the edits one by one, keeping what is appropriate and reverting what does not look appropriate to me. You are all welcome to pitch in: this is very time consuming and I will not be able to finish the checking in one session. I should point out that this banned user was making similarly massive changes in other project areas (Ukraine, Moldova) and this somehow will have to be dealt with also. --Zlerman (talk) 05:35, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

1 Jan 2009 Pop. Estimate

The population estimate for the 1st of Jan 2009 is found at: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PGP_PRD_CAT_PREREL/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2008/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2008_MONTH_12/3-15122008-EN-AP.PDF --WhiteMagick (talk) 09:33, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

Wrong link and disambiguation needed for a reference in Cuisine section In Cyprus article.

Hi.

I just noticed that there is a disambiguation in the cuisine section of the Cyprus article. In particular, the article refers to the traditional cypriot (and also other ethnicities) dip of tahini, as tashi, which is how Cypriots commonly refer to the dip. However the link to the explanation of the dip leads to the Tibetan word for good fortune. I believe the two are unrelated and the error should be corrected. I will try my best to do so, but as I am a newbie on this it would be lovely if someone double checks that i did it correctly.

Regards Michael Skotiniotis

Mskotiniotis (talk) 02:55, 20 April 2009 (UTC)

•  Done. See also Cypriot cuisine#Mezedes. --Zlerman (talk) 01:23, 22 April 2009 (UTC)

Date of British annexation of Cyprus.

Dear wikifriends, I'm reading a chronology of the first world war which says that Britain annexed Cyprus in November 1914. This article says 1923. Can someone clarify ?

Thanks Johncmullen1960 (talk) 08:16, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

Cypriot history in the introduction

Most accounts of Cyprus mention its varied history. Would a slight mention of it, and its cultural significance, be an interesting feature for its introduction? Whilst the pre-existing summary is mainly concerned with the (somewhat depressing) political background of the island, surely a balance of themes would be better for those unfamiliar with the country and willing to learn more about it? For instance, take the introductions for Malta or Greece in terms of exploring their archaeological and cultural backgrounds. Here is a proposal of what could be added (bear in mind that not all the references are present, but many can be found in the internal links from within the paragraph):

The island was originally known as Alashiya, an important state during the Middle and Late Bronze Ages, and a prominent source of copper mining, from which it derives its modern name. At the confluence of three continents, and often considered to be situated in West Asia or the Middle East, the country has a wealth of history, having been the subject of lengthy periods of mainly Hellenic and intermittent Levantine, Persian, Byzantine, and Arab influences. It is home to its own dialect of Arabic, and the mosque of Hala Sultan Tekke is considered to be the third holiest site in Islam. Cyprus is well known for its world heritage sites, including the Tombs of the Kings. Its location was also significant in Ancient Greek religion and mythology as the site of Aphrodite's birth, Petra Tou Romiou, and is also considered a potential location for the mythical lost island of Atlantis. The country is also alluded to in the Old Testament as Kittim, a name which went on to be used generally by the Jews in reference to ancient Greeks and Romans, and has since been the site of the foundation of the Cypriot Orthodox Church.

Any thoughts? - Olympian (talk) 11:06, 28 May 2009 (UTC)

The thing is, the lead is already pretty long. Typically, leads shouldn't be longer than 4 paragraphs, and this one already is. Also, the role of lead is to give a general overview of the subject. The historical info you mention is rather sepcific and would be more appropriate for the "History" section. --Athenean (talk) 21:42, 28 May 2009 (UTC)

I agree with Olympian. As you've said, many guides about the island are fixed on its background and about how many times its been invaded as well as its archeological 'attractions'. Its certainly a big part of the country's heritage - affecting aspects like the tourism already mentioned, alongside its modern-day culture and national pride (cf. 'island of aphrodite', etc). Certainly if we can mention its tourism and colonialism, surely referencing the periods before that are equally important. Whilst I also agree with what Athenean is saying, couldn't we cut down some of the 'cyprus dispute' content as it seems to be consuming the entire introduction and the details mentioned are even more "specific" (to quote you) than the centuries of historical background. Sure, its extremely important, but there is more to Cyprus than what the current introduction is making out - it seems like the island is simply the site of a never-ending civil war, not a culturally and historically rich location. Just an idea ..... --Danja2 (talk 19:33, 29 May 2009 (UTC)

If you look back through the mists of time (and into the talk page archive) you'll see that wars have been fought over that intro, many times. Of course it should be shorter, but good luck in actually making it so. Just a warning - I think you're right in what you're trying to do. Vizjim (talk) 13:08, 30 May 2009 (UTC)

Guys, this is an encyclopedia, not a tourist brochure or guidebook. Leads need to be short and concise. Take a look at the lead for other countries to see what i mean. This one is already too long as it is.--Athenean (talk) 20:35, 30 May 2009 (UTC)

This was the intro through much of 2006 - Vizjim (talk) 21:19, 30 May 2009 (UTC)

Cyprus (Greek: Κύπρος, Kýpros; Turkish: Kıbrıs) is a Eurasian island in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea south of the Anatolian peninsula (Asia Minor) or modern-day Turkey. Cyprus is third largest island in the Mediterranean. The northern area has been occupied by Turkey since it invaded in 1974 (the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognized only by Turkey). There is also the United Nations-controlled Green Line separating the two, and two British Base Areas. Cyprus has been a member state of the European Union since May 1 2004.