Cyprus is a small country with a long history and incredibly rich culture.  The majority of Cyprus is still under Greek Cypriot control, although there is a large part of the island’s cultural heritage currently under Turkish occupation since July 1974.  Civilisation in Cyprus goes back 10,000 years and there are indeed still signs of pre-historic permanent settlements.  Cyprus has had a close relationship for more than two centuries with Greece, particularly its influences.  During the Byzantine period there was also a strong Roman influence. The island was owned and controlled by the Latin state of Jerusalem, the Venetians, the Ottomans and the British and it wasn’t until 1959 that Archbishop Makarios was elected the first President of the Republic of Cyprus.  As a result of the Turkish invasion in 1974, Lefkosia (formerly Nicosia) is currently the only divided capital in the world.