Cyprus has a rich history of culture and peoples, dating back to the Ancient Greeks. It has been under the rule of various empires, from the Assyrians, the Ancient Egyptians, the Persians to the British, who made it a protectorate in the late 1800s. Cyprus was declared independent in 1960, following failed attempts at unification with mainland Greece, but remains divided to this day into the Republic of Cyprus (the southern part of the island) and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which was claimed by the Turkish in their invasion of 1974.
Government
The Republic in Cyprus is a presidential republic and the only government on the island that is internationally recognised. Presidents are elected for five-year terms by universal suffrage. Northern Cyprus declared independence in 1983, but is only recognised as a legitimate government by Turkey. Attempts at reunification have failed so far. Approximately 1,000 UN peacekeepers remain to maintain the buffer zone between northern and southern Cyprus.1.
Social Issues
Although the armed hostilities between Cyprus and Turkey are long over, the country still has a large number of internally displaced people. Recent estimates put the number at 210,000, many of whom have been displaced for well over thirty years. Cyprus struggles with human and drug trafficking as a result of its strategic location between Africa, the Middle East and Europe.2.
THE WAY TV Viewership
There are 20000 viewership THE WAY TV in Cyprus.
Religion
Cyprus has a population of 1.2 million people. Approximately 78% of this population are Greek Orthodox Christians, while 18% are Muslim and the remaining 4% belong to other Christian denominations, such as the Roman Catholic Church and the Armenian Orthodox Church.3.
Prayer Points
Pray for a peaceful and long-lasting solution to the continued conflict between Cyprus and Turkey.
Pray for a harmonious co-existence between the Christian and Muslim communities to avoid future conflict.
