| Cyprus
(Greek: Κύπρος, Kępros; Turkish: Kıbrıs)
is a Eurasian island in the eastern locale of the Mediterranean Sea south of
the Anatolian peninsula (Asia Minor) also known as modern-day Turkey. Cyprus is the third
largest island in the this area. The northern area has been occupied
by Turkey since it invaded in 1974 (the TRNC 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. The name cyprus has a somewhat uncertain
etymology. One suggestion is that it comes from the Greek word "κυπάρισσος
(kypa'rissos)" meaning "cypress" (Cupressus sempervirens)
or even from the Greek name of the plant Lawsonia alba (henna), "κύπρος
(kypros)". Another school suggests that it stems from the
eterocyprian word for copper. Dossin, for example, suggests that it has
roots to the Sumerian word for copper, "zubar" or even the word
"kubar" (bronze), due to the large deposits of copper ore found
throughout the island. Through overseas trade, the island has already given its
name to the Classical Latin word for the metal, which appears in the
phrase aes Cyprium, "metal of Cyprus", later shortened to
Cuprum. |
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