The Republic of Cyprus is a Eurasian island nation in the East Mediterranean Sea. The country covers a total area of 3,571 square miles. It is home to an estimated population of 1,088,503 (2010). The per capita nominal GDP is $28,237. Greek and Turkish are the two official languages of the country. Greek Orthodoxy is the main religion.
The island of Cyprus was first colonized by Mycenean Greeks in the 2nd millennium BC. The country also witnessed extensive phases of Greek dominion under the Byzantines and the Ptolemies. Alexander of Macedon captured the island from the Persians in 333 BC. The Ottoman Empire took control of the island in 1571. Subsequently, Cyprus was ruled by the Ottoman monarchy for more than 300 years. The country was put under British control in 1878 until it achieved independence on August 16, 1960. It became a member of the Commonwealth in 1961.
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