Cyprus

A Middle Eastern island located in the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus has long been the scene of conflicting cultures, and such conflicts have taken a toll on the status of women. Within three years of attaining independence from Great Britain in 1960, Cyprus became embroiled in open conflict between the Greek majority and the Turkish minority. The United Nations dispatched peacekeeping forces, but was unable to prevent Turkish intervention and the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Occupying more than a third of the island, TRNC is recognized only by Turkey. Cyprus was admitted to the European Union in 2004, and a tentative peace was negotiated four years later.

By the early 21st century, 70 percent of the population had become urbanized, with four-fifths ...