The flag of Cyprus - the originality of the country

Cyprus is a small island nation located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, near the coasts of Turkey and Greece. The main income of the local population is agriculture and tourism. This small country was able to defeat the colonial system, gain independence and in 2004 become a full member of the European Union.

Historical reference

Cyprus occupies 60% of the territory of the same island. The Republic of Turkish North Cyprus is located 38% , and the rest of the military bases of the British Air Force are located. Accordingly, there are 2 flags on the island. But always, speaking of this country, as a Mediterranean state, means the independent Republic of Cyprus.

The colonialists always attracted this island with large deposits of copper and the beauty of nature. The name of the country is still a contentious issue. One part tends to the fact that Cyprus is a derivative of the "Cooper" - copper, the other insists that this word originated from the name "cypress". In fact, the whole country is covered with forests of pine and cypress trees.

Description of the flag

The flag of Cyprus is a white canvas with proportions of 3: 5. There are not so many countries in the world where the silhouette of the country is placed on the state symbol. A white canvas depicts the island itself, represented as a silhouette. It is painted with a bright copper color, embodying the vast deposits of copper - the national wealth of the Republic. Under the silhouette of the country are depicted two stylized olive branches of dark green color, crossed at the bases. They embody the two peoples inhabiting the island: the Turks and the Greeks.

The history of the origin of this flag is interesting. In the period of independence from British dominance, during the reign of President Makarios, a contest was announced for the best idea in the development of a new flag layout for modern Cyprus. Many residents responded to the call to develop a symbol for their republic. As a result, the contest was won by an ordinary school teacher named Ishmet Güney. So on 16 August 1960 the independent Republic of Cyprus received the flag of the country, which still uses it. It is this date that is fixed in the official approval of this state symbol.

The emergence of a second republic on the island

Until 1974, the whole island was a single Republic. But in 1974, after the occupation of part of the island by the Turks, another flag of Cyprus appeared, belonging to the new state. This panel has a standard size with two parallel red stripes at the edges. In its center on a white background is depicted a Muslim symbolism - a crescent with a star. This state received the name - Northern Turkey Republic of Cyprus.

In 2004, the UN referendum failed to reach a consensus on the unification of the two states. The inhabitants of Cyprus did not support the idea of the United Nations because of the lack of commitments to withdraw Turkish troops and the weak argumentation of the withdrawal plan.

So there remains a small island under the leadership of two states. Each of them has its own symbol, which carries a proud name - the flag of Cyprus.