Chypre : l'île de la division | Le dessous des cartes | ARTE

Summary

The script explores the divided island of Cyprus, a unique capital city, Nicosia, split by a wall separating the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It delves into the island's history of conquests, British colonial rule, and the ongoing conflict between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The economic divide is highlighted, with the Republic of Cyprus benefiting from tourism and maritime transport, while the North faces international embargo and economic struggles. The script also discusses the island's strategic location and the recent discovery of significant hydrocarbon reserves, which have led to tensions over maritime zones and drilling rights, involving Turkey, Greece, and other regional players. The situation is further complicated by political interests and the search for energy resources amid economic crises.

Takeaways

• 🏰 Cyprus is a divided island with a unique capital, Nicosia, split by a wall into two parts: the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
• 🌍 Geographically, Cyprus is located in the Levantine Basin, east of the Mediterranean, with Turkey to the north and other neighboring countries including Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, and Libya.
• 🏺 The name 'Kupros', from which 'copper' is derived, reflects Cyprus's historical prosperity due to its copper deposits.
• 🏞 Cyprus has two mountain ranges stretching from east to west, the Troodos Massif in the south and the Kyrenia Range in the north, with the Mesoría Plain in the center.
• 💧 Water scarcity is a significant issue in Cyprus, with 70% of drinking water supplied by desalination plants, and droughts exacerbating the pressure on water resources.
• 👥 The population of Cyprus is nearly 1.3 million, divided between the Greek Cypriots in the south and the Turkish Cypriots in the north, with distinct religious affiliations.
• 📚 Historically, Cyprus has been a crossroads of conquests, from Byzantine and Venetian rule to Ottoman control, and later British colonial rule until its independence in 1960.
• 🛑 The island experienced a civil war and subsequent Turkish military intervention in 1974, leading to the current division and the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983.
• 🏦 Cyprus's economy is heavily reliant on tourism and maritime transport, with Greece as its primary trade partner, while the Turkish part of the island faces economic challenges due to international embargos and reliance on Turkey.
• 🌟 The discovery of significant hydrocarbon resources in the Levantine Basin has added a new dimension to regional tensions, with overlapping claims to Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) by Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, and others.
• 🛑 The Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum was established in 2020 to transform the region into an energy hub, amidst ongoing disputes over maritime boundaries and drilling rights.

Q & A

What makes Nicosia unique among capitals?

Nicosia is unique because it is divided by a wall into two parts, with the Republic of Cyprus on one side and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on the other.

How is Cyprus geographically situated?

Cyprus is located in the Levantine Basin, east of the Mediterranean Sea, with Turkey to the north, Syria and Lebanon to the east, Egypt and Libya to the south, and Greece to the west.

What is the significance of the name 'Kupros'?

The name 'Kupros' is the origin of the word 'copper', referring to the copper deposits that contributed to the island's prosperity.

What are the main geographical features of Cyprus?

Cyprus has two mountain ranges stretching from east to west: the Troodos Massif in the south and the Kyrenia Range in the north, with the Mesoraea Plain in the center.

Why does Cyprus rely heavily on desalination for its water supply?

Cyprus relies on desalination for 70% of its drinking water supply due to the Troodos Massif's insufficient water resources and frequent droughts.

How is the population of Cyprus divided?

The population of Cyprus is almost 1.3 million, with 95% Greek Cypriots in the south and 98% of Turkish origin in the north.

What historical events led to the division of Cyprus?

The division of Cyprus is rooted in its history as a crossroads between Africa, Asia, and Europe, with periods of Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman rule, followed by British colonialism and the rise of the Enosis movement.

What is the political status of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus?

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognized only by Turkey and was declared in 1983, while the Republic of Cyprus is a UN member and an EU member since 2004.

How has the discovery of hydrocarbon resources in the Levantine Basin affected the region?

The discovery of hydrocarbon resources has led to the signing of agreements between Cyprus, Israel, Egypt, and Greece, creating two camps and tensions over overlapping Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).

What is the significance of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum?

The Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum was founded to transform the region into an energy hub and to counter Ankara's actions in the disputed waters.

How does the economic situation in Turkey affect the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus?

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is heavily reliant on Turkey for financial support, and the economic crisis in Turkey since 2018 has significantly impacted the northern part of the island, with inflation rates exceeding 46% in 2021.

What is the 'green line' that separates the two parts of Cyprus?

The 'green line' is a buffer zone ranging from 3 to 7 km wide, extending 180 km across the Mesoraea Plain, under the control of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).