Which Mediterranean island is experiencing an ethnic conflict between the Greeks and Turks?

Which Mediterranean island is experiencing an ethnic conflict between the Greeks and Turks?

• A. Sicily
• B. Cyprus
• C. Crete
• D. Malta

Answer: (B)

Cyprus is the Mediterranean island where Greeks and Turks have a long-running ethnic conflict. After gaining independence, tensions between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots escalated, and in 1974 a Greek-backed coup followed by a Turkish military intervention led to the island effectively splitting into a Turkish-controlled north and a Greek Cypriot south. The northern portion declared the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983, but it is recognized only by Turkey, while the south remains internationally recognized as the Republic of Cyprus. A United Nations buffer zone, the Green Line, divides the two sides and serves as a constant reminder of the island’s divided governance. Peace talks have attempted to reunify the island, but a lasting solution has not yet been reached. Sicily, Crete, and Malta are not sites of a continuing Greek-Turkish ethnic conflict. Crete is part of Greece, while Sicily is part of Italy and Malta is an independent country, so none of these islands currently exhibit the same Greek-Turkish ethnic division.

Cyprus is the Mediterranean island where Greeks and Turks have a long-running ethnic conflict. After gaining independence, tensions between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots escalated, and in 1974 a Greek-backed coup followed by a Turkish military intervention led to the island effectively splitting into a Turkish-controlled north and a Greek Cypriot south. The northern portion declared the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983, but it is recognized only by Turkey, while the south remains internationally recognized as the Republic of Cyprus. A United Nations buffer zone, the Green Line, divides the two sides and serves as a constant reminder of the island’s divided governance. Peace talks have attempted to reunify the island, but a lasting solution has not yet been reached.

Sicily, Crete, and Malta are not sites of a continuing Greek-Turkish ethnic conflict. Crete is part of Greece, while Sicily is part of Italy and Malta is an independent country, so none of these islands currently exhibit the same Greek-Turkish ethnic division.