For more information see the Cyprus profile.

The Island of Cyprus (located in the Mediterranean Sea), has been divided into two de facto states since 1974: the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, occupying 36% of the north; and the Republic of Cyprus in the southern 64%. The latter is predominantly Greek and is still recognized internationally as the legal government of the whole island.

After years of unrest by the Greek majority, independence from Britain was gained in 1960. Communal conflicts ended with an 1974 abortive coup and subsequent Turkish invasion and partition of the island. In the Greek area the Orthodox Church is very traditional and converts are rare. The Turkish area is almost completely Muslim, and no open Christian activity is allowed.