In 1963 fighting broke out between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots as the Turkish Cypriots wanted to partition the island. A decade later, a coup encouraged by the Greek military junta, led to Turkish forces invading the island. In 1983 the Turkish Cypriot leader proclaimed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus separate from the south. Cyprus hopes to join the EU and entered into negotiations with the European Union in 1990. Crops include barley, potatoes, vegetables, olives, citrus fruits, grapes and olives.
Livestock consists of goats, sheep, cattle and pigs.
Natural resources are copper, iron, gypsum, marble, salt and timber. Tourism is a major industry and Cyprus has become an international business and financial centre with a rapidly growing city stock market . THE ARTS Cyprus has an artistic tradition. Roman mosaic floors date from the third century AD, for example, the House of Theseus and the House of Leda. Icons are still painted today.