Akrotiri and Dhekelia are two small areas in Cyprus controlled by Britain, with a history of human settlement dating back 12,000 years. Cyprus was an important trading center in the Mediterranean, controlled by various groups before being taken by Britain in the 19th century. After gaining independence, Cyprus allowed Britain to maintain military bases on their sovereign land, including Akrotiri and Dhekelia. Despite requests for their return, Britain considers these bases strategically important and no agreement has been reached. They are entirely military bases with no civilian government or permanent settlement.
Akrotiri and Dhekelia are two tiny administered areas in Cyprus in the Mediterranean. They cover 98 square miles (254 square km). The island of Cyprus was first visited by humans around 12,000 years ago and the first settlements appeared around 10,000 years ago. In the 2nd millennium BC the Phoenicians and Greeks arrived on the island and the island became an important trading center in the Mediterranean.
Control of the island passed from one group to another and was eventually controlled by the Ottoman Turks. During this period the Turkish population of the island increased dramatically. At the end of the 19th century, control of the island passed to Great Britain, while remaining under the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire. The British used the island as an important hub for their trading empire and to consolidate their control over the Suez Canal.
When Turkey joined the Central Powers in World War I, Britain took full control of the island. The Cypriots joined Britain in exchange for a promise that after the war they would be allowed to join with Greece. Britain failed to deliver on this promise, however, and anti-British sentiment grew.
Eventually the Cypriots gained independence on their island, with the compromise that Britain would be allowed to maintain military bases on its own sovereign land on the island. This has allowed Britain to maintain control over the Suez Canal and a military presence in the eastern Mediterranean, defusing the fight with the separatists. The two regions were then partitioned and remained under British control after Cyprus became independent.
In 1974, Turkey invaded the north of the island and the Greeks fled before the invasion, taking refuge in Dhekelia. The Turkish army was concerned in their invasion not to enter British controlled territory, as they were trying to keep Britain neutral in the dispute.
Since 1960, Cyprus has requested or requested the return of Akrotiri and Dhekelia from Britain on multiple occasions. The government of Cyprus argues that the land rightfully belongs to the nation and that British control of the areas prevents further Cypriot development. The British consider Akrotiri and Dhekelia to be important strategic bases, and although some compromise offers have been made, no agreement has yet been reached.
Akrotiri and Dhekelia are entirely military bases, with no real civilian governments. They are administered by the British as military bases, and the principles outlining their development reflect this. No commercial or civil developments are allowed in Akrotiri and Dhekelia and no permanent settlement of people is allowed. Consequently, there is obviously no tourist industry in Akrotiri and Dhekelia, although neighboring Cyprus offers plenty of travel opportunities.
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