Nicosia the last divided capital in the world

The divisions that were torn Cyprus apart go right to the heart of the islands capital. The green line runs through Nicosia the last divided capital in the world. On the surface its a mix of ancient ruins traditional eateries and busy streets but you don't have to look far to find the scars of division, machine gun posts are ready for action at advantage points.
Northern half of the city is Turkish population who can trace their roots back to the 16th century. It was the Ottomans who brought Islam to Cyprus when they invaded in 1571, churches were ransacked and converted to mosques.

By contrast the southern half of the Nicosia is home to the Christian Greek Cypriots. Many of those living here came to the capital as refugees during the conflict from Turkish occupied north.

Today with tensions that are relatively low, at the crossing in central Nicosia are open to pedestrians, traffic can cross the border between north and south but the green line is a real barrier and it acts as a break on the economical development of the whole island.