This Mediterranean island is taughted for its beauty and fusion of cultures and religions.  As its past includes strong influences from the Greeks, Turks, and British, this piece of prime real estate benefits from the best of a variety of cultures. Given its recent accession in the European Union (EU), Cyprus is increasingly becoming important as a gateway to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. Over the last twenty-five years, Cyprus has evolved to become a leading regional hub for tourism, shopping, telecommunications, financial and business services, which has led to a flourishing of cultural activities.