Cyprus, officially known as the Republic of Cyprus, is an island in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. The third largest island in the Mediterranean, Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1960. It has been a member of the European Union since May 1, 2004. A long standing conflict between people of Greek and Turkish descent erupted into a period of intense violence in 1974 resulting in a Turkish invasion of half the island and the establishment of a separate political entity officially known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, or simply, Northern Cyprus. Though the northern republic is only officially recognized by Turkey, the two entities are separated by a United Nations administered "Green Line." Recently, some motions towards reconciliation have been made. In March of 2007 a wall separating the Greek controlled south from the UN Green Line was demolished and the road it bisected was reopened in a ceremony attended by both Greek and Turkish officials.