Cyprus is an island country situated in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located between the continental mainlands of Europe and Asia, being culturally and geopolitically placed in Southeast Europe. Although geographically part of Asia, Cyprus is often considered to be culturally and politically a part of Europe. It is the third-largest and third-most populous island in the Mediterranean. Cyprus lies about 40 miles (65 km) south of Turkey, 60 miles (100 km) west of Syria, and 480 miles (770 km) southeast of mainland Greece.