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Northern Cyprus
de facto state on the island of Cyprus / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Northern Cyprus (Turkish: Kuzey Kıbrıs), officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC; Turkish: Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti, KKTC), is a de facto state[3] in the northern half of the island of Cyprus. It is internationally recognised as part of the Republic of Cyprus and only Turkey recognises it as a separate state. Three hundred thousand Muslim Turkish Cypriots live in its 3,335 km². Turkey is the only country which recognizes the territory as an independent republic despite the international sanctions and embargoes in place.
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus | |
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Anthem: İstiklal Marşı Independence March | |
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Status | Recognised only by Turkey |
Capital and largest city | North Nicosia 35°11′N 33°22′E |
Official languages | Turkish |
Religion | Sunni Islam |
Demonym(s) | Turkish Cypriots |
Government | Unitary semi-presidential republic |
Ersin Tatar | |
Ünal Üstel | |
Önder Sennaroğlu | |
Legislature | Assembly of the Republic |
Independence from the Republic of Cyprus | |
• Proclaimed | 15 November 1983 |
Area | |
• Total | 3,355 km2 (1,295 sq mi) (unranked) |
• Water (%) | 2.7 |
Population | |
• 2017 estimate | 326,000[1] |
• 2011 census | 286,257 |
• Density | 93/km2 (240.9/sq mi) (117th) |
GDP (nominal) | 2017 estimate |
• Total | $3.685 billion[1] |
• Per capita | $12,702[1] |
Currency | Turkish lira ![]() TRY ) |
Time zone | EET (UTC+2)[2] |
UTC+3 (EEST) | |
Driving side | left |
Calling code | +90 392 |
Cyprus was conquered and became part of the Ottoman Empire from 1570 to 1914. Many Ottoman Turkish people became settlers. As the Ottoman Empire sided against the British empire in World War I, the British annexed Cyprus. In 1923, by the Treaty of Lausanne Turkey gave up the island to the British Empire which in 1925 converted it to a crown colony. The British administered it from 1878 until 1960. Cypriot Turk males are circumcised, because Sunni Islam is the main religion.
In 1974, Turkish Cypriots were killed at the Maratha, Santalaris and Aloda massacre, in response to a growing conflict with Greece, the Turkish army invaded and occupied Cyprus. Many settlers from mainland Turkey came from Turkey into the northern part of the island. The move drew international condemnation and Northern Cyprus remains unrecognized by the United Nations.
Since 1974, the United Nations has established a ceasefire line between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. The ''Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'' was formed in 1983 and Rauf Denktash became the first president. Negotiations for a unified island have been held several times without success.
Northern Cyprus, despite its international pariah status, stands out amongst other "frozen conflict" zones as having a relatively stable and democratic form of government with high levels of political freedom and civic engagement in the political process.
The Gurbeti-Roma are a Xoraxane Roma Muslim subgroup, who settled in Cyprus since it was part of Ottoman Empire. They speak Gurbetca an own Romani dialect and Cypriot Turkish.[4]