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ABOUT TRNC
A BRIEF HISTORY OF CYPRUS
Cyprus is the 3rd largest island in the Mediterranean after Sardinia and Sicily. The name “Cyprus” is believed to come from the word “copper”, of which there was, and possibly still is, an abundance of on the island. The island of Cyprus has had a tumultuous history, its strategic location on the crossroads of East and West has always caused invasions, conquests, and strife for its inhabitants. Present-day Cyprus is for centuries influenced by cultures from the neighbouring regions: Since 715 BC Assyria, Persia, Macedon, Egypt, the Roman Empire and the East Roman Empire rule the country, only interrupted by a form of independence between 410 and 333 BC. The crusaders conquer Cyprus in 1191 and found the independent feudal Kingdom of Cyprus. In 1489 Cyprus is ceded by the Venetian Republic. The island is conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1571. The United Kingdom leases the island from the Ottoman Empire in 1878 and brings it under British administration. It remains under Ottoman suzerainty. In 1914 Cyprus is fully annexed by the United Kingdom. Britain grants Cyprus in 1925 the status of crown colony, named Crown Colony of Cyprus. The island becomes independent in 1960 as the Republic of Cyprus. After a coup in 1974 by Nikos Sampson, supported by the Greek military government, Turkey intervenes and after a successful peace operation Turks on the north establish the seperate state of Turkish Federal State of Cyprus. The country is renamed as Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983.
NORTH CYPRUS FACT FILE
Location:
Cyprus is situated at the cross point of 35°N latitude and 33°E
longitude.
Capital: Lefkosa (Nicosia) is the capital of both sides of the Cyprus.
Climate:
Climate of Northern Cyprus is typical Mediterranean. It has dry, long
summers, and warm,
short, light rainy winters.
Cities:
Main cities are
Lefkoþa
(Nicosia),
Girne (Kyrenia),
Gazimagusa
(Famagusta),
Lefke
and
Güzelyurt.
Population:
The approximate population of the whole island is 900.000 of which
215.000 live in
TRNC.
Language: The official language is Turkish. English language is widely spoken.
Currency:
The New Turkish Lira (YTL) is the currency used in North Cyprus. Foreign
currencies and
travellers' cheques are accepted in banks and exchange offices. Most
credit cards are valid
in many places, but bank charges may apply in some places.
Telephone:
For international calls dial 00 90 392 followed by the number in TRNC.
Electricity: 240 Volts. Plugs are in English standards.
Driving in North Cyprus: The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus accepts a current International Driving License and the License issued by the driver’s own country is also accepted. Students can apply for Driving License in TRNC via one of the driving schools.
§
Traffic Information:
·
Vehicles are driven on the left hand side of the road.
·
Traffic signs and signals are international.
·
Main roads are asphalt surfaced.
·
Insurance valid in the TRNC is obligatory for all vehicles.
·
Drivers must carry their driving license, vehicle registration and their
insurance certificate all
the time.
· At unsigned crossroads priority is given to
vehicles to the right.
·
A driver must not drive if exhausted, drunk, ill without adequate sleep,
or on drugs.
·
Use of the horn is not permitted in urban areas.
·
Traffic signs must be obeyed.
·
In built-up areas the maximum speed is 30 mph (48 km) and on the open
road 60 mph
(95 km).
Costs of living in
North Cyprus
A
student’s personal spending would be around 300 Euros per month
(excluding university fee,
accommodation)
Opening a bank account in North Cyprus
In order to open a bank account, a student must go to the bank of
the choice and preference with a student letter issued by the university
registered to. Students opening a bank account should not be younger
than 18 years of age.
Climate in North Cyprus:
Northern Cyprus has a characteristic Mediterranean climate with long hot summers and short winters with moderate rainfall. Most of the rainfall is concentrated between December and January. The climate of the coastal parts is less extreme than farther inland, due to the effect of the sea atmospheric humidity is always present there. The sea temperature itself never falls below 16ºC. (January and February); in August it can rise to 28 ºC.
Spring and autumn are short, typified by changeable weather, with occasional heavy storms battering the coast in spring and a westerly wind, called "meltem" carrying the influence of Atlantic depressions to this far eastern end of the Mediterranean.
From mid-May to mid-September the sun shines on a daily average of around 11 hours. Temperatures can reach 40º C. On the Mesaoria Plain, although lower on the coasts, with a north-westerly breeze called "Poyraz" prevailing. The skies are cloudless with a low humidity, 40 - 60 per cent, thus the high temperatures are easier to bear. The hot, dry, dust-laden "sirocco" wind blowing from Africa also finds its way to the island.
Frost and snow are almost unknown in Northern Cyprus, although night temperatures can fall to very low levels in winter.
Most of the rivers are simply winter torrents, only flowing after heavy rain, the rivers running out of the Northern and Southern Ranges rarely flowing all the year round.
During the wet winter months Cyprus is a green island. However, by the time June arrives the landscape at the lower levels assumes the brown, parched aspect which characterizes its summer face. The forests and the vineyards in the mountains, plus the strips of irrigated vegetation in the valleys remain green.
Public holidays in North Cyprus
§
1st January – New Year’s Day
§
23rd April – Children’s Day
§
1st May – Labor Day
§
19th May – Youth & Sports Day
§
20th July – Peace & Freedom Day
§
30th August – Victory Day
§
29th October – Turkish Republic Day
§
15th November – Northern Cyprus Republic Day
§
There are also several religious holidays which change every year
