North Cyprus Guide

NORTHERN CYPRUS, TRNC

THE ISLAND AND CULTURE

North Cyprus, as relatively unknown until quite recently, this quiet island in the east Mediterranean is one of the last unspoiled lands, with beautiful natural scenery, at the moment holding out against the mass developments which has consumed so many other countries. The landscape of North Cyprus is a mix of olive and citrus groves and green and rocky mountainsides interrupted only by small clusters of villages.

People never forget the genuine hospitality and relaxed approach of the Turkish Cypriots. Relatively untouched by the modern world, Northern Cyprus still retains an innocence and authentic aura of times long gone, with ancient civilisations and an incredible history still visible in daily life. From the North Cyprus Kyrenia old harbour and its grand Kyrenia castle overlooking the Mediterranean to the Turkish coast, to the grand castle of St. Hilarion, which became Walt Disney’s inspiration for the internationally known castle, depicted in Snow White’s story.

Northern Cyprus is some 3,350 square. The distinctive variety in the character of its geography can be seen from the white North Cyprus sand beaches of the Karpaz or ‘Pan Handel’ to the Besparmak Mountain range, cutting between Kyrenia and Nicosia. The history of Northern Cyprus and the forces who raged war upon war for this small island, offering a unique geographical possession in the Mediterranean, dates as far back as the Assyrian, Egyptian, Persian and Byzantine dynasties. Britain’s relations with island dates back to the reign of King Richard the Lion Heart, who used the Cyprus Island as a stop for his Crusades in the Middle East. This influence dates back to the 12TH Century & has remained considerable.

The TRNC, (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) is an up and coming destination. New businesses are flourishing after the recent growth in the private sector and the opening of the North Cyprus – South Cyprus border. Within the last three years, established estate agents have seen a rise in TRNC property prices in the region of 50%; with a change like this, substantial growth is foreseeable. Northern Cyprus has no natural resources of trade, agriculture or international business enterprise, its main resource until recently was tourism. In the last five years we have seen that change into the construction sector, along with all the sectors associated with it. These years have seen a growth in these sectors including builders’ merchants, DIY stores, furniture stores, landscape gardeners and so on. The changes witnessed over these last few years has been tremendous & the Turkish Cypriot people should be proud of the progress they have made in North Cyprus. It has been nothing short of a miracle. With more and more international outlets and goods becoming available in Northern Cyprus, it makes the transition much easier for those looking for a different lifestyle but still wanting a touch of home.