History and other useful information
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is close to the Turkish coast (approximately
65 km from the north coast), Egypt to the south (around 420km) and Syria to the
east (100km). TRNC territory encompasses a third of the island.
The climate in Cyprus is typically Mediterranean with long dry summers and short,
rainy winters. The average annual year round temperature is 19oC (66oF).
The temperature in midsummer can reach over 40oC (105oF).
The sea temperature never falls below 16oC and the average throughout
the year of 22oC (75oF). The winter eather is very mild
and frost is almost unknown. The island remains green even in winter months. From
May to September the sun shines around 11 hours a day, 340 days a year and it
is ideal for swimming in the sea. Spring and autumn are short and the weather
is changeable during this period. Background
The island has been ruled by more than two dozen nations. This has been reflected
in it's history and influenced religion, trade, culture, language, politics and
pace of life. A Cypriot nation has never existed in the long
history of the island and its population is descended from the settlers from many
races, who ruled the island. However from the end of 16th century, two distinct
nationalities could be identified. One is of the Greek Cypriots with Greek ancestors,
another from Turkish Cypriots, originally from Turkish mainland Anatolia. These
nationalities existed peacefully for more than four centuries during the ruling
of the Ottoman Empire and subsequently under the British ruling from 1878 until
1960. On 16 August 1960, the transfer of power was completed and a new bi-communal
Republic was proclaimed in Mediterranean. The co-partnership of the Turkish and
Greek Cypriots started. There were a lot of controversy around the constitution
and unequal representation of Greeks and Turks in the Government during the takeover
period, supported by the strong desire of the Greek Cypriot community to reunite
with Greece, which was not popular in the other community. The situation escalated
in the following years, which led to the island being divided in two parts. Turkish
Cypriots were moving north of the island, where they felt safe, leaving their
land, property and belongings in the South. There were a lot of atrocities on
both sides, which reached their peak in 1974. They were stopped by Turkish intervention
and ever since the Turkish and Greek peoples of the island have been living within
their separate independent states in peace and complete security. Great Britain
provided a home for refugees from both sides of the island in hard times, keeping
impartial and offering its role as a peacemaker. There is a British Consulate
in the capital of TRNC Nicosia, which will provide you with a high standard service
as usual, if you ever come to need their help. The Turkish and
Greek Cypriots are looking to find a fair solution to reunite the island and the
negotiations are ongoing with the Southern part. However, this process is not
going to be fast. In the meantime, the Greek Cypriots, as well
as British ex-patriates and other European nationalities that live in TRNC today,
have the same living conditions as Turkish Cypriots. There are no restrictions
on their freedom of movement, access to medical and educational facilities, freedom
to attend religious services. The same laws apply to everybody. Turkish Cypriots
will overwhelm you with their politeness and friendliness. They are particularly
fond of Europeans, especially British people, as many of them have families or
relatives in UK now and reminisce about the nostalgic old days. Back
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