View source for Northern Cyprus

{{Short description|De facto state on the island of Cyprus}}
{{redirects|TRNC}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox country
| coordinates            = {{coord|35|11|N|33|22|E|type:country}}
| conventional_long_name = Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
| native_name            = {{native name|tr|Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti}}
| image_flag             = Flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.svg
| image_coat             = Coat of arms of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.svg
| common_name            = Northern Cyprus
| symbol_type            = Coat of arms
| national_anthem        = <br/>{{native name|tr|[[İstiklal Marşı|İstiklâl Marşı]]|paren=no}}<br />"Independence March"{{parabr}}{{center|[[File:Istiklâl Marsi instrumetal.ogg]]}} <!-- Please do not replace this with the vocal version. In order to keep continuity with other Wikipedia pages on modern countries, the instrumental version should be used. -->
| image_map              = Northern Cyprus (orthographic projection).svg
| map_width              = 220px
| capital                = [[North Nicosia]] (''[[de facto]]'')<br>[[Nicosia]] (''[[de jure]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/main/polsyst/constitution/|title=The Constitution of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus|website=www.cypnet.co.uk|access-date=15 December 2019|archive-date=25 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525163715/http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/main/polsyst/constitution/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| largest_city           = capital
| official_languages     = [[Turkish language|Turkish]]
| languages_type         = [[Vernacular]]
| languages              = [[Cypriot Turkish]]
| demonym                = [[Cypriot Turks|{{hlist|Turkish Cypriot||Cypriot Turk}}]]
| government_type        = Unitary [[Semi-presidential system|semi-presidential republic]]
| leader_title1          = [[President of Northern Cyprus|President]]
| leader_name1           = [[Ersin Tatar]]
| leader_title2          = [[Prime Minister of Northern Cyprus|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name2           = [[Ünal Üstel]]
| leader_title3          = [[List of Speakers of the Assembly of the Republic (Northern Cyprus)|Assembly Speaker]]
| leader_name3           = [[Ziya Öztürkler]]
| legislature            = [[Assembly of the Republic (Northern Cyprus)|Assembly of the Republic]]
| sovereignty_type       = [[Cyprus problem|Unrecognised independence]]
| sovereignty_note       = from [[Cyprus]]
| established_event1     = [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus]]
| established_date1      = 20 July 1974
| established_event2     = [[Autonomous Turkish Cypriot Administration]]
| established_date2      = 1 October 1974
| established_event3     = [[Turkish Federated State of Cyprus]]
| established_date3      = 13 February 1975
| established_event4     = [[Declaration of Independence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus|Declaration of independence]]
| established_date4      = 15 November 1983<ref name="Declaration"/>
| area_km2               = 3,355
| area_rank              = {{small|unranked}}<!-- Area rank should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]];(should not be any here as it is listed with a dash) -->
| area_sq_mi             = 1,295
| percent_water          = 
| population_estimate    = 382,836<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/kktcnin-nufusu-382-bin-836-olarak-hesaplandi/2707690|title=KKTC'nin nüfusu 382 bin 836 olarak hesaplandı|lang=tr|publisher=Anadolu Agency|author=Muhammet İkbal Arslan|date=10 October 2022}}</ref>
| population_estimate_year = 2021
| population_density_km2 = 114
| population_density_rank = {{small|unranked}}
| population_density_sq_mi = 295
| GDP_PPP                = 
| GDP_PPP_year           = 
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = 
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 
| GDP_nominal            = $4.234 billion<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://www.kei.gov.tr/media/1782/07-2018-kktc-ekonomik-goestergeler-raporu.pdf |title=KKTC Ekonomik Göstergeler Raporu |website=kei.gov.tr |access-date=13 December 2019 |archive-date=7 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007100755/http://www.kei.gov.tr/media/1782/07-2018-kktc-ekonomik-goestergeler-raporu.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2018
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = $14,942<ref name="auto"/>
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 
| currency               = [[Turkish lira]] [[Turkish lira sign|(₺)]]
| currency_code          = TRY
| time_zone              = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset             = +2
| time_zone_DST          = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
| utc_offset_DST         = +3
| drives_on              = left
| calling_code           = [[+90 392]]
| cctld                  = [[ct.tr|ct.tr/nc.tr]] or [[.tr]]
| status                 = [[List of states with limited recognition|Polity with limited recognition]]
}}

'''Northern Cyprus''',{{efn|{{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|aɪ|p|r|ə|s}} {{respell|SY|prəss}}; {{langx|tr|Kuzey Kıbrıs}}.}} officially the '''Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus''' ('''TRNC'''),{{efn|{{langx|tr|Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti|links=no}} (''KKTC'').}} is a ''[[de facto]]'' state that comprises the northeastern portion of the [[Geography of Cyprus|island of Cyprus]]. It is [[List of states with limited recognition|recognised only]] by [[Turkey]],<ref>{{cite book |last=Griffiths |first=Ryan D. |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7591/j.ctv153k63s |title=Secession and the Sovereignty Game: Strategy and Tactics for Aspiring Nations |date=2021 |publisher=Cornell University Press |isbn=978-1-5017-5474-6 |page=127 |jstor=10.7591/j.ctv153k63s |access-date=28 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626212131/https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7591/j.ctv153k63s |archive-date=26 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Yearbook of the European Convention on Human Rights / Annuaire de la convention européenne des droits de l'homme |publisher=Council of Europe/Conseil de l'Europe |year=1996 |page=153 |quote=... that despite the fact that it has not been recognised de iure by any other State than Turkey, the TRNC exist de facto as an independent State exercising all branches of State power on its territory.}}</ref> and its territory is considered by all other states to be part of the [[Cyprus|Republic of Cyprus]]. Northern Cyprus extends from [[Cape Apostolos Andreas|the tip]] of the [[Karpass Peninsula]] in the northeast to [[Morphou Bay]], [[Cape Kormakitis]] and its westernmost point, the [[Kokkina]] [[exclave]] in the west. Its southernmost point is the village of [[Louroujina]]. A [[United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus|buffer zone]] under the control of the [[United Nations]] stretches between Northern Cyprus and the rest of the island and divides [[Nicosia]], the island's largest city and capital of both sides.

A [[1974 Cypriot coup d'état|coup d'état in 1974]], performed as part of an attempt to annex the island to [[Greek military junta of 1967–1974|Greece]], prompted the [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus]]. This resulted in the eviction of much of the north's [[Greek Cypriot]] population, the flight of [[Turkish Cypriots]] from the south, and the partitioning of the island, leading to a unilateral declaration of independence by the north in 1983. Due to its lack of recognition, Northern Cyprus is heavily dependent on Turkey for economic, political and military support.<ref name="Agency2013">{{cite book |author=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |title=The CIA World Factbook 2014 |chapter=Northern Cyprus |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WjEhAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT691 |date=8 October 2013 |publisher=Skyhorse Publishing |isbn=978-1-62873-451-5 |page=691 |quote=The Turkish Cypriots are heavily dependent on transfers from the Turkish Government. Ankara directly finances about one-third of the Turkish Cypriot "administration's" budget. |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-date=6 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906002219/https://books.google.com/books?id=WjEhAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT691 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Boas2012">{{cite book |last=Boas |first=Gideon |title=Public International Law: Contemporary Principles and Perspectives |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ecHiEhBJNpcC&pg=PA177 |date=1 January 2012 |publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing |isbn=978-0-85793-956-2 |page=177 |quote=For example, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, located in the northern portion of the island of Cyprus, came about through ... from only one state — Turkey, upon which it is entirely dependent for economic, political and military support. |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905234334/https://books.google.com/books?id=ecHiEhBJNpcC&pg=PA177 |archive-date=5 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Navaro-Yashin2012">{{cite book |last=Navaro-Yashin |first=Yael |title=The Make-Believe Space: Affective Geography in a Postwar Polity |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x7TcS_wW11wC&pg=PA8 |date=12 March 2012 |publisher=[[Duke University Press]] |location=Durham, NC / London |isbn=978-0-8223-5204-4 |page=8 |quote=Economic embargoes have been imposed on the TRNC, making northern Cyprus almost completely dependent on Turkey. |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905235841/https://books.google.com/books?id=x7TcS_wW11wC&pg=PA8 |archive-date=5 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref><!-- Be aware that this part of the article is further supported by a large number of reliable sources in the talk page: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Northern_Cyprus&oldid=642228895#Citation_overkill -->

Attempts to reach a solution to the [[Cyprus dispute]] have been unsuccessful. The [[Turkish Army]] maintains a [[Turkish military forces in Northern Cyprus|large force]] in Northern Cyprus with the support and approval of the TRNC government, while the Republic of Cyprus, the European Union as a whole, and the international community regard it as an occupation force. This military presence has been denounced in several [[United Nations Security Council resolutions]].<ref name="autogenerated2"/>

Northern Cyprus is a [[semi-presidential system|semi-presidential]], democratic republic with a [[Culture of Northern Cyprus|cultural heritage]] incorporating various influences and an [[Economy of Northern Cyprus|economy]] that is dominated by the services sector. The economy has seen growth through the 2000s and 2010s, with the [[Gross national product|GNP]] per capita more than tripling in the 2000s, but is held back by an [[embargo against Northern Cyprus|international embargo]] due to the official closure of the ports in Northern Cyprus by the Republic of Cyprus. The official language is [[Turkish language|Turkish]], with a [[Cypriot Turkish|distinct local dialect]] being spoken. The vast majority of the population consists of [[Sunni Muslims]], while religious attitudes are mostly moderate and secular.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Langfield |editor1-first=Michele |editor2-last=Logan |editor2-first=William |editor3-last=Craith |editor3-first=Mairead Nic |title=Cultural Diversity, Heritage and Human Rights: Intersections in Theory and Practice |date=2010 |publisher=Routledge |location=New York |isbn=978-1-135-19070-5 |page=231 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sjaMAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA231 |quote=The tradition for Turkish Cypriots is one of secularism, not of mosque attendance. }}</ref> Northern Cyprus is an [[Membership of Northern Cyprus in international organizations|observer state]] of [[Economic Cooperation Organization|ECO]] and [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation|OIC]] under the name "[[Turkish Cypriot State]]", [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe|PACE]] under the name "Turkish Cypriot Community", and [[Organization of Turkic States]] with its own name.

==History==
{{See also|Ottoman Cyprus|Modern history of Cyprus}}

===1960–1974===
{{see also|Cypriot intercommunal violence}}
[[File:Image of Fazıl Küçük in 1963.png|thumb|175px|[[Fazıl Küçük]], former [[Turkish Cypriot]] leader and former Vice-President of [[Cyprus]]]]
[[File:Sarayönü old North Nicosia.jpg|thumb|left|[[Sarayönü Square]] of [[North Nicosia]] in 1969, after the division of the city]]
A united Cyprus gained independence from [[British Cyprus|British rule]] in August 1960, after both Greek and Turkish Cypriots agreed to abandon their respective plans for {{lang|el-Latn|[[enosis]]}} (union with Greece) and {{lang|tr|[[taksim (politics)|taksim]]}} (Turkish for "partition"). The agreement involved Cyprus being governed under a constitution which apportioned cabinet posts, parliamentary seats and civil service jobs on an agreed ratio between the two communities. Within three years, tensions began to show between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots in administrative affairs. In particular, disputes over separate municipalities and taxation created a deadlock in government. In 1963 [[Makarios III|President Makarios]] proposed unilateral changes to the constitution, via [[13 Amendments proposed by Makarios III|13 amendments]]. Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots rejected the proposed amendments, claiming that this was an attempt to settle constitutional disputes in favour of the Greek Cypriots<ref name="REJECTION">{{cite web |url=http://www.cyprus-conflict.net/www.cyprus-conflict.net/narrative-main-%203.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217102905/http://www.cyprus-conflict.net/www.cyprus-conflict.net/narrative-main-%203.html |archive-date=17 February 2007 |title=The Cyprus Conflict}}</ref> and to demote Turkish status from co-founders of the state to one of minority status, removing their constitutional safeguards in the process. Turkish Cypriots filed a lawsuit against the 13 amendments in the Supreme Constitutional Court of Cyprus (SCCC). Makarios announced that he would not comply with the decision of the SCCC, whatever it was,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ir.emu.edu.tr/staff/asozen/conferencepapers/konjic2002.pdf |title=Pre-Rejection of SCCC decision by Makarios |quote=The fact that the decision of the SCCC would not be implemented by Makarios was made quite clear. Non-implementation of the decision of a Constitutional Court is sufficient reason to compel the resignation of its President |publisher=[[Eastern Mediterranean University]] |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311202513/http://ir.emu.edu.tr/staff/asozen/conferencepapers/konjic2002.pdf |archive-date=11 March 2012}}</ref> and defended his amendments as being necessary "to resolve constitutional deadlocks" as opposed to the stance of the SCCC.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pro-re-publica.de/Cyprus1964.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719073404/http://www.pro-re-publica.de/Cyprus1964.html |archive-date=19 July 2011 |title=Majority rule means war.}}</ref>

On 25 April 1963, the SCCC decided that Makarios's 13 amendments were illegal. The [[Supreme Court of Cyprus|Cyprus Supreme Court]]'s ruling found that Makarios had violated the constitution by failing to fully implement its measures and that Turkish Cypriots had not been allowed to return to their positions in government without first accepting the proposed constitutional amendments.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stephen |first=Michael |date=1987 |url=http://www.mediaprof.org/tcvoices/ukhist.html |title=Cyprus: Two Nations in One Island |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701095552/http://www.mediaprof.org/tcvoices/ukhist.html |archive-date=1 July 2007 |work=Bow Educational Briefing №5 |location=London |pages=1–7}}</ref> On 21 May, the president of the SCCC resigned due to Makarios's stance. On 15 July, Makarios ignored the decision of the SCCC.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.supremecourt.gov.cy/judicial/sc.nsf/DMLfaq_en/DMLfaq_en?OpenDocument |title=FAQ |language=el |publisher=[[Supreme Court of Cyprus]] |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325142748/http://www.supremecourt.gov.cy/judicial/sc.nsf/DMLfaq_en/DMLfaq_en?OpenDocument |archive-date=25 March 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> After the resignation of the president of the SCCC, the SCCC ceased to exist. The Supreme Court of Cyprus (SCC) was formed by merging the SCCC and the High Court of Cyprus, and undertook the jurisdiction and powers of the SCCC and HCC.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmiskp.echr.coe.int/tkp197/search.asp |title=HUDOC Search Page |publisher=[[European Court of Human Rights]] |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910024402/http://cmiskp.echr.coe.int/tkp197/search.asp |archive-date=10 September 2011}}</ref> On 30 November, Makarios legalised the 13 proposals. In 1963, the Greek Cypriot wing of the government created the [[Akritas plan]] which outlined a policy that would remove Turkish Cypriots from the government and ultimately lead to union with Greece. The plan stated that if the Turkish Cypriots objected then they should be "violently subjugated before foreign powers could intervene".<ref>{{cite web |title=Cyprus — The Republic of Cyprus |url=http://countrystudies.us/cyprus/12.htm |work=Country Studies |publisher=[[Library of Congress]] |access-date=9 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012050603/http://countrystudies.us/cyprus/12.htm |archive-date=12 October 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On 21 December 1963, shots were fired at a Turkish Cypriot crowd that had gathered as a Greek police patrol stopped two Turkish Cypriots, claiming to ask for identification; two Turkish Cypriots were killed.<ref name="solsten">{{cite web |first=Eric |last=Solsten |url=http://countrystudies.us/cyprus/13.htm |title=Cyprus — Intercommunal Violence |work=Country Studies |publisher=[[Library of Congress]] |access-date=25 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623135118/http://countrystudies.us/cyprus/13.htm |archive-date=23 June 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Almost immediately, intercommunal violence broke out with a major Greek Cypriot paramilitary attack upon Turkish Cypriots in [[Nicosia]] and [[Larnaca]]. Though the [[Turkish Resistance Organization|TMT]]—a Turkish resistance group created in 1959 to promote a policy of {{lang|tr|[[taksim (politics)|taksim]]}} (division or partition of Cyprus), in opposition to the Greek Cypriot nationalist group [[EOKA]] and its advocacy of {{lang|el-Latn|[[enosis]]}} (union of Cyprus with Greece)—committed a number of acts of retaliation, historian of the Cyprus conflict [[Keith Kyle]] noted that "there is no doubt that the main victims of the numerous incidents that took place during the next few months were Turks".<ref name="REJECTION"/> Seven hundred Turkish hostages, including children, were taken from the northern suburbs of Nicosia. [[Nikos Sampson]], a nationalist and future coup leader, led a group of Greek Cypriot irregulars into the mixed suburb of [[Omorphita|Omorphita/Küçük Kaymaklı]] and attacked the Turkish Cypriot population.<ref>{{cite book |first=Andrew |last=Borowiec |year=2000 |title=Cyprus: A troubled island. |publisher=Praeger/Greenwood |page=56 }}</ref> By the end of 1964, 364 Turkish Cypriots and 174 Greek Cypriots had been killed.<ref name="oberling120">{{cite book |last=Oberling |first=Pierre |title=The road to Bellapais |year=1982 |publisher=Social Science Monographs |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XIK6AAAAIAAJ |page=120 |isbn=9780880330008 |quote=According to official records, 364 Turkish Cypriots and 174 Greek Cypriots were killed during the 1963–1964 crisis. |access-date=9 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226020712/https://books.google.com/books?id=XIK6AAAAIAAJ |archive-date=26 December 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Turkish Cypriot members of the government had by now withdrawn, creating an essentially Greek Cypriot administration in control of all institutions of the state. After the partnership government collapsed, the Greek Cypriot-led administration was recognised as the legitimate government of the Republic of Cyprus at the stage of the debates in New York{{unclear inline|date=July 2023}} in February 1964.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/03/09/unficyp-a-living-fossil-of-the-cold-war |work=Cyprus-Mail |date=9 March 2014 |title=UNFICYP: a living fossil of the Cold War |access-date=18 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309143534/http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/03/09/unficyp-a-living-fossil-of-the-cold-war/ |archive-date=9 March 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In September 1964, the then [[United Nations Secretary General]], [[U Thant]] reported that "[[United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus|UNFICYP]] carried out a detailed survey of all damage to properties throughout the island during the disturbances; it shows that in 109 villages, most of them Turkish-Cypriot or mixed villages, 527 houses have been destroyed while 2,000 others have suffered damage from looting".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/Chapter-VII-S-5950.pdf |title=UN SG S/5950 Report |date=10 September 1964 |at=paragraph 180 |access-date=6 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924095950/http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/Chapter-VII-S-5950.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Widespread looting of Turkish Cypriot villages prompted 20,000 refugees to retreat into [[Turkish Cypriot Enclaves|armed enclaves]], where they remained for the next 11 years,<ref name=HISTORY>{{cite web |work=Antiwar.com |url=http://antiwar.com/hadar/?articleid=8042 |title=In Praise of 'Virtual States' |first=Leon |last=Hadar |date=16 November 2005 |access-date=24 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707145957/http://antiwar.com/hadar/?articleid=8042 |archive-date=7 July 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> relying on food and medical supplies from Turkey to survive. Turkish Cypriots formed paramilitary groups to defend the enclaves, leading to a gradual division of the island's communities into two hostile camps. The violence had also seen thousands of Turkish Cypriots attempt to escape the violence by emigrating to Britain, Australia and Turkey.<ref>Quoted in Andrew Borowiec, 2000. Cyprus: A troubled island. Praeger/Greenwood p.58</ref> On 28 December 1967, the Turkish Cypriot Provisional Administration was founded.<ref>{{cite book |first1=David |last1=Carment |first2=Patrick |last2=James |first3=Zeynep |last3=Taydas |title=Who Intervenes?: Ethnic Conflict and Interstate Crisis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_jAaUQJNAx0C |year=2006 |publisher=Ohio State University Press |isbn=978-0-8142-1013-0 |page=189 |access-date=11 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017204604/https://books.google.com/books?id=_jAaUQJNAx0C |archive-date=17 October 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===1974–1983===
{{Main|1974 Cypriot coup d'état|Turkish invasion of Cyprus|Turkish Federated State of Cyprus}}
[[File:Rauf Denktash.jpg|thumb|175px|[[Rauf Denktaş]], founder and former President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]]
On 6 July 1974, [[Makarios III|Makarios]] accused the Greek government of turning the Cypriot National Guard into an army of occupation.<ref>[http://cyprus-mail.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/July-6-1974.pdf Cyprus Mail, 06 July 1974, "Greek Regime Accused by Makarios"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002125743/http://cyprus-mail.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/July-6-1974.pdf |date=2 October 2015 }} "...President Makarios said yesterday the Athens regime ''bears great responsibility for what has been in Cyprus'', and accused the Greek government of trying to introduce dictatorship and turning the national guard into an ''army of occupation''"</ref> On 15 July 1974, the [[Greek military junta of 1967–74|Greek military junta]] and the [[Cypriot National Guard]] backed a [[1974 Cypriot coup d'état|Greek Cypriot military coup d'état]] in Cyprus. Pro-[[Enosis]] [[Nikos Sampson]] replaced President Makarios as the new president.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cook |first1=Chris |last2=Bewes |first2=Diccon |title=What Happened Where: A Guide to Places and Events in Twentieth-century History |publisher=Routledge |year=1997 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FuGrcgcOiXoC |isbn=1-85728-533-6 |page=65}}</ref> The Greek Cypriot coupists proclaimed the establishment of the "Hellenic Republic of Cyprus".<ref>{{cite book |title=Strategic Review, Volume 5 |date=1977 |publisher=United States Strategic Institute |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hCfcAAAAMAAJ |page=48}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Allcock |first=John B. |title=Border and territorial disputes |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6pztAAAAMAAJ |year=1992 |publisher=Longman Current Affairs |isbn=978-0-582-20931-2 |page=55}}</ref> Turkey claimed that under the 1960 [[Treaty of Guarantee (1960)|Treaty of Guarantee]], the coup was sufficient reason for military action to protect the Turkish Cypriot populace, and thus [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus|Turkey invaded]] Cyprus on 20 July. Turkish forces proceeded to take over the northern four-elevenths of the island (about 36% of Cyprus's total area). The coup caused a civil war filled with ethnic violence, after which it collapsed and Makarios returned to power.{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}

On 2 August 1975, in the negotiations in Vienna, a population exchange agreement was signed between community leaders [[Rauf Denktaş]] and [[Glafcos Clerides]] under the auspices of the United Nations.<ref name="un.org">{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/11789 |title=Links to documents |publisher=[[United Nations]] |date=9 September 2002 |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102174825/http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s%2F11789 |archive-date=2 November 2012 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Hakki2007">{{cite book|author=Murat Metin Hakki |title=The Cyprus Issue: A Documentary History, 1878–2006 |year=2007 |publisher=I.B.Tauris |isbn=978-1-84511-392-6 |pages=194–195 }}</ref> On the basis of the Agreement, 196,000 Greek Cypriots living in the north were exchanged for 42,000 Turkish Cypriots living in the south<ref>{{cite book |url=http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/euromosaic-iii-pbNC7406031/downloads/NC-74-06-031-EN-C/NC7406031ENC_002.pdf |publisher=Research Centre on Multilingualism, [[Catholic University of Brussels]] |year=2004 |title=Euromosaic III: Presence of Regional and Minority Language Groups in the New Member States |page=18}}</ref> (the number of settlers was disputed).<ref name="BahcheliBartmann2004">{{cite book |last1=Bahcheli |first1=Tozun |last2=Bartmann |first2=Barry |last3=Srebrnik |first3=Henry Felix |title=De Facto States: The Quest for Sovereignty |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uIbah-giC0EC&pg=PA168 |year=2004 |publisher=Psychology Press |isbn=978-0-7146-5476-8 |page=168 |quote=...the number of settlers was disputed between Turkish and ... |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905234240/https://books.google.com/books?id=uIbah-giC0EC&pg=PA168 |archive-date=5 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Orthodox Greek Cypriots in [[Rizokarpaso]], [[Ayios Andronikos, Cyprus|Agios Andronikos]] and [[Agia Trias, Cyprus|Agia Triada]] chose to stay in their villages,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://famagusta-gazette.com/weekly-unficyp-trip-to-enclaved-cypriots-a-respite-from-daily-hardships-p22148-69.htm |work=Famagusta Gazette |date=30 January 2014 |title=Weekly UNFICYP trip to enclaved Cypriots a respite from daily hardships |access-date=1 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318104959/http://famagusta-gazette.com/weekly-unficyp-trip-to-enclaved-cypriots-a-respite-from-daily-hardships-p22148-69.htm |archive-date=18 March 2014}}</ref> as did also Catholic [[Maronites]] in [[Asomatos, Kyrenia|Asomatos]], [[Karpasia (town)|Karpasia]] and [[Kormakitis]]. Approximately 1,500 Greek Cypriots and 500 Turkish Cypriots remain missing.<ref name=FLEEING>{{cite news |last=Rainsford |first=Sarah |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6166560.stm |title=Bones of Cyprus missing unearthed |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=21 November 2006 |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203050015/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6166560.stm |archive-date=3 February 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The invasion led to the formation of the first sovereign administrative body of Northern Cyprus in August 1974, the [[Autonomous Turkish Cypriot Administration]].

In 1975, the [[Turkish Federated State of Cyprus]] ({{lang|tr|Kıbrıs Türk Federe Devleti}}) was declared as a first step towards a future federated Cypriot state, but was rejected by the Republic of Cyprus and the United Nations.

The north unilaterally [[declaration of Independence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus|declared its independence]] on 15 November 1983 under the name of the ''Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus''.<ref name="Declaration">{{cite web |url=http://mfa.gov.ct.tr/cyprus-negotiation-process/historical-background/ |title=Historical Background |publisher=Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs |access-date=3 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322052113/http://mfa.gov.ct.tr/cyprus-negotiation-process/historical-background/ |archive-date=22 March 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> This was rejected by the UN via [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 541|Security Council Resolution 541]].

===1983–present===
[[File:Pro-TRNC demonstration in Sarayönü North Nicosia.jpg|thumb|[[Sarayönü Square|Atatürk Square]], North Nicosia in 2006, with the Northern Cypriot and Turkish flags]]
In recent years, the politics of reunification has dominated the island's affairs. The European Union decided in 2000 to accept Cyprus as a member, even if it was divided. This was due to their view of [[Rauf Denktaş]], the pro-independence Turkish Cypriot President, as the main stumbling block, but also due to Greece threatening to block eastern EU expansion. It was hoped that Cyprus's planned accession into the [[European Union]] would act as a catalyst towards a settlement. In the time leading up to Cyprus becoming a member, a new government was elected in Turkey and Rauf Denktaş lost political power in Cyprus. In 2004, a United Nations–brokered peace settlement was presented in a [[Cypriot Annan Plan referendums, 2004|referendum]] to both sides.<ref name="Immovable">{{cite news |url=http://www.economist.com/node/17276362?zid=309&ah=80dcf288b8561b012f603b9fd9577f0e |title=Immovable object |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |date=21 October 2010 |access-date=23 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207162410/http://www.economist.com/node/17276362?zid=309&ah=80dcf288b8561b012f603b9fd9577f0e |archive-date=7 December 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The proposed settlement was opposed by both the president of Cyprus, [[Tassos Papadopoulos]], and Turkish Cypriot president [[Rauf Denktaş]]; in the referendum, while 65% of Turkish Cypriots accepted the proposal, 76% of Greek Cypriots rejected it. As a result, Cyprus entered the European Union divided, with the [[Community acquis|effects of membership]] suspended for Northern Cyprus.<ref name="Immovable"/>

Denktaş resigned in the wake of the vote, ushering in the pro-settlement [[Mehmet Ali Talat]] as his successor. However, the pro-settlement side and Mehmet Ali Talat lost momentum due to the ongoing embargo and isolation,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ker-Lindsay |first1=James |last2=Faustmann |first2=Hubert |title=The Government and Politics of Cyprus |date=2008 |publisher=Political Science |isbn=978-3-03911-096-4 |page=253 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AzIXtVdDDwgC&pg=PA253}}</ref> despite promises from the European Union that these would be eased.<ref>{{cite book |last=Yesilada |first=Birol |title=EU–Turkey Relations in the 21st Century |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-12680-3 |page=2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RGtCGXOSdHgC&pg=PA2}}</ref> As a result, the Turkish Cypriot electorate became frustrated. This led ultimately to the pro-independence side winning the general elections in 2009 and its candidate, former Prime Minister [[Derviş Eroğlu]], winning the presidential elections in 2010. Although Eroğlu and his [[National Unity Party (Northern Cyprus)|National Unity Party]] favours the independence of Northern Cyprus rather than reunification with the Republic of Cyprus, he is negotiating with the Greek Cypriot side towards a settlement for reunification.<ref>{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=Wayne C. |title=Western Europe |date=2014 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4758-1230-5 |page=307 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KlgtBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA307}}</ref>

In 2011, Turkish Cypriots protested against economic reforms made by the Northern Cyprus and Turkish governments; ''see [[2011 Turkish Cypriot demonstrations]]''.

In October 2020, [[Ersin Tatar]], the candidate of the National Unity Party (UBP), was elected as the 5th president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus after winning the [[2020 Northern Cypriot presidential election|presidential elections]] against incumbent president [[Mustafa Akıncı]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agencies |first=Daily Sabah with |date=2020-10-18 |title=Ersin Tatar becomes 5th president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/elections/ersin-tatar-becomes-5th-president-of-the-turkish-republic-of-northern-cyprus |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=Daily Sabah |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of Cyprus}}
{{Wide image|File:Morphou Bay.jpg|1000px|Panoramic view of the [[Güzelyurt District]], and [[Morphou Bay]] as seen from the [[Troodos Mountains|Troodos mountains]].}}
Northern Cyprus has an area of {{convert|3355|km2|mi2}}, which amounts to around a third of the island. {{convert|75|km|nmi|0|abbr=off}} to the north of Northern Cyprus lies [[Turkey]] with [[Syria]] lying {{convert|97|km|nmi|frac=2}} to the east. It lies between latitudes 34° and 36° N, and longitudes 32° and 35° E.

The coastline of Northern Cyprus features two bays: the [[Morphou Bay]] and the [[Famagusta Bay]], and there are four capes: [[Cape Apostolos Andreas]], [[Cape Kormakitis]], Cape Zeytin and Cape Kasa, with Cape Apostolos Andreas being the endpoint of the [[Karpaz Peninsula]]. The narrow [[Kyrenia Mountains|Kyrenia mountain range]] lies along the northern coastline, and the highest point in Northern Cyprus, Mount Selvili, lies in this mountain range with an altitude of {{convert|1024|m|0|abbr=out}}.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.orman.istanbul.edu.tr/journal/index.php/orman/article/download/529/391 | title = Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti'nde 1995 yılı orman yangını sonrasındaki ağaçlandırmalardan gözlemler | publisher = Istanbul University | author1 = Alptekin, Ünal | author2 = Ertaş, Aytekin | access-date = 28 December 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100609121330/http://www.orman.istanbul.edu.tr/journal/index.php/orman/article/download/529/391 | archive-date = 9 June 2010 | url-status = live | df = dmy-all }}</ref> The [[Mesaoria]] plain, extending from the [[Güzelyurt district]] to the eastern coastline is another defining landscape. The Mesaoria plains consist of plain fields and small hills, and is crossed by several seasonal streams. The eastern part of the plain is used for dry agriculture, such as the cultivation of wheat and barley, and are therefore predominantly green in the winter and spring, while it turns yellow and brown in the summer.<ref>[http://www.eucoordination.org/docs/mesarya_TR.pdf Doğu Mesarya Bölgesi] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209111804/http://eucoordination.org/docs/mesarya_TR.pdf |date=9 February 2015 }}, EU Coordination Center, retrieved on 28 December 2012.</ref>

56.7% of the land in Northern Cyprus is agriculturally viable.<ref>[http://acikarsiv.ankara.edu.tr/browse/625/940.pdf?show KUZEY KIBRIS TÜRK CUMHURİYETİ MESARYA OVASI TARIM İŞLETMELERİNDE YETER GELİRLİ İŞLETME BÜYÜKLÜĞÜ VE OPTİMAL ÜRETİM DESENİNİN DOĞRUSAL PROGRAMLAMA YÖNTEMİ İLE TESPİTİ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228225411/http://acikarsiv.ankara.edu.tr/browse/625/940.pdf?show |date=28 December 2014 }}, Ankara University, retrieved on 28 December 2014.</ref>

===Climate===
{{Main|Climate of Cyprus}}
[[File:Morning beach near Mehmetcik (North Cyprus) 2003.jpg|thumb|Beach near [[Galateia|Mehmetcik]], [[İskele District]]]]
The winter in Northern Cyprus is cool and rainy, particularly between December and February; those three months see 60% of the region's annual rainfall.<ref>Section source. [http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/main/weather/index.html Weather] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907090107/http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/main/weather/index.html |date=7 September 2008}} cypnet.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2008.</ref> These rains produce winter torrents that fill most of the rivers, which typically dry up as the year progresses. Snow has been known to fall on the Kyrenia Range, but seldom elsewhere in spite of low night temperatures. The short spring is characterised by unstable weather, occasional heavy storms and the "[[Etesian|meltem]]", or westerly wind. Summer is hot and dry enough to turn low-lying lands on the island brown. Parts of the island experience the "Poyraz", a north-westerly wind, or the [[sirocco]], a wind from Africa, which is dry and dusty. Summer is followed by a short, turbulent autumn.

Climate conditions on the island vary by geographical factors. The Mesaoria Plain, cut off from the summer breezes and from much of the humidity of the sea, may reach temperature peaks of {{convert|40|to|45|°C|°F|0|abbr=on}}. Humidity rises at the Karpaz Peninsula. Humidity and water temperature, {{convert|16|to|28|°C|°F|0|abbr=on}}, combine to stabilise coastal weather, which does not experience inland extremes. The Southern Range blocks air currents that bring rain and atmospheric humidity from the south-west, diminishing both on its eastern side.

=== Biodiversity ===
[[File:Wild donkeys on Cyprus.JPG|thumb|right|Wild Cyprus donkeys inhabit the mainly remote [[Karpas Peninsula|northeastern region]] of the [[İskele District]].]]
A relatively unspoiled part of the [[Mediterranean Basin]] [[biodiversity hotspot]], Northern Cyprus has considerable ecological diversity, containing a variety of terrestrial [[habitat]]s.<ref>{{cite thesis |type=PhD |last1=Özden |first1=Özge |title=The Biodiversity of Invertebrates in Cyprus Ecosystems |url=https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/handle/10036/67893 |institution=University of Exeter |date=2009 |access-date=9 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209182259/https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/handle/10036/67893 |archive-date=9 February 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Its flora includes around 1900 plant species, of which 19 are endemic to Northern Cyprus.<ref name=metuf>[http://www.metu.edu.tr/~birten/dogal_yasam.html Kuzey Kıbrıs'ta Doğal Yaşam-Flora] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718061927/http://www.metu.edu.tr/~birten/dogal_yasam.html |date=18 July 2014 }}, Middle East Technical University, retrieved on 28 December 2014.</ref> Even in the urban areas, there is a lot of diversity: a study conducted on the banks of the [[Pedieos]] river around Nicosia found more than 750 different plant species.<ref>''Kanlıdere ve Asi Dere Florası'', introduction, Turkish Cypriot Biologists and Biological Research Association.</ref> Among these species are 30 of the orchid species that are endemic to Cyprus.<ref name=metuf/> An endangered species that is the subject of folk tales and myths is the [[Pancratium maritimum|sea daffodil]], found on the sandy beaches and endangered due to the disruption of their habitats.<ref>[http://www.havadiskibris.com/Ekler/poli/144/kumda-yasayan-prenses-kum-zambagi/770 Kumda Yaşayan Prenses: Kum Zambağı] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228214309/http://www.havadiskibris.com/Ekler/poli/144/kumda-yasayan-prenses-kum-zambagi/770 |date=28 December 2014 }}, Havadis, retrieved on 28 December 2014.</ref>

The medoş tulip (''[[Tulipa cypria]]'') is a notable species that is endemic to Northern Cyprus; it is only found in the villages of [[Diorios|Tepebaşı/Diorios]] and [[Ayios Symeon|Avtepe/Ayios Simeon]], and is celebrated with an annual festival.<ref name=flouna>{{cite web |url=http://www.northcyprusguide.net/flora-fauna.html |title=Flora & Fauna of North Cyprus |access-date=28 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316233250/http://northcyprusguide.net/flora-fauna.html |archive-date=16 March 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In the national park in the [[Karpaz Peninsula]] around [[Cape Apostolos Andreas]], there is a population of around 1,000 wild [[Cyprus donkey]]s. These donkeys, under the protection of the Turkish Cypriot government, are free to wander in herds over an area of {{convert|300|km2|sqmi|lk=out|abbr=off}}<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/eeyore-plague-wild-donkeys-overrun-cyprus-villages-1693518.html Eeyore plague: wild donkeys overrun Cyprus villages] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802122658/http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/eeyore-plague-wild-donkeys-overrun-cyprus-villages-1693518.html |date=2 August 2017 }}, The Independent, retrieved on 28 December 2014.</ref> The donkeys have earned a strong image for the peninsula, which is also home to a rich fauna and relatively big forests.<ref>[http://www.tccruraldevelopment.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/local_development_strategy_karpaz_area.pdf Karpaz Area Local Development Strategy] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228220829/http://www.tccruraldevelopment.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/local_development_strategy_karpaz_area.pdf |date=28 December 2014}}, EU Programme for the TC Community, retrieved on 28 December 2014.</ref> The beaches of Northern Cyprus also include sites where hundreds of [[loggerhead turtle]]s and [[green turtle]]s lay eggs, which hatch at the end of the summer, followed by observers.<ref name=flouna/>

==Government and politics==
{{Main|Politics of Northern Cyprus}}
[[File:Ilham Aliyev received President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in Konya (1) (cropped).jpg|150px|thumb|[[Ersin Tatar]], [[President of Northern Cyprus]]]]
The politics of Northern Cyprus takes place in a framework of a [[semi-presidential system|semi-presidential]] [[representative democracy|representative democratic]] [[republic]], whereby the [[President of Northern Cyprus|president]] is [[head of state]] and the [[prime minister]] [[head of government]], and of a [[multi-party system]]. [[Executive power]] is exercised by the government. [[Legislative power]] is vested in both the [[government]] and the [[Assembly of the Republic of Northern Cyprus|Assembly of the Republic]]. The [[Judiciary of Northern Cyprus|Judiciary]] is independent of the executive and the legislature.

The president is elected for a five-year term and is currently [[Ersin Tatar]]. The current prime minister is Ersan Saner. The legislature is the Assembly of the Republic, which has 50 members elected by [[proportional representation]] from six electoral districts. In the elections of January 2018, the right-wing [[National Unity Party (Northern Cyprus)|National Unity Party]] won the most seats in the Assembly, and the current government is a coalition of the National Unity Party and the centrist [[People's Party (Northern Cyprus)|People's Party]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The new North Cyprus coalition |date=23 May 2019 |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/opinion/yusuf-kanli/the-new-north-cyprus-coalition-143631 |publisher=Hürriyet |access-date=30 May 2019 |archive-date=30 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530004925/http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/opinion/yusuf-kanli/the-new-north-cyprus-coalition-143631 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Due to Northern Cyprus's isolation and heavy reliance on Turkish support, Turkey has a high level of influence over the country's politics. This has led to some experts characterising it as an effective [[puppet state]] of Turkey.<ref name="Kurtulus2005">{{cite book |first=Ersun N. |last=Kurtulus |title=State Sovereignty: Concept, Phenomenon and Ramifications |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jeTFAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA136 |date=27 November 2005 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-1-4039-7708-3 |pages=136– |quote=It may be argued that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which was declared in 1983 and which was only recognized as a state by Turkey and for a short period by Pakistan, is at the moment of writing the only existent puppet state in the world. |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905235953/https://books.google.com/books?id=jeTFAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA136 |archive-date=5 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Focarelli2012">{{cite book |first=Carlo |last=Focarelli |title=International Law as Social Construct: The Struggle for Global Justice |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oTYc6WY0_icC&pg=PA161 |date=24 May 2012 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-958483-3 |pages=161– |quote=In the 1995 and 1996 Loizidou Judgments the ECtHR treated the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as a sort of puppet government whose acts fall within the jurisdiction of (and are attributable to) Turkey as an (unlawful) occupier. |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905234814/https://books.google.com/books?id=oTYc6WY0_icC&pg=PA161 |archive-date=5 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="PanaraWilson2013">{{cite book |first1=Carlo |last1=Panara |first2=Gary |last2=Wilson |title=The Arab Spring: New Patterns for Democracy and International Law |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rWAzAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA59 |date=9 January 2013 |publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers |isbn=978-90-04-24341-5 |pages=59– |quote=The situation with the South African homelands was similar and so was collective non-acceptance of the Turkish puppet-government in northern Cyprus which has resulted in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus not being recognized as a state. |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906000129/https://books.google.com/books?id=rWAzAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA59 |archive-date=6 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Other experts, however, have pointed out to the independent nature of elections and appointments in Northern Cyprus and disputes between the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish governments, concluding that "puppet state" is not an accurate description for Northern Cyprus.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bartmann |first1=Barry |editor1-last=Bahcheli |editor1-first=Tozun |editor2-last=Bartmann |editor2-first=Barry |editor3-last=Srebrnik |editor3-first=Henry |title=De Facto States: The Quest for Sovereignty |date=2004 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-77121-8 |page=24 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gk2QAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA24 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Dodd |first1=Clement Henry |title=The political, social and economic development of Northern Cyprus |date=1993 |publisher=Eothen Press |isbn=9780906719183 |page=377 |quote=In short, the electorate of Northern Cyprus votes freely for its political leaders and gives them substantial support. Nor is Northern Cyprus a Turkish puppet state. Mr Denktaş and the Turkish-Cypriot case have a powerful following in Turkey...}}</ref>

===Administrative divisions===
{{Main|Districts of Northern Cyprus}}
Northern Cyprus is divided into six districts: [[Lefkoşa District|Lefkoşa]], [[Gazimağusa District|Gazimağusa]], [[Kyrenia District|Girne]], [[Güzelyurt District|Güzelyurt]], [[İskele District|İskele]] and [[Lefke District|Lefke]]. Lefke District was established by separation from the Güzelyurt District in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lefke 6. ilçe oldu! |url=http://www.kibrispostasi.com/lefke-6-ilce-oldu!-27122016 |publisher=Kıbrıs Postası |access-date=27 December 2016 |date=27 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228135624/http://www.kibrispostasi.com/lefke-6-ilce-oldu!-27122016 |archive-date=28 December 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> In addition, there are further twelve sub-districts divided between the five larger districts and twenty-eight municipalities.

<div style="position: relative">[[File:Blank district map Northern Cyprus.png|600px|Blank district map of Northern Cyprus]]
<!------------------------------- DISTRICTS/ -->
<div style="position:absolute;left:242px;top:197px;"><small>[[Lefkoşa District|Lefkoşa]]</small></div>
<div style="position:absolute;left:180px;top:170px;"><small>[[Girne District|Girne]]</small></div>
<div style="position:absolute;left:455px;top:95px;"><small>[[İskele District|İskele]]</small></div>
<div style="position:absolute;left:113px;top:201px;"><small>[[Güzelyurt District|Güzelyurt]]</small></div>
<div style="position:absolute;left:300px;top:200px;"><small>[[Gazimağusa District|Gazimağusa]]</small></div>
<div style="position:absolute;left:93px;top:227px;"><small>{{colored link|white|Lefke District|Lefke}}</small></div></div>

===International status and foreign relations===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Northern Cyprus}}
[[File:Northern Cypriot Office London 20060615.jpg|thumb|London office of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, [[Bedford Square]].]]
[[File:Secretary Kerry Meets With Turkish Cypriot Leader Akinci in New York City (21901946901).jpg|thumb|left|[[Mustafa Akıncı]] with U.S. Secretary of State [[John Kerry]], 2 October 2015]]
No country other than the [[Turkey|Republic of Turkey]]<ref name="Kurtulus2005"/><ref name="BBC">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1016541.stm |title=Cyprus country profile |publisher=BBC News |date=23 December 2011 |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728172734/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1016541.stm |archive-date=28 July 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Commerce2003">{{cite book|author=International Chamber of Commerce|title=Europe Review 2003/04: The Economic and Business Report|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hwi0s3I5jLEC&pg=PA79|date=1 November 2003|publisher=Kogan Page Publishers|isbn=978-0-7494-4067-1|page=79|quote=The Turkish Cypriot-dominated north is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' which elects its own government and is recognised only by Turkey.|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905235258/https://books.google.com/books?id=Hwi0s3I5jLEC&pg=PA79|archive-date=5 September 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=CIA>{{cite book|title=The CIA World Factbook 2010|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pqanFyF6nI0C&pg=PA182|year=2009|publisher=Skyhorse Publishing Inc.|isbn=978-1-60239-727-9|page=182|quote=the formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), which is recognized only by Turkey|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906002225/https://books.google.com/books?id=pqanFyF6nI0C&pg=PA182|archive-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> has officially recognised Northern Cyprus as a sovereign state. The [[United Nations]] considers it a territory of the Republic of Cyprus under Turkish occupation.<ref name="UN Security Council Resolution 550">{{cite web |url=http://www.un.int/cyprus/scr550.htm |title=Permanent Mission of the Republic of Cyprus to the United Nations — |publisher=Un.int |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506115414/http://www.un.int/cyprus/scr550.htm |archive-date=6 May 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Leckie2007">{{cite book|author=Scott Leckie|title=Housing and Property Restitution Rights of Refugees and Displaced Persons: Laws, Cases, and Materials|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HyfqzaFBMLoC&pg=PA448|date=28 May 2007|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-139-46409-3|page=448|quote=The complaints raised in this application arise out of the Turkish military operations in northern Cyprus in July and August ... This development was condemned by the international community. ... of the establishment of the "TRNC" legally invalid and calling upon all States not to recognise any Cypriot State other than the ...|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906000604/https://books.google.com/books?id=HyfqzaFBMLoC&pg=PA448|archive-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Quigley">{{cite book|author=Quigley|title=The Statehood of Palestine|date=6 September 2010|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iTR3BQ0aJ6UC&pg=PA164|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-139-49124-2|page=164|quote=The international community found this declaration invalid, on the ground that Turkey had occupied territory belonging to Cyprus and that the putative state was therefore an infringement on Cypriot sovereignty.|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906001102/https://books.google.com/books?id=iTR3BQ0aJ6UC&pg=PA164|archive-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Pakistan and Bangladesh had initially declared their recognition of Northern Cyprus as a sovereign state shortly after its declaration of independence,<ref>[http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2014/07/07/is-now-the-time-for-a-cyprus-deal/ Commentary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724205651/http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2014/07/07/is-now-the-time-for-a-cyprus-deal/ |date=24 July 2014 }} Michael Rubin (7 July 2014):"Is Now the Time for a Cyprus Deal?"</ref> but they withdrew their recognition as a result of US pressure after the UN deemed the declaration illegal.<ref>[http://www.innercitypress.com/undip1trnc102810.html Inter City Press] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924035056/http://www.innercitypress.com/undip1trnc102810.html |date=24 September 2015 }} Matthew Russell Lee: "At UN, Turkish Cypriot Community Has Rare Diplomatic Status, Non State Envy [sic]"</ref> The United Nations considers the declaration of independence by Northern Cyprus as legally invalid, as enunciated in several of its resolutions.<ref name="UN Security Council Resolution 550"/><ref name=UNSCR541>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.int/cyprus/scr541.htm |title=Permanent Mission of the Republic of Cyprus to the United Nations — |publisher=Un.int |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030828074921/http://www.un.int/cyprus/scr541.htm |archive-date=28 August 2003 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In the wake of the April 2004 referendum on the United Nations [[Annan Plan for Cyprus|Annan Plan]], and in view of the support of the Turkish Cypriot community for the plan, the European Union made pledges towards ending the isolation of Northern Cyprus. These included measures for trade and €259 million in aid.{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}} A pledge by the EU to lift the embargo on Northern Cyprus in the wake of the Annan Plan referendums has been blocked by the Greek Cypriot government in the [[European Council]].<ref name="Immovable"/>

In 2004, the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation|Organisation of Islamic Co-operation]] upgraded the delegation of the Turkish Cypriot Muslim community from "observer community" (1979) to that of a constituent state with the designation "[[Turkish Cypriot State]]", making Northern Cyprus an observer member of the organisation.<ref name=OIC>{{cite web |url=http://islamic-conference-news.newslib.com/story/1413-3215426/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714174140/http://islamic-conference-news.newslib.com/story/1413-3215426/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 July 2011 |title=Netwebsearch.com |publisher=Islamic-conference-news.newslib.com |access-date=14 February 2014}}</ref> A number of high-profile formal meetings have also taken place between Turkish Cypriot presidents and various foreign leaders and politicians.

In 2004, the [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe]] gave observer status to the representatives of Turkish Cypriot community.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://assembly.coe.int/Main.asp?link=/Documents/AdoptedText/ta04/ERES1376.htm |title=Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly |publisher=Assembly.coe.int |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307155611/http://assembly.coe.int/Main.asp?link=%2FDocuments%2FAdoptedText%2Fta04%2FERES1376.htm |archive-date=7 March 2014 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Since then, Northern Cyprus's representatives have actively participated in all PACE activities without voting rights.

The European Union considers the area not under effective control of the Republic of Cyprus as EU territory under Turkish military occupation and thus indefinitely exempt from [[Community acquis|EU legislation]] until a settlement has been found. The status of Northern Cyprus has become a recurrent issue especially during talks in the 2010s for [[Accession of Turkey to the European Union|Turkey's membership of the EU]] where the division of the island is seen as a major stumbling block in Turkey's road to membership and general [[Turkey–European Union relations|EU-Turkey relations]].<ref>{{cite news |author=David Gow |author2=Helena Smith |title=EU puts Turkey on a long road to accession |url=https://www.theguardian.com/turkey/story/0,12700,1321511,00.html |work=The Guardian |date=7 October 2004 |access-date=30 January 2007 |location=London |archive-date=13 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213063628/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/oct/07/turkey.eu |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=EU Sets Deadline for Turkey to Open Up Its Ports |url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2243855,00.html |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |date=21 November 2006 |access-date=30 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071231182246/http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2243855,00.html |archive-date=31 December 2007 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The [[Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic]] of [[Azerbaijan]] has issued a resolution recognising the independence of Northern Cyprus. As a result of the [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] issue, however, Azerbaijan itself has not recognised North Cyprus.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.regnum.ru/english/708006.html |title=REGNUM news agency press release |publisher=Regnum.ru |access-date=17 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213022330/http://www.regnum.ru/english/708006.html |archive-date=13 December 2010 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Turkish Cypriots have been applying for decades for passports issued by [[Cyprus]]. When the entry points with the Republic of Cyprus were closed, the applications were made either through middlemen or through consulates and embassies of Cyprus in other countries. A yearly increase in the number of applications for such passports of 10–15% was observed in years prior to 2001, when the rate greatly increased and 817 were issued in the first eight months of 2001 as compared to 448 for the whole of 2000. After the opening of the borders with the Republic of Cyprus, Turkish Cypriots started line-ups applying for Cypriot passports by visiting the Republic of Cyprus and showing proof of their Cypriot ancestry.<ref name="Navaro-Yashin2012No2">{{cite book |last=Navaro-Yashin |first=Yael |title=The Make-Believe Space: Affective Geography in a Postwar Polity |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x7TcS_wW11wC&pg=PA118 |url-status=live |publisher=Duke University Press |location=Durham, NC / London |pages=118–122 |date=12 March 2012 |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017204604/https://books.google.com/books?id=x7TcS_wW11wC&pg=PA118 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |isbn=978-0-8223-5204-4 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

There are seven border crossings between Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cyprus-travel-secrets.com/cyprus-border-crossings.html |title=Cyprus Border Crossings |publisher=Cyprus Travel Secrets |access-date=6 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304230512/http://www.cyprus-travel-secrets.com/cyprus-border-crossings.html |archive-date=4 March 2012 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Since May 2004 some tourists have taken to flying to the Republic of Cyprus directly then crossing the green line to holiday in Northern Cyprus.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/northamerica/usa/732241/On-the-case-non-existent-flight-Northern-Cyprus-children-in-the-Algarve-Cannes.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |title=On the case: non-existent flight; Northern Cyprus; children in the Algarve; Cannes |first=Gill |last=Charlton |date=5 February 2005 |access-date=22 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023065110/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/northamerica/usa/732241/On-the-case-non-existent-flight-Northern-Cyprus-children-in-the-Algarve-Cannes.html |archive-date=23 October 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref>{{update inline|date=January 2015}}

On 21 September 2011, [[Turkey]] and Northern Cyprus signed an EEZ border agreement in New York.<ref>[http://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2012/07/20120712-3.htm Official Gazette] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920075416/http://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2012/07/20120712-3.htm |date=20 September 2013}} 12 July 2012</ref><ref>[http://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2012/10/20121010-3-1.pdf Official Gazette] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023001430/http://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2012/10/20121010-3-1.pdf |date=23 October 2013}} EEZ Border (Page 4)</ref>

In October 2012, Northern Cyprus became an observer member of the [[Economic Cooperation Organization]] under the name "Turkish Cypriot State". In November 2022, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was admitted to the [[Organization of Turkic States]] as observer member.<ref>{{cite news |title=TRNC admitted to Organisation of Turkic States as observer member |url=https://www.trtworld.com/turkey/trnc-admitted-to-organisation-of-turkic-states-as-observer-member-62455 |access-date=11 November 2022 |date=11 November 2022}}</ref>

===Military===
{{main|Security Forces Command}}
[[File:Northern Cyprus Republic Day parade 2007 2.JPG|thumb|right|[[Turkish Cypriot]] soldiers of the [[Security Forces Command]] perform during a Republic Day parade.]]
The Security Forces Command consists of an 8,000 strong force primarily made up of conscripted Turkish Cypriot males between the ages of 18 and 40.{{citation needed|date=January 2013}} There is also an additional reserve force which consists of about 10,000 first-line and 16,000 second-line troops conscripted up to the age of 50. The [[Security Forces Command]] is lightly armed and heavily dependent on its mainland Turkish allies, from which it draws much of its officer corps.<ref name="SolstenDivision1993">{{cite book|author1=Eric Solsten|author2=Library of Congress. Federal Research Division|title=Cyprus, a country study|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5UuFAAAAIAAJ|year=1993|publisher=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress|isbn=978-0-8444-0752-4|page=232|quote=Although legally separate from the Turkish Army on the island, the Turkish Cypriot Security Force was believed to remain under the de facto operational control of the Turkish forces. It also depended on Turkey for training and equipment. Most of its officers were regular Turkish Army officers on secondment.|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905234346/https://books.google.com/books?id=5UuFAAAAIAAJ|archive-date=5 September 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It is led by a Brigadier General drawn from the Turkish Army. It acts essentially as a [[gendarmerie]] charged with protection of the border of Northern Cyprus from Greek Cypriot incursions and maintaining internal security within Northern Cyprus.<ref name="janes">"Cyprus." ''Jane's Sentinel: Eastern Mediterranean'', issue 22, 2007.</ref>

In addition, the mainland [[Turkish Armed Forces]] maintains the [[Cyprus Turkish Peace Force]] which consists of around 30,000–40,000 troops drawn from the 9th Turkish Army Corps and comprising two divisions, the 28th and 39th. It is equipped with a substantial number of [[US]]-made [[M48 Patton#Turkish variants|M48 Patton]] [[main battle tanks]] and artillery weapons. The [[Turkish Air Force]], [[Turkish Navy]] and [[Turkish Coast Guard]] also have a presence in Northern Cyprus. Although formally part of Turkish 4th Army, headquartered in İzmir, the sensitivities of the Cyprus situation means that the commander of the [[Cyprus Turkish Peace Force]] also reports directly to the Turkish General Staff in [[Ankara]]. The [[Cyprus Turkish Peace Force]] is deployed principally along the [[Green Line (Cyprus)|Green Line]] and in locations where hostile amphibious landings might take place.<ref name="janes"/>

The presence of the mainland Turkish military in Cyprus is highly controversial, having been denounced as an occupation force by the Republic of Cyprus and the international community. Several [[United Nations Security Council]] resolutions have called on the Turkish forces to withdraw.<ref name="autogenerated2">UN Security Council resolutions 353, 357, 358, 359, 360, and 365, all from 1974.</ref>

===Human rights ===
{{Main|Human rights in Northern Cyprus}}
[[File:Nicosia 01-2017 img33 AtatuerkSquare.jpg|thumb|left|The law courts building in [[North Nicosia]]]]
In January 2011, ''The Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the question of Human Rights in Cyprus'' noted that the ongoing division of Cyprus continues to affect human rights throughout the island "including freedom of movement, human rights pertaining to the question of missing persons, discrimination, the right to life, freedom of religion, and economic, social and cultural rights."<ref name=ohchr>{{cite web |url=http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/16session/A-HRC-16-21.pdf |title=Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the question of human rights in Cyprus : 16th Session, Human Rights Council, United Nations |date=7 January 2011 |publisher=[[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731132114/http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/16session/A-HRC-16-21.pdf |archive-date=31 July 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

[[Freedom House]] has classified the perceived level of democratic and political freedom in Northern Cyprus as "free" since 2000 in its ''[[Freedom in the World (report)|Freedom in the World]]'' report.<ref name=freeh>{{cite web |url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/images/File/fiw/FIW%202011%20Booklet_1_11_11.pdf |title=Freedom in the World 2011 Report |publisher=[[Freedom House]] |page=29 |access-date=24 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516054243/http://www.freedomhouse.org/images/File/fiw/FIW%202011%20Booklet_1_11_11.pdf |archive-date=16 May 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FIW2014%20Booklet.pdf |title=Freedom in the World 2014 |publisher=[[Freedom House]] |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214141151/http://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FIW2014%20Booklet.pdf |archive-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The 2016 ranking was "free" with the scores (1: most free, 7: least free) political rights: 2/7, civil liberties: 2/7 and aggregate score: 79/100.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FH_FITW_Report_2016.pdf |publisher=[[Freedom House]] |title=FH_FITW_Report_2016.pdf |work=Freedom in the World in 2016 |page=24 |access-date=30 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205095411/https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FH_FITW_Report_2016.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Reporters Without Borders]]' World Press Freedom Index ranked Northern Cyprus 76th among 180 countries in 2015.<ref>[http://index.rsf.org/#!/ Reporters Without Borders] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030005204/http://index.rsf.org/#!/ |date=30 October 2015 }} 2015 World Freedom Index</ref>

The [[Enclaved Greek Cypriots|Greek Cypriot]] and [[Maronite Cypriots|Maronite]] communities, numbering 343 and 118 respectively as of 2014, are denied the right to vote in presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections or run for office. Maronites do elect [[mukhtar|the leader of their village]], whilst Greek Cypriots have two appointed leaders, one by the Turkish Cypriot government and the other by the Republic of Cyprus.<ref name=tchrf>{{cite web |url=http://www.ktihv.org/Eng/content/view/43/13/ |title=Overview of the Human Rights Situation in North Cyprus |publisher=Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Foundation |date=14 January 2009 |access-date=25 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727003221/http://www.ktihv.org/Eng/content/view/43/13/ |archive-date=27 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kuzey Kıbrıs'ta Hıristiyanlar yarı vatandaş |date=May 2015 |trans-title=Christians in Northern Cyprus |url=http://www.agos.com.tr/tr/yazi/10146/kuzey-kibrista-hiristiyanlar-yari-vatandas |publisher=Agos |access-date=18 May 2015 |language=tr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628221703/http://www.agos.com.tr/tr/yazi/10146/kuzey-kibrista-hiristiyanlar-yari-vatandas |archive-date=28 June 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

World Happiness Report 2016 of United Nations' Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) ranked Northern Cyprus 62nd among 157 countries.<ref>[http://5c28efcb768db11c7204-4ffd2ff276d22135df4d1a53ae141422.r82.cf5.rackcdn.com/HR-V1_web.pdf UN SDSN World Happiness Report 2016] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318091325/http://5c28efcb768db11c7204-4ffd2ff276d22135df4d1a53ae141422.r82.cf5.rackcdn.com/HR-V1_web.pdf |date=18 March 2016 }} Figure 2.2. Renking of Happiness</ref> Gallup Healthways Well-Being Index of 2014 ranked Northern Cyprus 49th among 145 countries.<ref>[http://info.healthways.com/hubfs/Well-Being_Index/2014_Data/Gallup-Healthways_State_of_Global_Well-Being_2014_Country_Rankings.pdf Gallup Healthways Well-Being Index] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701191916/http://info.healthways.com/hubfs/Well-Being_Index/2014_Data/Gallup-Healthways_State_of_Global_Well-Being_2014_Country_Rankings.pdf |date=1 July 2015 }} 2014</ref>

Northern Cyprus received 153 asylum applications during 2011–2014 according to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).<ref>[http://www.unhcr.org/551128679.html UNHCR] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520215021/http://www.unhcr.org/551128679.html |date=20 May 2015 }} UNHCR Asylum Trend 2014, p. 21</ref>

==Economy==
{{main|Economy of Northern Cyprus}}
[[File:Kyrenia 01-2017 img04 view from castle bastion.jpg|thumb|[[Kyrenia]] (Girne) is one of the main tourist resorts in Northern Cyprus. Tourism is one of the dominant sectors of the Northern Cyprus' economy.]]
The economy of Northern Cyprus is dominated by the services sector (69% of GDP in 2007) which includes the public sector, trade, tourism and education. The revenues gained by the education sector in 2011 was $400 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zaman.com.tr/yazar.do?yazino=1175178&title=isadamlari-kuzey-kibrisa-cikarma-yapti |title=Zaman Yazarları |publisher=Zaman.com.tr |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107113550/http://www.zaman.com.tr/yazar.do?yazino=1175178&title=isadamlari-kuzey-kibrisa-cikarma-yapti |archive-date=7 November 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref> Industry (light manufacturing) contributes 22% of GDP and agriculture 9%.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cyprus/ |title=The World Factbook |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |location=United States |access-date=14 February 2014 |df=dmy-all |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109202203/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cyprus/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The economy of Northern Cyprus is based on a [[free market]] approach<ref>{{cite web|title=Why Northern Cyprus|url=http://www.investinnorthcyprus.org/economyinnortherncyprus.html|publisher=TRNC Investment Development Agency|access-date=3 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321000826/http://www.investinnorthcyprus.org/economyinnortherncyprus.html|archive-date=21 March 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and it became the top country in Europe in entrepreneurial intent to start a new business in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/177644/entrepreneurial-plans-highest-sub-saharan-africa.aspx|title=Gallup World (01 October 2014)|author=Gallup, Inc.|date=October 2014 |access-date=1 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006091947/http://www.gallup.com/poll/177644/entrepreneurial-plans-highest-sub-saharan-africa.aspx|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Economic development is adversely affected by the continuing Cyprus problem. Northern Cyprus is under an [[Embargo against Northern Cyprus|international embargo]] as the Republic of Cyprus, as the internationally recognised authority, has declared airports and ports in the area not under its effective control closed. All UN member states other than Turkey respect the closure of those ports and airports.<ref>{{cite book|first=Frank |last=Hoffmeister|title=Legal Aspects of the Cyprus Problem: Annan Plan And EU Accession|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LZXbg3ZwvGoC&pg=PA218|year=2006|publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers|isbn=90-04-15223-7|page=218}}</ref> As a result, Northern Cyprus is heavily dependent on Turkish economic support,<ref name=indepuni>{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/higher/universities-little-accord-on-the-island-399360.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Universities: Little accord on the island | date=8 November 2007 | access-date=20 May 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124001515/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/higher/universities-little-accord-on-the-island-399360.html | archive-date=24 January 2009 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref> and is still dependent on monetary transfers from the Turkish government.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>

Northern Cyprus uses the [[Turkish lira]] as legal tender rather than the [[euro]], which links its economy to that of Turkey. Since the Republic of Cyprus joined the [[Eurozone]] and the movement of peoples between the north and south has become more free, the euro is also in wide circulation.{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}} Exports and imports have to go via Turkey;<ref>{{cite web|title=Doing business in Cyprus: Cyprus trade and export guide|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/exporting-to-cyprus/exporting-to-cyprus|publisher=UK Trade and Investment|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017204604/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/exporting-to-cyprus/exporting-to-cyprus|archive-date=17 October 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> while the European Union promised an opening up of the ports after the Annan plan; this was blocked by the Republic of Cyprus and exporting through the south, while technically possible, remains impractical.<ref name=bryant>{{cite web|last1=Bryant|first1=Rebecca|title=The victory of Mustafa Akıncı in northern Cyprus gives hope to Turkish Cypriots of a better future|date=5 May 2015 |url=http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/greeceatlse/2015/05/05/the-victory-of-mustafa-akinci-in-northern-cyprus-gives-hope-to-turkish-cypriots-of-a-better-future/|publisher=Greece at LSE|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717012544/http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/greeceatlse/2015/05/05/the-victory-of-mustafa-akinci-in-northern-cyprus-gives-hope-to-turkish-cypriots-of-a-better-future/|archive-date=17 July 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Despite the constraints imposed by the lack of international recognition, the nominal GDP growth rates of the economy in 2001–2005 were 5.4%, 6.9%, 11.4%, 15.4% and 10.6%, respectively.<ref name="Oxford">{{cite web|url=http://www.tepav.org.tr/tur/admin/dosyabul/upload/oxfordbgdoc.pdf|title=Cyprus after Accession: Thinking Outside the Box – Background Documents, University of Oxford, European Studies Centre, Workshop on Cyprus 10–11 March 2006|publisher=Tepav.org.tr|access-date=14 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512154605/http://www.tepav.org.tr/tur/admin/dosyabul/upload/oxfordbgdoc.pdf|archive-date=12 May 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=Unistar>{{cite web |url=http://www.cyprus-properties.com/cyprus/general.htm |title=North Cyprus – TRNC information |publisher=Cyprus-properties.com |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318012308/http://cyprus-properties.com/cyprus/general.htm |archive-date=18 March 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The real GDP growth rate in 2007 was estimated at 2%.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> This growth has been buoyed by the relative stability of the Turkish Lira and a boom in the education and construction sectors. Between 2002 and 2007, [[gross national product]] per capita more than tripled, from US$4,409 in 2002 to US$16,158 (in current{{when?|date=June 2022}} U.S. dollars).<ref name=yb2006>{{cite web |url=http://www.devplan.org/Frame-eng.html |title=TRNC State Planning Organization |publisher=Devplan.org |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108124553/http://www.devplan.org/Frame-eng.html |archive-date=8 November 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The growth continued through the 2010s, with real growth rates of 3.7%, 3.9%, 1.8% and 1.1% respectively in 2010–2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tablo −3 Reel Growth Rate|url=http://www.devplan.org/GSMH/En/GNP-03.pdf|publisher=TRNC State Planning Organization|access-date=3 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407222639/http://www.devplan.org/GSMH/En/GNP-03.pdf|archive-date=7 April 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The unemployment rate declined through the 2010s and was at 8.3% in 2014.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160108225108/http://www.devplan.org/Ecosos/BOOK/SEG-2014.pdf TRNC SPO] Economic and Social Indicators 2014, p.3</ref>

In 2011, North Cyprus sold electricity to the Republic of Cyprus following an [[Evangelos Florakis Naval Base explosion|explosion]] in the southern part of the island which affected a large power station.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/power-boost-north-cyprus/20110717 |access-date=18 July 2011 |title=Power boost North Cyprus}}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The [[Northern Cyprus Water Supply Project]], completed in 2015, is aimed at delivering water for drinking and irrigation from southern Turkey via a pipeline under the Mediterranean Sea.<ref name="dsi">{{cite web |url=http://www.dsi.gov.tr/projeler/kktc-su-temin-projesi |publisher=DSİ |title=KKTC'ye Su Temin Projesi |language=tr |access-date=11 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003011852/http://www.dsi.gov.tr/projeler/kktc-su-temin-projesi |archive-date=3 October 2012 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

International telephone calls are routed via a Turkish [[country calling code|dialling code]] ([[+90|+90 392]]) as Northern Cyprus has neither its own country code nor official [[ITU prefix]].{{citation needed|date=October 2015}} Similarly with the internet Northern Cyprus has no [[ccTLD|top level domain]] of its own and is under the Turkish second-level domain [[.nc.tr]]. Items of mail must be addressed 'via Mersin 10, TURKEY' as the [[Universal Postal Union]] does not recognise Northern Cyprus as a separate entity.<ref name="Office2010">{{cite book|author=Great BritainForeign and Commonwealth Office|title=Sixth additional protocol to the constitution of the Universal Postal Union, General Regulations of the Universal Postal Union, Declarations made on signature of the Acts, Constitution of the Universal Postal Union, Rules and Procedures of Congresses, Universal Postal Convention with Final Protocol, and Postal Payment Services Agreement: Beijing, 15 September 1999|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bZ7wh-1wSi8C&pg=PA35|date=9 November 2010|publisher=The Stationery Office|isbn=978-0-10-179702-3|page=35|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906003302/https://books.google.com/books?id=bZ7wh-1wSi8C&pg=PA35|archive-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Maric2009">{{cite book|author=Vesna Maric|title=Cyprus|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6BKlnz-TResC&pg=PA229|year=2009|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=978-1-74104-803-2|page=229|quote=to any of these addresses in Northern Cyprus, ensure that you use the suffix 'Mersin 10, Turkey', not 'Northern Cyprus'.|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906003544/https://books.google.com/books?id=6BKlnz-TResC&pg=PA229|archive-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Amateur radio]] operators sometimes use [[callsign]]s beginning with "1B", but these have no standing for awards or other operating credit.

===Tourism===
{{Main|Tourism in Northern Cyprus}}
[[File:Kyrenia Harbour Panorama, North Cyprus.jpg|thumb|centre|1090px|Panoramic view of the Kyrenia Harbour, with the [[Republic of Venice|Venetian]]-era [[Kyrenia Castle]] on the far left, and the [[Kyrenia Mountains]] in the background]]
Tourism is considered one of the driving sectors of the Turkish Cypriot economy. The country received over 1.1 million tourists in 2012,<ref name=turanket>{{cite web|title=Çıkış yapan turistlerin ilçe ve konaklama türüne göre dağılımı|url=http://www.devplan.org/Turizm/tablo-9.pdf|publisher=TRNC State Planning Organization|access-date=12 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105011519/http://www.devplan.org/Turizm/tablo-9.pdf|archive-date=5 January 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> when hotels and restaurants generated an income of $328 million<ref name=secgdp>{{cite web|title=Sectoral Distribution of GDP and GNP|url=http://www.devplan.org/GSYIH/GDP_2010-2012.pdf|publisher=TRNC State Planning Organization|access-date=12 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523133238/http://www.devplan.org/GSYIH/GDP_2010-2012.pdf|archive-date=23 May 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and constituted 8.5% of the GDP.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sectoral distribution of Gross Domestic Product|url=http://www.devplan.org/GSMH/En/GNP-04.pdf|publisher=TRNC State Planning Organization|access-date=12 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017204605/http://www.devplan.org/GSMH/En/GNP-04.pdf|archive-date=17 October 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Accommodation and catering created more than 10,000 jobs in the same year.<ref>{{cite web|title=2012 Yili Genel Sanayi̇ Ve İşyerleri̇ Sayimi|url=http://www.devplan.org/Anketler/genel%20sanayi.pdf|publisher=TRNC State Planning Organization|access-date=12 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105010600/http://www.devplan.org/Anketler/genel%20sanayi.pdf|archive-date=5 January 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The tourism sector has seen great development in the 2000s and 2010s, with the number of tourists more than doubling, increased investment and hotel construction; official estimates of income derived from tourism were around 700 million US dollars in 2013 and the total bed capacity was estimated to be around 20,000.<ref name=tgbakan>{{cite web|title=KKTC Turizm Bakanı, ülkedeki hangi otel yatırımlarına tam not verdi?|url=http://www.turizmguncel.com/haber/kktc-turizm-bakani-ulkedeki-hangi-otel-yatirimlarina-tam-not-verdi-h14392.html|publisher=Turizm Güncel|access-date=12 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017204605/http://www.turizmguncel.com/haber/kktc-turizm-bakani-ulkedeki-hangi-otel-yatirimlarina-tam-not-verdi-h14392.html|archive-date=17 October 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

[[File:Casino in Girne (Nord-Cypern) 2003.jpg|thumb|Casino tourism is one of the major sectors of the North Cyprus economy.]]
Kyrenia is considered the capital of tourism in Northern Cyprus, with its numerous hotels, entertainment facilities, vibrant nightlife and shopping areas.<ref>{{cite web|title=Şehirler ve Görülecek Yerler|url=http://www.neu.edu.tr/tr/node/486?page=0,1|publisher=Near East University|access-date=9 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110013137/http://www.neu.edu.tr/tr/node/486?page=0,1|archive-date=10 January 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 2012, 62.7% of the visitors in Northern Cyprus stayed in the [[Girne District]] during their visit.<ref name=turanket/> Out of the 145 hotels in Northern Cyprus, 99 were in the Girne District in 2013.<ref name=tgbakan/>

Northern Cyprus has traditionally been an attraction for beach holidays, partly thanks to its reputation as an unspoiled area. Its mild climate, rich history and nature are seen as sources of attraction. A significant sector of [[eco-tourism]] has been developed in Northern Cyprus, as tourists visit it for bird watching, cycling, walking and observing flowers in the wild. It is praised for its relative safety, and especially for the [[Karpass Peninsula]], its well-preservation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cyprus: Bordering on splendid isolation|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/cyprus-bordering-on-splendid-isolation-9675963.html|work=The Independent|date=18 August 2014|access-date=12 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827025608/http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/cyprus-bordering-on-splendid-isolation-9675963.html|archive-date=27 August 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The peninsula is home to several sorts of tourism: it hosts the [[Vokolida|Bafra]] Tourism Area as a center for beach-goers, where four luxurious and large hotels were built until 2014, several facilities and regular festivals that highlight its rural qualities and exhibit local traditions, a remote natural park, the [[Kantara Castle]] attracting sightseers, and a marina that was built to host international yachts and boats, along with large facilities.<ref>{{cite web|title=Karpaz Bölgesi Yerel Kalkınma Stretejisi|url=http://www.eucoordination.org/docs/karpaz_TR.pdf|publisher=EU Coordination Committee of Northern Cyprus|access-date=13 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209115953/http://eucoordination.org/docs/karpaz_TR.pdf|archive-date=9 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Casino tourism has also grown to become a significant contribution to the economy in Northern Cyprus. They were first opened in the 1990s, and have since become very popular with visitors from Turkey and the rest of the island, where casinos are banned. This has led to huge investments in the casino sector.<ref name=ertr>{{cite web|title=Trends in Tourism in North Cyprus: A Historical Perspective|url=http://ertr.tamu.edu/files/2012/09/175_a-5-2-3.pdf|publisher=Review of Tourism Research|access-date=12 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811143845/http://ertr.tamu.edu/files/2012/09/175_a-5-2-3.pdf|archive-date=11 August 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> However, the sector has been criticised due to claims of its lack of benefits for the small and middle-scale business and shop owners.<ref>{{cite web|title=Girne esnafından ekonomi isyanı: "Yetkililer acil önlem almalı"|url=http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/50/news/55885|publisher=Kıbrıs Postası|access-date=9 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110030302/http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/50/news/55885|archive-date=10 January 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The "nightclubs" that have been established for [[prostitution]] attract [[sex tourism]] to Northern Cyprus and the industry has been described as a "civilized one", despite the sex workers being described as "vulnerable to abuse".<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Cansel|title=Sex Tourism in Northern Cyprus: Investigating the Current Situation|issue=5|pages=677–689|url=https://www.academia.edu/348274|journal=Tourism Analysis|year=2009|volume=14|doi=10.3727/108354209X12597959359374|access-date=12 January 2015|display-authors=etal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107170141/http://www.academia.edu/348274/Sex_Tourism_in_Northern_Cyprus_Investigating_the_Current_Situation|archive-date=7 January 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all| issn=1083-5423 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sex Work and State Regulations in North Cyprus|url=http://web.pdx.edu/~leopoldo/ncsexwork.pdf|publisher=Portland State University|access-date=12 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052920/http://web.pdx.edu/~leopoldo/ncsexwork.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Infrastructure===
{{Anchor|Communications and transport|Transport}}
[[File:Ercan Airport North Cyprus 005.JPG|thumb|The [[Ercan International Airport]] serves as the main port of entry into Northern Cyprus.]]
The share of the transport and communications industry in the GDP of Northern Cyprus is constantly varying; it decreased from 12.1% in 2008 to 8.5% in 2011, but rose again to 9.3% in 2012.<ref name=secgdp/>

Air transport is a major route of entry into Northern Cyprus. The country is home to two airports, the [[Ercan International Airport]] and the [[Geçitkale Air Base|Geçitkale Airport]], of which only Ercan is currently{{when?|date=June 2022}} functioning.<ref name=cypnet>{{cite web|title=Transport and Communications|url=http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/economy/econ06.htm|publisher=Cypnet|access-date=13 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016043731/http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/economy/econ06.htm|archive-date=16 October 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Ercan airport saw an important renovation in the 2010s that greatly increased its passenger traffic, it was used by 1.76 million passengers in the first seven months of 2014 alone.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ercan'a gelip giden yolcu ve uçak sayısı arttı|url=http://www.kibrisgazetesi.com/?p=511405|publisher=Kıbrıs|access-date=13 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501031527/http://www.kibrisgazetesi.com/?p=511405|archive-date=1 May 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Non-stop flights are only available from multiple points in Turkey through a number of Turkish carriers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ercan Havalimanına Uçan Havayolları|url=http://www.ercanhavalimanirentacar.com/ercan-havaliman%C4%B1na-u%C3%A7an-havayollar%C4%B1.html|publisher=Ercan Rent A Car|access-date=13 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210074402/http://ercanhavalimanirentacar.com/ercan-havaliman%C4%B1na-u%C3%A7an-havayollar%C4%B1.html|archive-date=10 February 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Direct flight|Direct]] scheduled and [[charter flight]]s take place from other countries, but with mandatory stopovers in Turkey. 600 charter flights were scheduled for 2013. Scheduled destinations include cities such as [[London]] and [[Manchester]],<ref>{{cite web|title=General Information|url=http://www.flyercan.com/#!airport-info/ced2|publisher=Ercan Airport|access-date=13 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119200440/http://www.flyercan.com/#!airport-info/ced2|archive-date=19 January 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> while charter flight destinations include cities such as [[Berlin]]<ref>{{cite web|title=KKTC'ye yıllar sonra ilk charter seferi|url=http://www.yachtlifetravel.net/kktc%E2%80%99ye-yillar-sonra-ilk-charter-seferi.html|publisher=Yacht Life and Travel|access-date=13 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503105521/http://www.yachtlifetravel.net/kktc%E2%80%99ye-yillar-sonra-ilk-charter-seferi.html|archive-date=3 May 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and [[Ljubljana]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Cijene uključuju|url=http://www.azurtours.hr/downloads/cjenik_salamis_bay_conti.pdf|publisher=Azur Tours|access-date=13 January 2015|quote=Cijene uključuju: povratnu zrakoplovnu kartu Ljubljana-Ercan-Ljubljana|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404112432/https://azurtours.hr/downloads/cjenik_salamis_bay_conti.pdf|archive-date=4 April 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Direct flights to Northern Cyprus and the trade traffic through the Northern Cypriot ports are restricted as part of the embargo on Northern Cypriot ports.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6216498.stm |work=BBC News |title=Turkey 'will open up to Cyprus' |date=7 December 2006 |access-date=20 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930030549/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6216498.stm |archive-date=30 September 2009 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The airports of [[Geçitkale airport|Geçitkale]] and [[Ercan airport|Ercan]] are only recognised as legal ports of entry by Turkey and [[Azerbaijan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.northcyprusonline.com/North-Cyprus-Online-How-to-Visit-Air.php |title=North Cyprus Airport, Ercan, Larnaca, Cheap Flights Northern Cyprus |publisher=Northcyprusonline.com |access-date=17 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118073814/http://www.northcyprusonline.com/North-Cyprus-Online-How-to-Visit-Air.php |archive-date=18 November 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Direct charter flights between [[Poland]] and North Cyprus started on 20 June 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brtk.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29866:first-charter-flight-from-polish-capital-warsaw-to-the-ercan-airport-was-realized-last-night&catid=5:kktc&Itemid=28 |title=BRT |publisher=Brtk.net |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222221554/http://www.brtk.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29866:first-charter-flight-from-polish-capital-warsaw-to-the-ercan-airport-was-realized-last-night&catid=5:kktc&Itemid=28 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The seaports in [[Famagusta]] and [[Kyrenia]] have been declared closed to all shipping by the Republic of Cyprus since 1974.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csa-cy.org/closed%20ports.htm |title=Merchant Shipping |publisher=Csa-cy.org |access-date=17 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117083259/http://www.csa-cy.org/closed%20ports.htm |archive-date=17 January 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> By agreement between Northern Cyprus and [[Syria]], there was a ship tour between Famagusta and [[Latakia]], Syria before the outbreak of the [[Syrian Civil War]]. Since the opening of the Green Line Turkish Cypriot residents are allowed to trade through ports recognized by the Republic of Cyprus.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmfaff/113/113ii.pdf |title=HC 113 II 04.05.PDF |access-date=17 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014164141/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmfaff/113/113ii.pdf |archive-date=14 October 2010 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

With the lack of a railway system, the country's highways are used for transport between major cities. In the 21st century, these highways were upgraded into [[dual carriageway]]s, with some roads in the Karpass area still being upgraded {{As of|2015|lc=y}}. Northern Cyprus has around {{convert|7,000|km|mi|abbr=off}} of roads, with two thirds of these roads paved.<ref name=cypnet/> Recent constructions included the construction of a Northern Coast Highway, which was hailed as a major incentive for economic development.<ref>{{cite web|title=Girne – Karpaz Yolu 50 Dakikaya İndi|url=http://www.haberkktc.com/haber/girne---karpaz-yolu-50-dakikaya-indi-7310.html|publisher=Haber KKTC|access-date=13 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318192507/http://www.haberkktc.com/haber/girne---karpaz-yolu-50-dakikaya-indi-7310.html|archive-date=18 March 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> 

The electricity grid is connected to the Republic of Cyprus,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Todorović |first=Igor |date=2022-07-05 |title=Turkish entity in Cyprus offers energy, water deal to government in Nicosia |url=https://balkangreenenergynews.com/turkish-entity-in-cyprus-offers-energy-water-deal-to-government-in-nicosia/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=Balkan Green Energy News |language=en-US}}</ref> and an interconnector with Turkey would decrease reliance on fossil fuels.<ref>{{Cite thesis|last=Rasheed |first=Ahmad |date=August 2019 |title=Feasibility analysis of Turkey-North Cyprus submarine electric interconnector cable including externalities |url=https://open.metu.edu.tr/handle/11511/69722 |journal= |publisher=Middle East Technical University |type=Master Thesis |language=tr}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{see also|Demographics of Cyprus|Turkish Cypriots|Mainland Turks in Northern Cyprus}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Ethnic groups of Northern Cyprus (2006 census)<ref>{{cite web |title=Tablo – 8 : Yaş Grubu, Milliyet ve Cinsiyete Göre Sürekli İkamet Eden (de-jure) KKTC Vatandaşı Nüfus. TOPLAM |url=http://nufussayimi.devplan.org/Nufus-nitelikleri_main.html |access-date=12 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314011919/http://nufussayimi.devplan.org/Nufus-nitelikleri_main.html |archive-date=14 March 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
|label1 = [[Turkish people|Turks]]
|value1 = 99.2
|color1 = MediumSeaGreen
|label2 = [[Greeks]]
|value2 = 0.2
|color2 = DarkOrchid
|label3 = [[English people|English]]
|value3 = 0.2
|color3 = DarkGray
|label4 = [[Maronites]]
|value4 = 0.1
|color4 = Silver
|label5 = Other
|value5 = 0.3
|color5 = YellowGreen
}}

[[File:Children in North Nicosia.jpg|thumb|left|Turkish Cypriot children in the walled part of North Nicosia]]

Northern Cyprus's first official census was performed in 1996. The population recorded was 200,587.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/1/col/97/art/9407/PageName/KIBRIS_POSTASI |title=Kıbrıslı Türkler Kaç Kişi – Kıbrıs Postası Gazetesi – Haber Merkezi |publisher=Kibrispostasi.com |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927025318/http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/1/col/97/art/9407/PageName/KIBRIS_POSTASI |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The second census, carried out in 2006, revealed the population of Northern Cyprus to be 265,100,<ref name=census2006>{{cite web|url=http://nufussayimi.devplan.org/Census%202006.pdf |title=Census.XLS |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116120824/http://nufussayimi.devplan.org/Census%202006.pdf |archive-date=16 January 2013 |df=dmy}}</ref> <!--<ref name=POPULATION>[http://nufussayimi.devplan.org/population%20%20and%20housing%20%20census.pdf The press statement of Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer on the tentative results of 2006 population and housing census (5 May 2006)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225001641/http://nufussayimi.devplan.org/population%20%20and%20housing%20%20census.pdf |date=25 February 2009}} Nüfus ve Konut Sayimi</ref>--> of which majority is composed of indigenous [[Turkish Cypriots]] (including [[Cypriot refugees|refugees from Southern Cyprus]]) and [[Mainland Turks in Northern Cyprus|settlers from Turkey]]. Of the 178,000 Turkish Cypriot citizens, 82% are native Cypriots (145,000). Of the 45,000 people born to non-Cypriot parentage, nearly 40% (17,000) were born in Cyprus. The figure for non-citizens, including students, guest workers and temporary residents stood at 78,000 people.<ref name=census2006/><ref>{{cite news |last=Bahceli |first=Simon |title=Indigenous Turkish Cypriots just over half north's population |url=http://cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=30725&cat_id=1 |publisher=[[Cyprus Mail]] |date=15 February 2007 |access-date=16 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930015114/http://cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=30725&cat_id=1 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy}}</ref>

The third official census of Northern Cyprus was carried out in 2011, made under the auspices of UN observers. It returned a total population of 294,906.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.devplan.org/Nufus-2011/nufus%20son_.pdf |title=Basin Bildirisi |publisher=Devplan.org |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927104440/http://www.devplan.org/Nufus-2011/nufus%20son_.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> These results were disputed by some political parties, labour unions and local newspapers. The government was accused of deliberately under-counting the population, after apparently giving an estimate of 700,000 before the census, in order to demand financial help from Turkey.<ref name=censusDoubts>{{cite news |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Census+in+north+marred+by+delays+and+doubts.-a0274211364 |newspaper=CyprusMail |date=6 December 2011 |access-date=6 April 2013 |title=Census in north marred by delays and doubts |quote=Top selling daily Kibris described the headcount as "controversial", while out-spoken left-wing daily Afrika dubbed it a "fiasco" |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022220149/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Census+in+north+marred+by+delays+and+doubts.-a0274211364 |archive-date=22 October 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=censusOverestimates>{{cite news |url=http://www.kibrisgazetesi.com/index.php/cat/2/news/129918/PageName/Ic_Haberler |newspaper=Kibris |date=13 December 2011 |access-date=23 December 2011 |title=TC'den para isterken 700 bin diyorlardı |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109192117/http://www.kibrisgazetesi.com/index.php/cat/2/news/129918/PageName/Ic_Haberler |archive-date=9 January 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=census2011>{{cite news |url=http://www.kibrisgazetesi.com/index.php/cat/2/news/129803/PageName/Ic_Haberler |newspaper=Kibris |date=11 December 2011 |access-date=23 December 2011 |title=Nifus sayımı gerçekçi değil |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108033749/http://www.kibrisgazetesi.com/index.php/cat/2/news/129803/PageName/Ic_Haberler |archive-date=8 January 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> One source claims that the population in the north has reached 500,000,<ref>{{cite book |last=Cole |first=Jeffrey |author-link=Jeffrey Cole |year=2011 |title=Ethnic Groups of Europe: An Encyclopedia |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-59884-302-6 |page=95}}</ref> split between 50% Turkish Cypriots and 50% Turkish settlers or Cypriot-born children of such settlers.<ref>{{cite book |last=Cole |first=Jeffrey |author-link=Jeffrey Cole |year=2011 |title=Ethnic Groups of Europe: An Encyclopedia |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-59884-302-6 |page=97}}</ref> Researcher Mete Hatay has written that such reports are "wildly speculative" and are picked up by opposition parties for political benefit, which resulted in reports in the south. Such reports have never been scientifically or statistically scrutinised, despite opportunities of opposition parties to do so using the electoral rolls in their possession, thereby continuing a "war of numbers".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hatay|first1=Mete|title=Is the Turkish Cypriot Population Shrinking?|url=http://file.prio.no/publication_files/Cyprus/Report%202007-2%20Is%20the%20Turkish%20Cypriot%20Population%20Shrinking.pdf|publisher=PRIO Cyprus Center|access-date=20 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220054745/http://file.prio.no/publication_files/Cyprus/Report%202007-2%20Is%20the%20Turkish%20Cypriot%20Population%20Shrinking.pdf|archive-date=20 February 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The Government of Northern Cyprus estimates that the 1983 population of Northern Cyprus was 155,521.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.devplan.org/Ecosos/EXCEL-ENG/sesco-eng.zip |title=?? |publisher=Devplan.org |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105022542/http://www.devplan.org/Ecosos/EXCEL-ENG/sesco-eng.zip |archive-date=5 November 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Estimates by the government of the [[Cyprus|Republic of Cyprus]] from 2001 place the population at 200,000, of which 80–89,000 are Turkish Cypriots and 109,000–117,000 are designated as Turkish settlers by the Republic of Cyprus.<ref name="Euromosaic">{{cite web |url= http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/lang/languages/langmin/euromosaic/cy_en.pdf |title= Quoted after the ''Euromosaic'' report, a study commissioned by the European Commission |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070616073825/http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/lang/languages/langmin/euromosaic/cy_en.pdf |archive-date= 16 June 2007 |df= dmy-all}}&nbsp;{{small|(120&nbsp;KB)}}</ref> An island-wide census in 1960 indicated the number of Turkish Cypriots as 102,000 and Greek Cypriots as 450,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-3458.html |title=Cyprus – Society |publisher=Country-data.com |access-date=17 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514185548/http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-3458.html |archive-date=14 May 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> {{As of|2005}}, the settlers constituted no more than 25% of the electorate in Northern Cyprus. The degree of the integration of mainland Turks to the Turkish Cypriot community varies; some identify as Turkish Cypriots and have culturally integrated, while some embrace a Turkish identity.<ref>Hatay, Mete (2005) [http://cyprus.prio.org/Publications/Publication/?x=1146 Beyond Numbers: An Inquiry into the Political Integration of the Turkish 'Settlers' in Northern Cyprus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906041622/https://cyprus.prio.org/Publications/Publication/?x=1146 |date=6 September 2015}}, PRIO Report, 4. Oslo/Nicosia: PRIO Cyprus Centre.</ref>

Northern Cyprus is almost entirely Turkish-speaking. English, however, is widely spoken as a second language.{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}

There are 644 [[Greek Cypriot]]s living in [[Rizokarpaso]] (Dipkarpaz) and 364 [[Maronites]] in [[Kormakitis]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nufussayimi.devplan.org/Nüfus%20Tabloları/Nitelikler/Tablo8.NITELIK.zip |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725232040/http://nufussayimi.devplan.org/N%C3%BCfus%20Tablolar%C4%B1/Nitelikler/Tablo8.NITELIK.zip |title=Please, add title |archive-date=25 July 2011}}</ref> 162,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/embassies/berlinembassy.nsf/DMLcyquest_de/DMLcyquest_de?Opendocument|title=Botschaft der Republik Zypern in Berlin – Zypernfrage|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201143454/http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/embassies/berlinembassy.nsf/DMLcyquest_de/DMLcyquest_de?Opendocument|archive-date=1 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Greek Cypriots were forcibly evicted from their homes in the North by the invading force of the Turkish army.<ref name="Denver journal of international law and policy">{{cite book|title=Denver journal of international law and policy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tm9LAQAAIAAJ|year=1993|quote=The invasion of Cyprus by Turkish troops in 1974 resulted in the widespread eviction and population transfer of 162,000 Greek Cypriots from their homes in the northern part of Cyprus. In Cyprus v. Turkey, the European Commission on ..|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906002727/https://books.google.com/books?id=Tm9LAQAAIAAJ|archive-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Mallinson2011">{{cite book|author=William Mallinson|title=Britain and Cyprus: Key Themes and Documents since World War II|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DJJ1tbJXFKIC&pg=PA8|date=15 February 2011|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=978-1-84885-456-7|page=8|quote=Around 180,000 Greek Cypriots had been expelled from their homes and fled to the unoccupied part of the island, with another 20,000 being "encouraged" to flee later.|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906002049/https://books.google.com/books?id=DJJ1tbJXFKIC&pg=PA8|archive-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="HörnerDöbert2006">{{cite book|author1=Wolfgang Hörner|author2=Hans Döbert|author3=Botho von Kopp|author4=Wolfgang Mitter|title=The Education Systems of Europe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FI5hZqm2_0MC&pg=PA202|date=19 December 2006|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-4020-4868-5|page=202|quote=Turkish settlers and military personnel, estimated at 85,000 and 40,000 respectively, who have moved into the Turkish-occupied areas since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. At that time one third of the Greek population (about 200,000 persons) was expelled from their homes in the northern part of the island and forced to resettle in the southern areas.|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906000013/https://books.google.com/books?id=FI5hZqm2_0MC&pg=PA202|archive-date=6 September 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Rizokarpaso is the home of the biggest Greek-speaking population in the north. The Greek-Cypriot inhabitants are still supplied by the UN, and Greek-Cypriot products are consequently available in some shops.{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}
{{Largest cities
| country      = Northern Cyprus
| stat_ref     = [http://www.devplan.org/Nufus-2011/nufus%20ikinci_.pdf TRNC 2011 Population and Housing Census]
| list_by_pop  = 
| div_name     = District
| div_link     =

|city_1 = North Nicosia
|div_1 = Lefkoşa District{{!}}Lefkoşa 
|pop_1 = 61,378
|img_1 = Nicosia 01-2017 img22 View from Shacolas Tower.jpg

|city_2 = Famagusta
|div_2 = Gazimağusa District{{!}}Gazimağusa
|pop_2 = 40,920
|img_2 = St. Nikolaos Mustafa- Pascha-Moschee C.jpg

|city_3 = Kyrenia
|div_3 = Girne District{{!}}Girne
|pop_3 = 33,207
|img_3 = Bellapais - Blick auf Kyrenia.jpg

|city_4 = Morphou
|div_4 = Güzelyurt District{{!}}Güzelyurt 
|pop_4 = 18,946
|img_4 = Morphou orange monument.jpg

|city_5 = Gönyeli
|div_5 = Lefkoşa District{{!}}Lefkoşa
|pop_5 = 17,277

|city_6 = Kythrea
|div_6 = Lefkoşa District{{!}}Lefkoşa
|pop_6 = 11,895

|city_7 = Lefka
|div_7 = Lefke District{{!}}Lefke
|pop_7 = 11,091

|city_8 = Dikomo
|div_8 = Girne District{{!}}Girne
|pop_8 = 9,120

|city_9 = Trikomo, Cyprus{{!}}Trikomo
|div_9 = İskele District{{!}}İskele
|pop_9 = 7,906

|city_10 = Lapithos
|div_10 = Girne District{{!}}Girne
|pop_10 = 7,839
}}

===Religion===
{{Main|Religion in Northern Cyprus}}
{{Further|Religion in Cyprus|Islam in Cyprus}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Northern Cyprus Religions<ref name="BoyleSheen2013">{{cite book|author1=Kevin Boyle|author2=Juliet Sheen|title=Freedom of Religion and Belief: A World Report|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JxgFWwK8dXwC&pg=PA290|year=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-72229-7|page=290|access-date=23 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225020010/https://books.google.com/books?id=JxgFWwK8dXwC&pg=PA290|archive-date=25 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|label1 = Islam
|value1 =99
|color1 = green
|label2 = other
|value2 =1
|color2 =gray
}}

[[File:Arabahmet Mosque, Nicosia, Cyprus 03.jpg|thumb|right|[[Arab Ahmet Mosque]] in [[North Nicosia]]]]
The majority of Turkish Cypriots (99%) are [[Sunni Muslims]].<ref name="BoyleSheen2013"/> Northern Cyprus is a secular state.<ref>{{Harvnb|Darke|2009|loc=10}}.</ref> Alcohol is frequently consumed within the community and most Turkish Cypriot women do not cover their heads; however headscarves are still worn on occasion by public figures as a symbol of the inhabitants' Turkish culture, or simply as a conservative form of dress.<ref name="BoyleSheen2013"/> However, some religious traditions still play a role within the community. Turkish Cypriot males are generally [[Religious male circumcision|circumcised]] in accordance with religious beliefs.<ref>{{Harvnb|Nevzat|Hatay|2009|loc=911}}.</ref>

===Education===
{{Main|Education in Northern Cyprus}}
[[File:Girne Amerikan Üniversitesi Kampüs.JPG|left|thumb|[[Girne American University]] in [[Kyrenia]], Northern Cyprus]]
The education system in Northern Cyprus consists of pre-school education, primary education, secondary education and higher education. Five years of primary education is mandatory.

Higher Education Planning Evaluation Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK) of Northern Cyprus is a member of International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.inqaahe.org/members/member-detail.php?membertype=o&memberID=647&submitted=1&geomap=&membership_type=2&contactname=&agencyname=&countryID=0&orderby= |title=Member profile |publisher=Inqaahe |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823151220/http://www.inqaahe.org/members/member-detail.php?membertype=o&memberID=647&submitted=1&geomap=&membership_type=2&contactname=&agencyname=&countryID=0&orderby= |archive-date=23 August 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In 2013 there were 63,765 university students from 114 countries in nine universities in Northern Cyprus. In 2014, the number of students increased to 70,004, (15,210 Turkish Cypriots; 36,148 from Turkey; 18,646 international students):<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/17/world/europe/students-flock-to-universities-in-northern-cyprus.html?ref=internationaleducation |title=Students Flock to Universities in Northern Cyprus |work=The New York Times |date=16 February 2014 |access-date=16 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310184546/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/17/world/europe/students-flock-to-universities-in-northern-cyprus.html?ref=internationaleducation |archive-date=10 March 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all |last1=Güsten |first1=Susanne }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.studyinnorthcyprus.org |title=Study in North Cyprus |publisher=Studyinnorthcyprus.org |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202160115/http://www.studyinnorthcyprus.org/ |archive-date=2 February 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>[http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/91/news/145210/PageName/EGITIM Kibris Postasi 24 October 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025004307/http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/91/news/145210/PageName/EGITIM |date=25 October 2014 }} 70,000 students enrolled to the universities</ref> [[Near East University]] (NEU),<ref name="neu.edu.tr">{{cite web|url=http://www.neu.edu.tr|title=Kıbrıs Yakın Doğu Üniversitesi|access-date=1 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826081757/http://www.neu.edu.tr/|archive-date=26 August 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="mastersportal.eu">{{cite web|url=http://www.mastersportal.eu/universities/9264/near-east-university.html|title=Near East University – Mercin – Turkey – MastersPortal.eu|work=MastersPortal.eu|access-date=1 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006081011/http://www.mastersportal.eu/universities/9264/near-east-university.html|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Girne American University]], [[Middle East Technical University|Middle East Technical University-TRNC]], [[European University of Lefke]], [[Cyprus International University]], [[Eastern Mediterranean University]] (EMU), [[Istanbul Technical University|Istanbul Technical University-TRNC]], [[University of Mediterranean Karpasia]], and [[University of Kyrenia]], all established since 1974. EMU is an internationally recognised institution of higher learning with more than 1000 faculty members from 35 countries. There are 15,000 students in EMU representing 68 nationalities. The 8 universities have been approved by the Higher Education Council of Turkey. [[Eastern Mediterranean University]] and [[Near East University]]<ref name="neu.edu.tr"/><ref name="mastersportal.eu"/> are full individual members of the [[European University Association]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eua.be/eua-membership-and-services/Home/members-directory.aspx?country=243 |title=EUA members directory |publisher=Eua.be |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706133911/http://www.eua.be/eua-membership-and-services/Home/members-directory.aspx?country=243 |archive-date=6 July 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> EMU is a full member of the Community of Mediterranean Universities, Federation Universities of Islamic World, International Association of Universities and International Council of Graphic Design Associations,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icograda.org/members/members/member_list1123.htm |title=Eastern Mediterranean University |publisher=Icograda |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219000315/http://www.icograda.org/members/members/member_list1123.htm |archive-date=19 February 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and was ranked as the best university in the island and among the top 500 in Europe by [[Webometrics Ranking of World Universities|Webometrics]].<ref>[http://www.webometrics.info/en/detalles/emu.edu.tr Eastern Mediterranean University] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218054618/http://www.webometrics.info/en/detalles/emu.edu.tr |date=18 December 2014 }}, Webometrics, retrieved on 30 December 2014.</ref> [[Girne American University]], in the northern coastal city of [[Kyrenia]], opened a campus in [[Canterbury]], [[United Kingdom]] in 2009,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/%28EDU%29+TURKISH+CYPRIOT+PRESIDENT+OPENS+GIRNE+AMERICAN+UNIVERSITY%27S...-a0213657553 |title=(Edu) Turkish Cypriot President Opens Girne American University'S Campus In Canterbury. – Free Online Library |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428005511/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/%28EDU%29+TURKISH+CYPRIOT+PRESIDENT+OPENS+GIRNE+AMERICAN+UNIVERSITY%27S...-a0213657553 |archive-date=28 April 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and was accredited by the British Accreditation Council in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-bac.org/colleges/directory/ukdirectc.pl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213004826/http://www.the-bac.org/colleges/directory/ukdirectc.pl |archive-date=13 December 2007 |title=COLLEGE SEARCH RESULTS}}</ref>

Northern Cyprus regularly participates in international Robocup competition, and took 14th place out of 20 in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://robocupssl.cpe.ku.ac.th/teams:teams |title=Small Size Robot League – teams:teams |publisher=Robocupssl.cpe.ku.ac.th |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202232523/http://robocupssl.cpe.ku.ac.th/teams:teams |archive-date=2 February 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://robotics.neu.edu.tr/ |title=NeuIslanders |publisher=Robotics.neu.edu.tr |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202165724/http://robotics.neu.edu.tr/ |archive-date=2 February 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The country has supercomputers with which it participates in CERN experiments that led to the discovery of the [[Higgs boson]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://duyuru.neu.edu.tr/?p=56172 |title=Yakın Doğu Üniversitesi Duyuru Haber » Faculty of Engineering of Near East University (NEU) is continuing to make contributions to the world of science through supporting the CERN Laboratory |publisher=Duyuru.neu.edu.tr |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202152115/http://duyuru.neu.edu.tr/?p=56172 |archive-date=2 February 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Northern Cyprus is among participant countries of Solar Challenge of solar powered vehicles in South Africa in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solarchallenge.org.za/?cat=2|title=SA Solar Challenge 2014|work=Sasol Solar Challenge|access-date=1 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003042545/http://www.solarchallenge.org.za/?cat=2|archive-date=3 October 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Culture==
{{Main|Culture of Northern Cyprus}}

=== Music and dance ===
{{See also|Turkish Cypriot folk dances}}
[[File:Ziynet Sali.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.8|[[Ziynet Sali]] is a [[Turkish Cypriot]] pop singer famous in [[Turkey]] and Northern Cyprus.]]
[[File:Turkish Cypriot folk dancers.jpg|thumb|[[Turkish Cypriot]] children, dressed in traditional clothing, preparing for a folk-dance show]]
Turkish Cypriot folk music consists of a rich variety of local tunes, influenced by the mainland Turkish music to a limited extent. Historically, it was shaped around the tradition of weddings, the primary social gatherings at the time. Violin, [[goblet drum]], known locally as "darbuka", [[zurna]] and other drums were heavily used in these gatherings, and a large number of traditional songs developed based on this legacy.<ref name=neukultur>{{cite web|title=Kültürel, Sanatsal ve Sosyal Yaşamı, El Sanatları, Gelenek, Görenek ve Adetler|url=http://www.neu.edu.tr/node/478|publisher=Near East University|access-date=19 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402150221/http://www.neu.edu.tr/node/478|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Episodes of Traditional Turkish and Greek Cypriot Weddings|url=http://turkishstudies.net/Makaleler/465423302_%C3%96znur%C5%9Eevket_S-2611-2626.pdf|publisher=turkishstudies.net|access-date=19 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304083216/http://turkishstudies.net/Makaleler/465423302_%C3%96znur%C5%9Eevket_S-2611-2626.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Turkish Cypriot culture also incorporates a great diversity of folk dances with various influences, including different versions of [[karsilamas]], [[çiftetelli]] and [[zeybek dance|zeybek]].

The Northern Cyprus State Symphony Orchestra has been active since 1975. The [[Bellapais Abbey]] in Kyrenia hosts international festivals of classical music, and is considered in important platform of classical music.<ref name=neukultur/> North Nicosia has its own Nicosia Municipal Orchestra that performs at open spaces, such as parks and squares, and is also home to the annual Walled City Jazz Festival.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tarihçemiz|url=http://www.lefkosabelediyeorkestrasi.net/?SyfNmb=2&pt=Hakk%C4%B1m%C4%B1zda|publisher=Nicosia Municipal Orchestra|access-date=2 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102044507/http://www.lefkosabelediyeorkestrasi.net/?SyfNmb=2&pt=Hakk%C4%B1m%C4%B1zda|archive-date=2 January 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Rüya Taner]] is a Turkish Cypriot pianist who has achieved international acclaim.

Turkish Cypriot cities and towns regularly organise festivals that include performances of local and international singers and bands.<ref name=neukultur/> Some Turkish Cypriot singers, such as [[Ziynet Sali]] and [[Işın Karaca]], have achieved fame in Turkey. The Turkish Cypriot band [[Sıla 4]] produced music that is considered essential for the Turkish Cypriot identity, and also acquired fame in Turkey.<ref>{{cite web|title=Efsanevi Kıbrıs Türk müzik grubu SILA 4 yepyeni bir CD ile büyük bir sürprize imza atmak üzere|url=http://www.kibrispostasi.com/print.php?news=18047|publisher=Kıbrıs Postası|access-date=19 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017204605/http://www.kibrispostasi.com/print.php?news=18047|archive-date=17 October 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Rock and pop music are popular with the public in Northern Cyprus, important singers and bands include [[SOS (Turkish Cypriot band)|SOS]] and [[Fikri Karayel]].<ref>{{cite web|title=SOS|url=http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/culture/music/artists/sos/index.html|publisher=Cypnet|access-date=19 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923212219/http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/culture/music/artists/sos/index.html|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fikri Karayel'in ilk albümü çıkıyor|url=http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/40/news/129464/PageName/MAGAZIN|publisher=Kıbrıs Postası|access-date=19 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112026/http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/40/news/129464/PageName/MAGAZIN|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Literature===
Poetry is the most widely published form of literature in Northern Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot poetry is based on both the effects of Turkish literature and the culture of the island of Cyprus, along with some reflection of the British colonial history.<ref name=siir/>

The first era of Turkish Cypriot poetry after the introduction of the Latin alphabet, characterised by poets such as [[Nazif Süleyman Ebeoğlu]], [[Urkiye Mine Balman]], [[Engin Gönül]], [[Necla Salih Suphi]] and [[Pembe Marmara]], had strong nationalistic elements due to the political attitudes of Turkish Cypriots at the time and stylistically reflected the poetry of the Turkish mainland. Meanwhile, other poets, such as [[Özker Yaşın]], [[Osman Türkay]], who was nominated for the [[Nobel Prize in Literature]] twice,<ref>[http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/printnews.aspx?DocID=-31947 "Kozmik şiirin yazarı"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017204605/http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/printnews.aspx?DocID=-31947 |date=17 October 2015}}. ''Hürriyet''. Retrieved on 31 December 2014.</ref> and [[Nevzat Yalçın]] sought to write in more original styles, with the influence of nascent poetic styles in Turkey and those in Britain. This group of poets were very prolific and increased the popularity of poetry in the Turkish Cypriot community, and are seen as key figures in Turkish Cypriot literature.<ref name=siir>Turan, Metin. [http://turkoloji.cu.edu.tr/YENI%20TURK%20EDEBIYATI/metin_turan_cagdas_kibris_turk_siiri_egilimler.pdf "Çağdaş Kıbrıs Türk Şiirinde Eğilimler/ Yönelimler"]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508113504/http://turkoloji.cu.edu.tr/YENI%20TURK%20EDEBIYATI/metin_turan_cagdas_kibris_turk_siiri_egilimler.pdf |date=8 May 2013}}. Çukurova University. Retrieved on 27 May 2012.</ref>

The nationalism gave way to a notion of Cypriotness in the 1970s, with the influence of Yaşın, Türkay and Yalçın. During this period, the so-called "1974 generation of poets" arose, led by poets including [[Mehmet Yaşın]], [[Hakkı Yücel]], [[Nice Denizoğlu]], [[Neşe Yaşın]], [[Ayşen Dağlı]] and [[Canan Sümer]]. The poetry of this generation was characterised by the appreciation of the Turkish Cypriot identity as distinct from Turkish identity and the identification of Cyprus as the Turkish Cypriot homeland instead of Turkey, in contrast to the previous nationalist poetry. This approach is often called the "Cypriot poetry of rejection" as it resists the influence of Turkey, highlighting the cultural rift between Turkey and Cyprus due to the recent experience of war and therefore the independence of the Turkish Cypriot poetry and identity. This was followed by an increased adoption of the Mediterranean identity in the 1980s, accompanied by the effects of the liberalisation of the Turkish Cypriot society, as reflected in the feminist elements, of which a particular example is [[Neriman Cahit]].<ref name=siir/><ref>[http://kitap.radikal.com.tr/makale/haber/boslugun-hasadi-kalemledir-395812 "Boşluğun hasadı kalemledir"]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231012801/http://kitap.radikal.com.tr/makale/haber/boslugun-hasadi-kalemledir-395812 |date=31 December 2014}} ''Radikal''. Retrieved on 31 December 2014.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Yaşın|first=Mehmet|title=Kıbrıslıtürk şiiri antolojisi: 18. yy-20. yy : 3 kuşak, 3 kimlik, 3 vatan arasında bir Türk azınlık şiiri|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JCRkAAAAMAAJ|year=1994|publisher=Yapı Kredi Yayınları|isbn=978-975-363-345-1|pages=58–60}}</ref>

===Theatre===
[[File:Karagoez-davul-Hacivat-zurna.jpg|thumb|left|[[Karagöz and Hacivat]]]]
[[File:An early Turkish-Cypriot theatre group.jpg|thumb|An early [[Turkish Cypriot]] theatre group, 1880s]]
Theatre in Northern Cyprus is mostly carried out by the Turkish Cypriot State Theatre, municipal theatres and a number of private theatrical companies. Cyprus Theatre Festival, organised by the [[Nicosia Turkish Municipality]] is a large organisation with institutions from Turkey participating as well. There are no major halls built specifically for theatre in Northern Cyprus, so plays often take place in conference halls.<ref>TRNC State Planning Organization. ''2008 Yılı Makroekonomik ve Sektörel Gelişmeler'', June 2010, p. 169.</ref><ref>''Kıbrıs Tiyatro Festivali''. Nicosia Turkish Municipality and Nicosia Municipal Theatre.</ref>

The origins of Turkish Cypriot theatre lie in [[Karagöz and Hacivat]], a shadow play that was popularised in the island as a form of entertainment during the Ottoman era. This form of theatre has lost its popularity nowadays, but remains to be televised during religious festivals.<ref name=cypnetth>[http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/culture/theatre/index.html "Turkish-Cypriot Theatres"]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923212220/http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/culture/theatre/index.html |date=23 September 2015}}, cypnet.co.uk, retrieved on 28 December 2014.</ref> After the 1840s, as the Ottoman Empire started modernising, theatre with greater European elements met with the Turkish Cypriot public. However, the inception of Turkish Cypriot theatre in the modern sense is considered the staging of the play "[[Vatan Yahut Silistre]]" ("Homeland vs. Silistra") by Turkish playwright [[Namık Kemal]] in 1908.<ref name=turkth>Cihangir, Yurdal. [http://turkishstudies.net/Makaleler/1037275448_23CihangirYurdal-edb-441-451.pdf "The Primary Years of Turkish Cypriot Play-writing and 'Safa Yahut Neti̇ce-i̇ İbti̇la{{'"}}]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228194817/http://turkishstudies.net/Makaleler/1037275448_23CihangirYurdal-edb-441-451.pdf |date=28 December 2014}}, Turkish Studies, retrieved on 28 December 2014.</ref> This was followed by a proliferation of theatrical activity in the Turkish Cypriot community as local plays were written and staged and theatrical companies from Turkey took the stage in Cyprus by the 1920s, all the major towns in Cyprus had Turkish Cypriot plays that were performed regularly.<ref name=cypnetth/><ref name=turkth/>

In the 1960s, Turkish Cypriot theatre started to be institutionalised. A leading theatre group named "İlk Sahne" (First Stage), founded in 1963, was renamed the Turkish Cypriot State Theatre in 1966, and has since performed more than 85 plays.<ref name=cypnetth/><ref>[http://kyrenia.edu.tr/kktc-hakkinda/bilgi/kuzey-kibrisin-kulturel-ve-sosyal-yasami/?lang=tr Kuzey Kıbrıs’ın Kültürel ve Sosyal Yaşamı] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228192815/http://kyrenia.edu.tr/kktc-hakkinda/bilgi/kuzey-kibrisin-kulturel-ve-sosyal-yasami/?lang=tr |date=28 December 2014}}, University of Kyrenia, retrieved on 28 December 2014.</ref> Theatre is currently a very popular form of art in Northern Cyprus, with long queues forming for tickets of the plays in the Cyprus Theatre Festival, and the number of theatre-goers constantly increasing.<ref>[http://www.yeniduzen.com/Haberler/kultur-ve-sanat/bilet-satisi-basladi/41607 "Bilet satışı başladı"]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228193330/http://www.yeniduzen.com/Haberler/kultur-ve-sanat/bilet-satisi-basladi/41607 |date=28 December 2014}}, Yeni Düzen, retrieved on 28 December 2014.</ref>

===Cinema===
''[[Anahtar (film)|Anahtar]]'' (''Key''), released in 2011, was the first full-length film entirely produced in Northern Cyprus.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/49/news/63999/PageName/KULTUR_SANAT |title=KKTC'nin ilk uzun metrajlı filmi Anahtar, Altın Portakal'da gösterildi |publisher=Kibris Postasi |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731141112/http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/49/news/63999/PageName/KULTUR_SANAT |archive-date=31 July 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Some other co-productions have also taken place. A co-production of Northern Cyprus, Turkey, Britain and the Netherlands, {{ill|Kod Adı Venüs|tr}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neu.edu.tr/tr/node/2369|title=Kod Adı: VENÜS|access-date=1 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006093731/http://www.neu.edu.tr/tr/node/2369|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> (''Code Name Venus'') was shown in the [[Cannes Film Festival]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/49/news/80256/PageName/KULTUR_SANAT |title=Yakın Doğu Üniversitesi'nin hazırladığı 'Kod Adı Venüs' filmi Cannes Film Festivali'nde |publisher=Kibris Postasi |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528153647/http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/49/news/80256/PageName/KULTUR_SANAT |archive-date=28 May 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The film director and screenwriter [[Derviş Zaim]] achieved fame with his 2003 film ''[[Mud (Çamur)]]'' which won the UNESCO award at the [[Venice Film Festival]].

The documentary film ''Kayıp Otobüs'' (''[[The Missing Bus]]''), directed by Turkish Cypriot journalist Fevzi Tașpınar, was aired on the [[Turkish Radio and Television Corporation|TRT TV]] as well as participating in the [[Boston Film Festival]] in 2011. The film tells the story of eleven Turkish Cypriot workers who left their homes in a bus in 1964 that never came back. Their remains were found in a well in Cyprus in October 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=Haber: 'Kayıp Otobüs' belgesel filmi haberi / Haber, Haberler, Haberi, Haberleri, Haber oku, Gazete, Gazetesi, Gazeteleri, Gazete oku |url=http://www.turkmedya.com/V1/Pg/detail/NewID/186802/CatID/4/CityName/Corum/TownID/0/VillageID/0/SchoolID/ |url-status=dead |publisher=Turkmedya.com |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222025615/http://www.turkmedya.com/V1/Pg/detail/NewID/186802/CatID/4/CityName/Corum/TownID/0/VillageID/0/SchoolID/ |archive-date=22 February 2014 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.turkishjournal.com/i.php?newsid=3725 |title=Documentary on Turkish Cyprus bus in US festival |publisher=Turkish Journal |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221100840/http://www.turkishjournal.com/i.php?newsid=3725 |archive-date=21 February 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Cuisine===
Northern Cyprus is also well known for several dishes; among them are kebabs made of skewered lamb (şiş kebab) or ground with herbs and spices and made into a [[kofte]] or şeftali kebab. Other dishes are based on meat wrapped in flat bread such as [[lahmacun]]. Vegetarian cuisine includes stuffed vegetable based dishes "yalancı dolma" or many other dishes made with a bean or pulse such as börülce which consists of Swiss chard cooked with black-eyed peas. There are also plant based foods such as [[molohiya]] or root based stews such as kolokas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cyprusive.com/?CID=54 |title=North Cyprus – Food and Drink (Cuisine) |publisher=Cyprusive |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221130944/http://www.cyprusive.com/?CID=54 |archive-date=21 December 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Sports===
{{Main|Sport in Northern Cyprus}}
[[File:Nicosia Ataturk Stadium.jpg|thumb|right|[[Nicosia Atatürk Stadium]] is the largest stadium in Northern Cyprus.]]
There are five stadiums in Northern Cyprus, with each holding a capacity ranging anywhere from 7,000 to 30,000. The most popular sport in Northern Cyprus is [[association football|football]]. There are over 29 sport federations in Northern Cyprus with a total registered membership of 13,950 6,054 been registered practitioners for, [[taekwondo]]-[[karate]]-[[aikido]]-[[kurash]], with [[shooting]] having 1,150 (registered) and [[hunting]] having 1,017 (registered) members.<ref>TRNC State Planning Organization. ''2008 Yılı Makroekonomik ve Sektörel Gelişmeler'', p.176-179.</ref> Several of sport clubs participate in leagues in [[Turkey]]. These include the Fast Break Sport Club in Turkey's Men's Basketball Regional League; the Beşparmak Sport Club in [[Turkey]]'s Handball Premier League; and the [[Lefke European University]] [[Turkey]] Table-tennis Super League. Water sports such as windsurfing, jetskiing, waterskiing and sailing are also available at beaches throughout the coastline of Northern Cyprus. Sailing is especially found at Escape Beach Club, near [[Kyrenia]].

Northern Cyprus is a member of the [[World Pool-Billiard Association]].<ref name="WPA Pool 2021 h892">{{cite web | title=EPBF | website=WPA Pool | date=2021-03-08 | url=https://wpapool.com/about-us/continental-members/epbf/ | access-date=2023-08-27}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Outline of Northern Cyprus]]
* [[List of Turkish Cypriots]] 

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Langdale |first=Allan |title=In a Contested Realm: an Illustrated Guide to the Archaeology and Historical Architecture of Northern Cyprus |publisher=Grimsay Press |year=2012 |isbn=978-1845301286}}
* {{cite book |title=North Cyprus – a Pocket-Guide |year=2006 |publisher=Rustem Bookshop, Nicosia |isbn=9944-968-03-X}}
*{{cite book |last1=Bryant |first1=Rebecca |last2=Hatay |first2=Mete |title=Sovereignty Suspended: Political Life in a So-Called State |date=2020 |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |isbn=978-0-8122-5221-7}}

==External links==

{{Sister project links|voy=Northern Cyprus}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080420153946/http://www.cm.gov.nc.tr/ Republican Assembly (Parliament) of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]
* [http://www.kktcb.org Presidency, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120521021436/http://kktcbe.org.tr/www/tr/anasayfa.asp Embassy of the TRNC in Ankara]

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