Life in Northern Cyprus

ABOUT NORTHERN CYPRUS Cyprus is culturally rich island with a history involving several civilizations and offering many natural scenic beauties. It is also an island of education. The Turkish Republic of North Cyprus actively supports university education, recognizing the vital contribution it makes to the country. The higher-education sector constitutes 40 percent of the economy of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. This is why higher education is an integral part of governmental policy and why Northern Cyprus is considered an oasis of higher education. The population of Northern Cyprus is roughly 350,000.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea with an area of 9.251 km2. Situated in the Northern-East of the Mediterranean: it has Turkey in the North, Syria and Lebanon to the East, Israel and Egypt to the South, and Rhodes and Crete to the West. There are five districts in the TRNC: Lefkoşa (Nicosia), Girne (Kyrenia), Gazimağusa (Famagusta), Güzelyurt (Morphou), and İskele (Trikomo). Lefkoşa (Nicosia) – is the capital city of TRNC. 

THE RICH HISTORY OF NORTH CYPRUS As a strategic location in the Middle East, Cyprus has a very historic past and has been colonized and ruled by many great powers of the world, including the empires of the Assyrians, Egyptians, and Persians, from whom Alexander the Great seized the island in 333 BC. Subsequent rule by Ptolemaic Egypt, the Roman Empire, the Byzantines, Arab caliphates for a short period, the French Lusignan Dynasty, and the Venetians, was followed by the Ottoman conquest in 1571. It remained under Ottoman control for over three centuries.

Cyprus was placed under British Administration in 1878 until it was granted independence in 1960 (unified Government of Cyprus formed between Turkish and Greek Cypriots). In 1963, Greeks attacked their Turkish counterparts in an effort to eliminate the Turkish citizens from the Island. Greeks and Turks fought a long war until 1974, when Republic of Turkey intervened and joined forces with the Turkish Cypriots to fight back the Greek Cypriots and the Greek administration.

In 1975, the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus was declared as a first step towards a future federated Cypriot state, but was rejected by the Republic of Cyprus, the Unıted Nations (UN) and the international community. After eight years of failed negotiations with the leadership of the Greek Cypriot community, the North declared its independence on 15 November 1983 under the name of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

WEATHER CONDITIONS North Cyprus as well as the whole island enjoys typical Mediterranean climate with long, warm and dry summers from mid-May to mid-October and mild and wet winters from December to February. The short autumn and spring periods complete the seasons of the year. Summer in Northern Cyprus is a season of hot weather, high temperatures and cloudless sky,but the sea breeze make a pleasant atmosphere in coastal areas. The temperature of thehottest months of July and August crawls to 34 °C and even to 40 °C. In the interior of the island the temperature during the coldest months is between 7 and 15 degrees.

OUTDOOR LIFE Water Sports The lure of the clear blue waters of the warm Mediterranean Sea is almost irresistible in North Cyprus. There are plenty of water sports (windsurfing, water skiing and mono-skiing, jet, skiing, power boating, canoeing, sailing and scuba diving, etc.) on offer too, to make the most of this fantastic aquatic playground. The beaches on the eastern coast between Boğaz and Famagusta called “Altin Kumsal” (Golden Beach). These sandy beaches stretch for a total distance of 24 km. On the northern coast a variety of sandy beaches either side of Girne are a haven for all types of water sports. A way from these activities are around 32 km of secluded bays.

Golfing North Cyprus has a number of golf courses with enough features to challenge the experienced golfer and novice alike. With mild conditions and cooling sea breezes these are idyllic golfing conditions for playing all year around. The rise of the sport of paintball has become one of the world’s most exciting outdoor participation sports, and has found a foothold in North Cyprus.

Paintball is played by men and women of all ages, races and lifestyles. Paintball can remind us of our childhood games of “Tag” and “Hide and Seek”, but present more challenges. There are lots of opportunities to take part in this exciting sport. The nearest venue is only 500 metres from the CIU campus. Go-Karting North Cyprus is fortunate to have some of the best facilities for Go-karting in the world. Two major Karting circuits are, close to Nicosia: the Cemsa sporting centre and the ZET International Karting Circuit. Both attract professional racers and beginners, and fulfils a duel role of both a participatory and spectator sport. The ZET Circuit exceeds the highest European standards and has one of the best racing surfaces in the world, has become a frequent venue for fans of the sport since its opening in 2000. This remarkable structure has done much to thedevelopment of the Karting sport. 

Paragliding The stunning Kyrenia mountain range running along the coast of North Cyprus offers a fantastic opportunity for paragliding. Taking off at 2500ft from a launch site above the picturesque St.Hilarion castle you can soar like an eagle down to the coast of North Cyprus.Paragliding in North Cyprus is the way paragliding was meant to be: exhilarating and very affordable. Scuba Diving There are plenty of places to learn, improve and practice Scuba Diving in the crystal waters off the coast of North Cyprus. The Mediterranean waters allow for excellent diving conditions for nine months of the year. (You can practice the technical side in our international standard Swimming pool during the other three months!)

ELECTRICITY The TRNC uses the three-pin 13amp sockets system (Based on the UK system) that requires adapters for off island electrical equipment. These can easily be found in all supermarkets. The system is 220/240 Volts A/C at 50 Hz.

Electrical goods (irons; kettles; toasters etc.) are reasonably priced and can be purchased in most supermarkets and come fitted with three pin plugs. TRAFFIC Traffic in North Cyprus drives on the left and all signs are international. Vehicles arriving on the island need to have a valid TRNC insurance.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus driver’s licenses can be obtained by TRNC citizens and citizens of other nations if they have a residency permit. Without either citizenship or a residency permit, TRNC licenses cannot be obtained. TRNC car and motorcycle licenses can be obtained at the age of 18, following a theory and practical exam on public roads.

TRNC licenses are valid for use worldwide for the time frame set by the relevant country, as are all other licenses. Since the opening of the border checkpoints in Cyprus, the Republic of Cyprus accepts TRNC issued licenses as valid for use on their roads for 12 months. The Republic Cyprus licenses are also valid for use in the TRNC for 12 months, and are treated in the same manner as any other internationally issued licenses would be. 

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Police 155

Medical 112

Fire 199

Forest Fire 177

Ercan Airport: 0 392 231 46 50