Where is Northern Cyprus?
History of Northern Cyprus
The Republic of Cyprus was established in 1960, after the former colony gained independence from Britain. The island’s location in the eastern Mediterranean Sea has made it easily accessible from the earliest days of shipping from Europe, Asia and Africa. Its timber and mineral resources made it an important source of trade goods in the ancient world. Around the middle of the second millennium BC, Cyprus first came under foreign rule, and from then until 1960, foreign powers controlled the island and its people almost without interruption. In 1963, the Greeks proposed changes to the constitution. The Turks refused, and intercommunal clashes broke out. In 1964, the United Nations sent a peacekeeping force to Cyprus. However, no solution was found and in April 1974, Greek hardliners staged a coup. As a result, in July 1974, Cyprus was divided into two parts: the northern (Turkish) and the southern (Greek) parts.
Northern Cyprus is known as the third largest island and the fifth smallest country in the world. This island is known as Paradise and attracts many tourists from all over the world every year. It is an island with thousands of years of history and culture and more than three hundred sunny days a year with a peaceful environment, beautiful nature and pristine beaches that are attractive to tourists.
Culture of the people of Northern Cyprus
People in Northern Cyprus are very sociable and like to spend most of their time outdoors. All towns have local cafes where people sit and chat in a warm atmosphere. They also organize festivals, especially at the beginning of summer. There are also legends about the country of Northern Cyprus. It is the birthplace of the goddess of love and the homeland of many heroes and saints.
Religion and customs of the people of Northern Cyprus
Although the people of Northern Cyprus are predominantly Muslim, freedom of religion is enshrined in the Cypriot constitution and it is rare to see people queuing up to go to mosques or wearing religious clothing. Because they believe in the saying, “My religion is in my heart.” People are free to choose their religion and have complete freedom of action. Among the special obligations for Muslims, the call to prayer is broadcast from mosques five times a day at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and night, and people can prepare for prayer. During the holy month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast regularly and iftar ceremonies are held in mosques and restaurants throughout the city. Also, in order to respect the fasting people, working hours during the holy month of Ramadan are 2 hours shorter than usual.
Northern Cyprus weather
Although the people of Northern Cyprus are predominantly Muslim, freedom of religion is enshrined in the Cypriot constitution and it is rare to see people queuing up to go to mosques or wearing religious clothing. Because they believe in the saying, “My religion is in my heart.” People are free to choose their religion and have complete freedom of action. Among the specific obligations for Muslims, the call to prayer is broadcast from mosques five times a day at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and night, and people can prepare for prayer. During the holy month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast regularly and iftar ceremonies are held in mosques and restaurants throughout the city. Also, in order to accommodate the fasting people, working hours during the holy month of Ramadan are reduced by 2 hours compared to normal.
The language of the people of Northern Cyprus
Cypriots are highly educated and mostly multilingual. The official languages of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish, but English is also widely spoken and is considered the language of international business. German, French and Russian are also among the other languages used in business. Despite the widespread use of English, in order to work in Cyprus, people must learn Greek. In fact, although most Cypriots can speak English, the first language in Cyprus is Greek. People who have lived in the country know well that about 95% of Cypriots are fully fluent in this language and most of their business activities are conducted through English. The language written on road signs and restaurant menus is also in both English and Greek.
Traditional foods and desserts of Northern Cyprus
The most famous dishes of Cyprus include: “Souflaki Setin Pita” is a Cypriot barbecue dish in which meat is cooked with various vegetables such as onions, parsley and tomatoes and served in a thin bread called pita as a sandwich. “Moussaka” in which zucchini and eggplant are arranged in a dish and covered with mint, various vegetables and minced meat, and cream is poured over these ingredients and placed in the oven. “Kleftiko” or lamb cooked in the oven is another famous Cypriot dish. “Taramosalata” is also made from deer meat, potato dough, onions, lemon juice, olive oil and vinegar along with various spices. “Dolme Yanchi” is made with bay leaves, rice, onions and tomatoes. “Sheftalia” is a Cypriot sausage that is prepared with meat, onions, parsley and spices by roasting. “Halloumi kebab” made from halloumi cheese, red pepper, pumpkin, onion, olive oil, thyme and mustard. “Estifado” made from slow-cooked beef with onion, tomato and herbs. In restaurants in the Turkish Cypriot region, “Mezze” is offered, which is a collection of cold and hot appetizers in small quantities and, if desired, items such as meatballs can also be ordered for the main course. The following are also popular desserts in Cyprus: “Istanbul Turkish baklava” “Gliko” made from almonds, dates, apricots, cherries, grapes and always served with a glass of cold water. “Korabides”, small almond cakes covered with sugar or powdered sugar. “Melomakarona” which are honey cakes. “Finikia” which are walnut cakes. “Lukum” or Rahat Halkum which is a type of Turkish pastry. Also, fresh fruits are a popular dessert in Cyprus.
Transportation in Northern Cyprus
Various buses and minibuses run daily throughout Cyprus and its various cities. Buses pass through the main roads and streets on average every 1-2 hours during the summer season. The island of Cyprus has four types of bus services: Airport transfer buses that travel from the airport to all cities. Intercity buses that connect two or more cities to each other. City buses that operate within a city and are very common and common. Finally, there is the rural bus service, which, although less used, can be used by passengers to go to coastal and resort villages and villages. Taxis are the most convenient option in the public transport system in Cyprus, but as you can guess, they are relatively expensive. Private taxis are available throughout Cyprus, Cyprus is an island country and for this reason ferries and boats are also considered public transport options in Cyprus. From short to long and multi-day cruises are offered in various coastal cities.
