About North Cyprus
North Cyprus: history first, then places and evenings
North Cyprus is the northern part of the island of Cyprus, which the Turkish Cypriot side governs as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, declared on 15 November 1983. Only Turkey recognises it as a state, and the UN Security Council has called the declaration legally invalid. Its de facto capital is North Nicosia. Ottoman rule began in 1570-71 and British administration followed in 1878.
As of 23 October 2026. Dates and official positions are attributed to the sources listed at the foot of each stop.
From 1571 to today
Drag, swipe or use the arrows to move through the years.
AI visual concept 1570-71
Ottoman forces take Nicosia and Famagusta
Ottoman forces under Lala Mustafa Pasha landed on Cyprus in 1570. According to EBSCO, Nicosia fell on 9 September 1570. The siege of Famagusta ran from September 1570 until the Venetian garrison surrendered in August 1571; sources differ on the exact day of the final capitulation. Cyprus then became an Ottoman province, and the Ottomans held the island until 1878.
Sources: EBSCO Research Starters · Wikipedia: Ottoman Cyprus · TRNC Information Office
AI visual concept 1571-1878
Cyprus as an Ottoman province
According to EBSCO, Cyprus became a new Ottoman province after the conquest and a large Turkish population settled there. Ottoman administration ended with the British takeover of 1878.
Sources: EBSCO Research Starters
AI visual concept 1878
British administration begins
Under the Cyprus Convention, secretly signed on 4 June 1878 and publicly announced on 9 July 1878 according to Wikipedia, Britain took over the administration of Cyprus from the Ottoman Empire. The TRNC Information Office dates British administration to 1878 and describes it as a lease. Nominal Ottoman sovereignty continued until the First World War.
Sources: Wikipedia: Ottoman Cyprus · Wikipedia: British Cyprus · TRNC Information Office
AI visual concept 1914-1925
Annexation and Crown Colony
After the Ottoman Empire entered the First World War, Britain declared the annexation of Cyprus on 5 November 1914, according to both the TRNC Information Office and Wikipedia. Cyprus became a Crown Colony in 1925; Wikipedia's infobox gives 1 May 1925, while other sources give other dates, so only the year is certain here.
Sources: TRNC Information Office · Wikipedia: British Cyprus
AI visual concept 16 Aug 1960
The Republic of Cyprus is founded
Cyprus became independent on 16 August 1960, following the London and Zurich agreements of 1959, according to Wikipedia and the TRNC Central Bank chronology. The new republic had a bicommunal constitution. The TRNC Information Office describes the republic as a bi-communal state founded on those agreements.
Sources: Wikipedia: British Cyprus · TRNC Central Bank · TRNC Information Office
AI visual concept 1963-64
Intercommunal violence and UNFICYP
On 30 November 1963 President Makarios proposed 13 constitutional amendments, and fighting broke out in Nicosia on 21 December. Greek Cypriot accounts say Turkish Cypriots withdrew from state institutions; Turkish Cypriot accounts say they were forced out. UN Security Council resolution 186 of 4 March 1964 recommended a peacekeeping force, UNFICYP.
Sources: Wikipedia: Cyprus dispute · UN Security Council resolution 186 (1964) · TRNC Information Office
AI visual concept 1974
Coup, intervention and division
On 15 July 1974 officers of the National Guard overthrew President Makarios. On 20 July Turkish troops landed near Kyrenia; Security Council resolution 353 of that day demanded an end to foreign military intervention. Turkey calls its action a peace operation under the Treaty of Guarantee, while the Republic of Cyprus calls it an invasion. A ceasefire line followed.
Sources: Wikipedia: Turkish invasion of Cyprus · UN Security Council resolution 353 (1974) · UN Security Council resolution 360 (1974)
AI visual concept 13 Feb 1975
Turkish Federated State of Cyprus
On 13 February 1975 the Turkish Cypriot side proclaimed the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus, which the TRNC Information Office describes as the Turkish component of a possible future federation. On 12 March 1975 the UN Security Council, in resolution 367, regretted the unilateral decision of 13 February.
Sources: TRNC Information Office · UN Security Council resolution 367 (1975) · Wikipedia: Northern Cyprus
AI visual concept 15 Nov 1983
The TRNC is declared
On 15 November 1983 the Turkish Cypriot authorities declared the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriot side presents this as an exercise of self-determination. UN Security Council resolution 541 of 18 November 1983 considered the declaration legally invalid and called for its withdrawal, and resolution 550 of 11 May 1984 reaffirmed this. Only Turkey recognises the TRNC.
Sources: UN Security Council resolution 541 (1983) · UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) · TRNC Information Office
AI visual concept 23 Apr 2003
The first crossing points open
The first crossing opened at Ledra Palace in Nicosia on 23 April 2003, the first along the buffer zone, according to the Cyprus Mail. By 6pm on 24 April, about 1,600 Turkish Cypriots had crossed south and about 700 Greek Cypriots had crossed north, the same source reports. Further crossing points have opened since.
Sources: Cyprus Mail
AI visual concept 2004
Annan Plan referendums and EU accession
On 24 April 2004 separate referendums were held on the UN Annan Plan. Turkish Cypriot voters approved it with 64.9 percent in favour, while Greek Cypriot voters rejected it with 75.8 percent against, according to the Cyprus Mail. The Republic of Cyprus joined the EU on 1 May 2004, with application of EU law suspended in the north.
Sources: Cyprus Mail · Wikipedia: Annan Plan · Wikipedia: Northern Cyprus
AI visual concept 2026
North Cyprus today
The TRNC is recognised as a state only by Turkey. The UN regards the declaration of 1983 as legally invalid, and the island remains politically divided. A UN-patrolled buffer zone runs across it. On 30 January 2026 the Security Council, in resolution 2815, extended the UNFICYP mandate to 31 January 2027 and urged a return to formal negotiations.
Sources: UN Security Council resolution 2815 (2026) · UN Security Council resolution 541 (1983) · Wikipedia: Northern Cyprus
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Explore North Cyprus
- AreasArea-by-area profiles, from the Kyrenia coast to the hills.
- InsightsDated notes and analysis from NORTHEA.
- GuidesSourced guides on buying, titles, taxes, hotels, coast and history.
- Luxury hotelsA sourced hotel inventory built on operators' own statements.
- Beaches and coastProtected areas, turtle season and beach rules.
- Family days outCastles, beaches, museums and nature stops by district.
- Nightlife and diningHarbour restaurants, pubs, meyhane and venues by district.
- Weather and seasonsMonth-by-month climate, the four seasons and where to find the official forecast.
- Famagusta and VaroshaThe walled city, the quarter of Varosha, its status and what sources say about visiting.
- Districts, towns and mapThe six districts, their towns, the main landforms and where to find official maps.
- Traditional food and sweetsMeze, main dishes, pastries and sweets, each described by a named source.
- Flag and symbolsHow official sources describe the flag, emblem and anthem, and the UN position.
- Flora and faunaMaquis, wild flowers, plants endemic to Cyprus and the animals of North Cyprus, each described by a named source.
- Famagusta places to seeThe walled city, mosques, castle, museums and ancient sites around Famagusta, each described by a named source.
- Lapta coastal walkThe Lapta seafront walkway, the municipality and Lapithos in brief, with sources that disagree marked as such.
- Alsancak (Karavas)Where Alsancak is, its municipality, the coastal walkway plan and the weather, from dated news and named sources.
- Girne places to seeThe old harbour, museums, churches, castle, villages and the municipality, each described by a named source.
- Residence permits: official sourcesWhich official pages cover TRNC residence permits and where applications are made; no advice, no fees.
- Lefkoşa places to seeWalls, mosques, hans and museums of North Nicosia, each from a named source.
- Turkish Cypriot cultureDialect, folk dances, weddings, festivals and crafts, each attributed to a named source.
- Government, districts and crossingsHow the TRNC is organised, the six districts, the UN buffer zone and crossing points, neutrally attributed.
- İskele and KarpazKantara, Karpaz churches, Apostolos Andreas, Golden Beach and village life, each with a named source.
- Güzelyurt and LefkeSoli, Vouni, St Mamas, the railway and mining heritage and the Orange Festival, with sources.
- Birds, turtles and reptilesBird areas, turtle nesting beaches and rules, snakes with venom status and WHO first aid.
- Education and universitiesSchool stages from the education ministry and the 23 universities on YÖDAK's official list, with sources.
- Sport and outdoor activitiesFootball and its international status, federations, recurring events and outdoor safety rules, with sources.
- Practical informationEmergency numbers, time, currency, electricity, driving, holidays, hospitals, airport and ports, from official sources.
- Hospitals and health servicesState hospitals and health centres from ministry records, patients' complaints, fees and the legal framework for IVF.
- Casinos: law and rulesThe games of chance law: age limit 25, who may enter, licensing, advertising and online bans, and help for gambling harm.
- Writers, artists and musiciansTurkish Cypriot poets, writers, painters, musicians and theatre people, each described from a named source.
- Accessibility and disability servicesDisability laws, public bodies and associations in the TRNC, each tied to a named source, with a neutral checklist for checking access.
- Religion and places of worshipWorship rules, mosques, churches, heritage sites and expat associations in the TRNC, each tied to a named source, with no service times listed.
- Olive groves and olive oilAda Yerlisi, local olive types, çakıstes and oil grades, each from a named source.
- Güzelyurt and Lefke citrus orchardsOrange cultivars, harvest, the Orange Festival and the citrus sector, each from a named source.
- Carob, hawthorn and local cropsCarob molasses, hawthorn, kolokas, molehiya, prickly pear and other local produce, each from a named source.
- Kyrenia olive grovesOlive growing in the Girne district, the Zeytinlik festival and the 2016 study, each from a named source.
- Harvest calendarMonth-by-month fruit, tree-crop and vegetable seasons, each attributed to a named source.
- Native and endemic treesCyprus cedar, golden oak, pines, cypress and other trees by status, each from a named source.
- Karpaz peninsula vegetationHabitats, dune plants, endemic plants and protected status of Karpaz, each from a named source.
- Nature and agriculture atlasHub and glossary of local plant, tree and crop terms across the nature and agriculture pages.
- Schools, nurseries and admissionsHow schooling is organised, which curricula schools state on their own sites, and what to ask before enrolling.
- Working in North Cyprus as a foreignerWork-permit steps, public-sector and regulated roles, sector pointers and how to verify an employer, with official sources.
- Shopping, markets and supermarketsWhat retailers' own sites and municipalities state about stores, online ordering and weekly markets.
- How to get to North CyprusFlights, ferries and entry information as official and operator pages state them.
- Electricity, water, internet and mobileWhat operators and official directories state about accounts, bills and faults.
- Driving licence in North CyprusVisitor and resident rules, documents and offices, as the official pages state them.
- Government offices for expatsWhich office handles which task, with the official pages for each.
- Pets, vets and bringing animalsImport conditions, clinics and care questions, from the Veterinary Department and the vets' association.
- Vehicle and boat dealersWhat dealers' and marinas' own sites state, and what to confirm with the authorities.
- Boat tours and yacht chartersDeparture points, tour types and operator pages, with booking questions.
- Extreme sports and adventureParagliding, diving and trails as tourism and operator pages describe them.
- Home setup and DIYHardware retailers' own pages, trade bodies and a fit-out question list.
- Turkish Cypriots: people, origins and languageIdentity terms, a dated timeline, ancestry research and sourced dialect examples.
- Economy, GDP and livelihoodsDated GDP and labour figures with their statistical concepts, sectors and expat notes.
- Crossing between North and South CyprusGreen Line checkpoints, documents and customs, each from a named official source.
- Getting around North CyprusAirport shuttle, buses, taxis, ferries and driving, with sources and gaps.
- TV, radio and newspapersOfficial outlet listings with a verification status for each.
- Meyhane and drinking cultureShared meze, rakı, zivania and Commandaria, with first-visit questions.
- Retirement cost of living 2026Inflation, electricity tariffs and wage reference, with what could not be verified.
- Residence permit for property owners 2026What Official Gazette No. 193 says about permits linked to property bought, and what it does not.
- Holiday homes law and short-term rentalWhat Law No. 54/2025 says about letting a home for up to 60 days: registration, permit, duties and penalties.
- History in depthThe long-form timeline with sources, from 1571 to today.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Ottomans take Cyprus?
Ottoman forces landed in 1570. Nicosia fell on 9 September 1570, and Famagusta surrendered in August 1571 after a siege that began in September 1570. Ottoman administration then lasted until 1878, when Britain took over the administration of the island.
When did British rule in Cyprus begin?
Britain took over the administration of Cyprus under the Cyprus Convention of 4 June 1878. Britain declared annexation on 5 November 1914, and Cyprus became a Crown Colony in 1925. British rule ended with independence on 16 August 1960.
What happened in Cyprus in 1974?
Officers of the National Guard overthrew President Makarios on 15 July 1974, and Turkish troops landed near Kyrenia on 20 July. Turkey calls this a peace operation under the Treaty of Guarantee, while the Republic of Cyprus calls it an invasion. A ceasefire line followed in August.
Which countries recognise the TRNC?
Only Turkey recognises the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as a state. UN Security Council resolution 541 of 1983 considered the declaration of 15 November 1983 legally invalid, and resolution 550 of 1984 reaffirmed this and called on states not to recognise it.
Is the island divided today?
Yes. A UN-patrolled buffer zone crosses the island, and the political status of the north remains disputed. In resolution 2815 of 30 January 2026 the Security Council extended the UN peacekeeping mandate to 31 January 2027 and urged a return to formal negotiations.
Sources
- EBSCO Research Starters
- Wikipedia: Ottoman Cyprus
- TRNC Information Office
- Wikipedia: British Cyprus
- TRNC Central Bank
- Wikipedia: Cyprus dispute
- UN Security Council resolution 186 (1964)
- Wikipedia: Turkish invasion of Cyprus
- UN Security Council resolution 353 (1974)
- UN Security Council resolution 360 (1974)
- UN Security Council resolution 367 (1975)
- Wikipedia: Northern Cyprus
- UN Security Council resolution 541 (1983)
- UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984)
- Cyprus Mail
- Cyprus Mail
- Wikipedia: Annan Plan
- UN Security Council resolution 2815 (2026)
Questions about North Cyprus?
Write to NORTHEA for a private conversation about areas, hotels or property.