General Information on North Cyprus
General Information
Regime : Parliamentary Democracy
Foundation : 15.11.1983
President : Mehmet Ali Talat
Prime Minister : Derviş Eroğlu
Flag Color : Red and White
Capital : Lefkoşa
Currency : Türk Lirası (TL)
Neighboring Countries : Southern Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt
Area : 3,355km2
Population : 256.207 (De Jure)
Religion : % 99 Islam, % 1 Others
Language : Turkish ( English is very common as a foreign language)
COUNTRY PROFILE
Country: Cyprus is the 3rd biggest island after Sicily and Sardinia in the Mediterranean Sea. TRNC is 3355 km2. The neighboring countries are Turkey, Syria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon and Southern Cyprus.
Climate: Mediterranean. While summers are long and dry, winters are warm and rainy. The average temperature is 19 C0. There are 5 provinces in TRNC. They are Lefkoşa, Girne, Gazimağusa, Güzelyurt and İskele. Lefkoşa is the capital city and the biggest one. The second biggest one is Gazimağusa. Gazimağusa is important since it is a touristic area and it has the biggest harbour. The third biggest city is Girne, which is the most important touristic region. Güzelyurt and İskele are among the big cities as well.
Telecommunication
It is possible to communicate with the whole world through telephone, fax and internet.
GSM Operators:
TRNC TELSIM 0542
TRNC TÜRKCELL 0533
Traffic
While the traffic flow in Northern Cyprus is left lane oriented, the international traffic signs are used. Roads are safe and in good state. A car insurance which is valid in TRNC is obligatory on the island. The speed limit is 100km/hr unless there is a sign with different instruction. The alcohol limit is 0mrg for public car drivers and 50 mgr for private car drivers. The front passengers and the drivers are obliged to fasten their seat belts.
Working hours:
State Offices:
Summer: June – August
Monday: 7:30-14:00 / 15:30-18:00
Tuesday – Friday: 7:30-14:00
Winter: September - May
Monday – Friday: 8:00-12:30 / 13:30-17:00
Private work places:
Summer: June – August
Monday – Friday: 08:00-13:00 / 16:00-18:30
Saturday: 08:00-13:00
Winter: September - May
Monday – Friday: 08:00-13:00 / 14:00-17:00
Friday: 08:00-13.00
Museums:
May-September: 8:00-13:00 / 16:00-18:00
November-April: 8:00-13:00 / 14:00 - 17:00
Emergency phone numbers:
Police: 155
First Aid: 112
Fire: 199
Forest Fire: 177
(Source: KKTC Public Information Office Web Site: http://www.trncpio.org )