North Cyprus
North Cyprus is a fantastic place to relax and enjoy with over 240 miles of fabulous coast line. It boasts excellent beaches that stretch for miles and crystal clear water that are great for diving. It has a slow pace and great value for money with year round sunshine which makes it the perfect place to purchase a holiday home, retirement place or investment. Turkish is the national language but many also speak good English.
North Cyprus had a population of around 264k in 2006 of which most lived in Lefkosa (Nicosia), many are employed in the service industry. There are also over 190 villages in Northern Cyprus where agriculture plays a big part. Crops such as olives, wheat, barley, grapes, figs and potatoes are grown. There are still many undiscovered areas of Northern Cyprus and it offers a tranquil place to enjoy and relax.
The North Cypriot region is split into five sections that each offers a unique experience to the visitor. These regions are -
Guzelyurt - which is situated in the west and has plenty of citrus groves
Kyrenia - on the northern slopes of the Five Finger or Besparmak Mountains
Iskele - situated in the east
Gazimagusta - sandy bays on the eastern coast
Lefkosa - an exciting city worth exploring
Most of the Turkish Cypriots are Muslim and celebrate the religious festivals even though they do not always attend a regular mosque or wear traditional clothing.
Northern Cypriots are very family orientated and spend most of their free time on family events such as gathering, weddings and barbeques where food plays a big part. Most towns and villages have regular summer festivals. Be sure to visit the local markets and food festivals where you can purchase typical Northern Cypriot cuisine. In June there is an abundance of fresh herbs for picking such as fennel, sage and thyme which grow in the mountains.
Embroidery is an old Cypriot tradition and a good place to buy bed covers and table cloths. Embroidery dates back to Venetian times and is steeped in local history. Carpet and basket weaving are other local traditions that make ideal gifts.