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Introduction:
Known as the ‘unspoiled jewel of the Mediterranean’,
North
Cyprus
has retained all of its natural charm and beauty and offers a unique
insight into a quality of life that most of us have only ever dreamed
of. North Cyprus enjoys a typical Eastern Mediterranean climate with
long hot summers and short mild winters. The northern coastline, which
borders the Girne (Kyrenia) mountain range, is accepted as one of the
most beautiful areas in the world in which to live. The natural beauty
of the island, the lovely climate, the warmth and generosity of the
Turkish Cypriot peoples and the abundant selection of fresh foods make
North Cyprus an unspoilt and non-commercialized heaven. There is
virtually no crime to speak of, and this country is reminiscent of the
UK standards long lost, where hospitality, politeness and the general
enjoyment of life are the daily norm.
Geography:
The
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus comprises an area of 3,355 square
miles and encompasses the northern part of the island, which is the
third largest in the Mediterranean. It is situated at the cross-roads
of east-west and north-south navigational routes, is only 70
kilometers south of Turkey and 385 kilometers north of Egypt. Owing to
the location of Northern Cyprus and its proximity to the rich Middle
Eastern countries, it provides an ideal place for foreign investment.
Climate:
The
climate of the island is of an extreme Mediterranean type with long,
hot summers and relatively cool, short winters. Boasting over 300 days
of sunshine a year, the sea temperature is rarely below 16°C and rises
to 28-30°C during summer months, making North Cyprus one of the
healthiest places in the world in which to live.
Major Towns:
The capital city of the TRNC is Lefkosa (Nicosia), which
is the main administration and business centre. Other towns include
Magosa (Famagusta) - the country's principal port, Girne (Kyrenia), a
town of tourist attractions and archaeological interest, and Guzelyurt
(Morphou), which is the centre of the citrus plantations.
Neighbourhoods:
Below
is a brief description of the most popular villages and towns on the
north coast.
Alsancak:
This village has something to offer everyone with its
spectacular views, authentic village atmosphere and easy access to
beaches and restaurants. There are a couple of wells-stocked mini
markets for all your supplies. It is approximately 6 miles west of
Kyrenia/Girne with its pretty harbour and shops.
Baspinar:
Set high above the village of Lapta is Baspinar,
well-known for its mountain spring, breathtaking views, sleepy
atmosphere and cooling breeze. The ideal place to spend lazy days
enjoying the views or a variety of excellent walks in the Besparmak
mountains.
Bellapais:
This historic village is set approximately 3 miles to
the east of Kyrenia, in an elevated position with wonderful views to
Kyrenia and the coast. The village is dominated by the Bellapais Abbey
which was originally founded in the 12th century by monks of the
Augustinian order and is the most impressive Gothic building in
Cyprus. The Abbey is situated on a natural terrace overlooking the
village of Ozankoy with a good selection of restaurants offering local
and international cuisine.
Edremit:
Edremit is a small village located half way up the hill
on the road up to the mountainside village of Karmi/Karaman. Edremit
has a small grocery store where daily produce can be bought, plus the
popular Hideaway Hotel with pool, bar and restaurant which is open to
non-residents. The larger village of Karaoglanoglu is approximately 1
mile down the hill with supermarkets, restaurants and sandy beaches.
Kyrenia-Girne:
This
fascinating town is situated on the northern coast of Cyprus. Its
horseshoe shaped harbour with backdrop of the Besparmak (or Five
Finger) Mountains make Kyrenia one of the most beautiful areas on the
island. The old carob warehouses which border the harbour have been
converted into attractive cafes, restaurants, bars and private
residences with the fishing boats and colourful yachts making this the
ideal place to wile away the hours. The harbour is overlooked by
Kyrenia Castle, a truly magnificent edifice constructed in the 9th
century to ward off Arab invaders. There are plenty of places
of interest in the area for those days when you want to do more than
laze in the sun including the Shipwreck Museum in the castle,
Folklore Museum, Fine Arts Museum, Monument and Museum of Freedom and
Peace, Café Pasha Mosque, Bellapais Abbey and St Hilarion Castle.
Ilgaz:
It is a quiet mountainside village with superb scenery and a mixture
of Europeans, Turkish and Cypriots. The ideal retreat for those is to
want to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern day life, with
one restaurant serving the village and many others at the bottom of
the hill.
Karakum:
A small village located just a mile east of Kyrenia
with its own small sandy bay. The village is conveniently located on
the bus route and has several restaurants, shops and a large
supermarket all within walking distance.
Karaoglanoglu:
Three miles to the west of Kyrenia is the
unpronounceable village of Karaoglanoglu. There are a few bars, some
excellent restaurants and picturesque beaches and coves, in particular
Kervansaray Beach which affords some of the most stunning sunsets due
to its westerly outlook.
Karmi/Karaman:
The
picturesque village of Karmi is situated approximately 4 miles west of
Kyrenia and is 1,000 ft above sea level giving virtually every house
breathtaking views along the coastline. Karmi is undoubtedly the
prettiest and most well-kept village in the north as all the houses
have been restored in a traditional manner often with flagged floors,
beamed ceilings, stone arches and roof terraces set in an array of
flowers, plants and trees. The village has a couple of restaurants,
bars, pubs and a village shop.
Karsiyaka:
Located in the west of Kyrenia the area affords
stunning views of the highest mountain in the Besparmak mountain
range. Karsiyaka has a couple of shops and some good fish restaurants
located close to the waters edge. A large sandy bay is a 5minute drive
away and there are many more sandy beaches between Karsiyaka and
Kyrenia.
Lapta:
Renowned for its fresh water springs and laid back way of life. Lapta
is a sprawling village approximately 9 miles west of Kyrenia. It is
backed by the Besparmak Mountains and has spectacular views of both
the sea and mountains. The village has lots to offer in the way of
restaurants and has easy access to some good beaches.
Ozankoy:
A
popular village with Europeans and Cypriots alike, conveniently
located a couple of miles east of Kyrenia, the village has excellent
views to Bellapais, the mountains and the Mediterranean and a good
selection of restaurants.
Yesiltepe:
Located between Alsancak and Karaoglanoglu on the lower
slopes of the mountain range is the area of Yesiltepe. It is
conveniently located close to several sandy beaches, restaurants,
bars, hotels and shops and is not far from the main coastal road.
Zeytinlik:
Within easy access of Kyrenia yet set in a tranquil,
rural position amongst olive groves and overlooked by the spectacular
St. Hilarion Castle. A small but good selection of restaurants, a
couple of shops and a supermarket close by.
Medical:
The cost of medical treatment in the
local hospitals is lower than that in the hospitals the UK depending
of course on the type of treatment required. Accident and emergency
facilities are available at local hospitals. It is recommended that
you seek local GPs, many of whom have had UK experience, for many
minor ailments. Private healthcare is also available through a number
of international medical insurance companies if required. Dental
treatment is of a high standard and charges are moderate. The British
Residents Society is the best place to contact for more information.
Language:
Turkish
is the official language and English is the second language, and is
widely used and understood in official and commercial circles. There
are several first-class Turkish language teachers available, and some
British residents avail themselves of their services.
Household Items:
Most
household items can be bought in North Cyprus at about the same price
as Europe. Most international makes and models are available
(Whirlpool, Kelvinator, Candy, Philips, Beko, Sony etc.) Auctions are
also held monthly where a vast array of items can be purchased at
reasonable prices. We are pleased to announce that we now offer a
furnishing package where an in-house colleague can advise you on shops
etc or purchase as few or as many items as you wish. We have
furnished several houses and can offer various standards from basic to
luxury furnishings packages with prices from £ 2,500 - £ 10,000.
Running
Costs:
Living
costs in the TRNC are much cheaper than the UK and most of Europe.
There is no rates system at present. The main costs are electricity
(approx. £15 monthly per house for a couple), water (£5 monthly) and
an annual council tax is less than £50. Central heating is becoming
more popular with newly built properties and is usually run on gas or
oil. Most cookers are run on calor gas and/or electricity.
Currency:
The
Turkish Lira (TL), which has been in circulation since 1974, is the
legal tender. The official rates for the TL are adjusted daily
according to changes in international monetary markets. Generally
speaking, all foreign currencies are acceptable at trading/tourist
outlets.
Shopping:
There is an extensive range of consumer
goods and services available throughout the island. Many of the
popular imported brand names are readily available and can be found in
local supermarkets. Fresh local produce can be purchased from a wide
variety of markets and small stores and there is wide range of wines
and spirits at very low costs: For example, local brandy retailing at
approximately £1.10 per bottle. VAT (KDV) is levied on most goods and
services with rates ranging from 20% down to 2%.
Mains Services & Communications:
The
electricity supply is 220/240v AC 50HZ, with a standard UK 3-pin plug.
Water by mains supply via water tanks and in some properties (in
particular with larger gardens) supplemented by wells. To dial from
TRNC to UK dial 00 44 and omit the first 0 of the UK code. To dial
from UK to TRNC dial 00 90 392 then the area code, followed by the
number required. N.B. Northern Cyprus is 2 hours ahead of
GMT. Broadband has just been introduced to North Cyprus.
Churches:
The Anglican Church of St. Andrew’s, Kyrenia is
conveniently located near the town centre and services are held on
Sundays and Thursdays. All Christian communities are welcome. The
Roman Catholic Church is also based in the centre of Kyrenia with mass
being celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. Other
Christian churches are located in Famagusta and Nicosia.
Traffic:
As in the UK, traffic circulation is on the left. Road
signs are international. There is a large selection of car hire
companies with a variety of vehicles at favourable rates, from £10 per
day in the winter to £15+ in the peak season.
Employment:
There
is no acute unemployment problem in the TRNC, and the number of
registered unemployed has declined steadily since 1978. The official
working week is 40 hours in the winter and 36 in the summer.
Foreign Exchange:
The
TRNC follows a flexible exchange policy. Foreign currency accounts can
be opened with local banks, and foreign currency can be brought into
the country and taken out through the banks without any restriction or
control, and the source of such income is not investigated. It should
be noted that the Government are actively encouraging the formation of
offshore banks by foreign investors, and are offering incentives such
as relatively low set-up capital, low corporation and income tax etc.
Banking System:
All types of banking services are provided and they are flexible
enough to satisfy the continually diversifying needs of the business
community. There are branches in many of the important trading centres
of the world. Some banks, such as Turk Bankasi have branches in
London.
See
www.turkishbank.com
Note: HSBC Bank has now opened branches
in Nicosia and Kyrenia.
Transport :
The newly refurbished Ercan (pronounced Airjan and approximately 25
minutes from Kyrenia) airport handles the bulk of the tourist traffic,
whilst Gecitkale serves as a back-up airport. Daily flights from many
mainland Turkish cities, as well as flights from the Europe, supply
the majority of the visitors to the island. Airlines flying to North
Cyprus are Cyprus Turkish Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Onur Air. No
visa is required to North Cyprus and if you prefer not to have your
passport stamped when entering the country, you can have a blank piece
of paper stamped. Direct flights from all overseas countries are the
key for North Cyprus, but until the intransigence in Greek and
British/US attitudes change, the road to financial stability will be
slow and tortuous. In addition to air travel, there is a selection of
car and passenger ferries from Turkey to the island, the fastest being
two and a half hours from Girne to Tasucu.
Pets :
Pets can be brought into the country from Europe with little hassle.
The Ministry of Agriculture requires a certificate from a European vet
stating that your animal is free of major diseases. Quarantine is
approximately 4 weeks at the Lefkosa kennels. For advice contact
Margaret Ray chairperson of Kyrenia Animal Rescue on 00 90 533 863
1950
Accommodation:
North Cyprus has a large selection of accommodation units, from 5-star
hotels, small family hotels, motels, pensions, self-catering villas,
and apartments and camping facilities.
Education :
General education standards
in the TRNC are of a very high standard and are borne out by the fact
that there are four universities based in North Cyprus. The majority
of schools offer bilingual education starting with kindergarten
through secondary school and finally university.
Tourism :
The mild climate, the natural and scenic attractions,
the rich antiquities, coupled with the hospitality of the Turkish
Cypriots; make North Cyprus an ideal place for tourists. There is none
of the pestering of holiday-makers that is so common now in other
Mediterranean resorts. Since tourism has been singled out as a vital
sector for the future development economy of the TRNC, the Government
has approved a bill which contains a wide range of incentives for
investors.
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