What is Northern Cyprus?
Q: What is Northern Cyprus?
A: Northern Cyprus, officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), is a de facto state in the northern half of the island of Cyprus. It is internationally recognised as part of the Republic of Cyprus and only Turkey recognises it as a separate state.
Q: How many people live in Northern Cyprus?
A: Approximately 300,000 Muslim Turkish Cypriots live in its 3,335 km².
Q: What religion do most people practice in Northern Cyprus?
A: The main religion practiced by most people in Northern Cyprus is Sunni Islam. As such, male Cypriot Turks are circumcised.
Q: When did Turkey give up control over the island to the British Empire?
A: In 1923, by the Treaty of Lausanne Turkey gave up control over the island to the British Empire which then converted it to a crown colony. The British administered it from 1878 until 1960.
Q: What happened during 1974 that caused international condemnation?
A: In 1974, Turkish Cypriots were killed at Maratha, Santalaris and Aloda massacre due to growing conflict with Greece; this prompted Turkey to invade and occupy Cyprus which drew international condemnation and resulted in Northern Cyprus remaining unrecognized by the United Nations.
Q: Who formed 'The Turkish Republic of Northrn Cprus'?
A: The ''Turkish Republic of Northrn Cprus'' was formed in 1983 and Rauf Denktash became its first president.
Q: Who are Gurbeti-Roma ?
A: Gurbeti-Roma are a Xoraxane Roma Muslim subgroup who settled on Cypurs since it was part of Ottoman Empire; they speak Gurbetca an own Romani dialect and Cypriot Turkish
