Location

The island of Cyprus is located in the Eastern Mediterranean. Its neighbouring lands at the nearest coastal points are Turkey 40 miles north, Syria 60 miles east, Lebanon 108 miles south-east, Israel 180 miles south-east and Egypt 230 miles south.

Area

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. It is smaller than Sicily and Sardinia and larger than Corsica and Crete .The area of the whole island is 3584 sq. miles (9250 sq. kilometers). North Cyprus is some 100 miles long, 40 miles across at its widest point and has a total area of 1357 sq. miles or nearly one third of the whole of the island.

Climate

The Climate of North Cyprus is a typical Mediterranean Climate. Summers (June to September) are hot and dry, winters (November to March) are usually rainy with a mild temperature. Spring and autumn are warm and pleasant. The average annual temperature is 20C (68 F). Summer temperatures average 30C (90F) with the coldest months of January and February 10C (50F).

(http://www.northerncyprusproperties.co.uk/north-cyprus/general/information/)

Population

The population of the North Cyprus is 200,587 inhabitants. 50% of the population lives in the cities and 50 % in the countryside. 99% of the adult population is literate.

(http://www.northcyprusonline.com/North-Cyprus-Online-Demographic-Information.php)

Languages

Turkish is the official language of North Cyprus, but English is also widely used and understood.

(http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/n-people.htm)

Economy

The economy of Northern Cyprus is dominated by the services sector (69% of GDP in 2007) which includes the public sector, trade, tourism and education. Industry (light manufacturing) contributes 22% of GDP and agriculture 9%. The economy operates on a free-market basis, with a great portion funding of the administration costs offered by Turkey .

Because of its status and the embargo by the Republic of Cyprus, Northern Cyprus is heavily dependent on Turkish economic support. It uses the New Turkish Lira as its currency which links its economic status to the Turkish economy. Since the Republic of Cyprus joined the Euro zone and the relaxed movement of peoples between north and south, the Euro is also in wide circulation. Most exports and imports have to take place via Turkey unless they are produced locally from materials sourced in Cyprus (or imported via one of the island's recognised ports) when they may be exported via one of the legal ports.

( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Northern_Cyprus )

Currency

New Turkish Lira (YTL) is the official currency in the North. However, US Dollars, Euros and UK pounds are widely accepted in the bigger cities in North Cyprus.

Banknotes: 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1 TRL
Coins: 1 TRL and 50, 25, 10, 5, 1 kurus

International Country Code for calling Northern Cyprus is +357