North Cyprus

If you are searching for a destination with a warm climate, great food and wine, or a serene atmosphere then look no further than North Cyprus. You will be swept away with the hospitality of the locals and the breathtaking views. There will never be a dull moment while vacationing in North Cyprus. If you are looking for adventure during the day and partying at night then you will not be disappointed. Many of the cities in North Cyprus are known for their night life. However, you can still have peace and serenity while visiting as well. There is truly something for everyone.

Just The Facts

When researching Cyprus you will probably be surprised to find out that it is separated into two separate states. As of 1983, North Cyprus has been known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, shortly named North Cyprus. This separation is due to the fierce and very long standing battle between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots. As you may have already figured out, the Greek Cypriots maintain the southern half of Cyprus. As of 2006 the standing population was calculated at 264,172.

The President of North Cyprus is nominated on a 5 year term basis. The current president is Mehmet Ali Talat. He was elected in April of 2005 and the next election will not be conducted again until 2010. The Legislative Assembly, also called Cumhuriyet Meclisi, consists of 50 members and they are elected on a 5 year term as well. The state symbols of North Cyprus is a red and white flag with a moon and star design. North Cyprus is also associated with the Coat of Arms that was designed specifically for the state in 1983.

Religion

Just like the U.S., Cyprus has no specific religious denomination. However, most of the population are muslim. Those who are not muslim are categorized as Catholic, Orthodox-Greek, Baha’is, and Anglicans.

The Language of North Cyprus

The language spoken in North Cyprus is Turkish. You will want to brush up on your Turkish dialect before visiting. One dialect website that is specifically designed for tourists is (www.OnlineTurkish.com). They have many simple words such as “hello” or “how are you” that you can learn to say to the locals. The Turkish language has been around for centuries. It is part of the Altaic branch of languages and is known best for the fact that it is spoken by almost 70 million people. The vowels are very important in the language and the verbs are the adjectives follow the nouns, ending with a verb.

Education

There are five distinct levels of education in North Cyprus. They are separated by Pre-school education, primary education, secondary education, higher education, and informal education.

•	Preschool Education: This level of education is only for children aged 4 to 6. As you can tell their age structure is very different from ours.
•	Primary Education: This form is also broken down into two levels. Primary education is for children aged 7 to 12 and the secondary primary is for children 13 to 15 years of age. Both levels are free of charge to the locals.
•	Secondary Education: This level of education is much like our version of college. Each student attends for a 3 year program. The high schools, also known as Lycees, provide students with training in agriculture, mid-wife experience, technical trade, and other important skills that will be needed for the island.
•	Higher Education: For those who have finished all programs of Secondary Education. These are actual colleges for those who want to continue education. The people of North Cyprus take pride in their knowledge and resources. Students are usually recommended to continue their education.
•	Informal Education: There are some who are not able to be successful with formal training. That is when informal training comes into use. It is aimed towards those with mental disabilities or any other kind of handicap that would keep them from performing in formal education.