About Cyprus
Cyprus, the third largest island of the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia, is located in the Eastern Mediterranean, where the trade routes of three continents intersect. Cyprus’ strategic location has played an important role in shaping its history, turning the island into a center of commerce and international trade. The island of Cyprus is full of fascinating ruins of history and surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean.
The total surface area of the island is 9,251 square kilometers, and the surface area of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is 3,242 square kilometers. The 2018 projection (estimated) population determined by the State Planning Organization is 372,486 people.
The capital Nicosia is the largest city of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Famagusta, Iskele and Kyrenia, located on the seaside, are other important cities. Güzelyurt and Lefke are two cities famous for their large citrus gardens.
Climate
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is a country where the typical Mediterranean climate prevails, with hot and dry summers and mild winters. The coldest period is January, and most of the precipitation falls in the period November – March. During the summer months, the temperature can rise above 40 degrees in the shade.
Language
The mother tongue of Turkish Cypriots is Turkish. The English language is widely used.
Time period
GMT+2
Communication
The international dialing code is +90.
Money and Banking System
The official currency in TRNC is Turkish Lira (TL). Real persons and legal entities are free to hold foreign currency, to save in foreign currency, to use foreign currency as a medium of exchange and to express the figures in their payment orders and contracts in foreign currency.
The exchange rates to be taken as basis in official transactions in TRNC are determined daily by the Central Bank and are announced both on the Bank’s website and in the Official Gazette. Banks, exchange offices and the Central Bank freely determine foreign exchange buying and selling rates for their own transactions.
TRNC has a developed banking system. In addition to the Central Bank and Development Bank, both Commercial Bank and International Banking Unit (IBU) services are provided.
