Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus covers an area of 3,355 square kilometers, north of the separate Republic of Cyprus. Citizens of Northern Cyprus speak Turkish and English. The capital is in Lefkosa, also known as Nicosia. Northern Cyprus declared its independence on November 15, 1983. On April 17, 1984, Turkey exchanged ambassadors with Northern Cyprus thus officially recognizing Northern Cyprus as a sovereign state apart from its island neighbor by a member of the international community.
Conflicts between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots continue today. Currently, there is a United Nations effort to conclude a deal that would unify the two independent states in Cyprus and end all violent hostilities by the two Cypruses and their allies.
