Long neglected in comparison to its well-know neighbour to the south, North Cyprus has come into its own in recent years and now stands proudly as one of the most ‘up and coming’ Mediterranean holiday destinations. The island’s history has seen it under the rule of most of the world’s powers; from the Romans, ancient Greeks and Lusignans, to its more recent past as a British colony. In the 1970’s, the island was subject to international dispute again, culminating in an invasion by Turkish forces to protect the interests of their compatriot Turkish Cypriots. The result was the ‘green line’. Under the control of the United Nations, this border separated the two parts of Cyprus and also effectively isolated the north, both politically and economically. The island remains divided, and of the world’s powers, only Turkey technically recognises the state of North Cyprus. However, recent history has seen changes and it is now possible for visitors and residents to freely cross between the parts of the island. Read the rest of this entry »