Red Crescent in North Cyprus

June 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The International Federation of the Red Crescent and the Red Cross Societies (IFRC) were originally formed in 1919 and now have around 186 national societies worldwide.  The IFRC is overseen by the International Federation of the Red Cross (ICRC) which has authority under international humanitarian law to protect the life and dignity of the victims of international and internal armed conflicts.

Most of us would recognise the Red Cross symbol as the international humanitarian organisation, but the Red Crescent became a symbol used by the Ottoman Empire during the Turkish-Prussian war from 1876 to 1878 as it did not want to offend its Muslim soldiers.  It became an officially recognised symbol in 1929 and now 33 of the 186 national societies use this symbol due to their mainly Muslim populations. [Read more...]

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Ramazan in North Cyprus

May 25, 2012 By 2 Comments

No, not an incorrect spelling of Ramadan which is the term most of us will recognise!  Unfortunately we have not really been given an explanation of why it’s called Ramazan in North Cyprus – it just is!  The month of fasting for all practising Muslims who choose to follow this religious event will culminate in family gatherings, visiting the graves of love ones past and generally having a few days holiday to get the body and mind back to its previous state. [Read more...]

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North Cyprus Kibhas Shuttle Bus

May 25, 2012 By 1 Comment

Launched in late February 2009 the Cyprus Airport Services run KIBHAS airport shuttle service is now in full operation serving customers with transfers to Ercan Airport.  It has been quite a while coming but now has a fleet of twelve buses and coaches departing from all the major towns and ports in North Cyprus. [Read more...]

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Border Crossings in North Cyprus

February 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Since 2003, the north and south of Cyprus have been accessible to each other via several checkpoints along the Green Line, all of which were opened as part of efforts aimed at reuniting the two Cypriot communities. 

Today Europeans and Cypriots are able to use several border crossings in Cyprus, whether it’s to shop, trade or work.  Currently there are 6 checkpoints open to pedestrians and/or traffic and below we will detail these for you.  It’s worth noting that another checkpoint in Yeşilirmak on the far north-western tip of Cyprus could be set to open shortly and we will keep you up to date on that!

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Turtle Watching in North Cyprus

February 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The yearly arrival in North Cyprus of the turtle population brings about hectic activity by marine groups, volunteers and the general public!  Beaches all over the island are cleared and made ready for female turtles which come to nest all across the shores of North Cyprus.

There are two types of turtles which come to nest in North Cyprus and these are the loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) and green sea (Chelonia Mydas) turtles; they make the yearly journey to nest and then return to the sea, leaving their eggs deep in the sand to hatch.  Environmental groups have been active since 1992 in helping to protect these precious and endangered creatures, monitoring the hatchlings to ensure that their survival is as guaranteed as much as possible.

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North Cyprus Birds

January 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

North Cyprus is a must-visit for bird lovers because it’s a major migration route for many species, and it’s also a permanent home for many others.  The majority of migration is from March through to May when you will see northward migration, and then again between August and October when you can see the migration heading southwards.  However, it is entirely possible to see birds migrating beyond these months.

There are many places to bird watch, and a visit to any of the mountain castles in North Cyprus will give you a great view from which to watch for these birds – as well as providing you with a great day out walking in history.

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North Cyprus Wildlife

January 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

North Cyprus is host to an eclectic mix of unusual wildlife, and some fascinating species can be seen at any time of year.  North Cyprus is also home to common and recognisable species such as hedgehogs, foxes and tortoises, although the latter is not native to the island but was probably brought from Turkey and left free to roam the countryside!

There are an abundance of butterflies and also mammal, reptile and sea species, and you can find examples of wildlife anywhere in the mountains and along the unpopulated coastal areas.  North Cyprus is also famous for its wild flowers, especially the rare orchids that attract travellers from all over the world.

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North Cyprus Flora

January 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

North Cyprus has a huge variety of stunning flora, much of which you can see in any garden or field.  North Cyprus is also home to many species of orchids, with visitors and eager botanists coming from far and wide to find them on the hillsides and mountains in the spring.

Springtime, or anytime after February, is special in North Cyprus with many plants and trees bursting into bloom, and you can often walk through carpets of anemones, rock roses and other colourful flowers such as iris and narcissi.  North Cyprus is also well known for its tulips, and a Tulip Festival is held yearly in Tepebaşı which is a village located between Kyrenia and Güzelyurt on the north west of the island.

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North Cyprus Herbarium

January 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

North Cyprus has its own Herbarium, located at the Alevkaya Forest Station up in the mountain area between Esentepe and Değirminlik on the east coast.  The first Herbarium in Cyprus was actually located in Lefkoşa, and its collection was built over many years during the British colonial era, but it was subsequently cut off from North Cyprus in the divisions of 1974.

The current Herbarium has been open to the public since 1989, and it was the culmination of efforts by one Dr. Deryck Viney, a one-time British resident who lived in the village of Karaman.  He worked with other foreign experts and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to develop the project.  Dr. Viney, a qualified botanist and a true English gentleman, (to those of us who have had the pleasure of knowing him), spent many years studying and documenting the flora of North Cyprus and publishing his findings in various books such as ‘An Illustrated Flora of North Cyprus.’  He also had the benefit of help from personnel at Kew Gardens.

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Hunting in North Cyprus

January 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Love it or hate it, both sides of the island of Cyprus have a culture of hunting, and one which has been embraced for many generations.

There are two and more recently even three (a summer season has been known) hunting seasons in North Cyprus, and at the time of writing the first seasons ran from late November through to late December, with hunting only allowed each Sunday.  Normally running from October, the 2008 season has been shortened due to concerns about the lack of game available as a result of the recent long hot summers which have affected game breeding rates.

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