North Cyprus General Information

The Turkish Cypriot economy has about one-fifth the population and one-third the per capita GDP of the south. Because it is recognized only by Turkey, it has had much difficulty arranging foreign financing, and foreign firms have hesitated to invest there. The economy remains heavily dependent on agriculture and government service, which together employ about half of the work force. Moreover, the small, vulnerable economy has suffered because the Turkish lira is legal tender. To compensate for the economy's weakness, Turkey provides direct and indirect aid to tourism, education, industry, etc.

A liberal economic system has been adopted in the TRNC. Under this system the promotion of the private sector with limited government intervention, the rational use of natural resources, the encouragement of investments that generate high value added and employment preserve their priority and importance.

Development activities in North Cyprus are carried out according to economic planning in accordance with the constitution. In North Cyprus tourism plays a large role followed by tertiary studies, industry, agriculture, transportation and health sectors respectively. One of the most important steps of the structural change to spur the economic development in Northern Cyprus is privatization of state owned industries.
Political Organization

The North Cyprus government has its own elected political party, with its own Prime Minister. There are also many non government organizations that operate in Cyprus.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is a democratic, secular republic based on the principles of social justice and the rule of law. The Constitution provides for a semi-presidential system with a president as the head of state, and a council of ministers composed of prime minister and 10 ministers. Legislative power is vested in the Legislative Assembly, composed of 50 deputies elected by universal suffrage for a period of five years. Judicial power is exercised through independent courts.

There are foreign embassies of many countries located in Nicosia.

The calendar of public holidays in North Cyprus is a mixture of official patriotic commemorations, many imported from Turkey, and religious festival holidays.