A place where the mountains and the sea is loving, touching and kissing each other everywhre you go. North Cyprus has often been described as 'the Mediterranean of your childhood' and that phrase sums up the peace, serenity and sheer natural beauty of this almost forgotten backwater of the Levant.   The coastline of North Cyprus offers some of the finest and safest bathing in the Mediterranean, and the crystal clear Mediterranean Sea brings delights for swimmers, snorkelers, divers, sailors, water-skiers and fishermen alike. The Kyrenia Harbour Nestled under the backdrop of the Five Finger mountain range and overlooking the calm sparkling waters, the harbour has an intoxicatingly serene atmosphere.   As the sun sets over Kyrenia the town centre and the harbour in particular, become alive with young and old as everyone makes the most of the unique atmosphere Northern Cyprus has to offer. The streets are alive with stalls selling nik-naks and souvenirs, bars playing music until the early hours, and laughter coming from every table in every restaurant as the evening progresses.
	The Island has been occupied by a succession of peoples from Europe and Asia. In the 8th century BC it was a part of the Assyrian empire, then the Babylonian, Egyptian and Persian. In 58 BC the island was seized by the Romans. Richard the Lionheart settled on the island in 1191 during the third Crusade and, after selling it to the Knights Templar permitted Guy de Lusignan to buy the island. Cyprus remained in Lusignan possession until captured by the Venetians in 1489. From 1571 to 1878 the Island was ruled by the Ottomans until they leased its administration to Britain. Independence was granted in 1960, but after Greek Cypriot and Greek military coup in 1974, Turkey was forced to intervene to safe guard the interest of the Turkish Cypriots. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was subsequently proclaimed in 1983.