Northern Cyprus

Northern Cyprus
Country	Independent (de facto) Cyprus (de jure)
Adopted	March 7, 1984
Proportions	2:3

The flag of Northern Cyprus is white with a red star-and-crescent facing towards the fly and two red horizontal stripes near the top and bottom of the flag.

Symbolism

The flag of Northern Cyprus is based on the flag of Turkey with its colours reversed, represents Turkish heritage of its citizens.

Star-and-crescent is a common Islamic symbol.

Other flags of Northern Cyprus

President's flag

History

In 1974 Northern Cyprus was occupied by Turkey in response to restrictions attempted to be imposed on the Turkish community of the island.

In February 1975, the leader of the Turkish community unilaterally proclaimed the Turkish Cypriot Federate State, which he presented as the first component of a future Cypriot federal state. The new state was recognized only by Turkey.

In 1974–1983 Northern Cyprus used the flag of Turkey. In 1983 the local flag was unofficially modified by adding two white stripes.

The parliament of the republic passed a law on the current flag of Northern Cyprus on March 7, 1984; it was enacted on March 9.

Flag of Turkey, July 20, 1974 – 1983

Unofficial flag, 1983 – March 9, 1984

Since March 9, 1984

References

Unrecognized Countries
Abkhazia Kosovo Northern Cyprus Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Somaliland South Ossetia Taiwan Transnistria