The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) (Turkish: Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti, KKTC), commonly called Northern Cyprus, is a de facto independent republic located in the north of Cyprus. The TRNC declared its independence in 1983, nine years after a Greek Cypriot coup attempting to annex the island to Greece triggered a Turkish invasion of Cyprus. It has received diplomatic recognition only from Turkey, on which it is dependent for economic, political and military support. The rest of the international community, including the United Nations and European Union, recognise the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus over the whole island.The Turkish Army maintains a large force in the TRNC, which the Republic of Cyprus regards as an illegal occupation force; its presence has also been denounced in several United Nations Security Council resolutions. Attempts to reach a solution to the dispute have so far been unsuccessful. In 2004 a UN backed plan to reunite the island was accepted by Turkish Cypriots in a referendum, but rejected by Greek Cypriots.The TRNC extends from the tip of the Karpass Peninsula (Cape Apostolos Andreas) in the northeast, westward to Morphou Bay and Cape Kormakitis (the Kokkina/Erenköy exclave marks the westernmost extent of the TRNC), and southward to the village of Louroujina/Akıncılar. The no man's land or buffer zone stretching between the two areas is under the control of the United Nations.

Charter companies offering flights only are a good bet but you need to brave enough to wait until the last minute before you book.

More and more families with young children are booking flights to Cyprus for the excellent childcare provision many of the island's hotel and villa complexes provide.The Anassa Hotel in Paphos has been highly praised by the Times for its kids' club, and has gained a reputation for being one of the most family-friendly destinations in Europe.

Around 3.3 million Britons are expected to jet off on holiday this Christmas with flights to Cyprus likely to be top of holidaygoers' wish lists.The number of people taking flights to cyprus and other destinations for the festive season is likely to jump by 11 per cent this year, figures from Cooperative Travel suggest.

People hoping to book flights and spend Christmas in sunnier climes should think about booking flights to Cyprus, where a whole host of events are being planned to help visitors and locals get into the festive spirit.Throughout December, the Ayia Napa Municipal Town Hall will be playing host to a month-long programme of events.

Britons taking flights to Cyprus in the search for a second home in sunnier climes should set their sights on the island's northern coast, an expert at propertyinvestment.co.uk has stated. Although southern Cyprus has witnessed one of the fastest growing markets in the whole of Europe, the property market there has in fact started to slow.