Cyprus' No Man's Land: The United Nations' Buffer Zone

In Cyprus 1974, the Cyprus National Guard staged a coup that had been ordered by the Greek military junta, which led to a Turkish invasion. Turkey captured 3% of the island before a ceasefire was declared. The Greek military junta was dissolved and replaced by a democratic government, but another invasion by Turkey one month later, gave them further control of 40% of the island. Yet another ceasefire was declared and a buffer zone under the control of the United Nations was established. Some areas of the buffer zone are farmed and/or inhabited, while some are largely untouched by human activity. In the latter areas, you need specific authorization to be granted access.

In line with UNFICYP’s mandate to work toward a return to normal conditions, parts of the buffer zone are farmed and/or inhabited. There are several villages or special areas (called Civil Use Areas) within the buffer zone, where more than 10,000 people live and/or work. Civilians may enter these areas freely. Elsewhere in the buffer zone, civilian movement or activity requires specific authorization from UNFICYP. Located in the eastern region of the buffer zone, Pyla is the only village where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots live side by side.

Other areas are largely untouched by human activity. Remnants of old villages, shops and other reminders of lives once lived are scattered throughout the zone. In old Nicosia, ‘new’ cars from the 1970s sit in an underground garage once owned by a car dealer.

As Cyprus has experienced heady development, the buffer zone has remained a haven for flora and fauna, thriving on the near absence of hunters and most other human interference.

Below are a few images from the buffer zone taken from The Atlantic's piece "Frozen In Time: The Cyprus Buffer Zone", with photographs by Neil Hall.

The abandoned Nicosia International Airport: