Northern Cyprus

Fossils and prehistoric animals on stamps and postmarks of Northern Cyprus

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Contents:
Northern Cyprus, officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is a self-declared state that comprises the northeastern portion of the island of Cyprus. Recognized only by Turkey, Northern Cyprus is considered by the international community to be part of the Republic of Cyprus. Northern Cyprus extends from the tip of the Karpass Peninsula in the northeast to Morphou Bay, Cape Kormakitis and its westernmost point, the Kokkina exclave in the west. Due to its lack of recognition, Northern Cyprus is heavily dependent on Turkey for economic, political and military support. [R1]

The first stamps of Northern Cyprus were issued on 8 April 1970 but were valid only for local services in the North. Northern Cyprus is not a member of the Universal Postal Union. International mail for Northern Cyprus travels via Turkey. [R2]



Official stamps of Northern Cyprus related to Paleontology and Paleoanthropology: fossils of prehistoric animals, prehistoric human.

27.11.1991 "Tourism" [1] 16.05.1994 "EUROPA: Archaeological Discoveries"
Fossils of pygmy Hippopotamus on stamp of Northern Cyprus 1991 Prehistoric humans on Archaeological Discoveries stamps of Northern Cyprus 1994

Notes:
[1] Stamp with the face value of 250L shows some fossilized bones of a prehistoric elephant and hippopotamus. The hippopotamus is also depicted on commemorative postmark used on FDC and on stamp of Cyprus in 2007.



Postmarks of Northern Cyprus related to Paleontology: prehistoric animals

27.11.1991 "Tourism" [1] [FDC]
Pygmy Hippopotamus on commemorative postmark of Northern Cyprus 1991



References:
  •   [R1] Northern Cyprus: Wikipedia, WikiTravel, FlagCounter.
  •   [R2] Postal History and Philately of Northern Cyprus: Wikipedia,
              Links to official website of the Post Authority, stamp catalog and a list of new stamps of Northern Cyprus are here.


Acknowledgements:
Many thanks to Dr. Peter Voice from Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, for reviewing the draft page and his very valuable comments.


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