Orka, Cyprus Explained

Settlement Type:village
Orka
Official Name:Όρκα (Greek) Kayalar (Turkish)
Pushpin Map:Cyprus
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Mapsize:300
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Cyprus
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Cyprus
Subdivision Type1: • District
Subdivision Name1:Kyrenia District
Subdivision Type2:Country
Subdivision Type3: • District
Subdivision Name3:Girne District
Unit Pref:Imperial
Timezone:EET
Utc Offset:+2
Timezone Dst:EEST
Utc Offset Dst:+3
Coordinates:35.3589°N 33.0314°W

Orka (Όρκα, Turkish: Kayalar) is a small village in Kyrenia District located on the northern coast of Cyprus, approximately 3 km north of Kormakitis. It is under the de facto control of Northern Cyprus.

Before the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, Orka was an entirely Greek Cypriot village. The 1960 census put the population at 139 Greek Cypriots, while in 1973 the population consisted of 98 Greek Cypriots and 17 other nationals. The Greek Cypriots fled as the Turkish army advanced in 1974. The village was repopulated in 1975 by Turkish settlers, who now make up the majority of the population. Orka was a popular destination for British nationals before 1974 and these nationals have kept their properties to this day. Some Turkish Cypriots and Europeans have also bought property and settled in the village in the 2000s.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Orga. PRIO Cyprus Displacement Center. 18 June 2015.