Nicosia (a.k.a. Lefkosia or Lefkoşa) is divided by the ‘green line’ forming two opposite sides located in the Greek-majority Republic of Cyprus (RoC) and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) - a proto-state recognised only by Turkey and understood as an occupied zone by the Greek Cypriots.

This line (that you shouldn’t refer to as a “border”) divides the city in two and if you want to go on the other side you need to pass by one of the checkpoints. When you enter the Turkish part (as people call it in short in their informal speech), your phone connects to a Turkish mobile operator. And the roaming says you are in Turkey.

// digital illustration // 3508 × 4961px // 2024, Nicosia [CY]