Northern Cyprus (), officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC; , "KKTC"), is a "de facto" state in the northern half of the island of Cyprus. It is internationally recognised as part of the Republic of Cyprus and only Turkey recognised it. Three hundred thousand Turkish Cypriots live in its 3,335 km². Turkey is the only country which recognizes the territory as an independent republic despite the international sanctions and embargos in place.