18 haunting images capture Cyprus' divided border that's effectively frozen-in-time

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18 haunting images capture Cyprus' divided border that's effectively frozen-in-time
  • The buffer zone was hastily evacuated during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
  • For the past five decades, it has remained mostly uninhabited.

On July 20, 1974, Turkish soldiers invaded the island of Cyprus. The invasion, which the Turks claimed was aimed at protecting Turkish Cypriots from persecution, ended up splitting the island almost exactly in half.

For the past five decades, Cyprus has remained divided between the southern Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which has only been recognized by Turkey. The rest of the international community considers Northern Cyprus to be a Turkish-occupied territory, and the Turkish Land Forces maintains a large force on the island.

The dividing line is the United Nations Buffer Zone, which cuts straight through the capital Nicosia and across the rest of the island.

Ranging from 11 feet at its narrowest to 4.6 miles at its widest, the zone was hastily evacuated during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. It has remained uninhabited, effectively frozen in time.

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The United Nations Buffer Zone cuts through the entirety of Cyprus.

The United Nations Buffer Zone cuts through the entirety of Cyprus.
Neil Hall/REUTERS

The Nicosia International Airport was contained within the zone and has since gone largely unused.

The Nicosia International Airport was contained within the zone and has since gone largely unused.
Neil Hall/REUTERS
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Even the airport's planes were left behind to rot.

Even the airport's planes were left behind to rot.
Neil Hall/REUTERS

A cafe within the airport stands abandoned.

A cafe within the airport stands abandoned.
Neil Hall/REUTERS
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As does the airport's departure lounge, which is covered in thick layers of dust.

As does the airport's departure lounge, which is covered in thick layers of dust.
Neil Hall/REUTERS

Billboards and signs throughout the zone still display ads for products from over 40 years ago.

Billboards and signs throughout the zone still display ads for products from over 40 years ago.
Neil Hall/REUTERS
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Residential and shopping districts of Nicosia that fell within the buffer were evacuated.

Residential and shopping districts of Nicosia that fell within the buffer were evacuated.
Neil Hall/REUTERS

And the old residential neighborhoods fell completely into disrepair.

And the old residential neighborhoods fell completely into disrepair.
Neil Hall/REUTERS
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Multiple blocks now stand empty.

Multiple blocks now stand empty.
Neil Hall/REUTERS

In some cases, people fled the zone so quickly that they didn't even clear tables.

In some cases, people fled the zone so quickly that they didn't even clear tables.
Neil Hall/REUTERS
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Car dealerships also fell within the buffer zone inside central Nicosia.

Car dealerships also fell within the buffer zone inside central Nicosia.
Neil Hall/REUTERS

Now vintage Toyotas can be found still bearing their import stickers.

Now vintage Toyotas can be found still bearing their import stickers.
Neil Hall/REUTERS
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Former homes also stand empty, surrounded by barbed wire.

Former homes also stand empty, surrounded by barbed wire.
Neil Hall/REUTERS

In some cases, the doors of former houses were filled with sand bags and turned into firing positions.

In some cases, the doors of former houses were filled with sand bags and turned into firing positions.
Neil Hall/REUTERS
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Watchtowers dot the landscape, providing surveillance opportunities along the entire length of the divide.

Watchtowers dot the landscape, providing surveillance opportunities along the entire length of the divide.
Neil Hall/REUTERS

Over the course of 40 years, Cypriots of both republics have grown accustomed to the UN outposts.

Over the course of 40 years, Cypriots of both republics have grown accustomed to the UN outposts.
Neil Hall/REUTERS
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Both Turkish and Greek Cypriots are barred from entering the buffer zone, so their experience is limited to seeing it from outside.

Both Turkish and Greek Cypriots are barred from entering the buffer zone, so their experience is limited to seeing it from outside.
Neil Hall/REUTERS

Within Nicosia, fortified walls run throughout the city prohibiting access.

Within Nicosia, fortified walls run throughout the city prohibiting access.
Neil Hall/REUTERS
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