The term "Turkish Cypriot" refers to the ethnic group of people in Cyprus who are of Turkish descent. They primarily speak Turkish and have cultural ties to Turkey. The Turkish Cypriots make up one of the two main communities on the island, the other being the Greek Cypriots. Following the division of Cyprus in 1974, Turkish Cypriots established a self-declared state in the northern part of the island, known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). This region is recognized only by Turkey, while the southern part is governed by the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus.