Cyprus Post is the official postal operator of Cyprus and is responsible for running the government post office. Interestingly, the use of pillar boxes, which bear the initials of the British monarch, is a legacy from the period of British colonial rule. However, these were painted yellow following Cyprus' independence. The establishment of modern postal services in Cyprus dates back to 1878, when Great Britain captured the island. Shortly after, the British colonial administration, led by Sir Garnet Wolseley, the first British High Commissioner and Governor of Cyprus, introduced a postal service modeled after the British system. The mail system was connected to the Main Post Office in London through the French depart (mail transport). It is also worth noting that the postal network covers the entire island of Cyprus, including the disputed area under Turkish occupation, known as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus." However, only a few post offices are highlighted explicitly in that region.