35°11N 33°23E, pop (2000e) 187 300. Capital city of Republic of Cyprus; on R Pedias, in the C of Mesaoria plain; capital since 12th-c; Green Line divides the city into northern (Turkish) and southern (Greek) sectors; agricultural trade centre; textiles, food processing, cigarettes; old city surrounded by Venetian-built walls (late 16th-c); technical institute (1968); Cathedral of St John; International State Fair and Nicosia Art Festival (May).
Coordinates: 35°10′N 33°21′E
| Nicosia (Λευκωσία, Lefkoşa) | |
|---|---|
| Nicosia Municipality | |
| Coordinates | 35°10′ N 33°21′ E |
| Country | Cyprus |
| District | Nicosia District |
| Population | 206,200 (2001) |
| Elevation | 160 m |
| Mayor | Michael Zampelas |
| Website | http://www.nicosia.org.cy/ |
Nicosia, known locally as Lefkosia (Greek: Λευκωσία , also colloquially Khora, Χώρα or Turkish: Lefkoşa) is the capital and largest city of Cyprus. Nicosia is located at 35°10' north, 33°21' east (35.1667, 33.35). Nicosia is the center and capital of an administrative district (Nicosia District), and after the fall of the Berlin Wall, it is currently the only divided capital city in the world , with the northern (Turkish) and southern (Greek) portions divided by the "Green Line", a demilitarized zone maintained by the United Nations, although unlike Cold War East and West Berlin, few use the terms "North Nicosia" and "South Nicosia".
The population of the part of the city under the control of the Republic of Cyprus is 206,200 (end of 2001).
Nicosia is a modern, dynamic capital with lots of shops, restaurants and entertainment. Nicosia is the seat of the University of Cyprus (UCY) and of all the colleges and institutes of Republic of Cyprus.
History
The Greek name of Nicosia, "Lefkosia", probably comes from Lefkos, son of Ptolemy I of Egypt, who rebuilt the city in the 3rd century B.C..
Known as Ledra or Ledrae in ancient times, the city was the seat of the Lusignan kings of Cyprus since 1192, became a Venetian possession in 1489, and fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1571.
The name "Nicosia" appeared towards the end of the 12th century, when the city was owned and run by the Knights Templar. In fact, it is this period of Frankish (Luisignan) rule that gave rise to the exonym Nicosia. The Crusaders conquerors could not, or did not care, to pronounce the name Kallinikisis, as the city was called at that time, and they tended to say "Nikosia", which they spelled as "Nicosia".
Some 20,000 residents died as a result of the Ottoman siege of 1570. Cholera hit the city in 1835, and fire destroyed large parts of Nicosia in 1857. The British Empire gained control over the island in 1878, with Nicosia serving as the capital of the new British colony.
Nicosia was the scene of extreme violence in the period just prior to Cypriot independence in 1960. Since the Greek supported coup and Turkish invasion which followed it in 1974, part of the city's northern sector has been inside the boundary of a United Nations buffer zone
The tombs of the Lusignan kings are in the former Cathedral of St. Sophia, now a mosque in the northern sector. The core of the city also has well-preserved Venetian fortifications, built in the 16th century, which encircle the old, medieval part of the city.
Administration
As the capital of the Republic, Nicosia is Cyprus's political, economic and cultural head. Greater Nicosia is subdivided into seven municipalities, but the metropolitan authority is the Municipality of Nicosia itself – within whose boundaries the Constitution states that the main government buildings and headquarters must be suited.
According to the constitution of Cyprus Nicosia Municipality was divided into a Greek and Turkish sector with two Mayors a representative of the Greek Community which was the majority and a second one representing the Turkish community.
The Municipality of Nicosia is now headed by the Mayor, who is Mihalis Zambellas (supported by the conservative Democratic Rally and the United Democrats) and the council comprising of 26 councilors, one of who is Deputy Mayor.
The Mayor and the Councilors exercise all the powers vested in them by the Municipal Corporation Law.
The Mayor is the executive authority of the Municipality, exercising overall control and managing the Municipal Council.
All municipalities in the Republic of Cyprus are members of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities. The Mayor of Nicosia is the President of the Union and the Chairman of the Executive Committee.
Interesting sites
Nicosia lies roughly at the center of the island, with a rich history that can be traced back to the Bronze Age. The heart of the city, enclosed by 16th century Venetian walls, is dotted with museums, ancient churches and medieval buildings preserving the nostalgic atmosphere of years past. Yet this old heart is split in two, leaving Nicosia the only capital city in the world to remain divided by force.
The new Nicosia developed outside the walls became a contemporary business and cultural center.
The old walled city of Nicosia is unique and definitely the place to head for first.
To walk through the old city is to step backwards in time. The two main streets of old Nicosia, Ledra and Onasagorou, are lined with shops of every type, and both streets are pedestrian-only.
Although the city has been destroyed more than once by conquerors, there are still enough vestiges to enjoy the past. The historic heart of the city is clearly found inside the walls, but the modern city has grown beyond.
The heart of the city is Eleftheria (Freedom) Square, with the city hall, the post office and the library.
Nicosia is also known for its fine museums. The Nicosia Jewels Museum and the Municipal Arts Center are both well worth a visit. The 'Levention' Municipal Museum, with an imaginative presentation of the capital's history, was awarded the title "1991 European Museum of the Year" and it is the only historical museum of Nicosia and revives the old ways of life in the capital from ancient times up to our days.
Not to be missed is the unique Cyprus Museum, housing the island's most important collection of Cypriot antiquities and treasures from the Neolithic Age to the Roman Period.
Another award winner is the city's renovated 'Pyli Ammochostou' - Famagusta Gate - one of the original entrances to the old city, which won the Europa Nostra award for its restoration.
In Nicosia also there are mosques, like the Selimiye Mosque (Nicosia). This ancient church is the chief mosque in the northern (TRNC-administered) sector of Nicosia, and the festivals of Bayram and other Moslem gatherings are conducted here.
Transportation
Nicosia International Airport has not been used since 1974 as it lies within the U.N. Buffer Zone separating the two parts of Nicosia. The de facto TRNC has an airport to the east of Nicosia called Ercan (Greek: Tymvou), while planes to (Greek) Nicosia land at Larnaca.
There are many taxi companies in Nicosia.
Sports
Football is the most important sport in Cyprus, and Nicosia is home of two major teams of the island, AC Omonia and APOEL. Another team of Nicosia which had success in the past and plays in Cypriot First Division is Olympiakos Nicosia. The other big stadium of Nicosia is Makario Stadium with capacity of 16000 seats.
Omonia and APOEL have their own basketball and volleyball sections. APOEL is successful team in basketball as well, same with another team of the city, Keravnos Strovolos.In athletics the club of Nicosia is Gymnastic Club Pancypria (GSP)-the owner of the football stadium GSP. Also all the teams in the Futsal First Division are from Nicosia!
Nicosia hosted the 2000 ISSF World Cup Final about shooting events for the shotgun. Lefkotheo is the volleyball stadium in Nicosia.
Culture
In 2006 the Manifesta Biennale was scheduled to be held in Nicosia for a duration of three months.
The city also hosted the competition of Miss Universe 2000 in Eleftheria Indoor Hall.
Twinnings
Schwerin, Germany (1974) Athens, Greece (1988) Odessa, Ukraine (1996) Shiraz, Iran (1999) Bucharest, Romania (2004) Shanghai, China (2004)Collaborations
Moscow, Russian Federation (2000) Nicosia, Sicily, Italy (2000) Qingdao, China (2001) Athens, Greece (2002, 2003) Helsinki, Finland (2003) Zagreb, Croatia (2004)Famous Nicosians
Tassos Papadopoulos, current president of the Republic of Cyprus since 2003.¹ The TRNC is not recognized internationally, but only by Turkey.
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