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North Nicosia

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For other Nicosia, see Nicosia (disambiguation).
North Nicosia
Turkish: Kuzey Lefkoşa
City
From upper left: The historical part of North Nicosia, the Büyük Han, high-rises in Bedrettin Demirel Avenue (the building on the right is the tallest building in North Nicosia), a view from the entertainment center of Mehmet Akif Avenue, Atatürk Square at the heart of the old city, North Nicosia city hall, Selimiye Mosque
From upper left: The historical part of North Nicosia, the Büyük Han, high-rises in Bedrettin Demirel Avenue (the building on the right is the tallest building in North Nicosia), a view from the entertainment center of Mehmet Akif Avenue, Atatürk Square at the heart of the old city, North Nicosia city hall, Selimiye Mosque
Official seal of North Nicosia
Seal
StatusRecognised by the international community as part of the Republic of Cyprus. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus's claim is only recognised by Turkey.
Administered by Northern Cyprus
Cypriot DistrictNicosia
North Cypriot DistrictLefkoşa
Government
 • MayorMehmet Harmancı (TDP)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total61,378
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
WebsiteNicosia Turkish Municipality

North Nicosia or Northern Nicosia (Turkish: Kuzey Lefkoşa; Greek: Λευκωσία) is the capital and largest city of the de facto state of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, de jure part of the Republic of Cyprus. It is the northern half of the city of Nicosia and is governed by the Nicosia Turkish Municipality. Located on the River Pedieos and located almost at the center of the island, it is the host for the seat of the government as well as the main business center.

Following the intercommunal violence of the 1960s, the capital of Republic of Cyprus was divided between the island's Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in the south and north respectively in 1963.[2][3] An attempted coup by the Greek military junta to unite the island with Greece in 1974 led to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and the international community considers North Nicosia to be under Turkish occupation since then.

As of 2011, North Nicosia had a population of 61,378. The city is the economic, commercial and cultural center of Northern Cyprus, with many shops, restaurants and shopping malls. Recent years have seen significant development of the city, including the surge of the Dereboyu area as a center of business and entertainment. The city is home to three universities, of which the Near East University is the biggest with over 20,000 students.

History

Main articles: Nicosia § History, and Northern Cyprus § History

In 1963, in the aftermath of constitutional amendments by the Greek Cypriots which were rejected by the Turkish Cypriots, intercommunal violence broke out. Nicosia was divided into Greek and Turkish Cypriot quarters by the Green Line, named after the colour of the pen used by the United Nations officer to draw the line on a map of the city.[4] This resulted in the ceasing of Turkish Cypriot participation in the government, and following more intercommunal violence in 1964, a number of Turkish Cypriots moved to the Turkish quarter of Nicosia, causing serious overcrowding.[5]

On 15 July 1974, there was an attempted coup d'état led by the Greek military junta to unite the island with Greece. The coup ousted president Makarios III and replaced him with pro-enosis nationalist Nikos Sampson.[6] On 20 July 1974, the Turkish army invaded the island, fearing that the coup would result in enosis.[7] The invasion included two phases. The second phase was performed on 14 August 1974, where the Turkish army advanced their positions, eventually capturing a total of 37% of Cypriot territory, including the northern part of Nicosia and the cities of Kyrenia and Famagusta.

On 23 April 2003, the Ledra Palace crossing was opened through the Green Line, the first time that crossing was allowed since 1974.[8] This was followed by the opening of Ayios Dometios crossing point on 9 May 2003.[9] On 3 April 2008, the Ledra Street crossing was also reopened.[10]

Government

As the capital, North Nicosia is Northern Cyprus's political, economic and cultural center. North Nicosia hosts the ministries of Northern Cyprus. The city is governed by the Nicosia Turkish Municipality, which is recognized by the constitution of the Republic of Cyprus.[11]

The Municipality of North Nicosia is now headed by the Mayor, who is Cemal Bulutoğulları. The Mayor and the Councillors exercise all the powers vested in them by the Municipal Corporation Law. Sub-committees consisting of members of the Municipal Council act only on an advisory level and according to the procedures and regulations issued by the Council.

Mayors of Nicosia Turkish Municipality

Landmarks

Nicosia lies roughly at the center of the island, with a history that can be traced back to the Bronze Age. It became capital of the island in the 11th century AD. The Lousignians turned it into a magnificent city with a Royal Palace and over fifty churches. Today, it blends its historic past brilliantly with the bustle of a modern city. 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.

Although the city has been destroyed more than once by conquerors, there are still enough vestiges to enjoy the past. History is most strikingly experienced at the Venetian city wall, which was built between 1567 and 1570 by Giulio Savorgnano. The 4.5 metres thick wall has three gates, but only the Kyrenia Gate is in North Nicosia. The Nicosia Walls served as the prototype for the Palmanova walls built afterwards by the Venetians. 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 Atatürk Square, while the centre of entertainment is Mehmet Akif Avenue (Dereboyu).[12]

Culture

The universities enrich the culture of North Nicosia. The Near East University annually holds a spring fest, during which famous Turkish Cypriot, Turkish and international singers and bands perform, dance festivals, sports and board game competitions are held.[13] In 2014, the university built the Park Near East on an area of 220000 thousand square metres, and the concerts of Deep Purple and Turkish bands such as Yüksek Sadakat drew tens of thousands of spectators from Cyprus and Turkey. During the festival, the Moscow State Ballet also performed in the university. It also hosts the annual Rock 'n Cyprus festival, at which bands from Turkey perform,[14] and organizes the NEU Nicosia Carnival at the Dereboyu region of the city, at which the students display their culture and the locals crowd into the streets.[15]

Transportation

A bus stop in Bedrettin Demirel Avenue

Ercan International Airport has been used for international flights. There is no train or metro system nor plans to develop one. But between 1905 and 1951, Nicosia was a prominent station of the Cyprus Government Railway.

The company of LETTAŞ provides bus services in North Nicosia.[16] There is a bus terminal in the region of Yenişehir.[17]

Education

In northern Nicosia there are many primary, secondary and high schools, also English is the obligatory language, high schools are divided into 2 sections, first one is giving English education and the other one is giving Turkish education to students, there are three universities in northern Nicosia:

The city also hosts a campus of the Turkish Anadolu University.

Notable people

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in North Cyprus

Twin towns – sister cities

North Nicosia is twinned with:


  • Headquarters of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality
    Headquarters of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality
  • Arabahmet Mosque.
    Arabahmet Mosque.
  • Selimiye Mosque.
    Selimiye Mosque.
  • The Büyük Han.
    The Büyük Han.
  • Mevlevi Museum
    Mevlevi Museum
  • Main court of Lefkoşa.
    Main court of Lefkoşa.
  • Former Cathedral of St. Sophia, now Selimiye Mosque
    Former Cathedral of St. Sophia, now Selimiye Mosque
  • The Arasta region in the walled city
    The Arasta region in the walled city
  • The Venetian Column at Atatürk Square
    The Venetian Column at Atatürk Square
  • Ledra Street
    Ledra Street
  • Ledra Street
    Ledra Street
  • Dereboyu, the entertainment center of North Nicosia, at night.
    Dereboyu, the entertainment center of North Nicosia, at night.

See also

References

  1. ^ KKTC 2011 Nüfus ve Konut Sayımı (PDF), TRNC State Planning Organization, 6 August 2013, p. 16 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Cyprus". Lcweb2.loc.gov. 20 November 1967. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  3. ^ indley, Dan. Promoting peace with information: transparency as a tool of security regimes (2007) Princeton University Press, p.87
  4. ^ "Nicosia Municipality". Nicosia.org.cy. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  5. ^ Solsten, Eric. "Intercommunal Violence". US Library of Congress. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  6. ^ "CYPRUS: Big Troubles over a Small Island". TIME. 29 July 1974.
  7. ^ Alford, Jonathan. Adelphi papers, Issues 149-164 (1979), International Institute for Strategic Studies, p. 18.
  8. ^ Emotion as Cyprus border opens (BBC News) Retrieved on 2012-06-18.
  9. ^ Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Cyprus
  10. ^ Symbolic Cyprus crossing reopens (BBC News) Retrieved on 2012-06-18.
  11. ^ The Constitution - Appendix D: Part 12 - Miscellaneous Provisions
  12. ^ Dereboyu’na yakışmadı (Kıbrıs) Retrieved on 2011-05-29.
  13. ^ "Yakın Doğu Üniversitesi "Neu Spring Fest 2013" tanıtımı gerçekleştirildi". Kıbrıs Postası. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  14. ^ "Deep Purple geliyor". Kıbrıs gazetesi. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  15. ^ "YDÜ Lefkoşa Karnavalı Dereboyu'nda unutulmaz bir gün yaşattı". Kıbrıs Postası. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  16. ^ "Kurban bayramı yarın başlıyor". Star Kıbrıs. 19 December 2007. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  17. ^ Nicosia Shopping & Travel Guide, Sü-Ha Tic., p. 80
  18. ^ "Kardeş Kentleri Listesi ve 5 Mayıs Avrupa Günü Kutlaması [via WaybackMachine.com]" (in Turkish). Ankara Büyükşehir Belediyesi - Tüm Hakları Saklıdır. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  19. ^ "Ankara - Twin Towns". © Ankara-City.sk. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  20. ^ "Kardeş Şehirler". Bursa Büyükşehir Belediyesi Basın Koordinasyon Merkez. Tüm Hakları Saklıdır. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  21. ^ "Gaziantep - Twin Towns". © Gaziantep-City.sk. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
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