Nicosia (Λευκωσία, Lefkoşa)
Seal
District	Nicosia District
Government
- Mayor	Eleni Mavrou
Population (2001-2005)
- City	47,832 (Greek part)
- Urban	224,500 (Greek part) 84,893 (part under Turkish occupation) 309,500 (Total)
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
Website: [1]

Nicosia, known locally as Lefkosia (Greek: Λευκωσία, Turkish: Lefkoşa), is the capital and largest city of Cyprus. Cyprus is divided into six Districts (επαρχίες eparchies) whose Capitals share the same name Nicosia District is one of the six Districts of Cyprus. Its main town is the Cypriot capital Nicosia. A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government Eleni Mavrou (Ελένη Μαύρου Elénē Maýroy is the mayor of Nicosia, Cyprus. The Greeks ( Greek: Έλληνες) are a Nation and Ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighbouring regions Eastern European Time ( EET) is one of the names of UTC+2 Time zone, 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. UTC+2 corresponds to the following Time zones Eastern European Time Egypt Standard Time Central Africa Time Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly Turkish ( tr Türkçe IPA) is a language spoken by over 63 million people worldwide making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Cyprus (Κύπρος transliterated: Kýpros,; Kıbrıs officially the Republic of Cyprus (Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία Kypriakī́ Dīmokratía It is located at 35°10′N, 33°21′E. Located on the River Pedieos and situated almost in the centre of the island, it is the seat of government as well as the main business centre. The Pedieos ( Standard Greek: Πεδιαίος Cypriot Greek: Πηθκιάς Turkish Kanlı Dere is the longest River in Cyprus. Nicosia is the capital of the Nicosia District. Nicosia District is one of the six Districts of Cyprus. Its main town is the Cypriot capital Nicosia.

Following the intercommunal violence of the 1960s, the capital was divided between the island's Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in the south and north respectively. Cypriot intercommunal violence refers to periods of inter-ethnic conflict between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots on the island of Cyprus from Greek Cypriots ( Greek: Ελληνοκύπριοι Turkish: Kıbrıslı Rumlar are the ethnic Greek population of Cyprus. Turkish Cypriots ( Turkish: Kıbrıs Türkleri or Kıbrıslı Türkler Greek: Τουρκοκύπριοι are the ethnically Turkish inhabitants of the An attempted coup to unite the island with Greece in 1974 led to a Turkish invasion, leaving the capital divided since then, with Turkish Cypriots claiming the north as the capital of their own state, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) (recognised only by Turkey). The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on July 20 1974, was a Turkish Military operation against a coup which had been staged by the Cypriot The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus ( TRNC) (Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti KKTC) commonly called Northern Cyprus (Kuzey Kıbrıs though its Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches On 3 April 2008, as part of efforts to reunify the island, a symbolic wall dividing the two communities at Ledra Street was opened. Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Ledra Street is a major shopping thoroughfare in central Nicosia, Cyprus.

South of the Green Line, the population of the city is 270,000 (late 2004), while a further 84,893 live in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The term Green Line is often used to refer to the cease fire line that de facto divides the Island nation of Cyprus into two cutting through ^[1] Nicosia is important commercially with many shops, two modern shopping malls, restaurants and entertainment. The city is a trade centre and manufactures textiles, leather, pottery, plastic, and other products. A textile is a flexible material comprised of a network of natural or artificial Fibres often referred to as thread or Yarn. Leather is a material created through the Tanning of hides and Skins of Animals primarily Cattlehide The Tanning process Pottery is the Ceramic ware made by potters It also refers to a group of materials that includes Earthenware, Stoneware Copper mines are nearby. Copper (ˈkɒpɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol Cu (cuprum and Atomic number 29 Nicosia is the seat of the University of Cyprus (UCY) and four other universities. The University of Cyprus (UCY (in Greek Πανεπιστήμιο Κύπρου is a public Coeducational University established in 1989

Contents 1 History 2 Government 3 Landmarks 3.1 Mayors of Nicosia 3.1.1 Pre-Independence (1882-1959) 3.1.2 Post-Independence (1959-Present) 4 Culture 5 Professional sport 5.1 Clubs 5.1.1 Football 5.1.2 Other sports 5.2 Venues 5.3 International/European Events 6 Transportation 7 Twinnings 7.1 Collaborations 8 Famous Nicosians 9 Gallery 10 See also 11 References 12 External links

History

Main article: History of Nicosia

Nicosia was a city-state known as Ledra or Ledrae in ancient times. The history of Nicosia, the current Capital of Cyprus, begins at the geological birth of Cyprus and continues into the present Venice ( Italian: Venezia, Venetian: Venesia or Venexia) is a city in Northern Italy, the capital of the The Kykkos Monastery (GreekΙερά Μονή Κύκκου which lies 20 km west of Pedoulas, one of the wealthiest and best-known monasteries in This article is about the suburb of Nicosia. For the ancient settlement near Famagusta, see Enkomi Engomi (Έγκωμη is a Suburb Faneromeni School (GreekΠαρθεναγωγείο Φανερωμένης founded by Archbishop Makarios I in 1857 was the first all-girls school in Cyprus A city-state is a Region controlled exclusively by a City, usually having Sovereignty. The king of Ledra, Onasagoras, was recorded as paying tribute to Esarhaddon of Assyria in 672 BC. Esarhaddon (Greek and Biblical form Akkadian Aššur-ahhe-iddina " Ashur has given a brother to me" was a king of Assyria who reigned Early history The most Neolithic site in Assyria is at Tell Hassuna, the center of the Hassuna culture Rebuilt by Lefkos, son of Ptolemy I around 300 BC, Ledra in Hellenic and Roman times was a small, unimportant town, also known as Lefkothea. For the astronomer see Ptolemy; for others named "Ptolemy" or "Ptolemaeus" see Ptolemy (disambiguation. By the time it received its first Christian bishop, Trifillios, in 348, the town was called Lefkousia or Ledra.

Still known as Lefkosia, the city became the island's capital around the 10th century. It had grown in importance because of threats to the coastal cities Paphos and Salamis, which made many people flee to the centrally located Lefkosia. Paphos (Paphos is usually written Paphos or Paphus in English, ( Ancient Greek:; Modern Greek Πάφος Páfos; Latin Salamis was an ancient City-state on the east coast of Cyprus, at the mouth of the river Pedieos 6 km north of modern Famagusta.

The seat of the Lusignan kings of Cyprus since 1192, it became a Venetian possession in 1489, and fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1571. The Lusignan family originated in the Poitou near Lusignan in western France in the early 10th century. The Kingdom of Cyprus was a Crusader kingdom on the island of Cyprus in the high and late Middle Ages, between 1192 and 1489 Venice ( Italian: Venezia, Venetian: Venesia or Venexia) is a city in Northern Italy, the capital of the The Ottoman Empire (1299–1923 ( Old Ottoman Turkish: دولتْ علیّه عثمانیّه Devlet-i Âliye-yi Osmâniyye, Late Ottoman and Modern Turkish Ledra is now the actual name of the most popular commercial street.

The exonym "Nicosia" appeared with the arrival of the Lusignans. An exonym (from Greek el ἔξω exo = out el ὄνομα onoma = name is a name for a place that is not used within that place by the local The "Frankish" Crusaders either could not, or did not care to, pronounce the name Lefkosia, and tended to say "Nicosia". In this era of the Franks, the city expanded culturally, and in the 15th and 16th centuries, saw the erection of a number of palaces, mansions, churches and monasteries.

Some 20,000 residents died as a result of the Ottoman siege of 1570. Man-made and natural disasters further struck the city during the 19th century. The Turks crushed the 1821 anti-Ottoman revolt in blood.

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 possession. The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for over a century was the foremost global power.

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 United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus runs for more than 300 km along the Green Line, which partitions the Republic of Cyprus into a southern area effectively

The tombs of the Lusignan kings are in the former Cathedral of St. Sophia, now a mosque in the northern sector. The Lusignan family originated in the Poitou near Lusignan in western France in the early 10th century.

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.

Government

As the capital of the republic, Nicosia is Cyprus's political, economic and cultural centre. 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 situated. The other municipalities in the city are Strovolos, Lakatamia, Latsia, Aglandjia, Engomi and Agios Dhometios. Strovolos ( Greek: Στρόβολος is a municipality of Nicosia. Lakatamia (Λακατάμεια is a Suburb of Nicosia, Cyprus. Latsia (Λατσιά once a small village on the south east outskirts of Nicosia is today one of the largest and most populous suburbs of the city Aglantzia (Greek: Αγλαντζιά is a Suburb and a municipality of Nicosia. This article is about the suburb of Nicosia. For the ancient settlement near Famagusta, see Enkomi Engomi (Έγκωμη is a Suburb Agios Dometios (Άγιος Δομέτιος or Άης Δεμέτης,Metehan in Turkish is a suburb located west of the Cypriot capital Nicosia. 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. Greek Cypriots ( Greek: Ελληνοκύπριοι Turkish: Kıbrıslı Rumlar are the ethnic Greek population of Cyprus. Turkish Cypriots ( Turkish: Kıbrıs Türkleri or Kıbrıslı Türkler Greek: Τουρκοκύπριοι are the ethnically Turkish inhabitants of the The Mayors and the members of the Council were appointed by the President of the Republic. The President of Cyprus is the Head of state and the Head of government of the Republic of Cyprus. Since 1986, the Mayors and members of the Council are elected. The Mayor and the Municipal Councillors are elected by direct popular suffrage but into separate ballots – one for the Mayor and the other for all the Councillors. Municipal elections are held every five years.

The Municipality of Nicosia is now headed by the Mayor, who is Eleni Mavrou (former lagilator of the communist party AKEL, supported by her own political party, socialist party EDEK and the Democratic Party and the council comprising of 26 councilors, one of who is Deputy Mayor. Eleni Mavrou (Ελένη Μαύρου Elénē Maýroy is the mayor of Nicosia, Cyprus. A Political party described as a communist party includes those that advocate the application of the social principles of Communism through a communist form of The Progressive Party of Working People ( Greek: Ανορθωτικό Κόμμα Εργαζόμενου Λαού Anorthotikó Kómma Ergazómenou Laoú, AKEL The Movement for Social Democracy (Κίνημα Σοσιαλδημοκρατών is a Social-democratic Political party in Cyprus. The Democratic Party ( Greek: Δημοκρατικό Κόμμα Dimokratikó Kómma) is a centrist Political party in Cyprus, founded The Northern Sector has its own de facto municipality, but that municipality is not internationally recognised because it is part of the non-recognised Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

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.

The Mayor is the executive authority of the Municipality, exercising overall control and managing the Municipal Council. The Council is responsible for appointing personnel employed by the Municipality. All municipalities in the Republic of Cyprus are members of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities. The executive Committee is the governing organ of the Union. This Committee is appointed from among the representatives of the Municipalities for a term of two and a half years. The Mayor of Nicosia is the President of the Union and the Chairman of the Executive Committee.

Landmarks

Nicosia lies roughly at the center of the island, with a history that can be traced back to the Bronze Age. The Pancyprian Gymnasium (Παγκύπριο Γυμνάσιο was founded in 1812 by Archbishop Kyprianos at a time when Cyprus was still under Ottoman 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.

The new Nicosia developed outside the walls became a contemporary business and cultural centre. Just a few miles away are enchanting places of interest such as Byzantine churches and monasteries, archaeological sites and charming villages. The old walled city of Nicosia is unique and definitely the place to head for first. Encircled by strong fortress walls built by the Venetians in the 16th century, the enchanting old city is scattered with buildings and monuments of historical interest as well as little shops, cafés and tavernas.

Narrow streets and old houses with ornate balconies jut from weather beaten sandstone walls, smell of jasmine flowers in those long summer evenings, and craftsmen in small workshops practice trades unchanged for centuries. 'Laiki Yitonia' - Folk Neighborhood - is a pedestrian section, which has been carefully renovated to evoke the atmosphere of past days. The two main streets of old Nicosia, Ledra and Onasagorou, are lined with shops of every type, and both streets are pedestrianised. Ledra Street is a major shopping thoroughfare in central Nicosia, Cyprus.

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 Most Serene Republic of Venice ((Serenìsima Repùblica Vèneta or Repùblica de Venesia Serenissima Repubblica The 4. 5 metres thick wall once had three gates. The Nicosia Walls served as the prototype for the Palmanova walls built afterwards by the Venetians. Palmanova ( Friulian: Palme) is a town in northeastern Italy, close to the border with Slovenia. The Famagusta Gate is now used as a cultural centre. Some other parts of the wall contain administrative offices. 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 square, Freedom square, with the city hall, the post office and the library. Eleftheria square (Greekπλατεία Ελευθερίας is a major square in central Nicosia, Cyprus. Adjacent Ledra street leads to the most lively part of the old city with narrow streets, boutiques, and cafés. Agia Fanomereni is a church built in 1872, built with the remains of an old castle and a convent. Here lay the remains of the Archbishop and the other Bishops who were killed by the Turks during the 1821 revolt. The Palace of the Archbishop can be found at Arkhiepiskopos Kyprianos Square and is in fact an imitation of typical Venetian style, built in 1956. Next to the palace is the late gothic St John Cathedral cathedral (1665) with picturesque frescos. See also Gothic art Gothic architecture is a style of Architecture which flourished during the high and late medieval period.

Nicosia is also known for its museums. The Archbishop's Palace contains a Byzantine museum where the largest collection of religious icons on the island is found. Leventis Municipal Museum Other interesting museums include the Folk Art Museum, National Struggle Museum (witnessing the rebellion against the British administration in the 1950s), Cyprus Ethnological Museum (house of dragoman Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios) and the Handicrafts Center. EOKA ( Εθνική Οργάνωσις Κυπρίων Αγωνιστών, Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston ( Greek for National Organisation Dragoman designates the official title of a person who would function as an interpreter, translator and official guide between Turkish, Arabic, and The Nicosia Jewels Museum and the Municipal Arts Centre 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.

A particularly notable museum is the Cyprus Museum, housing the island's most important collection of Cypriot antiquities and treasures from the Neolithic Age to the Roman Period. In contrast to these ancient finds is the State Collection of Contemporary Art, and on the other side of town, just off the main Limassol road, is the Cyprus Handicraft Center. Another 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. Europa Nostra, the pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage, is the representative platform of 250 heritage NGOs active in 45 countries across Europe Many old churches are to be found in this part of town, and other places of interest.

Mayors of Nicosia

Pre-Independence (1882-1959)

• Christodoulos Severis, 15 November 1882–31 July 1888. The Mesaoria is a broad sweeping plain which makes up the centre of the island of Cyprus. The Pentadactylos mountains ( Turkish Beşparmaklar comprise the western half of the Kyrenia mountain range, a long narrow chain which runs 160 km (100 mi along Events 655 - Battle of Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria. Year 1882 ( MDCCCLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 30 BC - Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian 's forces but most of his army subsequently Year 1888 ( MDCCCLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a
• Achilleas Liassides, 1 August 1888–10 April 1906. Events 30 BC - Octavian (later known as Augustus enters Alexandria, Egypt, bringing it under the control of the Roman Year 1888 ( MDCCCLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 879 - Louis III becomes King of the Western Franks. 1407 - the lama Year 1906 ( MCMVI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting
• Antonios Theodotou, 8 January 1888–10 April 1906. Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army Year 1888 ( MDCCCLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 879 - Louis III becomes King of the Western Franks. 1407 - the lama Year 1906 ( MCMVI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting
• Mehmet Şevket Bey, 11 April 1908–31 March 1911. Events 491 - Flavius Anastasius becomes Byzantine Emperor, with the name of Anastasius I. Year 1908 ( MCMVIII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Events 307 - After divorcing his wife Minervina, Constantine marries Fausta, the daughter of the retired Roman Emperor Year 1911 ( MCMXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year
• Antonios Theodotou, 1924–1926
• George Markides, 6 April 1926–31 March 1929. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats Caecilius Metellus Scipio and Marcus Porcius Cato in the Battle of Thapsus Year 1926 ( MCMXXVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 307 - After divorcing his wife Minervina, Constantine marries Fausta, the daughter of the retired Roman Emperor Year 1929 ( MCMXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
• Themistoclis Dervis, 5 April 1929–28 September 1946. Events 456 - St Patrick returns to Ireland as a missionary bishop Year 1929 ( MCMXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt. Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
• Ioannis Clerides, 1 June 1946–31 May 1949 (Last elected Mayor until 1986). Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1279 BC - Rameses II (The Great (19th dynasty becomes pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Year 1949 ( MCMXLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
• Themistoclis Dervis, 1 June 1949–18 December 1959. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Year 1949 ( MCMXLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 218 BC - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal 's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Post-Independence (1959-Present)

• Diomedes Skettos, 1959–1960.
• George M. Spanos, 1960–1962; 1963–1964.
• Odysseas Ioannides, 1964–1970.
• Lellos Demetriades, December 1971–July 1974 (dismissed by the July 15 Coup). Events 1099 - First Crusade: Christian soldiers take the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem after the final
• Christoforos Kithreotis, August 1974.
• Lellos Demetriades, October 1974–2001 (Elected in 1986; reelected in 1991 and 1996).
• Michalis Zampelas, 2002–2006.
• Eleni Mavrou, 2007–present. Eleni Mavrou (Ελένη Μαύρου Elénē Maýroy is the mayor of Nicosia, Cyprus.

Culture

In 2006 the Manifesta Biennale was scheduled to be held in Nicosia for a duration of three months. The Kykkos Monastery (GreekΙερά Μονή Κύκκου which lies 20 km west of Pedoulas, one of the wealthiest and best-known monasteries in Manifesta is a biennial visual art event that began as a Dutch initiative to create a pan- European platform for the contemporary Visual arts. The project was canceled, however, with the overseas and local organizers blaming each other for its collapse.

The city also hosted the competition of Miss Universe 2000 in Eleftheria Indoor Hall. Miss Universe 2000, the 49th Miss Universe pageant was held at Eleftheria Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus on May 12, 2000. The Eleftheria Indoor Hall is an indoor arena beside Makario Stadium and Lefkotheo Indoor Hall in Engomi, Nicosia, Cyprus.

Professional sport

Clubs

Football

Football is the most popular sport in Cyprus, and Nicosia is home of three major teams of the island; APOEL, Olympiakos and Omonia. Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered Not to be confused with Olympiacos CFP Olympiakos Nicosia is a football club in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia. Athletic Club Omonia Nicosia (Αθλητικός Σύλλογος Ομόνοια Λευκωσίας is a Cypriot football club which plays in the capital APOEL and Omonia dominate cypriot football. Football in Cyprus is by far the most popular sport While the national team has not enjoyed any success of note the national association has gained an excellent reputation by organising They share the record on number of championships and APOEL has the record on the number of cups. The Cypriot Cup ( Greek: Κύπελλο Κύπρου; or Cyprus Coca Cola Cup is the main cup competition in Cypriot football Olympiakos was also successful in the past. Not to be confused with Olympiacos CFP Olympiakos Nicosia is a football club in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia. There are also many other football clubs in Nicosia and suburbs.

Other sports

Nicosia is also the home for many clubs for basketball, handball and other sports. Handball (also known as team handball, European handball, or Olympic handball) is a Team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six APOEL and Omonia have basketball and volleyball sections and Keravnos is one of the major basketball teams of the island. Basketball is a team Sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by propelling a ball through a 10 feet (3 m Volleyball is an Olympic team sport in which two teams of 6 active players (5 normal players and one 'libero' are separated by a net that is usually four feet Keravnos Strovolos (GreekΓυμναστικός Σύλλογος Στροβόλου Κεραυνός is one of the powerhouses of Cypriot Basketball. The Gymnastic Club Pancypria (GSP), the owner of the Neo GSP Stadium, is one of the major athletics club of the island. The Pancyprian Gymnastic Association Stadium (GSP Stadium (Στάδιο Γυμναστικός Σύλλογος Παγκύπρια is a football Stadium in Also, all teams in the Futsal First Division are from Nicosia. Futsal is an indoor version of Association football. Its name is derived from the Portuguese fut ebol de sal ão and the Spanish

Venues

Main articles: Neo GSP Stadium, Makario Stadium, Eleftheria Indoor Hall, and Lefkotheo

Nicosia has some of the biggest venues in the island; The Neo GSP Stadium, the biggest in Cyprus, with capacity of 23,400 is the home for the national team, APOEL, Olympiakos and Omonia. The Pancyprian Gymnastic Association Stadium (GSP Stadium (Στάδιο Γυμναστικός Σύλλογος Παγκύπρια is a football Stadium in Makario Stadium is an all seater multi purpose Stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus. The Eleftheria Indoor Hall is an indoor arena beside Makario Stadium and Lefkotheo Indoor Hall in Engomi, Nicosia, Cyprus. The Lefkotheo Arena was the first major indoor sports hall to be constructed in Cyprus. The Pancyprian Gymnastic Association Stadium (GSP Stadium (Στάδιο Γυμναστικός Σύλλογος Παγκύπρια is a football Stadium in The following is a list of Association football stadia. They are ordered by their capacity, that is the maximum number of spectators that the The Cyprus national football team is the national football team of the island of Cyprus and is controlled by the Cyprus Football Association. Not to be confused with Olympiacos CFP Olympiakos Nicosia is a football club in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia. Athletic Club Omonia Nicosia (Αθλητικός Σύλλογος Ομόνοια Λευκωσίας is a Cypriot football club which plays in the capital The other big football stadium in Nicosia is Makario Stadium with capacity of 16,000. Makario Stadium is an all seater multi purpose Stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus. The Eleftheria Indoor Hall is the biggest basketball stadium in Cyprus, with capacity of 6,500 seats and is the home for the national team, APOEL and Omonia. The Eleftheria Indoor Hall is an indoor arena beside Makario Stadium and Lefkotheo Indoor Hall in Engomi, Nicosia, Cyprus. The Cyprus national basketball team is the national team of Cyprus. Athletic Club Omonia Nicosia (Αθλητικός Σύλλογος Ομόνοια Λευκωσίας is a Cypriot football club which plays in the capital The Lefkotheo indoor arena is the volleyball stadium for APOEL and Omonia. The Lefkotheo Arena was the first major indoor sports hall to be constructed in Cyprus.

International/European Events

Nicosia hosted the 2000 ISSF World Cup Final shooting events for the shotgun. For the 2000 ISSF World Cup in the seventeen Olympic shooting events, the World Cup Final was held in October 2000 in Nicosia, Cyprus for the Also the city hosted two basketball events; the European Saporta Cup in 1997 and the 2005 FIBA Europe All Star Game in the Eleftheria Indoor Hall. The International Basketball Federation ( French: Fédération Internationale de Basketball) more commonly known by the French acronym FIBA An all-star game is an Exhibition game played by the best players in their Sports league. The Eleftheria Indoor Hall is an indoor arena beside Makario Stadium and Lefkotheo Indoor Hall in Engomi, Nicosia, Cyprus. Another event which was hosted in Nicosia were the Games of the Small States of Europe in 1989. The Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE is a Biennial Multi-sport event that has been organized by the National Olympic Committees of eight European

Transportation

Nicosia International Airport has not been used since 1974 as it lies within the U. Nicosia International Airport is an abandoned Airport. It lies to the west of the Cypriot capital city of Nicosia. N. Buffer Zone separating the two parts of Nicosia. The nearest airport on the Greek administered side is Larnaca International Airport on the southern coast. Larnaca International Airport (Διεθνές Aεροδρόμιο Λάρνακας is an International airport located near Larnaca, Cyprus.

Motorways link Nicosia with other major urban areas in Cyprus. Since the arrival of the first motor cars on the island in 1907 Cyprus has developed one of the most modern road networks in Europe. The A1 connects it with Limassol in the south with the A6 going from Limassol onto Paphos. The A1 motorway (locally referred to as the Nicosia - Limassol highway Greek δρόμος Λευκωσίας - Λεμεσού) marked the beginning of an ambitious government Limassol or Lemesos ( Greek: Λεμεσός, Lemesos; Turkish: Limasol, alt The A6 highway (locally referred to as the Limassol - Paphos highway Greek νέος δρόμος Λεμεσού - Πάφου marked the ending of an ambitious government project to link all the Paphos (Paphos is usually written Paphos or Paphus in English, ( Ancient Greek:; Modern Greek Πάφος Páfos; Latin The A2 links Nicosia with the south eastern city of Larnaca with the A3 going from Larnaca to Ayia Napa. The A2 motorway branches off the A1 at Pera Chorio-Nisou and connects to the A3. Larnaca, ( Greek: Λάρνακα, Turkish: Larnaka) is a City of the Republic of Cyprus situated on the southern coast The A3 motorway ( Greek δρόμος Διεθνούς Αερολιμένα Λάρνακας - Αγίας Νάπας) is a modern Motorway linking Larnaca International Ayia Napa ( Αγία Νάπα Aya Napa today officially Transliterated into English as Agia Napa) is a Resort at the far eastern end of The A9 is currently under construction and would connect Nicosia to the Troodos mountains. A9 is a Motorway under construction which is planned to connect Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, with the Troodos Mountains. Troodos is the biggest Mountain range of Cyprus, located in the center of the island

There are many taxi companies in Nicosia. Besides the taxi companies, there is a taxi rank at the Eleftheria square(City Center), where you can find taxis twenty-four hours a day. Eleftheria square (Greekπλατεία Ελευθερίας is a major square in central Nicosia, Cyprus. Taxi fares are regulated by law and taxi drivers are obliged to use a taximeter. A taximeter is a mechanical or electronic device installed in Taxicabs that calculates passenger fares based on a combination of distance travelled and waiting time

Public transport within the city is limited to an aging and inefficient (but inexpensive) bus network operated by the subsidised Nicosia Bus Company [2]. Currently plans are underway to expand and modernise this with a European Union grant [3]. There is no train or metro system nor plans to develop one. A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway or metro(politan system is an electric passenger railway

Between 1905 and 1951, Nicosia was a prominent station of the Cyprus Government Railway. The Cyprus Government Railway was a gauge railway network that operated in Cyprus from October 1905 to December 1951

Twinnings

• Lisbon, Portugal
• Schwerin, Germany (1974)
• Athens, Greece (1988)
• Odessa, Ukraine (1996)
• Shiraz, Iran (1999)
• Bucharest, Romania (2004)
• Shanghai, China (2004)
• Barcelona, Spain (2004)
• Beirut, Lebanon (2004)
• Mexico City, Mexico (2004)
• Milan, Italy (2004)
• Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (2004)

Collaborations

• Moscow, Russian Federation (2000)
• Nicosia, Sicily, Italy (2000)
• Qingdao, China (2001)
• Athens, Greece (2002, 2003)
• Helsinki, Finland (2003)

Famous Nicosians

• Tassos Papadopoulos, president of the Republic of Cyprus since (2003-2008). Lisbon (Lisboa liʒˈboɐ is the Capital and largest city of Portugal. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Schwerin (ʃveˈʁiːn is a City in northern Germany and the capital of the state Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Athens (ˈæθənz Αθήνα Athina,) the Capital and largest city of Greece, dominates the Attica periphery as one of the world's Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία ODESSA which stands for the German phrase O rganisation d er e hemaligen SS - A ngehörigen which in turn translates Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. Shiraz ( شیراز Shīrāz) is the fifth most populated city in Iran and the capital of Fars Province. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. Bucharest ( Romanian: Bucureşti) is the Capital city, industrial and commercial centre of Romania. Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania Shanghai ( 上[[wikt 海|海]] is the largest city in China in terms of population and one of the largest urban areas in the world with over 20 million Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES Barcelona ( Catalan bəɾsəˈlonə Spanish baɾθeˈlona is the capital and most populous city of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Beirut (بيروت Bayrūt) is the Capital and Largest city of Lebanon with a population of over 2 Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Mexico City (in Spanish: Ciudad de México, México DF, México or simply Méjico) is the Capital city of Mexico The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. Milan (Milano Milan (listen) is one of the largest cities in Italy, located in the plains of Lombardy. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Moscow (Москва́ romanised: Moskvá, IPA: see also other names) is the Capital and the largest city of Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Nicosia is a city of the Province of Enna in Sicily, southern Italy. Sicily ( Italian and Sicilian: Sicilia) is an autonomous region of Italy. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES Athens (ˈæθənz Αθήνα Athina,) the Capital and largest city of Greece, dominates the Attica periphery as one of the world's Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Helsinki (in Finnish;) or Helsingfors (in Swedish;) is the Capital and largest city of Finland. Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. Tassos Nikolaou Papadopoulos (in Greek, Τάσσος Νικολάου Παπαδόπουλος &ndash born January 7, 1934 in Nicosia
• Glafkos Klerides, president of the Republic of Cyprus (1993-2003). Glafkos Ioannou Clerides (Γλαύκος Ιωάννου Κληρίδης (born in Nicosia, Cyprus on 24 April 1919) is a Greek-Cypriot
• George Vasiliou, president of the Republic of Cyprus (1988-1993). George Vasos Vasiliou (Γιώργος Βασιλείου (born 1931 in Famagusta, Cyprus) was President of the Republic of Cyprus from
• Ioannis Kasoulides, Member of the European Parliament. Ioannis Kasoulides was born on 10th of August 1948 in Nicosia. A Member of the European Parliament ( English abbreviation MEP) is a member of the European Union 's legislative body the European Parliament.
• Fazıl Küçük former vice president of the Republic of Cyprus (1960-1963). Fazıl Küçük ( 1906 - January 15, 1984) was the first Turkish Cypriot Vice President of the Republic of Cyprus.
• Ferdi Sabit Soyer, prime minister of TRNC (2005). Ferdi Sabit Soyer ( March 5 1952) is the de facto Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of
• Serdar Denktaş former TRNC Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Benon Sevan, ex-head of UN Oil for Food program. Serdar Denktaş (in English often spelled Serdar Denktash) is the one surviving son of Rauf Denktaş, the former President of the de facto Benon Vahe Sevan (born December 18, 1937 Nicosia, Cyprus) was the head of the United Nations ' Oil-for-Food Programme, established The Oil-for-Food Programme, established by the United Nations in 1995 (under UN Security Council Resolution 986) and terminated in late 2003 was intended
• Nicolas Economou, composer. Nicolas Economou ( August 11[[ 953]] - December 29[[ 993]] was a Cypriot Composer born in Nicosia, Cyprus and was the first child of
• Alkinoos Ioannidis, singer. Alkinoos Ioannidis (Greek Αλκίνοος Ιωαννίδης is a Cypriot Composer and Singer born in Nicosia on 19 September
• Michalis Hatzigiannis, singer. Mihalis Hatzigiannis (Μιχάλης Χατζηγιάννης born in Nicosia, Cyprus on 5 November 1978, is one of the most popular Greek
• Stavros Konstantinou, singer, winner of Greek Super Idol. Stavros Konstantinou (Σταύρος Κωνσταντίνου (born August 26, 1984 in Nicosia, Cyprus) is a Cypriot singer who rose to popularity Super Idol was the Greek version of the British television hit show Pop Idol.
• Okan Ersan, guitarist. Okan Ersan is a Turkish Cypriot Guitarist. He was born on April 27, 1972 in Nicosia, Cyprus, and started to play the
• Acar Akalin, singer, guitarist.
• Hüseyin Cakmak, cartoonist, writer. Hüseyin Çakmak (born in 1964 in Nicosia, Cyprus) is a Turkish Cypriot Cartoonist and Journalist.
• Alparslan Türkeş, a Turkish nationalist politician, who served as a Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey
• Giannos Kranidiotis, a Greek diplomat and politician

Gallery

The interior of Kykkos Monastery Kykkos Monastery (Metochion Kykkou), Nicosia	The gardens of Kykkos Monastery (Metochion Kykkou), Nicosia	Municipal Theatre during Christmas	National Bank of Greece Building, Makariou Avenue, Nicosia	Archbishop's Palace, Nicosia
Eleftheria square, Nicosia	Typical Traditional Architecture, Nicosia	Detail of a Traditional Door, Nicosia	Church in the Old City	Ledra Street: the end of the Greek portion of the city of Nicosia
Dining al fresco in the so-called Folkloric Area of Nicosia (Laiki Yeitonia)	Famagusta Gate (Pyli Ammochostou)

See also

• Republic of Cyprus
• List of Cypriot companies
• Cypriot Orthodox Church
• Divided cities
• Foreign relations of Cyprus
• Foreign relations of Northern Cyprus
• Ledra Street
• Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
• Nicosia District
• United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus

References

• Cyprus Government Website - Towns and Population
• Nicosia Municipality website -History
• Nicosia Municipality website -Transportation
• Cyprus Island - Nicosia
• The World of Cyprus bilingual information portal with background on folk culture and Byzantine influences
• Nicosia Turkish Municipality website

External links

• Videos: Culture of Nicosia- in English
• English-language website for Municipality of Nicosia (Λευκωσια)
• Nicosia travel guide from Wikitravel
• Nicosia in Dark and White: a photo exhibition
• Organisational structure of Islamic religion in Cyprus

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