Is Nicosia the same as Lefkosia?

Nicosia, known in antiquity as Ledra, is a medieval corruption of the Byzantine name Lefkosia. The city was a kingdom in the 7th century bce and has been a bishopric from the 4th century ce. It has been the seat of government of Cyprus since the 10th century.

Why is Nicosia called Lefkosia?

According to Greek mythology, Nicosia (Lefkosia in Greek) was a siren, one of the daughters of Acheloos and Melpomene and its name translates as “White State” or city of White Gods….Nicosia.

Is Lefkosia North or South Cyprus?

Lefkosia (South Nicosia) Travel Guide. The city of LEFKOSIA (still widely known as south Nicosia by locals) is by far the largest settlement on Cyprus, though by international standards it is still pretty small, with a total population, in the part controlled by the Government, of 246,400.

Is Nicosia the only divided city?

The southeasternmost member of the European Union, Cyprus and its capital have been partitioned since 1974, when a Turkish invasion split the island and separated its two ethnic majorities. Today, Nicosia remains a patchwork town, a rare cultural experiment on an island accustomed to slow living.

Where is the old city of Lefkosa in Cyprus?

Lefkosa itself is in turn divided more or less into two distinct areas – the sprawling modern city with its new highways, suburbs and shops, and the north section of the fascinating, quaint old city with its key sites of interest within the remains of the original Venetian 11 gated circular walled city of Lefkosa.

What kind of football club is Olympiakos Nicosia?

Olympiakos Nicosia (Greek: Ολυμπιακός Λευκωσίας, Olympiakos Lefkosias) is a football club based in Nicosia, Cyprus and competes in the Cypriot First Division. The club was founded in 1931, and is a founding member of the Cyprus Football Association. The club colors are black and green.

Where are the crossing points in North Nicosia?

There are two crossing points in Lefkosa (North Nicosia) to Lefkosia (South Nicosia) and onwards to the Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus. One is a pedestrian crossing point at Lokmaci/Ledra in the very centre of the old circular walled city – and one for those travelling by car on in the western suburbs at Metehan/Ayios Dimitios.

What was the population of North Nicosia in 1960?

, North Nicosia had a population of 61,378 and a metropolitan area with a population of 82,539. 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.