35°20′N33°52′E / 35.333°N 33.867°E /35.333; 33.867
Famagusta District | |
|---|---|
 City ofFamagusta | |
.svg) Location in Cyprus | |
| Country | Cyprus |
| Capital | Famagusta (de jure) Paralimni (de facto) |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,985.3 km2 (766.5 sq mi) |
| [a] | |
| Population | |
• Total | 54,318[b] |
| • Rank | 5th |
| • Density | 27.360/km2 (70.862/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Post code | 5000-5999 |
| Area code | +357 23 |
Famagusta District,[c] or simplyFamagusta,[d] is one of the sixdistricts of Cyprus. While the entire district covers an area of 1,985.3 km2 (766.5 sq mi), only about 244 km2 (94 sq mi) is under the actual control of the Republic of Cyprus. Most of the district including the capital and largest city ofFamagusta is under theTurkish Republic of Northern Cyprus since the1974 invasion. The region under Cypriot control is isolated from the other districts, and a district administrationin exile exists on the Cyprus-controlled part of the island with the seat atParalimni. The Northern Cyprus has a separate district ofIskele which includes theKarpass Peninsula, and is not recognized by the Republic of Cyprus.
The region was a major center in the 3rd century BCE during the reign ofPtolemy I. The people ofSalamis settled in the region in the 7th century, following attacks byArabs. During theCrusades, the population increased, as more people settled in the region. The city of Famagusta became a trade center and a major port. TheLusignan kings ruled the region until 1372, when it was captured by theGenoese. It remained under their control till 1469, during which trade declined. In the ensuing years, it changed hands multiple times including the rule ofByzantines andVenetians.[5] It was captured by theOttoman Empire during theWar of Cyprus in 1571.[6]
The region was under the Turkish rule until 1878, before being handed over to theBritish Empire in exchange for its support in the Ottomans' fight against theRussian Empire.[6] Cyprus gained independence from the United Kingdom (UK) in 1960. A treaty of guarantee signed by the UK, Greece, Turkey and the new Republic of Cyprus, and was agreed to share power between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. However, violent ethnic clashes erupted between the communities in the late 1960s.[6]
When the Cypriot government was overthrown by acoup d'état sponsored by Greece in July 1974, Turkey intervened and captured the northern portions.[6] Most of the district has been under Turkish control since the1974 invasion. In 1983, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was formed, which is not recognized by Cyprus and other nations. Since 2001, theUnited Nations had established a buffer zone separating the regions. The border crossing was opened for the first time in 2003, with new crossings opened inDeryneia in 2018.[7]
Famagusta is one of the sixdistricts of Cyprus.[8] While the entire district covers an area of 1,985.3 km2 (766.5 sq mi),[1] only about 244 km2 (94 sq mi) is under thede jure control of the Republic of Cyprus.[2] Most of the district including the city ofFamagusta is under Turkish control since the1974 invasion. Abuffer zone established by theUnited Nations separate the regions controlled by the Republic of Cyprus from Northern Cyprus.[9] On the western part of the district lies the base ofSovereign base area of Dhekelia controlled by the United Kingdom.[10] The United Nations does not control the border atVarosha, a town near Famagusta.[9]
TheKarpass Peninsula is the easternmost part of the region, which stretches as a thin strip of land into theMediterranean Sea.[11]Cape Greco is a headland in the southeastern part of the district at the end of Famagusta Bay.[12] The area includes the fertile area known as the "red villages" (Kokkinochoria, Κοκκινοχώρια),[13] due to the distinct red colour of the soil.[14]
A district administrationin exile exists on the Cyprus-controlled part of the island, with the seat atParalimni.[15] According to the Statistical Codes of Municipalities, Communities and Quarters of Cyprus of the Statistical Service of Cyprus, the district has eight municipalities and 90 communities.[16] Only the municipalities ofAyia Napa,Paralimni,Deryneia andSotira, and five communities are under the de jure control of Cyprus.[17] The Northern Cyprus has a separate district ofIskele which includes theKarpass Peninsula, and is not recognized by the Republic of Cyprus.[18][19]
List of all settlements with municipalities are in bold:[16]
Authority control databases: Geographic |
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