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Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus, a status it has enjoyed for 1000 years since the 10th century,
though its beginnings date back 5000 years to the Bronze Age. It lies roughly in the centre of the
island in the Mesaoria Plain, flanked by the beautiful northern range of Kyrenia mountains with its
distinctive 'Pentadaktylos" - the five finger mountain.
Seat of Government, Diplomatic headquarters and cultural centre of Cyprus, the capital presents two
distinct faces: the old, original part of the city, surrounded by sturdy Venetian walls over 400 years
old, and a busy modern metropolis which has a population of 171.000 together with the suburbs.
Within the large area encircled by the strong bastion walls that served to protect the town for centuries
are many places of great historic interest. The central Eleftheria Square links old Nicosia with the
elegant modern city that has grown up outside the walls, where hotels, offices restaurants and gardens
blend happily with the fine old houses and colonial buildings of this cosmopolitan city. |