Nicosia is the largest city of Cyprus. It is also called Lefkosia or Lefkosha by the locals and is the nation’s capital. Nicosia is located in the middle of the island along the Pedieos River. Although the city holds political and economic power among all six districts, it is still divided since the northern part is occupied by Turkish Cypriots while the southern part is occupied by Greek Cypriots. There is a “Green Line” protected by the United Nations that divides both forces. There are around 270,000 people living in the main city while 85,000 reside in the northern region.
Despite the division, Nicosia continues to grow with plenty of expatriates and foreign investors coming each year. Some of the main income generators of the city are trade, industry, tourism and mining. The city is full of life with captivating landscapes of the coast. Nicosia has a fair share of shopping hubs, business centers, and resorts as well as friendly and safe neighborhoods. Five universities, several colleges, churches and other service establishments are also found in Nicosia.
Residential Places in Nicosia
Nicosia is located at the center of Cyprus. Residential areas are actually in the midst of the bustling city instead of the serene beaches. Kaimakli is a very old suburb which has existed for over one hundred years. The demarcation line also passes through the area. Strovolos is located at the southwestern region of Nicosia which offers large lots perfect for growing gardens. There are commercial areas very near Strovolos making it a very convenient location.
Nicosia has two different environments. The old part is surrounded by Venetian walls which have stood for centuries while the new part features the modernized Cyprus. It contains old homes, stone streets with some traditional shops selling jewelry and crafts. Laiki Geitonia and Eleftheria Square are some of the oldest neighborhoods where expatriates can find ancient homes still in good condition near old churches and restaurants. Some old communities may also be found near Ledra Street which is very popular for its history and shops.
Hospitals and Universities in Nicosia
The University of Nicosia is the largest university in Cyprus which used to be called Intercollege. It is a private university with three campuses in total. Around 4,000 attend the campus based in Nicosia while the remaining 1,000 are in other districts. The University of Cyprus or UCY is only less than twenty years old with a current population count of 3,500 students. UCY teaches mainly in Greek or Turkish. Students can only apply after they have graduated from a six-year high school. There are three other public universities found in Nicosia offering undergraduate and post graduate degrees.
Nicosia New General Hospital and Nicosia Old General Hospital are two of the major health institutions in the city. The hospitals are known for their expertise in cosmetic surgery which greatly helps support medical tourism. There are also other excellent hospitals rendering quick and effective patient care such as Baris Ruh ve Sinir Hasateliklari Hastahanesi and Lefkosa Burhan Nalbantoglu. Dentistry is another field which Cyprus is known for. The Nicosia Dental Polyclinic is one of the best in Europe offering quality care and equipment.
Commercial Places in Nicosia
There are two major shopping malls in Nicosia. However, tourists and expatriates prefer the many shopping hubs and mini shops located at different parts of the city especially on Ledra Street. There are several textiles, trinkets, fashion items, accessories and appliances for sale at street side stores. The malls also have an arcade, restaurants and signature shops.
Nicosia has hundreds of great restaurants serving a variety of cuisines plus great drinks. Gloria Pizza and Express Pizza are some of the best places to find great-tasting pizza and other Italian dishes. There are also places serving authentic Cypriot cuisine such as Ellinikes Diadromes Mezedopolio, Epikouros Tavern of the Culture Club and Georkadzis Dimitris Tavern. These places serve unique dishes and wines with a very nice ambiance. Gyrohouse, Finikas and Bacchus serve exotic dishes and also a bit of the Turkish and Greek delights.
For places with a great view, Bacchus is known for its seafront location. Franx Bar and Restaurant serves delicious breakfast with a variety of dishes that suit every taste. Kings Aphrodite’s Restaurant is another popular spot with live music and folk dancing.
Service Establishments of Nicosia
CYTA or Cyprus Telecommunications Authority is one of the oldest telecommunications company in Cyprus offering a wide array of services from cabling to network traffic management to internet hosting. Recently, it also plans to expand its coverage in payphones and cellular phones via satellite technology. Interprom and FASMA are just some of the many internet service providers in Nicosia offering consultation, hosting and maintenance.
The Nicosia Police Headquarters are very reliable with an active line solely for citizens and tourists. Other emergency respondent agencies are the Forest Department which is responsible for aeronautic or maritime incidents, forest fires and faults. The Nicosia Water and Electric Company are also very efficient in providing clean and safe utilities for all people in the city.
Embassies in Nicosia
There are many embassies in Nicosia checking and approving applications from Mondays through Fridays. Some of the notable embassies in the area are the American, Iraqi, Swiss and British. These are very accommodating with specific sectors within the department that caters each applicant’s need. There are sections such as the Public Affairs Section which manages cultural relations of Nicosia with the corresponding nation. There are also programs aiming to support immigrants and expatriates to help make their move faster and easier.
The British Embassy in Nicosia renders one of the best services. A lot of UK expatriates have been making the move to Nicosia for its booming business sector. Communication between the Cypriot and British Ambassador has been very cordial in the past few years. Cyprus is welcoming a lot of foreign investors and skilled workers. Information and other requirements can be acquired through the embassy directly or via the website.
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