Public Life 

 

Since independence in 1960 and until the Turkish invasion of 1974, Ammochostos flourished in all aspects of life. Its port concentrated most of the commercial activity on the island, its fertile plains produced the majority of the highest quality agricultural products, and its golden beaches transformed it into a cosmopolitan tourist centre. It was only natural that this material progress would form the foundation for the development of social and cultural progress. The pursuit of human happiness in a free, just and democratic society was in 1974 the prime characteristic of Famagusta and its people.

Most public and government buildings in Ammochostos were situated in Ammochostos Avenue which started off from the medieval walls. On Ammochostos avenue we could find the government Hospital, the district Police Headquarters, the Fire service station, government offices and the Town Hall. Hermes St., which is essentially the continuation of Ammochostos avenue, was the traditional trade centre of the city, while very near there, between Gregores Afxentiou St., 3rd October St., and Evagoras avenue, we could find the Central Market.

            Tourism, the harbour and the extensive orange groves in the area earned considerable revenue for the city and economic progress was accompanied by a peaceful and quite pace in everyday living without anxieties.

            In 1974, there were 39 star Hotels with 6.164 beds, 7 non-star hotels with 148 beds, and 33 hotel apartment units with 2.722 beds. Some of the most famous hotels wereQ Grecian, Cypriana, Constantia, Sandy Beach, Florida, Venus, Mimoza, Kng George, Golden Sands, Marina, Salaminia Tower, Esperia Tower, Famagusta Palace, and Savoy.

            In 1972, the city produced 8.5 of the total industrial product on the island, accounted for over 10% of the total industrial employment, concentrating mainly on light industry compatible with its activity as a tourist resort and turning out highly quality products ranging from food, beverages and tobacco to clothing, footwear, plastics, small machinery and transport equipment. The district of Famagusta before the 1974 invasion was characterized by a strong and balanced agricultural economy based on citrus fruits, potatoes, tobacco and wheat. It also offered the most substantial deep-water port handling 83% of the total general cargo and 49% of the total passenger traffic to and from the island. 

 

According to the 1960 official  census, the population of Famagusta District numbered 34.752, of which 24.492 Greek Cypriots, 6.120 Turkish Cypriots, 152 Armenians, 24 Maronites, 3.660 British, and 304 others. Administratively, 99 villages belonged to the Famagusta District. These villages are:

 

Name of Village

Greek Cypriots

Turkish Cypriots

Total population

Avgolida*

-

117

117

Ayia Napa

836

-

836

Ayia Triada*

1200

-

1200

Ayios Andronikos*

890

388

1278

Ayios Georgios

480

-

480

Ayios Evstathios

-

117

117

Ayios Elias

500

-

500

Ayios Theodoros

800

-

800

Ayios Iakovos

-

270

270

Ayios Nikolas*

360

-

360

Ayios Sergios*

1700

-

1700

Ayios Symeon*

-

310

310

Ayios Chariton*

-

90

90

Angastina*

850

-

850

Aindronikoudi or Topsiou-Kiou*

-

280

280

Akanthou*

1500

-

1500

Aloa*

-

40

40

Apostolos Andreas*

-

-

-

Ardana*

500

-

500

Arnadi*

270

87

357

Artemi*

-

160

160

Asshia*

2.111

-

2111

Avgorou

1870

-

1870

Afania*

433

260

693

Acheritou*

1000

-

1000

Achna*

1886

-

1886

Vathylakas*

540

-

540

Vasili*

400

-

400

Vatyli*

2.000

700

2700

Vitsada*

260

115

375

Vokolida*

350

-

350

Gaidouras*

360

-

360

Galatia*

-

1270

1270

Galinoporni*

-

690

690

Gastria*

300

-

300

Genagra*

330

270

600

Gerani*

268

-

268

Gialousa*

2500

-

2500

Goufes*

45

240

275

Gypsou*

1200

-

1200

Davlos*

550

-

550

Dherynia

2741

-

2741

Engomi*

662

-

662

Eptakomi*

900

210

1110

Kalopsida*

951

-

951

Knodara*

-

634

634

Kilanemos*

136

20

156

Kontea*

1277

-

1277

Kornokipos*

-

250

250

Korovia*

-

250

250

Kouklia*

28

214

242

Kridia*

-

350

350

Komi Kepir*

830

370

1200

Komi tou Gialou*

860

-

860

Lapathos*

350

-

350

Lefkoniko*

2400

-

2400

Livadia*

-

160

160

Limnia*

1210

-

1210

Leonarisso*

700

-

700

Liopetri

1500

-

1500

Lythrangomi*

195

70

265

Lysi*

3550

-

3550

Makrasyka*

750

-

750

Mandres*

371

-

371

Maratha*

-

59

59

Marathovounos*

2020

-

2020

Melanarka*

180

-

180

Melounda*

-

225

225

Milia*

1200

-

1200

Monarka*

-

75

75

Apostolos Varnavas Monastery*

-

-

-

Mousoulita

255

-

255

Neta*

246

-

246

Ovgoros*

-

423

423

Ornithi*

 

 

 

Paralimni

3500

-

3500

Patriki*

634

-

634

Peristerona*

-

-

-

Pigi*

1100

-

1100

Platani*

-

370

370

Platanissos

-

373

373

Bogazi*

85

-

85

Prastio*

1000

-

1000

Pyrga*

474

-

474

Rizokarpaso*

3200

-

3200

Santalaris*

-

88

88

Sinda*

-

715

715

Spathariko*

400

-

400

Strongylos*

190

200

390

Stylloi*

 

 

 

Syngrasi*

220

80

300

Sotira

1516

-

1516

Tavrou*

350

-

350

Trikomo*

2190

-

2190

Trypimeni*

500

-

500

Tsiamos*

-

670

670

Flamoudi*

355

-

355

Frenaros

1450

-

1450

Psylato*

-

387

387

 

 

 

 

The villages noted with asterisk are within the illegally occupied area.

Next: Cultural Life