Lefkoniko
Encyclopedia
Lefkoniko is a village in the Famagusta District
of Cyprus
. It lies in the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), in the northern third of the island.
As a result of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus
the Greek Cypriot residents of Lefkoniko fled the and since then the town has been repopulated by Turkish Cypriots, mainly people from Kophinou, as well as other villages. In order to discourage settlers from Turkey
, a large number of mud-houses were knocked down by the local village-council between 1975-77. Thus to this day, the village has an odd look, with many concrete houses standing from the early 1970s, with large spaces separating them. Pre-1974 population of the village was around 2500, current population is a little under 1500.
Lefkoniko is also the location of Lefkoniko airport, with a 3400m run-way, the longest on the island, used mostly for military purposes. The United States
also has the right to use this airport to fly over for Middle East operations. Along with Ercan, it is recognized as a legal port of entry only by Turkey.
Famagusta District
Famagusta District is one of the six districts of Cyprus. Its main town is the island's most important port, Famagusta. The city of Famagusta is currently controlled by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus ....
of Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
. It lies in the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), in the northern third of the island.
History
During British administration Lefkoniko had a population around 4000 people, consisted of a Greek Cypriot majority and a Turkish Cypriot minority. In an anti-British demonstration schoolboys burned out the village post office. A collective fine was placed on the inhabitants of Lefkoniko. The governor of Cyprus ordered a 24-hour curfew on Lefkoniko until the fine was paid.As a result of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Turkish invasion of Cyprus
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...
the Greek Cypriot residents of Lefkoniko fled the and since then the town has been repopulated by Turkish Cypriots, mainly people from Kophinou, as well as other villages. In order to discourage settlers from Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, a large number of mud-houses were knocked down by the local village-council between 1975-77. Thus to this day, the village has an odd look, with many concrete houses standing from the early 1970s, with large spaces separating them. Pre-1974 population of the village was around 2500, current population is a little under 1500.
Lefkoniko is also the location of Lefkoniko airport, with a 3400m run-way, the longest on the island, used mostly for military purposes. The United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
also has the right to use this airport to fly over for Middle East operations. Along with Ercan, it is recognized as a legal port of entry only by Turkey.