Known locally as Lefkosia (Greek: Λευκωσία, Turkish: Lefkoşa), is the
capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business
center.Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the
southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line. It is
located near the center of the island, on the banks of the Pedieos
River.
In antiquity, the town was known as Arsinoe, after Arsinoe II of Egypt, and was mentioned by that name by Strabo. In Greek it is called Ammochostos, meaning -hidden in sand-. This name developed into Famagusta, used in Western European languages and the Turkish name, Mağusa. In fact, its Turkish name is Gazi-Mağusa.
Kyrenia dates to the end of the Trojan War and it was founded by the
Achaeans. Evidence from archaeological sites excavated in and around the
town of Kyrenia evidence settlement since the Neolithic period,
5800-3000 BC. Mycenaean (Achaean) tombs dating from 1300-500s BC and
geometric artefacts have also been discovered.