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Useful Information :
General Information:
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POPULATION INCREASE - THE TURKISH INVASION.
As written earlier, Latsia has more than 12.500 - 13.000 inhabitants. However, in 1881 (year of the first population census in Cyprus), it only had 17 residents. Below are given the population figures and increase over the last 120+ years:
1881 |
17 |
1921 |
53 |
1973 |
1.108 |
2001 |
12.195 |
1891 |
40 |
1931 |
350 |
1976 |
2.163 |
2003 |
>12.500 |
1901 |
47 |
1946 |
179 |
1982 |
7.558 |
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1911 |
48 |
1960 |
485 |
1992 |
10.012 |
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We observe important changes in the population number among 1921-1982. This is due to a lot of factors, which are explained below:
| a) |
Between 1921-1931 more and more people from Lythrodontas, owning considerable territorial property in Latsia, moved into the hamlet, seeking a better life, also taking advantage of the low price of land and their agrarian investments. |
| b) |
Between 1931-1946 the population decreased due to World War II, and due to the fact that many Cypriots migrated to the Americas, Australia, Europe and Middle East, to seek better jobs and, thus, a better life. |
| c) |
From 1946 until the year of Independence, the population increased, because Latsia was situated near the centre of Nicosia and traditional work places, offering both agricultural-farming and industrial jobs.
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| d) |
From 1960 until 1973, a year before the Turkish invasion, the increase is quite high, but cannot compare to the dramatic population change between 1976-1982, mainly because a little after the invasion several refugee housing estates were built in Latsia, thus increasing the population of Latsia dramatically. |
| e) |
From 1976 onwards, another factor has contributed to the vast increase of the population of Latsia; the excellent road network which, in combination with the proximity and easy and fast access to the capital, provides easy access to both Larnaca and Limassol and, in the process, Paralimni & Ayia Napa and Paphos. |
| f) |
In the last decade the (temporary) population of Latsia is by far increased (however not officially registered by the Department of Statistics and Research) due to another factor: many foreigners (mostly coloured, originating from South-East Asian countries) have settled in Nicosia and its suburbs, making their living as gardeners, house assistants, baby sitters and workers.
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On 20 July 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus: Forty thousand troops landed on the island from the Kyrenia region, assisted by Turkish air and naval forces, in violation of all United Nations' principals governing international relations. They occupied small areas in the north of the island, until a cease fire was agreed on 30 July 1974. However, on 14 August 1974, the troops re-engaged into their occupational activities, occupying the entire Kyrenia district, almost the entire Famagusta district and the north Nicosia district, until the permanent sign of the cease fire at 18:00, on 16 August 1974.
As a result, 3.355 sq. Km (1.295 sq. Miles), approximately 37,298 % of the area of the Republic of Cyprus or about 36,266 % of the entire area of Cyprus (9.251 sq. Km or 3.572 sq. Miles) was occupied (the wealthiest part of the island, representing 70 per cent of the economic potential), nearly 40 per cent of the Greek-Cypriot population (around 185.000 - 200.000 persons) was displaced, becoming refugees in their own country, and hundreds of people, including civilians, were killed or injured. Initially, 1619 persons were missing, their number having dropped down to about 1400 that are still missing, while Nicosia remains the last divided capital in Europe.
In order to house the refugees, the government built many refugee housing estates, all over the island. Three of them where built in Latsia: “Ayios Eleftherios” (with 796 housing units), “Apostolos Andreas” (with 236 housing units) and “Apostolos Loukas” (with 126 housing units). Moreover, the “Archangelos Michael” self-housing estate (two states) was financed by the government (247 housing units). It is estimated that 76-82% of Latsia population originates from 125 occupied villages.
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