Limassol District

Coordinates: 34°47′N 32°55′E / 34.783°N 32.917°E / 34.783; 32.917

Limassol District (/ˈlɪməsɒl/) or Lemesos (Greek: Λεμεσός [lemeˈsos]; Turkish: Limasol or Leymosun; Armenian: Լիմասոլ) is one of the six districts of Cyprus. As of 2011, it had a population of 235,330, 77% of which was urban. Its main city is Limassol. Part of the British Overseas Territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia forms an enclave on the Akrotiri Peninsula, under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom.

History

The buried ancient city of Amathus is 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from Limassol. Archaeological excavations have unearthed ruins of the Byzantine period and a tomb of the 7th century BC. The ancient Kolossi Castle, which is located 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) to the west of Limassol, reflects the fall of Acre and history of the Templars and their confiscated property allotted to the Limassol District for cultivation of wine and sugarcane.

Geography

Limassol District forms much of the southwestern-central part of Cyprus. The Kouris River rises in the southern slopes of Troodos mountains, which lie in the northern part of the district towards the centre of Cyprus, and flows to the sea near the ancient city of Kourion. This river has been dammed by the Kouris Dam, which has caused the near drying up of the river in its lower reaches. Limassol, to the northeast of the Akrotiri peninsula lies on Akrotiri Bay, while Pissouri, to the northwest of the peninsula, lies on Episkopi Bay. Episkopi Bay is a nesting ground for green and loggerhead turtles, both of which are on the IUCN list of endangered species. Amathous Beach and the Dassoudi Beach are also situated in the district.

Limassol

Limassol (/ˈlɪməsɒl/; Greek: Λεμεσός [lemeˈsos]; Turkish: Limasol or Leymosun; Armenian: Լիմասոլ) is a city on the southern coast of Cyprus and capital of the eponymous district. Limassol is the second largest urban area in Cyprus, with an urban population of 160,000-176,700. The municipality is the most populous in the country with 101,000 inhabitants (2011).

The Port of Limassol is one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean transit trade and the largest port in Cyprus. It has also become one of the most important tourism, trade, and service-providing centres in the area. Limassol is renowned for its extensive cultural traditions, and is home to the Cyprus University of Technology. A wide spectrum of activities and a number of museums and archaeological sites are available to the interested visitor. Consequently, Limassol attracts a wide range of tourists mostly during an extended summer season to be accommodated in a wide range of hotels and apartments. A large marina lies near the old town, 500 meters from the Limassol medieval castle.