Agios Vasileios, Cyprus

Overview

Agios Vasileios (; Turkish: Türkeli) is a village in Northern Cyprus, claimed by the Republic of Cyprus.

Location

The village is located in the Nicosia district, approximately 20 kilometres north-west of the capital city of Nicosia and two kilometres south-east of Skylloura / Yılmazköy.

History

Until 1964, the people were mixed, inhabited by both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. However, after the intercommunal conflict escalated, the village became predominantly Turkish Cypriot. In 1975, the Turkish Cypriots adopted the alternative name Ayvasıl, which was later changed to Türkeli in 1975, meaning "country of the Turks."

Demographics

According to the Ottoman census of 1831, Christians (Greek Cypriots) constituted a slight majority of the population (56 per cent). However, by 1960, the Greek Cypriot proportion of the population had increased to 80 per cent. The Turkish Cypriot population tended to stagnate during this period.

Population

As of 1975, the village has a population of approximately 154 people.

Name Changes

The village's name was changed from Agios Vasileios to Türkeli in 1975. Prior to that, it was known as Ayvasıl by the Turkish Cypriots.

References

* Communit
* Ottoman census of 1831
* British period records