KATOKOPIA

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Katokopia is a village located seven kilometers southeast of the town of Morphou/Güzelyurt and one kilometer from the village of Argaki/Akçay.. Goodwin claims that the actual name of the village is Kakotopia and not Katokopia. He also suggests that Kakotopia drives from “kakos topos” which means “bad place.” in Greek. Turkish Cypriots changed the name to Zümrütköy in 1975, meaning “emerald green village.”
 
 
Historical Population:

Until 1974, the village was solely inhabited by Greek Cypriots. As may be seen from the chart above, in the Ottoman census of 1831, Christians (Greek Cypriots) constituted the sole inhabitants of the village. Throughout the British period the Greek Cypriot population of the village increased significantly, from 352 in 1891 to 1,198 in 1960.

Displacement:

In August 1974, all the Greek Cypriots of the village fled from the advancing Turkish army. Currently, like many of the displaced Greek Cypriots, the Greek Cypriots of Katokopia are scattered all around south Cyprus, with large pockets in towns. The number of the Greek Cypriot displaced from Katokopia is approximately 1,600 (1,578 in 1973).

Current Inhabitants:

Currently the village is mainly inhabited by displaced Turkish Cypriots from Peristerona(085), Agioi Iliofotoi(003), Akaki(013), Orounta(079), Alevga(014), Selemani/Süleymaiye(094) in the Nicosia district; some families from Avdimou(260), Kantou(265) and Silikou(280) in the Limassol district; and a few persons from Pelathousa(330), Karamoullides(309), Arodes(294), Chyrsochou(299) and Vretsia(342) in the Paphos district. In addition, there are also some families from Turkey who settled in the village in 1976-77. During the orange-picking seasons, the village also hosts many seasonal agricultural workers from Turkey. They are usually lodged in tents or prefabricated accommodations, which are specifically erected for them and are usually located in the orange orchards where they work.

  


 
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