OVGOROS

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Ovgoros or Ergazi is a Turkish Cypriot village situated in the heart of the Karpasia/Karpaz peninsula, located three miles southeast of Kantara settlement and northeast of the town of Trikomo/Yeni İskele. The meaning of the name is obscure. In 1958, Turkish Cypriots changed the name to Ergazi, meaning “brave war veteran.” 
 
Historical Population:

As can be seen from the chart above, in the Ottoman census of 1831, Muslims (Turkish Cypriots) constituted the sole inhabitants of the village. Throughout the British period the village was still solely inhabited by Turkish Cypriots, apart from a handful of Greek Cypriots who appear in the records for short periods of time (e.g., 1891 and 1931). During the first half of the 20th century, the village’s population steadily increased from 318 in 1901 to 431 in 1946. However, there was a significant drop in 1960 (from 431 to 362). It is known that during the emergency years of the late 1950s many Cypriots from the Karpasia region migrated to cities and very often abroad, to places such as England and Australia.

Displacement:

From its original population no one was displaced in 1964; however, the village served as a transitory reception centre for displaced Turkish Cypriots. The political geographer Richard Patrick recorded eighteen displaced Turkish Cypriots (mainly from Pervolia tou Trikomou/Bahçeler(182) and Monarga/Boğaztepe(176) who were still living in the village in 1971. From 1964 to 1974, it was administratively part of the Turkish Cypriot enclave of Galatia/Mehmetcik(144) and served as an outpost for that enclave. Patrick estimated the village’s population at 390 in 1971 (it was 362 in 1960).

Current Inhabitants:

Currently the village is mainly inhabited by its original villagers. Due to the migration of the youth to find jobs in the cities and abroad, the village’s population has declined considerably, from 390 in 1971 to 207 in 2006.   


 
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