Famagusta,[a] also known by several other names, is a city located in the Gazimağusa District of the de facto and unrecognised state of Northern Cyprus.

By the 3rd century, the city appears as Ammochostos (Ancient Greek: Ἀμμόχωστος or Αμμόχωστος, Ammókhōstos, "Hidden in Sand") in the Stadiasmus Maris Magni.

[6] This name is still used in modern Greek with the pronunciation [aˈmoxostos], while it developed into Latin Fama Augusta, French Famagouste, Italian Famagosta, and English Famagusta during the medieval period.

On 25 December 1975, the formal name in Northern Cyprus was changed by an act of parliament to Gazimağusa ([ɡaːzimaˈusa]) with the addition of the title gazi, meaning "veteran".

[7][8] In the early medieval period, the city was also known as New Justiniana (Ancient Greek: Νέα Ἰουστινιανία, Néa Ioustinianía) in appreciation for the patronage of the Byzantine emperor Justinian, whose wife Theodora was born there.

The city was founded around 274 BC, after the serious damage to Salamis by an earthquake, by Ptolemy II Philadelphus and named "Arsinoe" after his sister.

To honor the city, from which his wife Theodora came, Justinian enriched it with many buildings, while the inhabitants named it New Justiniania to express their gratitude.

An influx of Christian refugees fleeing the downfall of Acre (1291) in Palestine transformed it from a tiny village into one of the richest cities in Christendom.

The development of the town focused on the social lives of the wealthy people and was centred upon the Lusignan palace, the cathedral, the Square and the harbour.

[13] Over time, Varosha developed into a prosperous agricultural town thanks to its location away from the marshes, whilst the walled city remained dilapidated.

As soon as the British took over the island, a Famagusta Development Act was passed that aimed at the reconstruction and redevelopment of the city's streets and dilapidated buildings as well as better hygiene.

[16] From independence in 1960 to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus of 1974, Famagusta developed toward the south west of Varosha as a well-known entertainment and tourist centre.

Whilst its population was only about 7% of the total of the country, Famagusta by 1974 accounted for over 10% of the total industrial employment and production of Cyprus, concentrating mainly on light industry compatible with its activity as a tourist resort and turning out high-quality products ranging from food, beverages and tobacco to clothing, footwear, plastics, light machinery and transport equipment.

Therefore, economic growth was shared between the city of Famagusta and the district, which had a balanced agricultural economy, with citrus, potatoes, tobacco and wheat as main products.

The city's port remained the island's main seaport and in 1961, it was expanded to double its capacity in order to accommodate the growing volume of exports and imports.

[19] There has not been an official census since 1960 but the population of the town in 1974 was estimated to be around 39,000[20] not counting about 12,000–15,000 persons commuting daily from the surrounding villages and suburbs to work in Famagusta.

It took two days for the Turkish Army to occupy the city, prior to which Famagusta's entire Greek Cypriot population had fled into surrounding fields.

[22] UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Famagusta by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and unjust and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN.

[24] Some important landmarks and visitor attractions in the old city are:[25][26][27][28] In an October 2010 report titled Saving Our Vanishing Heritage, Global Heritage Fund listed Famagusta, a "maritime ancient city of crusader kings", among the 12 sites most "On the Verge" of irreparable loss and destruction, citing insufficient management and development pressures.

[30][31] The port is an important source of income and employment for the city, though its volume of trade is restricted by the embargo against Northern Cyprus.

The Eastern Mediterranean University is also an important employer and supplies significant income and activity, as well as opportunities for the construction sector.

[35] Süleyman Uluçay heads the Turkish Cypriot municipal administration of Famagusta, which remains legal as a communal-based body under the constitutional system of the Republic of Cyprus.

[citation needed] Famagusta was home to many Greek Cypriot sport teams that left the city because of the Turkish invasion and still bear their original names.

Gazimağusa Türk Maarif Koleji represents Famagusta in the North Cyprus High School Volleyball League.