The city belongs to Famagusta District, and is now the temporary administrative center of it and its largest municipality under the control of the Republic of Cyprus. Located on the eastern coast of the island.
The word Paralimni is Greek and means “by the lake”. Historically, the town was built on the shores of a shallow lake which filled with water only in the winter.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the whole lake-bed was reclaimed for agricultural purposes. Paralimni has not always been where it is now, and was built originally on a hill situated between Deryneia and its present location.
In the 15th century, it was moved inland to avoid detection by pirates. It is said that the first people to settle in Paralimni arrived just after the capture of the nearby town of Famagusta by the Ottoman Turks in 1571.
The first settlement was called Saint Demetrius, and this place still bears his name today.
Since the Turkish invasion in 1974, it has increased in size and status, primarily due to the migration of refugees fleeing from the north.
Many workers in the tourist sectors of Protaras and Ayia Napa live in Paralimni, which is now the temporary administrative centre of the Famagusta District and the biggest municipality of the district under the control of the Republic of Cyprus.
At the heart of Paralimni lies a shopping centre and a small entertainment scene, including modern cafes, bars and many local supermarkets.
The countryside surrounding Paralimni has red soil rich in zinc, which is famous for producing highly nutritious and flavorful potatoes.
It is also known for its picturesque windmills, which are used to draw water from underground aquifers to irrigate the surrounding land. Many of these windmills are now derelict, having been replaced by electric or diesel-powered pumps.
Before the rise of tourism, the rich agricultural land surrounding Paralimni was the source of its wealth, and is still of great importance today.
