Paralimni () is a town within the Famagusta District of Cyprus, situated on the island's east coast. 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 internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus. Natural conditions The city of Paralimni is located in the extreme southeast of Cyprus island. The city is located 110 kilometers east of the capital Nicosia. The city was traditionally a suburb of Famagusta (until the occupation of the city), just 10 km to the north. Paralimni is located near the Mediterranean coast, about 80 meters above sea level. The city is located at the southeast end of the island's central plateau Mesaoria. This is why the plain extends around the city in the north and the coastal hills rise to the south. The city's population in 2001 was 11,091, in 2011 15,000 History 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 lakebed 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. In 1986, after a referendum, the area was declared a municipality with the name "Paralimni". In May 1986, the first elections were held for the office of mayor and municipal council; Nikos Vlittis was elected the first mayor, and served from 1986 to 2006. In December 2006, Vlittis lost the election to Andreas Evaggelou, who served as mayor until 2011. The town is a stronghold for the Democratic Rally, a centre-right party whose member and former leader Nicos Anastasiades is the current president of Cyprus. Architecturally, Paralimni has been