Nicosia has a very individual character because it is the only city in Cyprus that is situated inland. Nicosia (known as Lefkoşa) has been the capital of Cyprus since AD 100 and seen many periods of turbulence and following division since 1974 it remains the only divided capital in the world. Nicosia is the administrative and cultural focus and has grown dramatically in size; spilling over from the old city within its walls and the development of numerous snazzy new buildings it has become a chic, smart, European city whilst not losing its intrinsically Cypriot character.