original: From 1978 until 2000 it was an independent municipality.
simplifications: From 1978 until 2000 it was an self-governed municipality. It was an independent town from 1978 till 2000. It was an independent municipality until 2000. From 1978 to 2000, it was an independent municipality. From 1978 until 2000 it was an area that made its own decisions. It was an independent city from 1978 to 2000. From 1978 until 2000 it was independent. It was an independent municipality from 1978-2000. The municipality was independent from 1978 to 2000. It was an independent city from 1978 to 2000.