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| KosovoRepublika e Kosovës Република Косово / Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) | |
|---|---|
Flag
Coat of arms
| |
 Location of Kosovo in Europe | |
| Capitaland largest city | Pristina |
| Official languages | Albanian, Serbian |
| Recognised regional languages | Turkish, Gorani, Romani, Bosnian |
| Ethnic groups (2007) | 92% Albanians 5.3% Serbs 2.7% others |
| Demonym(s) | Kosovar |
| Government | international protectorate |
| • Special Representative of the Secretary-General | Joachim Rücker |
| • President | Fatmir Sejdiu (LDK) |
| • Prime Minister | Hashim Thaçi (PDK) |
| Independence from Serbia | |
| • Declared | 17 February 2008 |
| • Recognized | by 27 countries |
| Area | |
| • Total | 10,887 km (4,203 sq mi) (166) |
| • Water (%) | n/a |
| Population | |
| • 2007 estimate | 1,900,000 (141) |
| • 1991 census | 1,956,196 |
| • Density | 220/km (569.8/sq mi) (55) |
| Currency | Euro (€) (EUR) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Calling code | 381 |
| Internet TLD | None assigned |
| |
Kosovo (Template:Lang-sq or Kosovë, Template:Lang-sr, Kosovo, see: Names of Kosovo), is a region in the Balkans, presently under the ad interim control of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo and protection of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Kosovo Force. Its Provisional Institutions of Self-Government have recently declared independence from the Republic of Serbia, which contested the act; as the Republic of Kosovo, it has received partial recognition.
Kosovo has a population of about two million people, predominantly ethnic Albanians, with smaller populations of Serbs, Romani people, Goranis, Bosniaks, Turks and other ethnic communities. Pristina is the capital and largest city. Kosovo is landlocked, bordering Montenegro to the west, Albania to the southwest, the Republic of Macedonia to the south and Central Serbia to the north and east.
Following the Kosovo War in 1999, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 placed Kosovo under the authority of the UNMIK, with security provided by the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR), and legally reaffirmed Serbia's sovereignty over the region and committed the UN Member States to its territorial integrity. After UN-sponsored negotiations failed to reach a consensus on an acceptable constitutional status, Kosovo's provisional government unilaterally declared independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008 and received partial international recognition as a sovereign state (notably from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Albania, Italy, and Turkey). As of March 5th, 2008, 27 states formally recognise the Republic of Kosovo while at least another 3 have declared their intention to do so at a later date.
Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence is disputed by Serbia, Russia, Spain and 18 other nations. The official position of these countries is that Kosovo is a Serbian province under ad interim UN control.Other countries, including the People's Republic of China, have called for further negotiations or have stated they have made no decision yet.
Geography
Main article: Geography of Kosovo
Kosovo has an area of 10,887 square kilometers (4,203 sq mi) and a population of about 2.2 million. The largest cities are Prishtina, the capital, with an estimated 170,000 inhabitants, Prizren in the south west with a population of 110,000, Peja in the west with 70,000, and Mitrovica in the north with 70,000.
The climate in Kosovo is continental, with warm summers and cold and snowy winters. There are two main plains in Kosovo. The Dukagjini basin is located in the western part of the Kosovo, and the Plain of Kosovo occupies the eastern part.
Much of Kosovo's terrain is mountainous. The Shar Mountains are located in the south and south-east, bordering the Republic of Macedonia. This is one of the region's most popular tourist and skiing resorts, with Brezovica and Prevallac as the main tourist centers. Kosovo's mountainous area, including the highest peak Gjeravica, at 2656 m above sea level, is located in the south-west, bordering Montenegro and Albania.
The Kopaonik mountains are located in the north. The central region of Drenica, Caraleva and the eastern part of Kosovo, known as Gollak, are mainly hilly areas. There are several notable rivers and lakes in Kosovo. The main rivers are the White Drin, running towards the Adriatic Sea, with the Erenik among its tributaries), the Sitnica, the South Morava in the Gollak area, and Ibri in the north. The main lakes are Gazivoda (380 million m³) in the north-western part, Radoniqi (113 million m³) in the south-west part, Batllava (40 million m³) and Badovci (26 million m³) in the north-east part.
List of largest cities in Kosovo (with population figures for 2003-12-31):
- Prishtina (Priština): 165,844
- Prizren : 107,614
- Ferizaj (Uroševac) : 71,758
- Mitrovica : 68,929
- Gjakova (Đakovica) : 68,645
- Peja (Peč) : 68,551
- Gjilan (Gnjilane): 55,781
- Vushtrri (Vučitrn) : 39,642
- Podujevë : 37,203
Politics and governance
Main article: Politics of Kosovo See also: United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo and Provisional Institutions of Self-Government| Politics of Kosovo |
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| Constitution and law |
| Executive |
| Legislature |
| Judiciary |
| Administrative divisions |
| Recent elections |
| Foreign policy |
In 1999, UN Security Council Resolution 1244 placed Kosovo under transitional UN administration pending a determination of Kosovo's future status. This Resolution entrusted the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) with sweeping powers to govern Kosovo, but also directed UNMIK to establish interim institutions of self-governance. Resolution 1244 permits Serbia no role in governing Kosovo and since 1999 Serbian laws and institutions have not been valid in Kosovo. NATO has a separate mandate to provide for a safe and secure environment.
In May 2001, UNMIK promulgated the Constitutional Framework, which established Kosovo's Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (PISG). The PISG replaced the Joint Interim Administrative Structure (JIAS) established a year earlier. Since 2001, UNMIK has been gradually transferring increased governing competencies to the PISG, while reserving some powers that are normally carried out by sovereign states, such as foreign affairs. Kosovo has also established municipal government and an internationally-supervised Kosovo Police Service.
According to the Constitutional Framework, Kosovo shall have a 120-member Kosovo Assembly. The Assembly includes twenty reserved seats: ten for Kosovo Serbs and ten for non-Serb minorities (Bosniaks, Roma, etc). The Kosovo Assembly is responsible for electing a President and Prime Minister of Kosovo.
The largest political party in Kosovo, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), has its origins in the 1990s non-violent resistance movement to Miloševic's rule. The party was led by Ibrahim Rugova until his death in 2006. The two next largest parties have their roots in the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA): the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) led by former KLA leader Hashim Thaci and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) led by former KLA commander Ramush Haradinaj. Kosovo publisher Veton Surroi formed his own political party in 2004 named "Ora." Kosovo Serbs formed the Serb List for Kosovo and Metohija (SLKM) in 2004, but have boycotted Kosovo's institutions and never taken their seats in the Kosovo Assembly.
In November 2001, the OSCE supervised the first elections for the Kosovo Assembly. After that election, Kosovo's political parties formed an all-party unity coalition and elected Ibrahim Rugova as President and Bajram Rexhepi (PDK) as Prime Minister.
After Kosovo-wide elections in October 2004, the LDK and AAK formed a new governing coalition that did not include PDK and Ora. This coalition agreement resulted in Ramush Haradinaj (AAK) becoming Prime Minister, while Ibrahim Rugova retained the position of President. PDK and Ora were critical of the coalition agreement and have since frequently accused the current government of corruption.
Ramush Haradinaj resigned the post of Prime Minister after he was indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in March 2005. He was replaced by Bajram Kosumi (AAK). But in a political shake-up after the death of President Rugova in January 2006, Kosumi himself was replaced by former Kosovo Protection Corps commander Agim Ceku. Ceku has won recognition for his outreach to minorities, but Serbia has been critical of his wartime past as military leader of the KLA and claims he is still not doing enough for Kosovo Serbs. The Kosovo Assembly elected Fatmir Sejdiu, a former LDK parliamentarian, president after Rugova's death. Slaviša Petkovic, Minister for Communities and Returns, was previously the only ethnic Serb in the government, but resigned in November 2006 amid allegations that he misused ministry funds. Today two of the total thirteen ministries in Kosovo's Government have ministers from the minorities. Branislav Grbic, ethnic Serb, leads Minister of Returns and Sadik Idriz, ethnic Bosnjak, leads Ministry of Health
Parliamentary elections were held on 17 November 2007. After early results, Hashim Thaçi who was on course to gain 35 per cent of the vote, claimed victory for PDK, the Albanian Democratic Party, and stated his intention to declare independence. Thaci is likely to form a coalition with current President Fatmir Sejdiu's Democratic League which was in second place with 22 percent of the vote. The turnout at the election was particularly low with most Serbs refusing to vote.
Health
Access to health care is free for all residents of Kosovo. Currently there is no health insurance, however, the Ministry of Health is in the process of preparing a legislative infrastructure, which is scheduled to be implemented in 2008.
There are hospitals in all major cities. A total of 6 regional hospitals provide tertiary health care, and family centers in small municipalities.
Medical Education is available at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo (UCCK), in Prishtina.
Economy
Main article: Economy of KosovoKosovo has one of the most under-developed economies in Europe, with a per capita income estimated at €1,565 (2004). Despite substantial development subsidies from all Yugoslav republics, Kosovo was the poorest province of Yugoslavia. Additionally, over the course of the 1990s a blend of poor economic policies, international sanctions, poor external commerce and ethnic conflict severely damaged the economy.
Kosovo's economy remains weak. After a jump in 2000 and 2001, growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was negative in 2002 and 2003 and is expected to be around 3 percent 2004-2005, with domestic sources of growth unable to compensate for the declining foreign assistance. Inflation is low, while the budget posted a deficit for the first time in 2004. Kosovo has high external deficits. In 2004, the deficit of the balance of goods and services was close to 70 percent of GDP. Remittances from Kosovars living abroad accounts for an estimated 13 percent of GDP, and foreign assistance for around 34 percent of GDP.
Most economic development since 1999 has taken place in the trade, retail and the construction sectors. The private sector that has emerged since 1999 is mainly small-scale. The industrial sector remains weak and the electric power supply remains unreliable, acting as a key constraint. Unemployment remains pervasive, at around 40-50% of the labor force.
UNMIK introduced de-facto an external trade regime and customs administration on September 3, 1999 when it set customs border controls in Kosovo. All goods imported in Kosovo face a flat 10% customs duty fee. These taxes are collected from all Tax Collection Points installed at the borders of Kosovo, including those between Kosovo and Serbia. UNMIK and Kosovo institutions have signed Free Trade Agreements with Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Republic of Macedonia.
The Republic of Macedonia is Kosovo's largest import and export market (averaging €220 million and €9 million, respectively), followed by Serbia-Montenegro (€111 million and €5 million), Germany and Turkey.
The euro is the official currency of Kosovo and used by UNMIK and the government bodies. The Serbian dinar is used in the Serbian-populated parts.
The economy is hindered by Kosovo's still-unresolved international status, which has made it difficult to attract investment and loans. The province's economic weakness has produced a thriving black economy in which smuggled petrol, cigarettes and cement are major commodities. The prevalence of official corruption and the pervasive influence of organised crime gangs has caused serious concern internationally. The United Nations has made the fight against corruption and organised crime a high priority, pledging a "zero tolerance" approach.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Kosovo
According to the Kosovo in Figures 2005 Survey of the Statistical Office of Kosovo, Kosovo's total population is estimated between 1.9 and 2.2 million in the following ethnic proportions:
Islam (mostly Sunni, with a Bektashi minority) is the predominant religion, professed by most of the majority ethnic Albanian population, the Bosniak, Gorani, and Turkish communities, and some of the Roma/Ashkali/Egyptian community. The Serb population, estimated at 100,000 to 120,000 persons, is largely Serbian Orthodox. Approximately 3 percent of ethnic Albanians are Roman Catholic. Catholic communities are concentrated around Catholic churches in Prizren, Klina, and Gjakova. Protestants make up less than 1 percent of the population and have small populations in most cities, with the largest concentration located in Pristina. There are no synagogues or Jewish institutions; there are reportedly two families whose members have Jewish roots. The number of atheists or those who do not practice any religion are difficult to determine, and estimates are largely unreliable.
Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo have the largest population growth in Europe. The people’s growth rate in Kosovo is 1.3%. Over an 82-year period (1921-2003) the population grew 4.6 times. If growth continues at such a pace, based on some estimations, the population will be 4.5 million by 2050.
In 1948 to 1991 period, Serb population on Kosovo incresed for 12% (3 times less than in Serbia), while Albanian population increased for 300% in the same time period.
Administrative divisions
Main article: Subdivisions of Kosovo See also: Municipalities of KosovoKosovo, for administrative reasons, is considered as consisting of seven districts. North Kosovo maintains its own government, infrastructure and institutions by its dominant ethnic Serb population in the Mitrovica District, viz. in the Albanik, Zveçan and Zubin Potok municipalities and the northern part of Mitrovica.
Kosovo is also divided into 30 municipalities :
| Municipalities of Kosovo | ||
|---|---|---|
| District of Ferizaj | | |
| District of Gjakova | ||
| District of Gjilan | ||
| District of Mitrovica | ||
| District of Peja | ||
| District of Pristina | ||
| District of Prizren | ||
Culture
Music
Main article: Music of Kosovo Further information: Music of SerbiaAlthough in Kosovo the music is diverse (influenced to an extent by the cultures of the various regimes who controlled the region), authentic Albanian music (see World Music) and Serbian music do still exist. Albanian music is characterized by the use of the çiftelia (an authentic Albanian instrument), mandolin, mandola and percussion. In Kosovo, folk music is very popular alongside modern music. There are a number of folk singers and ensembles (both Albanian and Serbian). Classical music is also well known in Kosovo and has been taught at universities (at the University of Prishtina Faculty of Arts and the [[University of Pristina#Serbian university|University of Prishtina at Mitrovica Faculty of Arts) and several pre-college music schools
There are some notable music festivals in Kosovo:
- Rock për Rock - contains rock and metal music
- Polifest - contains all kinds of genres (usually hip hop and commercial pop)
- Showfest - contains all kinds of genres (usually hip hop and commercial pop)
- Videofest - contains all kinds of genres
- Kush Këndon Lutet Dy Herë - contains Christian music
- North City Jazz & Blues festival, an international music festival held annually in Zveçan (Template:Lang-sq), near Mitrovica,
Kosovo Radiotelevisions like RTK, 21 and KTV have their musical charts.
Sport
Several sports federations have been formed in Kosovo within the framework of Law No. 2003/24 "Law on Sport" passed by the Assembly of Kosovo in 2003. The law formally established a national Olympic Committee, regulated the establishment of sports federations and established guidelines for sports clubs. At present only some of the sports federations established have gained international recognition.
Federations that have so far gained membership or recognition by their international governing body:
Federations that have not yet gained international recognition:
- Basketball Federation of Kosovo
- Football Federation of Kosovo and the Kosovo national football team
- Olympic Committee of Kosovo
- Tennis Federation of Kosovo
References
- Enti i Statistikës së Kosovës
- US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (2008-02-18). "U.S. Recognizes Kosovo as Independent State". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "Britain, France recognise Kosovo". Associated Press. 2008-02-18. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Castle, Stephen (2008-02-18). "Kosovo is Recognised by U.S., France and Britain". Retrieved 2008-02-18.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - See: UN estimate, Kosovo’s population estimates range from 1.9 to 2.4 million. The last two population census conducted in 1981 and 1991 estimated Kosovo’s population at 1.6 and 1.9 million respectively, but the 1991 census probably undercounted Albanians. The latest estimate in 2001 by OSCE puts the number at 2.4 Million. The World Factbook gives an estimate of 2,126,708 for the year 2007 (see "Kosovo". The World Factbook (2025 ed.). Central Intelligence Agency.).
- BBC News: Kosovo MPs proclaim independence - February 17, 2008
- Independent Commission for Mines and Minerals. "Welcome to the Independent Commission for Mines and Minerals (ICMM), Kosovo".
- City Population. "Kosovo".
- "Kosovo: Serb minister resigns over misuse of funds ", Adnkronos international (AKI), November 27, 2006
- "Sole Kosovo Serb cabinet minister resigns: PM ", Agence France-Presse (AFP), November 24, 2006.
- Fillimi
- EuroNews: Ex-guerrilla chief claims victory in Kosovo election. Retrieved 18 November 2007.
- The World Bank (2006). "Kosovo Brief 2006".
- Christian Science Monitor 1982-01-15, "Why Turbulent Kosovo has Marble Sidewalks but Troubled Industries"
- The World Bank (2006/2007). "World Bank Mission in Kosovo".
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - eciks (04/05/06). "May finds Kosovo with 50% unemployed".
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ U.S. Commercial Service. "Doing Business in Kosovo".
- Economic Reconstruction and Development in South East Europe. "External Trade and Customs" (PDF).
- B92 (02/10/06). "Croatia, Kosovo sign Interim Free Trade Agreement". mrt.com.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - EU in Kosovo (17/02/06). "UNMIK and Bosnia and Herzegovina Initial Free Trade Agreement" (PDF). UNMIK.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - The World Bank (April 2006). "Kosovo Monthly Economic Briefing: Preparing for next winter" (PDF).
- EU in Kosovo. "Invest in Kosovo".
- BBC News (03/05/05). "Brussels offers first Kosovo loan".
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - UNMIK. "Kosovo in figures 2005" (PDF). Ministry of Public Services.
- BBC News (23/12/05). "Muslims in Europe: Country guide".
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - BBC News (20/11/07). "Regions and territories: Kosovo".
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - International Crisis Group (31/01/01). "Religion in Kosovo".
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - International Religious Freedom Report 2007 (U.S. Department of States) - Serbia (includes Kosovo)
- International Religious Freedom Report 2006 (U.S. Department of States) - Serbia and Montenegro (includes Kosovo)
- Albanian Population Growth
- Demographic explosion in Kosovo
- Kosovo-Hotels, Prishtina - Kosova-Hotels, Prishtinë
Further reading
Malcolm, Noel (1999). Kosovo: A Short History. Harper Perennial. ISBN 0060977752.
See also
- Assembly of Kosovo
- Government of Kosovo
- Prime Minister of Kosovo
- President of Kosovo
- Serbs in Kosovo
- Albanians in Kosovo
- Post and Telecom of Kosovo
- National awakening and the birth of Albania
- Demographic history of Kosovo
- Unrest in Kosovo during March 2004
- Metohija
- North Kosovo
- Flag of Kosovo
- 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence
External links
Wikimedia Atlas of Kosovo- United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo
- The Government of Kosovo and Prime minister's office
- Assembly of Kosovo
- President of Kosovo
- Serbian Government for Kosovo and Metohija
- "Kosovo". The World Factbook (2025 ed.). Central Intelligence Agency.
- Visit Kosovo - Tourism Website
- Template:Wikitravel
| Geographic locale | |
|---|---|
| Template:Kosovo |
| Municipalities of Kosovo | ||
|---|---|---|
| District of Ferizaj | | |
| District of Gjakova | ||
| District of Gjilan | ||
| District of Mitrovica | ||
| District of Peja | ||
| District of Pristina | ||
| District of Prizren | ||
