A Closer Look at Kosovo
Kosovo Flag
Kosovo Formation Date
Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008.
Kosovo Capital Name
Pristina
Kosovo Neighbours
Exploring Kosovo
Origin of Kosovo
Kosovo is an autonomous province and disputed territory located in the southeastern part of Europe. It is bordered by Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro. Kosovo has a long and often turbulent history. It traces its origins to the medieval Serbian kingdom, and formed part of Yugoslavia from the end of World War II until the dissolution of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. During this time, ethnic tension between Albanians and Serbs in Kosovo reached a boiling point, ultimately leading to a conflict in 1999 and the declaration of Kosovo's independence in 2008.Culture
Kosovo is a melting pot of different cultures. The two main ethnic groups in the area are Albanians and Serbs, and both groups have their own distinct cultural traditions. Albanian is the official language of Kosovo, and Albanian culture is the predominant culture in the province. Other cultures represented in Kosovo include Serb, Roma, Turkish, and Bosnian. Kosovo is a predominantly Islamic region, with just over 95% of Kosovo's population identifying as Muslims. However, there is also a large Orthodox Christian minority in the region, as well as small communities of Jews and other religious groups. As such, religious customs and beliefs are an important part of Kosovo's culture and identity. Kosovo is also home to many different folk dances and music, ranging from traditional Albanian and Serbian folk music and dance to more contemporary genres of music. Traditional instruments such as the accordion, viola, and lute are widely used, and there are many regional dishes popular in Kosovo that reflect different cultures.Sport
Sports are a big part of Kosovo's culture and national identity. Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in the country, and Kosovo has a national football team and several professional clubs that compete in international competitions. Basketball and handball are also popular sports, and the Kosovo Basketball Federation was founded in 2009. Kosovo is also home to two professional wrestling organizations, the Kosovo Pro Wrestling League and the Kosovo Wrestling Federation, which were both founded in 2017. Wrestling in Kosovo has been a popular pastime for generations, and wrestling competitions are a feature of traditional festivals in the region.Religion
Kosovo is a predominantly Muslim country, with just over 95% of its population identifying as Muslim. The majority of the Muslim population is Sunni, while a small number of Kosovo's Muslims are also members of the Sufi Islam faith. There is a small Orthodox Christian minority in Kosovo, as well as small communities of other religious groups. Religion plays an important role in Kosovo's culture and history. The religious and political tensions between Kosovo's Albanian and Serb populations have played a large role in the country's political development, and in the conflict between Albanian and Serb forces in 1999.Languages
The official language of Kosovo is Albanian, and it is spoken by the majority of the population. Approximately 92% of Kosovo's population speaks Albanian as their primary language. Serbian is spoken by a large minority of Kosovo's population, and is an official language in the region. Turkish, Bosnian, and Roma are also spoken by minority populations.Education
Kosovo has a high level of education, with 95% of the population having completed at least primary education as of 2012. Education is compulsory for children aged 9-15, and is free in Kosovo. The Kosovo Education System is divided into Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Education. Primary education consists of 4 years of compulsory schooling, and is followed by 4 years of secondary education. Tertiary education is available at universities and other higher education institutions.Demographics
As of 2020, the population of Kosovo is estimated to be 1.8 million. The majority of Kosovo's population is ethnic Albanian, making up approximately 92.9% of the total population. The second largest ethnic group is Serbs, which account for 4.9% of the population. Other ethnic groups in Kosovo include Roma, Bosniaks, Turks, and other minority groups.Commerce
Kosovo is a small regional economy mainly based on agriculture, livestock, and industrial production. Agriculture is the main driver of Kosovo's economy, with cereals, peppers, tomatoes, and tobacco all being major exported commodities. Livestock production is also significant in Kosovo, with products such as meat, dairy products, and eggs being important products of the country. Industrial production includes iron and steel, textiles, footwear, machinery, chemical products, and other light industrial products.Weather
Kosovo has a continental climate characterized by cold winters and hot summers. Average winter temperatures range from -4 degrees Celsius to 5 degrees Celsius, while summers typically range from 16 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius. Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, with the highest levels of precipitation occurring during the spring and summer months.Borders
Kosovo is bordered by Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro. Serbia is Kosovo's largest bordering country, and its relations with Serbia remain tense due to the territorial dispute between the two countries. The border between Kosovo and Macedonia follows the provincial boundaries of Kosovo, while the borders with Albania and Montenegro are largely determined by the Drin River and the Prokletije mountain range, respectively.Kosovo Highest Point Name
The highest point in Kosovo is Gjeravica, with an elevation of 2,656 m (8,714 ft). Gjeravica is part of the Prokletije mountain range, which straddles the borders of Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro.
Kosovo Capital Longitude
The capital of Kosovo is Pristina, and its longitude is 21.17° East.
Kosovo Capital Latitude
The capital of Kosovo is Prishtina and its latitude is 42.6724°N
Kosovo Official Languages
The official language of Kosovo is Albanian. Serbian is also recognised as an official language throughout Kosovo. Bosnian, Romani, and Turkish are also recognised as official languages in certain municipalities.
Kosovo Ethnic Groups
Kosovo is a multiethnic country with a population consisting primarily of Albanians (92.9%), Bosniaks (1.6%), Serbs (1.5%), Turks (1.2%) and Romani (2.2%). Other widespread minority groups include Gorani, Bosnian-Serbs, Egyptians, Ashkali, and others. During the 1999 Kosovo War, hundreds of thousands of Kosovo Albanians were expelled, and many of the Serbs and other minority groups left due to social pressure. Efforts have since been made to promote ethnic reconciliation and to improve living conditions for the country's other ethnic groups.
Kosovo Religions
Kosovo is a predominantly Muslim region, with roughly 95% of the population identifying as Muslim. Other religious communities in Kosovo include Orthodox Christians, Bektashis, Roman Catholics, Protestants, and a small Jewish community. Muslims in Kosovo generally practice a moderate form of Islam and are characterized by the presence of local Sufi orders. The presence of the Islamic Community of Kosovo has been active in the region since the Middle Ages. Roman Catholics mainly hail from the region of Prizren, while Orthodox Christians live mainly in the Mitrovica region.The Protestant community is also quite small, with members being descendants of immigrants who arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Finally, Kosovo has a small Jewish presence, with Jews believed to have arrived in the region in the late 15th century.
Kosovo Total Area
The total area of Kosovo is 10,908 square kilometers.
Kosovo Land Area
The territory of Kosovo has an area of 10,887 square kilometres (4,203 sq mi).
Kosovo Water Area
The total water area of Kosovo is estimated to be about 512 square kilometers (197 square miles). This includes both surface water and groundwater. The majority of the water area is concentrated in the southwestern corner of the country, with Kosovo Lake making up the bulk of the total area.
Kosovo Total Population
The population of Kosovo is estimated to be 1.8 million people as of 2021.
Kosovo Currency Name
The official currency used in Kosovo is the euro.
Kosovo Currency Code
The Kosovo country currency code is EUR.
Kosovo Currency Symbol
The currency symbol for the Kosovo euro is €.
Kosovo Time Zones
- Standard Time: UTC+01:00
- Daylight Saving Time: UTC+02:00
Kosovo is in the Central European Time Zone (UTC+1). Standard time is shifted forward to UTC+2 on the last Sunday in March at 2:00 am, and is returned back to UTC+1 on the last Sunday in October at 3:00 am.
Kosovo Calling Code
The country calling code for Kosovo is +383
Kosovo Internet TLD
www.aveholidays.xk
How to Say "Kosovo" In Different Languages?
- Albanian
- Kosovë (sq-AL)
- Bosnian
- Kosovo (bs-BS)
- Bulgarian
- Косово (bg-BG)
- Croatian
- Kosovo (hr-HR)
- Turkish
- Kosova (tr-TR)
- Czech
- Kosovo (cs-CZ)
- French
- Kosovo (fr-FR)
- German
- Kosovo (de-DE)
- Greek
- Κοσσυφοπέδιο (el-GR)
- Hungarian
- Koszovó (hu-HU)
- Italian
- Kosovo (it-IT)
- Macedonian
- Косово (mk-MK)
- Montenegrin
- Kosovo (sr-Cyrl-ME)
- Polish
- Kosowo (pl-PL)
- Portuguese
- Kosovo (pt-PT)
- Russian
- Косово (ru-RU)
- Serbian (Latin)
- Kosovo (sr-Latn-RS)
- Slovak
- Kosovo (sk-SK)
- Spanish
- Kosovo (es-ES)
- Ukrainian
- Косово (uk-UA)
Kosovo Popular Holidays
- New Year's Day
- 1 January
- Prayer Day to Ahmet Krasniqi (or Xhemajl Krasniqi)
- 11 January
- Vasilica
- 14 January
- Independence Day of Kosovo
- 17 February
- International Women's Day
- 8 March
- Mother's Day
- 17 March
- Muslim New Year
- 27 March
- Easter
- 4 April
- Labor Day
- 1 May
- Saints Cyrill and Methodius
- 24 May
- St. Vitus Day
- 28 June
- St. Peter's Day (Skenderaj)
- 28 June
- Feast of the Assumption of Mary
- 15 August
- Harvest Festival
- 24 August
- Odzaci/St. Parascheva
- 27 August
- Pandocarlija
- 11 September
- Preliv Day
- 19 September
- Righteous Brothers' Day
- 20 September
- Parishioners/Ottoman Memorial
- 21 September
- Albanian Flag Day
- 28 November ( 28November)
- Christmas Day
- 25 December
- New Year's Eve
- 31 December