Kosovo | History, Map, Flag, Population, Languages, & Capital

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text-left"> <em class="material-icons text-gray-400 d-lg-none" data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kosovo">Kosovo</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <ul class="list-unstyled my-0" data-level="h1"><li data-target="#ref1"><div class="pl-25"><a class="link-gray-900 w-100" href="/place/Kosovo">Introduction & Quick Facts</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref296707"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo#ref296707">Land</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296708"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo#ref296708">Relief, drainage, and soils</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296709"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo#ref296709">Climate</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296710"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo#ref296710">Plant and animal life</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref296711"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo#ref296711">People</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296712"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo#ref296712">Ethnic groups</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296713"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo#ref296713">Languages</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296714"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Religion">Religion</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296715"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Religion#ref296715">Settlement patterns</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296716"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Religion#ref296716">Demographic trends</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref296717"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Religion#ref296717">Economy</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296718"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Religion#ref296718">Agriculture, forestry, and fishing</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296719"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Religion#ref296719">Resources and power</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296720"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Religion#ref296720">Manufacturing</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296721"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Religion#ref296721">Finance</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296722"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Religion#ref296722">Trade</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296723"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Religion#ref296723">Services</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296724"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Religion#ref296724">Labour and taxation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296725"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Religion#ref296725">Transportation and telecommunications</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref296726"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Government-and-society">Government and society</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296727"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Government-and-society#ref296727">Constitutional framework</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296728"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Government-and-society#ref296728">Local government</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296729"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Government-and-society#ref296729">Justice</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296730"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Government-and-society#ref296730">Political process</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296731"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Government-and-society#ref296731">Security</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296732"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Government-and-society#ref296732">Health and welfare</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296733"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Government-and-society#ref296733">Housing</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296734"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Government-and-society#ref296734">Education</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref296735"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Cultural-life">Cultural life</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296736"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Cultural-life#ref296736">Cultural milieu</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296737"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Cultural-life#ref296737">Daily life and social customs</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296738"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Cultural-life#ref296738">The arts</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296739"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Cultural-life#ref296739">Cultural institutions</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296740"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Cultural-life#ref296740">Sports and recreation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref296741"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Cultural-life#ref296741">Media and publishing</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref296742"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/History">History</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref283791"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/History#ref283791">Ottoman rule</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref283792"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/History#ref283792">Kosovo in Yugoslavia</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref283793"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kosovo/Self-declared-independence">Self-declared independence</a></li></ul></div></li></ul> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kosovo/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/Kosovo">Facts & Stats</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kosovo/images-videos">Images</a> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 "> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex overflow-hidden text-nowrap ml-15"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/18/114418-050-E12B5707/Flag-Kosovo.jpg" data-href="/media/1/322726/111170" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/18/114418-004-2A12F087/Flag-Kosovo.jpg" alt="Kosovo" height="50" /> </a> <a href="" data-href="/media/1/322726/151433" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <em class="material-icons md-48" data-icon="volume_up"></em> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/79/118379-050-CBCDB4B8/Kosovo.jpg" data-href="/media/1/322726/114903" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/79/118379-004-E51D7A89/Kosovo.jpg" alt="Kosovo" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/82/183682-050-DD126C82/World-Data-Locator-Map-Kosovo.jpg" data-href="/media/1/322726/208502" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/82/183682-004-BB10F9F1/World-Data-Locator-Map-Kosovo.jpg" alt="Kosovo" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/118380-050-20D341F4/features-Kosovo.jpg" 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src="https://cdn.britannica.com/10/184410-049-7C138DF9/World-Data-religious-affiliation-pie-chart-Kosovo.jpg" alt="Kosovo: Religious affiliation" height="50" /> </a> <a href="" data-href="/media/1/322726/210659" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/07/184407-049-436F0584/World-Data-pie-chart-Kosovo.jpg" alt="Kosovo: Urban-rural" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/05/127805-050-F51B927D/Pristina-Kosovo.jpg" data-href="/media/1/322726/125655" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/05/127805-004-F25D5C5A/Pristina-Kosovo.jpg" alt="Pristina" height="50" /> </a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn 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Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). </div> <div class="type-menu"> <label for="feedback-type" class="label mb-10">Feedback Type</label> <select id="feedback-type" class="form-select mb-30" name="feedbackTypeId" required> <option value="" selected="selected">Select a type (Required)</option> <option value="1">Factual Correction</option> <option value="2">Spelling/Grammar Correction</option> <option value="3">Link Correction</option> <option value="4">Additional Information</option> <option value="5">Other</option> </select> </div> <label for="feedback" class="label mb-10">Your Feedback</label> <textarea id="feedback" class="form-control mb-30" name="feedback" maxlength="3000" rows="7" required></textarea> <button class="btn btn-blue" type="submit">Submit Feedback</button> </form> <div class="success-messaging d-none mt-30"> <div class="title">Thank you for your feedback</div> <p>Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-websites-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom font-weight-bold"> External Websites </div> <div class="pb-20"> <ul class="list-unstyled mt-20 lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.mapsofworld.com/kosovo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Maps of World - Kosovo, Europe</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/kosovo/culture" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Michigan State University - globalEDGE - Kosovo</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/ks.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">GlobalSecurity.org - Kosovo</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/kosovo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Central Intelligence Agency - The World Factbook - Kosovo</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://history.state.gov/countries/kosovo" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">U.S. Department of State - Office of the Historian - A Guide to the United States’ History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Kosovo</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-title">Britannica Websites</div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-subtitle">Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.</div> <ul class="list-unstyled bps-topic-web-sites lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Kosovo/346157" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kosovo - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Kosovo/312029" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kosovo - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="toc-header-marker"></div> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 js-header-ai-ask-button d-none btn-sm btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 mr-0 mr-lg-10 ml-5 ml-sm-10 ml-lg-0 p-10"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> <div class="caption alternate-titles">Also known as: Kosmet, Kosova, Kosovo i Metohija</div> <div class="md-byline module-spacing "> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/Antonia-Young/7742375" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">Antonia Young</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black"> Honorary Research Fellow, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford. President, Balkans Peace Park Committee U.K. Coeditor of <em>Black Lambs and Grey Falcons: Women Travellers in the Balkans</em>...</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Antonia Young</span>, <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/John-R-Lampe/7873906" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">John R. Lampe</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black"> Professor of History, University of Maryland. Former director of the East European Studies program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Author of <em>Balkans into Southeastern Europe,...</em></div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> John R. Lampe</span><span class="text-gray-700 mx-5">•</span><a class="see-all border-gray-700 gtm-byline" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kosovo/additional-info#contributors">All</a> </div> <div class="font-serif font-12 text-gray-700"> <span class="qa-fact-checked-by">Fact-checked by</span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 font-12" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2024-11-21T00:00:00CST" >Nov 21, 2024</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kosovo/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="bg-gray-50 p-15 rounded module-spacing recent-news d-flex flex-column float-false"> <div> <h2 class="font-weight-bold font-14 m-0 d-inline"> News <span class="text-gray-600">•</span> </h2> <div class="recent-news-item first-recent-news-item d-inline"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/ckgdp1z19p2o" rel="nofollow">Romania awarded 3-0 win after Kosovo walk-off</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 20, 2024, 3:14 AM ET (BBC) <button class="btn btn-link d-inline p-0 font-12 js-toggle-recent-news"> <span class="text-gray-500">...</span><span>(Show more)</span> </button> </span> </div> </div> <div class="rest-of-recent-news-items"> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cly2v48gpvjo" rel="nofollow">Romania vs Kosovo: Uefa opens disciplinary procehttps://optimo.tools.bbc.co.uk/assets/cly2v48gpvjo/settingsedings against both federations after abandoned match</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 17, 2024, 1:56 AM ET (BBC) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5925576/2024/11/16/romania-kosovo-serbia-chants-abandoned/" rel="nofollow">Kosovo players abandon Romania match due to ‘Serbia’ chants and ‘racist provocations’ - The Athletic</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 16, 2024, 5:36 AM ET (New York Times) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c5yxl4qxp88t" rel="nofollow">Romania v Kosovo Nations League game abandoned after alleged Serbia chants</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 15, 2024, 1:36 AM ET (BBC) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/24/us/politics/tina-s-kaidanow-dead.html" rel="nofollow">Tina S. Kaidanow, 59, Diplomatic Force in Kosovo and Guantánamo, Dies</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Oct. 25, 2024, 9:32 AM ET (New York Times) </span> </div> <button class="js-toggle-recent-news d-flex btn btn-unstyled font-14 pr-10 rounded-sm mt-10" aria-label="Toggle additional news items"> Show less <em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_less"></em> </button> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref151180"></span>Kosovo</strong>, self-declared independent <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/nation-state" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">country</a> in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Balkans" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Balkans</a> region of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Europe" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Europe</a>. Although the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">United States</a> and most members of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/European-Union" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">European Union</a> (EU) recognized Kosovo’s declaration of independence from <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Serbia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Serbia</a> in 2008, Serbia, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Russia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Russia</a>, and a significant number of other countries—including several EU members—did not. Given this lack of international <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="consensus" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consensus" data-type="MW">consensus</a>, Kosovo was not immediately admitted to the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/United-Nations" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">United Nations</a> (UN). In 2010 the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/International-Court-of-Justice" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">International Court of Justice</a> ruled that Kosovo’s declaration of independence did not violate <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/international-law" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">international law</a>, but Serbia rejected that decision.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="208502" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/82/183682-050-DD126C82/World-Data-Locator-Map-Kosovo.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/322726/208502"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/82/183682-050-DD126C82/World-Data-Locator-Map-Kosovo.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/82/183682-050-DD126C82/World-Data-Locator-Map-Kosovo.jpg?w=300" alt="Kosovo" data-width="2000" data-height="1916" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/82/183682-050-DD126C82/World-Data-Locator-Map-Kosovo.jpg" data-href="/media/1/322726/208502">Kosovo</a><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">The name Kosovo is derived from a Serbian place-name meaning “field of blackbirds.” After serving as the centre of a <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="medieval" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medieval" data-type="MW">medieval</a> Serbian empire, Kosovo was ruled by the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Ottoman-Empire" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Ottoman Empire</a> from the mid-15th to the early 20th century, a period when <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islam" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Islam</a> grew in importance and the population of Albanian speakers in the region increased. In the early 20th century Kosovo was incorporated into <span id="ref971304"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-Serbia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Serbia</a> (later part of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Yugoslavia-former-federated-nation-1929-2003" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Yugoslavia</a>). By the second half of the century, the largely Muslim ethnic Albanians outnumbered the predominantly Eastern Orthodox Serbs in Kosovo, and interethnic tensions frequently roiled the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/province-ancient-Roman-government" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">province</a>.</p><div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="qf-title font-weight-bold font-14 mb-10 text-center"> Quick Facts</div> <div class="m-n10 "> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 media-slider card-snap-slider col-100"> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex col-100"> <div class="rw-track w-100"> <div class="pt-10 d-inline-flex col-100"> <div class="w-100"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/18/114418-050-E12B5707/Flag-Kosovo.jpg" data-href="/media/1/322726/111170" class="media-overlay-link card-media d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center px-20" > <div class="position-relative"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/18/114418-050-E12B5707/Flag-Kosovo.jpg" alt="Kosovo" class="cropped-false w-100 " /> <em class="material-icons qf-zoom" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </div> </a> <div class="card-body text-center pt-5 pb-10 font-14"> <span>See article: <a href="/topic/flag-of-Kosovo">flag of Kosovo</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue btn-blue-dark" aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue btn-blue-dark" aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> <audio src="https://cdn.britannica.com/22/145722-005-C9AD3646/instrumental-national-anthem-Kosovo.mp3" type="audio/mpeg" controls=""></audio> <div class="text-center font-12 mt-5"> <span>Audio File:</span> National anthem of Kosovo</div> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Also Known As: </dt> <dd>Kosova</dd> <dd>Kosovo i Metohija</dd> <dd>Kosmet</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Head Of Government: </dt> <dd>Prime Minister: Albin Kurti</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Capital: </dt> <dd><a href="/place/Pristina">Pristina</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Population: </dt> <dd>(2024 est.) 1,764,000</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Head Of State: </dt> <dd>President: Vjosa Osmani</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Form Of Government/Political Status: </dt> <dd>multiparty transitional republic<sup>2</sup> with one legislative house (Assembly of Kosovo [120<sup>3</sup>])</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Official Languages: </dt> <dd>Albanian; Serbian</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Official Religion: </dt> <dd>none</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Official Name: </dt> <dd>Republika e Kosovës (Albanian); Republika Kosovo (Serbian) (Republic of Kosovo)<sup>1</sup></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Total Area (Sq Km): </dt> <dd>10,905</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Total Area (Sq Mi): </dt> <dd>4,210</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Monetary Unit: </dt> <dd>euro (€)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Population Rank: </dt> <dd>(2023) 152</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Population Projection 2030: </dt> <dd>1,801,000</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Density: Persons Per Sq Mi: </dt> <dd>(2024) 419</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Density: Persons Per Sq Km: </dt> <dd>(2024) 161.8</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Urban-Rural Population: </dt> <dd>Urban: (2011) 38.2%</dd> <dd>Rural: (2011) 61.8%</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Life Expectancy At Birth: </dt> <dd>Male: (2022) 68.8 years</dd> <dd>Female: (2022) 73.6 years</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Literacy: Percentage Of Population Age 15 And Over Literate: </dt> <dd>Male: (2004) 97.3%</dd> <dd>Female: (2004) 91.3%</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000): </dt> <dd>(2022) 9,853</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Gni Per Capita (U.S.$): </dt> <dd>(2022) 5,590</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>International Authority: </dt> <dd>UN Interim Administrator<sup>4</sup></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="footnotes mb-15"> <ol> <li>Alternate short-form names in Albanian include Kosova and Kosovë.</li> <li>Independence was declared February 17, 2008, and the new constitution became effective on June 15. Serbia continued to claim Kosovo as an integral part despite a ruling by the International Court of Justice in July 2010 supporting Kosovo’s independence.</li> <li>Twenty seats are reserved for minority communities.</li> <li>Assisted by the EU special envoy from February 2008. A 2,000-member EU mission to Kosovo (headed by the special envoy) is expected to eventually replace the UN as international administrative authority.</li> </ol> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/Kosovo"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> <button class="facts-list-show-more-btn mt-15 p-0 mx-auto btn font-14 d-block font-weight-normal"> <span class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></span> <span class="show-more-label">Show More</span> </button> </div><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">In 1998 an ethnic Albanian-led secessionist rebellion escalated into an international crisis (<em>see</em> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Kosovo-conflict" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Kosovo conflict</a>), which culminated in 1999 in an air bombardment of Yugoslavia—by then a rump of the former federal state, <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="comprising" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comprising" data-type="MW">comprising</a> only Serbia and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Montenegro" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Montenegro</a>—by the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/North-Atlantic-Treaty-Organization" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">North Atlantic Treaty Organization</a> (NATO). Following the restoration of peace, Kosovo was administered by the UN <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="Interim" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Interim" data-type="MW">Interim</a> Administrative Mission in Kosovo. Throughout this period—in the course of which Yugoslavia changed its name to Serbia and Montenegro (2003) and then separated into those independent states (2006)—Serbia continued to consider Kosovo part of its territory. Nevertheless, under UN supervision, Kosovo developed the structures of an independent country, and in February 2008 it formally declared independence from Serbia. An EU mission charged with overseeing police, judicial, and customs activities largely replaced the UN presence later that year. <span id="ref1090231"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Pristina" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pristina</a> (Albanian: Prishtinë; Serbian: Priština) is the capital and largest city.</p><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="marker h2"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref296707"><h2 class="h1">Land</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="114904" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/118380-050-20D341F4/features-Kosovo.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/322726/114904"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/118380-050-20D341F4/features-Kosovo.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/118380-050-20D341F4/features-Kosovo.jpg?w=300" alt="map of Kosovo" data-width="2000" data-height="2000" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/118380-050-20D341F4/features-Kosovo.jpg" data-href="/media/1/322726/114904">map of Kosovo</a><span>Physical features of Kosovo.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">A <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/landlocked-country" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">landlocked country</a>, Kosovo is bordered by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Serbia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Serbia</a> to the north and east, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/North-Macedonia" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">North Macedonia</a> to the south, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Albania" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Albania</a> to the west, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Montenegro" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Montenegro</a> to the northwest. Kosovo, about the same size as <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Jamaica" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Jamaica</a> or <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lebanon" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Lebanon</a>, is the smallest country in the Balkans.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span> <section data-level="2" id="ref296708"><h2 class="h2">Relief, drainage, and soils</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The borders of Kosovo are largely mountainous, characterized by sharp peaks and narrow valleys. The <span id="ref1090238"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Sar-Mountains" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sharr</a> (Serbian: Šar) Mountains lie along the southern border with North Macedonia, while the <span id="ref1090239"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kopaonik-Mountains" class="md-crosslink ">Kopaonik Mountains</a> are situated along the northeastern border with Serbia. The highest point is <span id="ref1090240"></span>Mount Gjeravica (Ðeravica), at 8,714 feet (2,656 metres), on the western border with Albania. The interior terrain <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="comprises" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comprises" data-type="MW">comprises</a> high plains and rolling hills; about three-fourths of the country lies between about 1,600 and 5,000 feet (500 and 1,500 metres) above <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/sea-level" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">sea level</a>. Limestone caves are found in several parts of the country.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/which-country-is-larger-by-area-quiz" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/95/168695-131-11055CC5/Geography-Something-globe-Europe-Eurasia-Africa.jpg" alt="7:023 Geography: Think of Something Big, globe showing Africa, Europe, and Eurasia" class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">Which Country Is Larger By Area? Quiz</div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">A range of hills running north-south through central Kosovo separates the <span id="ref1090249"></span>Kosovo Plain in the east from the <span id="ref1090250"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Dukagjin-Plain" class="md-crosslink ">Dukagjin (Metohija) Plain</a> in the west. These plains <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="constitute" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constitute" data-type="MW">constitute</a> the country’s two main basins. The Kosovo Plain is drained by the northward-flowing Sitnicë (Sitnica) River, a tributary of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Ibar-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Ibër (Ibar) River</a>. The Dukagjin Plain is drained by the southward-flowing Drini i Bardhë, or White Drin (Beli Drim). The soils of the plains are among the most fertile in the Balkans and support the cultivation of grains, fruits, and vegetables.</p><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span></section> <section data-level="2" id="ref296709"><h2 class="h2">Climate</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">In general, Kosovo has a moderate continental climate, although the proximity of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Mediterranean-Sea" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Mediterranean Sea</a> has a tempering effect, especially in the southwest. Summers are warm, with average high temperatures reaching the low 80s F (upper 20s C); average highs during the winter months are in the low 40s F (about 5 °C). The country receives more than 25 inches (650 mm) of precipitation annually, with significant snowfall occurring in the winter. Mountainous areas experience both colder temperatures and greater precipitation.</p><div class="module-spacing"> <DIV class="marketing-INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION marketing-content" data-marketing-id="INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION"><style> .student-promo-banner-wrapper { container-type: inline-size; margin-bottom: 15px; } @container (min-width: 475px) { .student-promo-banner { flex-direction: row; } .student-promo-banner-img-wrapper { margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 10px; justify-content: flex-start; } .student-promo-banner-text-wrapper { text-align: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; } .student-promo-banner-button-wrapper { margin-right: 0; } }</style> <div class="student-promo-banner-wrapper"> <div class="student-promo-banner d-flex flex-column align-items-center bg-blue rounded p-20"> <div class="student-promo-banner-img-wrapper mb-20 mr-0 d-flex justify-content-center"> <img class="rounded" style="max-width: 100px; min-width: 80px" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/BlueThistle.webp" /> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-text-wrapper ml-0 mb-10 text-center text-white"> <div class="h2 mb-10">Get Unlimited Access</div> <div class="h4 font-weight-semi-bold">Try Britannica Premium for free and discover more.</div> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-button-wrapper d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center ml-auto mr-auto"> <a class="btn btn-m btn-orange" href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=black-friday-2024">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> </DIV></div><span class="marker MOD7 mod-inline"></span></section> <section data-level="2" id="ref296710"><h2 class="h2">Plant and animal life</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD8 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Despite its small area, Kosovo boasts a rich assortment of plant species, including about a dozen that are found only in Kosovo. Forests cover about two-fifths of the land, with oak trees predominating in lower elevations and pines growing in the mountains. Animal life is relatively <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="diverse" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diverse" data-type="MW">diverse</a> as well. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/brown-bear" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Brown bears</a>, Eurasian <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/lynx-mammal" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">lynx</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/wildcat-mammal-Felis-silvestris" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">wildcats</a>, gray <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/wolf" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">wolves</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/fox-mammal" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">foxes</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/chamois-genus-of-mammals" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">chamois</a> (a goatlike animal), <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/roe-deer" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">roe deer</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/red-deer-mammal" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">red deer</a> are among the mammals that inhabit the mountainous border regions. More than 200 species of birds live in Kosovo or migrate there seasonally. Among them are the Old World <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/blackbird-bird" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">blackbirds</a> for which Kosovo Polje (“Field of the Blackbirds”), site of the 1389 <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Kosovo-1389-Balkans" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Battle of Kosovo</a>, was named.</p><span class="marker MOD8 mod-inline"></span></section></section><span class="marker h3"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref296711"><h2 class="h1">People</h2> <section data-level="2" id="ref296712"><h2 class="h2">Ethnic groups</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD9 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="119418" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/09/123909-050-B6A7D941/map-distribution-Kosovo-2008.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/322726/119418"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/09/123909-050-B6A7D941/map-distribution-Kosovo-2008.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/09/123909-050-B6A7D941/map-distribution-Kosovo-2008.jpg?w=300" alt="Kosovo: ethnic composition" data-width="1384" data-height="1600" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/09/123909-050-B6A7D941/map-distribution-Kosovo-2008.jpg" data-href="/media/1/322726/119418">Kosovo: ethnic composition</a><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">In the second half of the 20th century, as a result of Serbian out-migration and higher Albanian birth rates, there was a dramatic shift in the ethnic <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="composition" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/composition" data-type="MW">composition</a> of Kosovo. The <span id="ref1090253"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Albanian-people" class="md-crosslink ">Albanian</a> share of the population rose from about half in 1946 to about four-fifths by the 1990s. Meanwhile, the proportion of <span id="ref1090254"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Serb" class="md-crosslink ">Serbs</a> fell to less than one-fifth. After the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Kosovo-conflict" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Kosovo conflict</a> of 1998–99, additional Serbs emigrated. Thus, in the early 21st century, the population makeup was approximately nine-tenths Albanian and less than one-tenth Serb, with the remainder comprising Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims), traditionally itinerant peoples (i.e., <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rom" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Roma</a> and two other groups, Ashkali and Egyptians [also called Balkan Egyptians], that are commonly classified as Roma but regard themselves as distinct), Turks, Gorani (a Muslim South Slavic people), Croats, and Montenegrins. The Serbs are concentrated in northern Kosovo, particularly in Mitrovicë (Mitrovica), as well as around Shtërpcë (Štrpce), on the North Macedonian border.</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD9 mod-inline"></span><div class="mb-20"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="210657" data-asm-type="infogram"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="infogram"><script id="infogram_0__/Ic161RF50XzXe886zQ41" src="https://e.infogram.com/js/dist/embed.js?Itp" type="text/javascript" title="Kosovo: Ethnic composition"></script></div></figure></div></div></section> <section data-level="2" id="ref296713"><h2 class="h2">Languages</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD10 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><span id="ref1090268"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Albanian-language" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Albanian</a> and <span id="ref1090274"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bosnian-Croatian-Montenegrin-Serbian-language" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Serbian</a> are the official languages of Kosovo. According to the 2008 constitution, Turkish, Bosnian, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rom" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Romany</a> also have official status in relevant municipalities. The Albanian spoken in Kosovo is a subvariety of the Gheg dialect; it is commonly known as <em>kosovarce</em>. Standard literary Albanian is used in written communication and in the broadcast media. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bosnian-Croatian-Montenegrin-Serbian-language" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Serbo-Croatian</a>, also known as Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian (BCS), is the language spoken by Serbs, Bosniaks, Croats, and Montenegrins. However, speakers of BCS tend to refer to their own language as Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian, or Montenegrin, depending on their <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="ethnicity" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethnicity" data-type="MW">ethnicity</a>, and consider it to be distinct from the other groups’ languages, despite mutual intelligibility. The Roma speak Serbian or Romany, while the Ashkali and the Egyptians speak Albanian. Turkish is spoken by the Turks as well as by some Albanians. The Gorani people speak their own South Slavic <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="dialect" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dialect" data-type="MW">dialect</a>, akin to BCS and Macedonian.</p><span class="marker MOD10 mod-inline"></span></section> </section><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article></div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":6,"pageId":322726,"pageLength":1056,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"C","adLeg":"C","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"COUNTRY_PAGINATED","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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