Kosovo

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Kosovo's Information


Capital	Pristina
Languages	Albanian (official) 94.5%, Bosnian 1.7%, Serbian (official) 1.6%, Turkish 1.1%, other 0.9% (includes Romani), unspecified 0.1%
Ethnic Groups	Albanians 92.9%, Bosniaks 1.6%, Serbs 1.5%, Turk 1.1%, Ashkali 0.9%, Egyptian 0.7%, Gorani 0.6%, Romani 0.5%, other/unspecified 0.2%
Religion	Muslim 95.6%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, Orthodox 1.5%, other 0.07%, none 0.07%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 est.)
Government	Parliamentary republic
Independance	17 February 2008 (from Serbia)
Area	10,887.00 km²
Land Area	10,887.00 km²
Population	1,883,018.00 Pockets of agglomeration exist throughout the country, the largest being in the east in and around the capital of Pristina
Location	Southeast Europe, between Serbia and Macedonia
No. Bordering Countries	4
Bordering Countries	Albania 112 km, Macedonia 160 km, Montenegro 76 km, Serbia 366 km
GDP(PPP)	$18,490,000,000.00 (USD)
GDP (Per Capita)	$9,600.00 (USD)
Export Partners	Its major export partners are Italy, Albania, and Macedonia.
Export Commodities	Its main exports are mining and processed metal products ands scrap metals.
Import Partners	Its major import partners are Germany, Macedonia, and Serbia.
Import Commodities	Its major imports include foodstuffs, livestock, wood, and petroleum.
Climate	Influenced by continental air masses resulting in relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns; Mediterranean and alpine influences create regional variation; maximum rainfall between October and December
Terrain	Flat fluvial basin at an elevation of 400-700 m above sea level surrounded by several high mountain ranges with elevations of 2,000 to 2,500 m

Where is Kosovo?

Located in Southeast Europe, Kosovo has a 714.00 km border with Albania (112 km), Macedonia (160 km), Montenegro (76 km) and Serbia (366 km). Serbia, along with several other states, protest the United States' and other states' recognition of Kosovo.

The capital city of Kosovo is Pristina, located in the northeast of Kosovo. It has a population of more than 210,000 people, 98% of them identifying as Albanian. The city is rich with history, although it has a relatively recent date of establishment compared to other European cities. Its growth as a town began in 1946 when it was made capital of the Socialist Autonomous Region of Kosovo. Since then, its growth has surpassed any other city in Kosovo, as it is the most populated urban area. Pristina enjoys a humid continental climate under Koppen climate classification, although it experiences some maritime influences. It has warm summers with relatively cold and often snowy winters.

Geography

Kosovo has a mean elevation of 0 m above sea level.

It has a continental climate with relatively cold winters and hot, dry summers. Its terrain is mostly flat, surrounded by several high mountain ranges.

Population

Kosovo has a population of 1,883,018 making it the 150th largest in the world. Pockets of high population density exist in the east part of the country.

Albanian is the official language. The major ethnicity reported is Albanian. The most common religion is Islam.

Government

It proclaimed its independence from Serbia in 2008. Its constitution was last ratified in 2008.

Parliamentary elections in Kosovo are held after every three years. The Assembly of Kosovo has 120 members who elect a president and prime minister. The Assembly also elects the president, who is Kosovo's representative in and out of the country just before the outgoing president’s term is over.

Economy

Factoring in Purchasing Power Parity, Kosovo's GDP is $18,490,000,000.00 (USD) with $9,600.00 (USD) per capita. This makes it the 148th largest economy and its citizens the 136th richest in the world. The currency of Kosovo is the Euro (EUR).

Its major export partners are Italy, Albania, and Macedonia. Its main exports are mining and processed metal products ands scrap metals. Its major import partners are Germany, Macedonia, and Serbia. Its major imports include foodstuffs, livestock, wood, and petroleum.

Flag

The Republic of Kosovo’s flag has a blue background with a golden map of Kosovo and six stars above it in an arc. The flag was adopted by the Assembly of Kosovo on 17 February 2008, immediately after the declaration of Kosovo’s independence from Serbia. The official name of the flag is The Flag of Kosovo. Muhamer Ibrahimi proposed the current design. Kosovo’s flag is unique, being the only one apart from that of Cyprus that has the country’s map on it. The flag of Kosovo is said to have been influenced by that of EU, which has a blue background and a circle of twelve stars at the centre. However, the stars in the flag of Kosovo represent the six major ethnic groups in Kosovo (Albanians, Turks, Serbs, Romani and Gorani). The stars are sometimes said to symbolize the six regions unofficially.