--- title: Kosovo — English Wikipedia · full text with trees description: Wikipedia's «Kosovo», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Kosovo, officially the Republic of Kosovo, is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe with partial diplomatic recognition. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kosovo/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Kosovo # Kosovo From Wikipedia, [«Kosovo»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. The English Wikipedia article «Kosovo», whole: 43 sections, 615 sentences and 13193 words, its 328 notes at the end. The marks in brackets «[n]» are Wikipedia's own, each leading to its note and source; the small number after every sentence leads to the sentence's own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kosovo/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kosovo/page/3/) [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kosovo/page/4/) [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kosovo/page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kosovo/page/6/) | Facts | | | --- | --- | | | **Republic of Kosovo · Republika e Kosovës · Република Косово / Republika Kosovo** | | | **Anthem:** Himni i Republikës së Kosovës; "[Anthem of the Republic of Kosovo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthem_of_the_Republic_of_Kosovo)" | | | Location of Kosovo (green); in [Europe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe) (dark grey) | | Status | | | Capital and largest city | [Pristina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pristina) [corpus](../Pristina/ "in our corpus")a; 42°40′N 21°10′E | | Official languages | [Albanian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albanian_language); [Serbian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbian_language)[\[1\]](page/6/#ref-1 "note 1") | | Recognised regional languages | [Bosnian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosnian_language); [Turkish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_language)[\[2\]](page/6/#ref-2 "note 2"); [Romani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romani_language) | | [Ethnic groups](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_group) (2024)[\[3\]](page/6/#ref-3 "note 3") | 91.8% [Albanians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo_Albanians); 2.3% [Serbs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbs_of_Kosovo); 1.7% [Bosniaks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosniaks_in_Kosovo); 1.2% [Turks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turks_in_Kosovo); 1.0% [Ashkali](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashkali); 2.0% others | | Religion (2024)[\[3\]](page/6/#ref-3 "note 3") | 93.5% [Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Kosovo); \*4.1% [Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Kosovo); 2.3% [Orthodox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Orthodox_Church); 1.8% [Catholic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Kosovo); 0.5% [No religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irreligion); 0.5% others; 1.5% undeclared | | [Demonyms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demonym) | [Kosovar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovars), Kosovan | | Government | [Unitary parliamentary republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitary_parliamentary_republic) | | • [President](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Kosovo) | [Albulena Haxhiu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albulena_Haxhiu) (acting) | | • [Prime Minister](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Kosovo) | [Albin Kurti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albin_Kurti) | | • [Speaker of the Assembly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaker_of_the_Assembly_of_Kosovo) | Avni Dehari (Acting) | | Legislature | [Assembly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_of_the_Republic_of_Kosovo) | | **[Establishment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Kosovo)** | | | • [Sanjak of Prizren](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanjak_of_Prizren) | 1455 | | • [Kosovo Vilayet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo_Vilayet) | 1877 | | • [Treaty of London](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_London_%281913%29) | 1913 | | • [Autonomous Province within Yugoslavia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialist_Autonomous_Province_of_Kosovo) | 31 January 1946 | | • [Republic of Kosova](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Kosova) | 2 July 1990 | | • [Kumanovo Agreement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumanovo_Agreement) | 9 June 1999 | | • [UN Administration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Administered_Kosovo) | 10 June 1999 | | • [Declaration of independence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Kosovo_declaration_of_independence) | 17 February 2008 | | • [End of Steering Group supervision](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Steering_Group_for_Kosovo) | 10 September 2012 | | • [Brussels Agreement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brussels_Agreement_%282013%29) | 19 April 2013 | | **Area** | | | • Total | 10,887 km² (4,212 sq mi)[\[4\]](page/6/#ref-4 "note 4") | | • Water (%) | 1.0[\[5\]](page/6/#ref-5 "note 5") | | **Population** | | | • 2024 census | 1,585,566[\[3\]](page/6/#ref-3 "note 3") | | • Density | 146/km² (378/sq mi) | | [GDP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_domestic_product) ([PPP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purchasing_power_parity)) | 2024 estimate | | • Total | $29.723 billion[\[6\]](page/6/#ref-6 "note 6") ([148th](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28PPP%29)) | | • Per capita | $18,746 ([97th](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28PPP%29_per_capita)) | | [GDP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_domestic_product) (nominal) | 2024 estimate | | • Total | $11.172 billion[\[6\]](page/6/#ref-6 "note 6") ([155th](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28nominal%29)) | | • Per capita | $7,048 ([100th](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28nominal%29_per_capita)) | | [Gini](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gini_coefficient) (2017) | 29.0[\[7\]](page/6/#ref-7 "note 7"); low inequality | | [HDI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Development_Index) (2023) | 0.797[\[8\]](page/6/#ref-8 "note 8"); high | | Currency | [Euro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euro) ([€](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/€))b ([EUR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_4217)) | | Time zone | [UTC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coordinated_Universal_Time)+1 ([CET](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_European_Time)) | | • Summer ([DST](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time)) | [UTC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coordinated_Universal_Time)+2 ([CEST](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_European_Summer_Time)) | | Date format | [dd.mm.yyyy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_format) | | Calling code | [+383](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/+383) | | [ISO 3166 code](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_3166) | [XK](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_3166-2:XK) | | [Internet TLD](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country_code_top-level_domain) | [.xk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.xk)c (proposed) | | | [Pristina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pristina) [corpus](../Pristina/ "in our corpus") is the capital of Kosovo and its [seat of government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seat_of_government).[\[9\]](page/6/#ref-9 "note 9")[\[10\]](page/6/#ref-10 "note 10") A separate law recognises [Prizren](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prizren) as the historic capital of Kosovo.[\[10\]](page/6/#ref-10 "note 10")The euro is the official currency in Kosovo even though Kosovo is not a formal member of the [eurozone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurozone).[\[11\]](page/6/#ref-11 "note 11")[\[12\]](page/6/#ref-12 "note 12")[\[13\]](page/6/#ref-13 "note 13")XK is a "user assigned" ISO 3166 code not designated by the standard, but used by the [European Commission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Commission), Switzerland, the [Deutsche Bundesbank](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutsche_Bundesbank) and other organisations. However, [ISO 3166-2:RS-KM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_3166-2:RS) remains in use. | Kosovo,[\[14\]](page/6/#ref-14 "note 14") officially the Republic of Kosovo,[\[15\]](page/6/#ref-15 "note 15") is a [landlocked](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landlocked_country) [country](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereign_state) in [Southeast Europe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Europe) with [partial diplomatic recognition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_recognition_of_Kosovo).[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") It is bordered by [Albania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albania) [corpus](../Albania/ "in our corpus") to the southwest, [Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montenegro) [corpus](../Montenegro/ "in our corpus") to the west, [Serbia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbia) [corpus](../Serbia/ "in our corpus") to the north and east, and [North Macedonia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Macedonia) [corpus](../North_Macedonia/ "in our corpus") to the southeast.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") It covers an area of 10,887 km2 and has a population of nearly 1.6 million, of whom the vast majority (approximately 92%) are ethnic [Albanians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albanians).[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") Kosovo has a varied terrain, with high plains along with rolling hills and [mountains](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mountains_in_Kosovo), some of which have an altitude over 2500 m. Its climate is mainly [continental](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_climate) with some [Mediterranean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_climate) and [Alpine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_climate) influences.[\[16\]](page/6/#ref-16 "note 16")[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") Kosovo's capital and [most populous city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_and_towns_in_Kosovo#List) is [Pristina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pristina) [corpus](../Pristina/ "in our corpus"); other major cities and [urban areas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_area) include [Prizren](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prizren), [Ferizaj](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferizaj), [Gjilan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gjilan), and [Peja](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peja).[\[17\]](page/6/#ref-17 "note 17")[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Kosovo formed the core territory of the [Dardani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dardani), an [Illyrian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illyrians) people, attested in classical sources from the 4th century BCE.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") The Dardani established the [Kingdom of Dardania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Dardania), with its political and cultural center likely located near present-day [Lipjan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipjan) (ancient [Ulpiana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulpiana)).[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") The kingdom was incorporated into the [Roman Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire) in the 1st century BCE; later, in the 3rd century CE, it was transformed into a separate [Roman province](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dardania_%28Roman_province%29).[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") During the [Byzantine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire) period, the region was eventually organised as part of the Theme of Dardania and remained under imperial control, facing [Slavic migrations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavic_migrations) in the 6th and 7th centuries CE.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") Control shifted between the Byzantines and the [First Bulgarian Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Bulgarian_Empire).[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") In the 13th century, Kosovo became integral to the [Serbian medieval state](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbia_in_the_Middle_Ages) and the establishment of the [Serbian Patriarchate.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbian_Patriarchate_of_Peć)[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") [Ottoman expansion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_wars_in_Europe) in the Balkans in the late 14th and 15th centuries led to the decline and [fall of the Serbian Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_the_Serbian_Empire); the [Battle of Kosovo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kosovo) of 1389, in which a Serbian-led coalition of various ethnicities fought against the Ottoman Empire, is considered one of the defining moments.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") Various dynasties, mainly the [Branković](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Branković), governed Kosovo for much of the period after the battle.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Ottoman Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire) fully conquered Kosovo after the [Second Battle of Kosovo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Kosovo), ruling for nearly five centuries until [1912](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albanian_revolt_of_1912).[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") Kosovo was the centre of the Albanian Renaissance and experienced the Albanian revolts of 1910 and 1912.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") After the [Balkan Wars](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balkan_Wars) (1912–1913), it was ceded to the [Kingdom of Serbia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Serbia), and after World War II, it became an [Autonomous Province](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialist_Autonomous_Province_of_Kosovo) within [Yugoslavia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yugoslavia).[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") Tensions between Kosovo's [Albanian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo_Albanians) and [Serb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo_Serbs) communities simmered during the 20th century and occasionally erupted into major violence, culminating in the [Kosovo War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo_War) of 1998 and 1999, which resulted in the [Yugoslav Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_Forces_of_Serbia_and_Montenegro)'s withdrawal and the establishment of the [United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Interim_Administration_Mission_in_Kosovo).[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") Kosovo [unilaterally](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unilateral_declaration_of_independence) [declared its independence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Kosovo_declaration_of_independence) from [Serbia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbia) [corpus](../Serbia/ "in our corpus") on 17 February 2008[\[18\]](page/6/#ref-18 "note 18") and has since gained diplomatic recognition by at least [110 member states](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_recognition_of_Kosovo) of the [United Nations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations).[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") Serbia does not officially recognise Kosovo as a sovereign state and continues to claim it as its constituent [Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Province_of_Kosovo_and_Metohija); however, it accepts the governing authority of the Kosovo institutions as part of the [2013 Brussels Agreement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Brussels_Agreement).[\[19\]](page/6/#ref-19 "note 19")[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") Kosovo is a [developing country](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Developing_country) with an [upper-middle-income economy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Kosovo).[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") It has experienced significant [economic growth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_rankings_of_Kosovo) over the last decade, as measured by international financial institutions, since the onset of the [2008 financial crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_financial_crisis).[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") Kosovo is a member of the [International Monetary Fund](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Monetary_Fund), the [World Bank Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Bank_Group), [European Bank for Reconstruction and Development](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Bank_for_Reconstruction_and_Development), [Venice Commission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice_Commission), and the [International Olympic Committee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Olympic_Committee), and has applied for membership in the [Council of Europe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_Europe), [UNESCO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO), and [Interpol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpol), as well as observer status in the [Organisation of Islamic Cooperation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organisation_of_Islamic_Cooperation).[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") In December 2022, Kosovo filed [a formal application](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accession_of_Kosovo_to_the_European_Union) to become a member of the [European Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union).[\[20\]](page/6/#ref-20 "note 20")[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Etymology Main article: [Names of Kosovo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_Kosovo) The name Kosovo is of [South Slavic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Slavic_languages) origin.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") Kosovo (Косово) is the [Serbian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbian_language) neuter possessive adjective of kos (кос), '[blackbird](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_blackbird)',[\[21\]](page/6/#ref-21 "note 21")[\[22\]](page/6/#ref-22 "note 22") an [ellipsis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellipsis_%28linguistics%29) for Kosovo Polje, 'Blackbird Field', the name of [a karst field](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo_field) situated in the eastern half of today's Kosovo and the site of the 1389 [Battle of Kosovo Field](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kosovo_Field).[\[23\]](page/6/#ref-23 "note 23")[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") In the Middle Ages, territory to the west of Kosovo was known as '[Metohija](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metohija)' because large portions of land were owned by [Serbian Orthodox monasteries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Serbian_Orthodox_monasteries) and the [Mount Athos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Athos).[\[24\]](page/6/#ref-24 "note 24")[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") The name of the [karst](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karst) field was applied to a wider area for the first time when the [Ottoman Vilayet of Kosovo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo_vilayet) was created in 1877.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") The entire territory that corresponds to today's country is commonly referred to in English simply as Kosovo and in [Albanian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albanian_language) as Kosova ([definite form](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albanian_grammar)) or Kosovë (indefinite form, kɔˈsɔvə).[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") In Serbia, a formal distinction is made between the eastern and western parts of the country; the term Kosovo (Косово) is used for the eastern part of Kosovo centred on the historical [Kosovo Field](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo_field_%28region%29), while the western part of the territory of Kosovo is called [Metohija](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metohija) (Dukagjin).[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus, in Serbian, the entire area of Kosovo is referred to as Kosovo and Metohija.[\[25\]](page/6/#ref-25 "note 25")[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") The native Albanian name for [Western Kosovo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metohija) is Dukagjini or Dukagjini plateau (Rrafshi i Dukagjinit), having been in use since the 15th–16th century as part of the [Sanjak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanjak) of [Dukakin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanjak_of_İpek) with its capital [Peja](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peja), and is named after the medieval Albanian [Dukagjini family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukagjini_family).[\[26\]](page/6/#ref-26 "note 26")[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Modern usage Some Albanians also prefer to refer to Kosovo as [Dardania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Dardania), the name of an ancient kingdom and later [Roman province](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dardania_%28Roman_province%29) which covered the territory of modern-day Kosovo.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") The name is derived from the ancient tribe of the [Dardani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dardani), which is considered to be related to the Proto-Albanian term dardā, which means "pear" (Modern Albanian: dardhë).[\[23\]](page/6/#ref-23 "note 23")[\[27\]](page/6/#ref-27 "note 27")[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") The former Kosovo President [Ibrahim Rugova](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibrahim_Rugova) was an enthusiastic backer of a "Dardanian" identity, and the Kosovar presidential flag and seal refer to this national identity.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") However, the name "Kosova" remains more widely used among the Albanian population.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") The flag of Dardania remains in use as the official [Presidential seal and standard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Kosovo) and is heavily featured in the institution of the presidency of the country.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") The official conventional long name, as defined by the [constitution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Kosovo), is Republic of Kosovo.[\[28\]](page/6/#ref-28 "note 28")[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") Additionally, as a result of an [arrangement agreed between Pristina and Belgrade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgrade–Pristina_negotiations) in talks mediated by the European Union, Kosovo has participated in some international forums and organisations under the title "Kosovo\*" with a footnote stating, "This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with [United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_1244) and the [International Court of Justice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Court_of_Justice) Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence."[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") This arrangement, which has been dubbed the "asterisk agreement", was agreed in an 11-point arrangement on 24 February 2012.[\[29\]](page/6/#ref-29 "note 29")[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") ## History Main article: [History of Kosovo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Kosovo) ### Ancient history See also: [Archaeology of Kosovo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeology_of_Kosovo), [Copper, Bronze and Iron Age sites in Kosovo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper,_Bronze_and_Iron_Age_sites_in_Kosovo) Further information: [Illyrians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illyrians), [Dardania (Roman province)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dardania_%28Roman_province%29) The strategic position including the abundant [natural resources](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_resource) were favourable for the development of human settlements in Kosovo, as is highlighted by the hundreds of archaeological sites identified throughout its territory.[\[30\]](page/6/#ref-30 "note 30")[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") Since 2000, the increase in archaeological expeditions has revealed many previously unknown sites.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") The earliest documented traces in Kosovo are associated to the [Stone Age](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Age); namely, indications that cave dwellings might have existed, such as Radivojce Cave near the source of the [Drin River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drin_River), Grnčar Cave in [Viti municipality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viti,_Kosovo) and the Dema and Karamakaz Caves in the [municipality of Peja](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peja).[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") The earliest archaeological evidence of organised settlement in Kosovo belongs to the [Neolithic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic) [Starčevo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starčevo_culture) and [Vinča](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinča_culture) cultures.[\[31\]](page/6/#ref-31 "note 31")[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") [Vlashnjë](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlashnjë) and [Runik](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runik) are important sites of the [Neolithic era](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic_sites_in_Kosovo) with the rock art paintings at Mrrizi i Kobajës near Vlashnjë being the first find of prehistoric art in Kosovo.[\[32\]](page/6/#ref-32 "note 32")[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") Amongst the finds of excavations in Neolithic Runik is a baked-clay [ocarina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocarina), which is the first musical instrument recorded in Kosovo.[\[31\]](page/6/#ref-31 "note 31")[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") The first archaeological expedition in Kosovo was organised by the Austro-Hungarian army during [World War I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I) in the [Illyrian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illyrians) [tumuli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumuli) burial grounds of Nepërbishti within the [district of Prizren](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Prizren).[\[30\]](page/6/#ref-30 "note 30")[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") The beginning of the [Bronze Age](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Age_Europe) coincides with the presence of [tumuli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumuli) burial grounds in western Kosovo, like the site of [Romajë](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romajë).[\[30\]](page/6/#ref-30 "note 30")[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Dardani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dardani) were the most important [Paleo-Balkan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleo-Balkan_languages) tribe in the region of Kosovo.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") A wide area which consists of Kosovo, parts of Northern Macedonia and eastern Serbia was named [Dardania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Dardania) after them in classical antiquity, reaching to the [Thraco-Illyrian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thraco-Illyrian) contact zone in the east.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") In archaeological research, Illyrian names are predominant in western Dardania, while Thracian names are mostly found in eastern Dardania.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") Thracian names are absent in western Dardania, while some [Illyrian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illyrians) names appear in the eastern parts.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus, their identification as either an Illyrian or [Thracian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thracians) tribe has been a subject of debate, the ethnolinguistic relationship between the two groups being largely uncertain and debated itself as well.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") The correspondence of Illyrian names, including those of the ruling elite, in Dardania with those of the southern Illyrians suggests a thracianisation of parts of Dardania.[\[33\]](page/6/#ref-33 "note 33")[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") The Dardani retained an individuality and continued to maintain social independence after Roman conquest, playing an important role in the formation of new groupings in the Roman era.[\[34\]](page/6/#ref-34 "note 34")[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") #### Roman period See also: [Roman heritage in Kosovo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_heritage_in_Kosovo) During Roman rule, Kosovo was part of two provinces, with its western region in [Praevalitana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praevalitana) and the vast majority of its modern territory belonging to [Dardania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dardania_%28Roman_province%29).[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") Praevalitana and the rest of Illyria was conquered by the [Roman Republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Republic) in 168 BC.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") On the other hand, Dardania maintained its independence until the year 28 BC, when the Romans, under [Augustus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus), annexed it into their Republic.[\[35\]](page/6/#ref-35 "note 35")[\[36\]](page/6/#ref-36 "note 36")[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") Dardania eventually became a part of the [Moesia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moesia) province.[\[37\]](page/6/#ref-37 "note 37")[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") During the reign of [Diocletian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocletian), Dardania became a full Roman province and the entirety of Kosovo's modern territory became a part of the [Diocese of Moesia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocese_of_Moesia), and then during the second half of the 4th century, it became part of the [Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praetorian_prefecture_of_Illyricum).[\[38\]](page/6/#ref-38 "note 38")[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") During Roman rule, a series of settlements developed in the area, mainly close to mines and to the major roads.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") The most important of the settlements was [Ulpiana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulpiana),[\[39\]](page/6/#ref-39 "note 39") which is located near modern-day [Gračanica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gračanica,_Kosovo).[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") It was established in the 1st century AD, possibly developing from a concentrated [Dardanian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Dardania) [oppidum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oppidum), and then was upgraded to the status of a [Roman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire) [municipium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipium) at the beginning of the 2nd century during the rule of [Trajan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trajan).[\[40\]](page/6/#ref-40 "note 40")[\[41\]](page/6/#ref-41 "note 41")[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") Ulpiana became especially important during the rule of [Justinian I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justinian_I), after the Emperor rebuilt the city after it had been destroyed by an earthquake and renamed it to Justiniana Secunda.[\[42\]](page/6/#ref-42 "note 42")[\[43\]](page/6/#ref-43 "note 43")[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") Other important towns that developed in the area during Roman rule were [Vendenis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vendenis), located in modern-day [Podujevë](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podujevë); [Viciana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viciana), possibly near [Vushtrri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vushtrri); and [Municipium Dardanorum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipium_Dardanorum), an important mining town in [Leposavić](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leposavić).[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") Other archaeological sites include [Çifllak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Çifllak_%28archaeological_site%29) in Western Kosovo, [Dresnik](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dresnik_archaeological_site) in [Klina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klina), [Pestova](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pestova_%28archaeological_site%29) in Vushtrri, [Vërban](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vërban_archaeological_site) in [Viti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viti,_Kosovo), Poslishte between [Vërmica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vërmica) and [Prizren](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prizren), Paldenica near [Hani i Elezit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hani_i_Elezit), as well as [Nerodimë e Poshtme](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerodimë_e_Poshtme) and Nikadin near [Ferizaj](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferizaj).[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") The one thing all the settlements have in common is that they are located either near roads, such as Via [Lissus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lissus_%28Illyria%29)-[Naissus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naissus), or near the mines of [North Kosovo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Kosovo) and eastern Kosovo.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") Most of the settlements are archaeological sites that have been discovered recently and are being excavated.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") It is also known that the region was [Christianised](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianization) during Roman rule, though little is known regarding Christianity in the Balkans in the three first centuries AD.[\[44\]](page/6/#ref-44 "note 44")[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") The first clear mention of Christians in literature is the case of Bishop Dacus of Macedonia, from Dardania, who was present at the [First Council of Nicaea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Council_of_Nicaea) (325).[\[45\]](page/6/#ref-45 "note 45")[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") It is also known that Dardania had a [Diocese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocese) in the 4th century, and its seat was placed in Ulpiana, which remained the episcopal centre of Dardania until the establishment of [Justiniana Prima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justiniana_Prima) in 535 AD.[\[46\]](page/6/#ref-46 "note 46")[\[41\]](page/6/#ref-41 "note 41")[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") The first known bishop of Ulpiana is Machedonius, who was a member of the council of [Serdika](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serdika).[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") Other known bishops were Paulus ([synod](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synod) of [Constantinople](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantinople) in 553 AD), and Gregentius, who was sent by [Justin I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_I) to [Ethiopia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopia) [corpus](../Ethiopia/ "in our corpus") and [Yemen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemen) [corpus](../Yemen/ "in our corpus") to ease problems among different Christian groups there.[\[46\]](page/6/#ref-46 "note 46")[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kosovo/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kosovo/page/3/) [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kosovo/page/4/) [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kosovo/page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kosovo/page/6/) - next →: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kosovo/page/2/) - ↑ back to [English Wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/)