Geography of Kosovo

Kosovo is located in South-Eastern Europe in the central part of the Balkan peninsula. It is bordered to the north and north-east Serbia, on the southeast by Macedonia, on the southwest by Albania and Montenegro to the west. The country has an area of ​​10,908 square kilometers and a population of around 1.7 million large. The average population density is 155 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Kosovo is dominated by mountain ranges. Almost to all national borders rise partly over 2000 meter high mountains. The south-west of Kosovo from the plane Dukagjin / Metohija, while the north-east is occupied by the plane Kosovo. Between them lies the mountain range of Carraleva / Crnoljeva.

Spatial classification

The territory of Kosovo is very mountainous. The mountains Sharri / Šar Planina lies on the border with Macedonia. It rises from the south to the southeast of the country. This area is considered an important destination for mountain tourists, the main objectives are Brezovica and Prevalac. But also for the plant and animal world, this region plays an important role. It is a refuge of many endangered species else in the country.

The North Albanian Alps or the Prokletija extends in the border triangle of Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo. The mountain ranges of Bjeshkët e Namuna e Kosovës these mountains are in the west of Kosovo in the region west of Peja / Peć. The Gjeravica / Đeravica with 2,656 m the highest peak in the country and is a summit of this mountain chains. It lies on the border with Albania.

Between these two mountain ranges, Sharri / Šar Planina and Prokletija, the agricultural significance level Metohija extends over 65 kilometers in length ( Dukagjin / Metohija ). It is characterized by various hills, but mostly flat.

In the east Metohija is bordered by the mountains of the Carraleva / Crnoljeva. These traverse the country's center of north-west south-east to the foothills of the mountains Sharri / Šar Planina. The Carraleva / Crnoljeva divides the country into the plane Metohija in the west and the level Amselfeld ( Kosova / Kosovo ) to the east. The plane of the Blackbird field has an average elevation of 550 m and the level of Metohija 450 m.

The Kosovo Field is about 50 kilometers a slightly smaller level than Metohija and extends between Vushtrria and Ferizaj. Here are some of the largest cities in the country, like the capital Pristina, Ferizaj, Gjilan and Vushtrria. To the east of the Blackbird field there are the mountains of Zhegovc / Žegovac. The Kopaonik is located in north Kosovo and is bounded to the south of Kosovo Field.

Waters

Although Kosovo is a landlocked country, but there are several major rivers and lakes within its boundaries. So is the most important river in the country, with a length of 113 kilometers, the White Drin, which flows into the Adriatic Sea. Other important rivers are the Sitnica (90 km), the Lumbardh i Pejës (62 km), the Morava e Binqes (60 km) and the Lepenac (53 km).

The main lake, which is located in the northwestern part of the country, is the Gazivodesee with approximately 9.1 square kilometers. The land includes numerous larger and smaller lakes such as Batlava Lake ( 3.27 km ² ) located in the southwestern part of Kosovo, the Badovac Lake 2.57 km ² in the north- east and the Radoniq / Radonjić Lake with 5, 96 sq km area in the southwestern part.

Climate

Since Kosovo is located on the Balkan peninsula between the Mediterranean and the mountainous regions of south-eastern Europe, the temperatures fluctuate seasonally quite strong. In the summer maximum temperatures reach well over 30 ° C, in winter temperatures of -10 ° C are possible. In Kosovo has a continental climate with warm bettors in the summer and sometimes very cold, snowy winters.

Environment and Nature

The country has several water springs and waterfalls, such as the waterfall of Mirusha, the gorge near Peja, the water source of the river Drin, the Marble Cave in Gandime and the valley of the Bistrica near Prizren.

Around 446 km ² is consisted of oak, beech, chestnut, and other various softwoods, 200 km ² is used as arable land suited for cultivation of wheat, barley, corn, grapes, tobacco, potatoes and plums.

Many rivers in Kosovo be dammed. Due to the formation of reservoirs in many waters have become rich in fish. One finds, among other things, trout, carp, eel, barbel, catfish, pike and plaice, as well as Danube salmon.

In different regions of Kosovo still live rare animals such as bears, lynx, Auer Hühneer and even turtles. Rare plants such as edelweiss, cyclamen and peonies are also to be found. The country also possesses numerous karst springs, mineral springs and glacial lakes.

Ten largest cities

The study conducted in 2011 census showed that for the ten largest cities in the following populations: