Kosovo Google Maps is a site/tool that offers a wide range of map views (topographic, satellite, street view) and navigation options, with little effort on your part, yet efficiently. If you need to plan a trip to a new place like Kosovo, Google maps are available on desktop, mobile, or tablet. This Google maps and information page is dedicated to Kosovo, Europe (47 countries), showing its location, country facts, details about its capital city Pristina (Prishtine, Prishtina), bordering countries like Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and plenty of other information which may be interesting when you visit this European state.
Quick links: Google maps Kosovo, Pristina Google maps, Driving Directions Kosovo, Printable Road Map.
About Kosovo in a nutshell
- The UN administered Kosovo in 19992008 after NATO intervention to stop Serb ethnic cleansing.
- Conventional short form of the name: Kosovo
- The conventional long form of the name: Republic of Kosovo
- Local long form: Republika e Kosoves (Republika Kosovo)
- Local short form: Kosove (Kosovo)
- Former name(s): N/A
- Etymology: name derives from the Serbian kos meaning blackbird, an ellipsis (linguistic omission) for kosove polje or field of the blackbirds.
- The legal system in Kosovo: civil law system;.
- Climate: Continental, with warm, sunny summers and cold, snowy winters.
- The national symbols are six, five-pointed, white stars; national colors: blue, gold, white.
- Internet TLD: .xk
Surrounded by Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia, this small landlocked country has mountain ranges with an average altitude of 2,000-2,500 m. Its highest point is Gjeravica/Deravica (2,656 m). In the largest basin is the capital and Kosovo Polje, from which the country takes its name.
The territory of Kosovo was fully incorporated into the Kingdom of Serbia in the 12th century. In the 13th century, it was the secular and religious center of the medieval Serbian state, the royal seat of Prizren, and the seat of the Serbian Orthodox Patriarch. This ended in 1912 with the First Balkan War, and Kosovo was annexed to Serbia. At the end of World War II, in 1945, the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia was proclaimed. Under this statehood, Kosovo became part of Serbia, and from 1963 the Autonomous Province of Kosovo was established. The 1974 federal constitution further strengthened the territory’s autonomy, giving Kosovo its presidency and government, a national bank, and an almost complete set of state institutions, but it remained part of Serbia.
Socialist Yugoslavia collapsed in a bloody civil war in 1995. The new Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (consisting of Serbia – and it’s two ‘nominally’ autonomous regions of Vojvodina and Kosovo – and Montenegro) was proclaimed in 1992. The extremely bloody civil war, characterized by so-called ‘ethnic cleansing’, ended with the intervention of NATO troops in Kosovo in 1999.
In 1999, Kosovo was placed under UN interim administration following a UN Security Council resolution, and a NATO-led peacekeeping force was deployed. In late 2001, Kosovo held its first democratic elections. In 2006, international negotiations were held under UN auspices to find a final settlement for Kosovo, but these failed. Despite Russian opposition, the US, the UK, and France supported Kosovo’s independence, and Kosovo Albanian leaders adopted a declaration of independence on 17 February 2008. Although several states subsequently recognized Kosovo’s independence, Serbia formally protested at the UN Security Council. The Security Council remained divided on the issue, with the US, Britain, and France, among the five permanent members with veto power, recognizing Kosovo. At the same time, Russia and China considered the declaration of independence illegal.
Currently, most members of NATO, the European Union, and the OECD recognize Kosovo’s independence. Kosovo’s international situation is still unsettled. Although the province is part of Serbia under UN supervision in international law, the Serbian authorities still have no say in its governance. Under a UN Security Council resolution, peace and internal order in the territory are maintained by the NATO-led KFOR (Kosovo Force).
Background
The central Balkans were part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires before ethnic Serbs migrated to the territories of modern Kosovo in the 7th century. During the medieval period, Kosovo became the center of a Serbian Empire and saw the construction of many important Serb religious sites, including many architecturally significant Serbian Orthodox monasteries. The defeat of Serbian forces at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 led to five centuries of Ottoman rule, during which large numbers of Turks and Albanians moved to Kosovo. By the end of the 19th century, Albanians replaced Serbs as the dominant ethnic group in Kosovo. Serbia reacquired control over the region from the Ottoman Empire during the First Balkan War of 1912. After World War II, Kosovo’s present-day boundaries were established when Kosovo became an autonomous province of Serbia in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (S.F.R.Y.). Despite legislative concessions, Albanian nationalism increased in the 1980s, which led to riots and calls for Kosovo’s independence. Many of whom viewed Kosovo as their cultural heartland; the Serbs instituted a new constitution in 1989 revoking Kosovo’s autonomous status. Kosovo’s Albanian leaders responded in 1991 by organizing a referendum declaring Kosovo independent. Serbia undertook repressive measures against the Kosovar Albanians in the 1990s, provoking a Kosovar Albanian insurgency.
In 1998, Serbia conducted a brutal counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians (some 800,000 ethnic Albanians were forced from their homes in Kosovo). After international attempts to mediate the conflict failed, a three-month NATO military operation against Serbia in March 1999 forced the Serbs to agree to withdraw their military and police forces from Kosovo. UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) placed Kosovo under a transitional administration, the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), pending Kosovo’s future status. An UN-led process began in late 2005 to determine Kosovo’s final status. The 2006-07 negotiations ended without agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, though the UN issued a comprehensive report on Kosovo’s final status that endorsed independence. On 17 February 2008, the Kosovo Assembly declared Kosovo independent. Since then, close to 100 countries have recognized Kosovo, joining numerous international organizations. In October 2008, Serbia sought an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality of Kosovo’s declaration of independence under international law. The ICJ released the advisory opinion in July 2010, affirming that Kosovo’s declaration of independence did not violate general principles of international law, UN Security Council Resolution 1244, or the Constitutive Framework. The opinion was closely tailored to Kosovo’s unique history and circumstances.
Demonstrating Kosovo’s development into a sovereign, multi-ethnic, democratic country, the international community ended the period of Supervised Independence in 2012. Kosovo held its most recent national and municipal elections in 2017. Serbia continues to reject Kosovo’s independence, but the two countries agreed in April 2013 to normalize their relations through EU-facilitated talks, which produced several subsequent agreements the parties are engaged in implementing. However, they have not yet reached a comprehensive normalization of relations. Kosovo seeks full integration into the international community and has pursued bilateral recognitions and memberships in international organizations. Kosovo signed a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU in 2015. A 2018 EU report named it one of six Western Balkan countries that will join the organization once it meets the criteria to accede. Kosovo also seeks memberships in the UN and NATO.
Geography
Landlocked and mountainous, with two plains in the east and west.
Once part of the former Yugoslav state, Kosovo seceded from Serbia in 2008. Mainly from Western countries, international recognition is vehemently opposed by Serbia and Russia.
This state is located in Southeast Europe, between Serbia and Macedonia, under the coordinates of 42 35 N, 21 00 E, covering an area of 10,887 sq km with a coastline of 0 km (landlocked country). Kosovo is Slightly larger than Delaware.
Kosovo has 714 km of land boundaries and borders with (4 nations): Albania 112 km, Macedonia 160 km, Montenegro 76 km, Serbia 366 km.
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, with Gjeravica/Deravica 2,656 m as the highest point of Kosovo, while Drini I Bardhe/Beli Drim 297 m as the lowest point, causing a mean elevation at 450 m throughout the country. With a total of 10,887 sq km, Kosovo has 10,887 sq km of land and 0 sq km water surface area.
The significant watersheds for Kosovo are Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km).
The 41-km long Nerodimka River divides into two branches, each of which flows into a different sea: the northern branch flows into the Sitnica River, which via the Ibar, Morava, and Danube Rivers ultimately flows into the Black Sea; the southern branch flows via the Lepenac and Vardar Rivers into the Aegean Sea.
The climate in Kosovo is as follows: 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.
When you visit Kosovo, the natural hazards shall be considered: none.
The following major health-threatening issues shall be considered when visiting Kosovo: none.
Current environmental issues affecting the Kosovo people: air pollution (pollution from power plants and nearby lignite mines take a toll on people’s health); water scarcity and pollution; land degradation.
Google maps Kosovo
The capital and other divisions
Capital city: Pristina (Prishtine, Prishtina) found under the coordinates 42 40 N, 21 10 E, applying the time zone UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time), using the following daylight saving time: +1hr begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October.
The capital of Kosovo, Pristina, was established in the 16th century and has been an important center of learning and commerce ever since. Nowadays, it is one of the most important industrial centers in the Balkans. There are many buildings in Pristina that are currently under restoration. The highlight of this city is its architectural heritage which makes up for more than 50% of its entire structure.
Kosovo became independent on 17 February 2008 (from Serbia), and its national holiday is Independence Day, 17 February (2008).
Administrative divisions: 38 municipalities (komunat, singular – komuna (Albanian); opstine, singular – opstina (Serbian)); Decan (Decani), Dragash (Dragas), Ferizaj (Urosevac), Fushe Kosove (Kosovo Polje), Gjakove (Dakovica), Gjilan (Gnjilane), Gllogovc (Glogovac), Gracanice (Gracanica), Hani I Elezit (Deneral Jankovic), Istog (Istok), Junik, Kacanik, Kamenice (Kamenica), Kline (Klina), Kllokot (Klokot), Leposaviq (Leposavic), Lipjan (Lipljan), Malisheve (Malisevo), Mamushe (Mamusa), Mitrovice e Jugut (Juzna Mitrovica) South Mitrovica, Mitrovice e Veriut (Severna Mitrovica) North Mitrovica, Novoberde (Novo Brdo), Obiliq (Obilic), Partesh (Partes), Peje (Pec), Podujeve (Podujevo), Prishtine (Pristina), Prizren, Rahovec (Orahovac), Ranillug (Ranilug), Shterpce (Strpce), Shtime (Stimlje), Skenderaj (Srbica), Suhareke (Suva Reka), Viti (Vitina), Vushtrri (Vucitrn), Zubin Potok, Zvecan.
People and society
The balance of Albanians to Serbs in Kosovo has changed dramatically over centuries, both groups suffering interethnic violence at various times. Attacks against Albanians in the late 1990s caused a million to flee. Many Serbs left after NATO stepped in: Albanians now form a 92% majority. Most Albanians are Muslim. Serbs dominate three northern provinces, which have threatened to secede.
The population in Kosovo is 1,935,259 (July 2021 estimate), with an average of 0.67% (2021 estimate) change. That means Kosovo is the No. 152 in the world’s populated rank list. With an average of 30.5 years median age (30.2 years for males and 30.2 years for women), Kosovo ranks No. 120 on the globe’s median age rank list.
The people living in this country are the Kosovar (Albanian) (noun) or Kosovo (adjective) and belong mainly to the following 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% (2011 estimate). Note: these estimates may under-represent Serb, Romani, and some other ethnic minorities because they are based on the 2011 Kosovo national census, which excluded northern Kosovo (a largely Serb-inhabited region) and was partially boycotted by Serb and Romani communities in southern Kosovo.
They speak Albanian (official language) 94.5%, Bosnian 1.7%, Serbian (official language) 1.6%, Turkish 1.1%, other 0.9% (includes Romani), unspecified 0.1% languages and practice the following religions: Muslim 95.6%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, Orthodox 1.5%, other 0.1%, none 0.1%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 estimate).
We can conclude the following about the population in Kosovo: Population clusters exist throughout the country, the largest being in the east in and around the capital of pristiN/A In Kosovo, we are talking about N/A of the total population is living in cities, and most of them reside in the following municipalities: 216,870 Pristina (capital city) (2019).
Industry
One of the poorest countries in Europe. Aid and remittances cover a large trade deficit. Organized crime: smuggling of fuel, cigarettes, and cement. Uncertain status deters foreign investors. High unemployment. The use of the euro has helped fight inflation. Lignite deposits. Inefficient agriculture.
Kosovo’s economy has transitioned to a market-based system and maintained macroeconomic stability. However, it is still highly dependent on the international community and the diaspora for financial and technical assistance. Remittances from the diaspora – located mainly in Germany, Switzerland, and the Nordic countries – account for about 17% of GDP, and international donor assistance accounts for approximately 10% of GDP. With international assistance, Kosovo has privatized a majority of its state-owned enterprises. Kosovo’s citizens are the second poorest in Europe, after Moldova, with a per capita GDP (PPP) of $10,400 in 2017. An unemployment rate of 33% and a youth unemployment rate near 60% in a country where the average age is 26 encourage emigration and fuel a significant informal, unreported economy. Most of Kosovo’s population lives in rural towns outside of the capital, Pristina. Inefficient, near-subsistence farming is expected due to small plots, limited mechanization, and a lack of technical expertise. Kosovo enjoys lower labor costs than the rest of the region. However, high levels of corruption, little contract enforcement, and unreliable electricity supply have discouraged potential investors.
The official currency of Kosovo is the euro, but the Serbian dinar is also used illegally in Serb majority communities. Kosovo’s tie to the euro has helped keep core inflation low., Minerals and metals production – including lignite, lead, zinc, nickel, chrome, aluminum, magnesium, and a wide variety of construction materials – once the backbone of the industry, has declined because of aging equipment and insufficient investment, problems exacerbated by competing and unresolved ownership claims of Kosovo’s largest mines. A limited and unreliable electricity supply is a significant impediment to economic development. The US Government cooperates with the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and the World Bank to conclude a commercial tender for Kosovo C. This new lignite-fired power plant would leverage Kosovo’s large lignite reserves. MED also has plans to rehabilitate an older bituminous-fired power plant, Kosovo B, and develop a coal mine that could supply both plants. In June 2009, Kosovo joined the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, the Central Europe Free Trade Area (CEFTA) in 2006, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in 2012, and the Council of Europe Development Bank in 2013.
In 2016, Kosovo implemented the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) negotiations with the EU, focused on trade liberalization. In 2014, nearly 60% of customs duty-eligible imports into Kosovo were EU goods. In August 2015, as part of its EU-facilitated normalization process with Serbia, Kosovo signed telecommunications and energy distribution agreements. Still, disagreements over who owns economic assets, such as the Trepca mining conglomerate, within Kosovo continue. Kosovo experienced its first federal budget deficit in 2012 when government expenditures climbed sharply. In May 2014, the government introduced a 25% salary increase for public sector employees and an equal increase in certain social benefits. Central revenues could not sustain these increases, and the government was forced to reduce its planned capital investments. The government, led by Prime Minister MUSTAFA – a trained economist – recently made several changes to its fiscal policy, expanding the list of duty-free imports, decreasing the Value Added Tax (VAT) for essential food items and public utilities, and increasing the VAT for all other goods. While Kosovo’s economy continued to progress, unemployment has not been reduced, nor has living standards raised, due to lack of economic reforms and investment.
Kosovo is rich in the following natural resources: Nickel, lead, zinc, magnesium, lignite, kaolin, chrome, bauxite.
The main industrial sectors are mineral mining, construction materials, base metals, leather, machinery, appliances, foodstuffs and beverages, textiles.
The country’s export sectors are robust in mining and processed metal products, scrap metals, leather products, machinery, appliances, prepared foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco, vegetable products, textiles, and apparel, partnering with these nations: Albania 16%, India 14%, North Macedonia 12.1%, Serbia 10.6%, Switzerland 5.6%, Germany 5.4% (2017). The export trade resulted in $1.69 billion. Note: Data are in current year dollars (2020 estimate). In a global rank of the export, values resulted in Kosovo’s position of 162.
Land use in Kosovo: 41.7% (2018 estimate) forest, 5.5% (2018 estimate) other.
The arable land area is 27.4% (2018 estimate), and the agricultural land is 52.8% (2018 estimate). Land use for permanent crops 1.9% (2018 estimate), permanent pasture 23.5% (2018 estimate). The sum of the area of the irrigated land is N/A.
The main agro-industrial products of Kosovo are wheat, corn, berries, potatoes, peppers, fruit, dairy, livestock, fish.
The country typically needs to import: foodstuffs, livestock, wood, petroleum, chemicals, machinery, minerals, textiles, stone, ceramic and glass products, electrical equipment, partnering with the following nations: Germany 12.4%, Serbia 12.3%, Turkey 9.6%, China 9.1%, Italy 6.4%, North Macedonia 5.1%, Albania 5%, Greece 4.4% (2017) in a sum value of $4.19 billion. Note: data are in current year dollars (2020 estimate) $4.45 billion. Note: data are in current year dollars (2019 estimate) $4.5 billion. Note: data are in current year dollars (2018 estimate). This sum value on the global ranking list of imports resulted in Kosovo 148.
Kosovo Driving Directions
In this post, you learned about Kosovo, Southeast Europe, between Serbia and Macedonia. We published some basic information about its capital Pristina (Prishtine, Prishtina), and the Kosovo nation.
Are you interested in visiting Kosovo and looking for driving directions? Click here to plan your route, or see a printable road map of Kosovo below for an overview of the route network.
Printable map of Kosovo
Did you know about Kosovo?
Kosovo is a country in southeastern Europe. It has a population of only 1,836,000 people. Kosovo is an independent nation and is the smallest country in all of Europe. Despite its small size, it has a rich history that dates back to the Neolithic Age. Today, Kosovo still has many cultural and religious sites of interest. The capital city of Kosovo is Pristina, and it was established during the 14th century by Ottoman Turks.
After virtually visiting Kosovo, you may also be interested in the neighboring countries: Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia.
If you liked our Google map and Kosovo information page,
please share it with others or save the link https://www.drivingdirections.net in your bookmarks.