# Koper

> city in southwest Slovenia

**Wikidata**: [Q1015](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1015)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koper)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/koper

## Summary
Koper is a city located in southwest Slovenia, serving as the capital of the Coastal-Karst Statistical Region and the City Municipality of Koper. With a rich history dating back to its time under the Republic of Venice (1278–1813) and later Yugoslavia (1918–1991), Koper has been part of Slovenia since its independence in 1991. As of 2020, the city has a population of 25,753, with a diverse cultural heritage reflected in its bilingual Slovene and Italian official website.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Southwest Slovenia, Europe.
- **Coordinates**: 45.5475° N, 13.7307° E.
- **Area**: 13 square kilometers (City Municipality of Koper).
- **Population**: 
  - 25,753 (2020 census).
  - Historical peaks: 26,054 (2021), 7,630 (1953 census).
- **Elevation**: 3–15 meters above sea level.
- **Time Zone**: UTC+1 (standard), UTC+2 (daylight saving).
- **Language**: Slovene and Italian (official website languages).
- **Country Affiliation**: 
  - Slovenia (1991–present).
  - Previously part of Yugoslavia (1918–1991) and the Republic of Venice (1278–1813).
- **Demonym**: Koprčan (male), Koprčanka (female).
- **Website**: https://www.koper.si/ (Slovene and Italian).
- **Twinned Cities**: Corfu, Muggia, Ferrara, San Dorligo della Valle, Buzet, Samara, Žilina, Jiujiang, Saint John, Çeşme, Prilep, Nikšić.
- **Heritage Designation**: Monument of local significance (since 2007).
- **Postal Code**: 6000.
- **License Plate Code**: KP.
- **Dialing Code**: 05.

## FAQs
- **What historical empires has Koper been part of?**  
  Koper was part of the Republic of Venice (1278–1813) and Yugoslavia (1918–1991) before joining Slovenia in 1991.

- **What are Koper's key demographic statistics?**  
  As of 2020, Koper has 25,753 residents, with 13,256 males and 12,497 females, based on census data.

- **What cities is Koper twinned with?**  
  Koper maintains twinning relationships with 12 cities, including Corfu, Muggia, and Nikšić, fostering international cultural and economic ties.

- **What languages are officially used in Koper?**  
  Slovene and Italian are both used on the city's official website, reflecting its bilingual heritage.

- **What is Koper's significance in Slovenia?**  
  Koper serves as the capital of the Coastal-Karst Statistical Region and its municipality, playing a key administrative and cultural role.

## Why It Matters
Koper holds significance as a historic port city with a multicultural identity shaped by Venetian, Yugoslav, and Slovenian influences. Its preservation of Italian and Slovene languages and its architectural heritage, including its old town and cathedral, make it a unique cultural landmark. As Slovenia’s primary coastal city, Koper is vital for trade and tourism, connecting the country to the Mediterranean. Its role as a statistical region capital underscores its administrative importance, while its twinning with multiple cities highlights its international engagement.

## Notable For
- **Multilingual Heritage**: Official use of Slovene and Italian.
- **Historic Architecture**: Well-preserved old town with Venetian influences.
- **Administrative Role**: Capital of the Coastal-Karst Statistical Region.
- **Cultural Preservation**: Designated monument of local significance (2007).
- **International Connections**: Twinning with 12 cities worldwide.
- **Economic Importance**: Key coastal city for Slovenian trade and tourism.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Koper is situated in southwest Slovenia, at coordinates 45.5475° N, 13.7307° E, with an elevation of 3–15 meters above sea level. It covers 13 square kilometers as part of the City Municipality of Koper and borders Muggia and San Dorligo della Valle.

### History
- **Republic of Venice (1278–1813)**: Koper, then known as Capodistria, thrived under Venetian rule.
- **Yugoslavia (1918–1991)**: The city transitioned through Yugoslav governance post-WWII.
- **Slovenian Independence (1991)**: Koper became part of Slovenia, adopting its current official name while retaining historical aliases like Capodistria.

### Demographics
- **Population Trends**: From 7,630 in 1953 to 26,054 in 2021, with fluctuations reflecting broader Slovenian demographic shifts.
- **Gender Breakdown (2020)**: 13,256 males and 12,497 females, per census data.

### Culture and Language
- **Bilingual Identity**: Slovene and Italian are both official languages, reflected in the city’s website and cultural practices.
- **Demonym**: Residents are called Koprčan (male) or Koprčanka (female).

### Administration and Economy
- **Capital Roles**: Serves as the administrative center for the Coastal-Karst Statistical Region and its municipality.
- **Economic Role**: A key port city, supporting trade and tourism in Slovenia’s coastal region.

### International Relations
- **Twinning Agreements**: Partnerships with 12 cities, including Corfu (Greece), Muggia (Italy), and Nikšić (Montenegro), promote cultural exchange and cooperation.

### Heritage and Recognition
- **Local Significance**: Designated a monument of local significance in 2007.
- **Global Recognition**: Featured in encyclopedias like Brockhaus and Efron, and The Nuttall Encyclopædia under historical names such as Capo d’Istria.

### Infrastructure
- **Digital Presence**: Official website (https://www.koper.si/) available in Slovene and Italian.
- **Postal and Telecommunications**: Postal code 6000, dialing code 05, and license plate code KP.

### Education and Research
- **Library and Archives**: Associated with institutions like the National Library of Israel (ID: 987007564856605171) and the Library of Congress (ID: n86119121).

### Geography and Environment
- **Borders**: Shares boundaries with Italian municipalities Muggia and San Dorligo della Valle.
- **Elevation**: 3–15 meters above sea level, reflecting its coastal location.

### Statistical Data
- **Population Records**: Detailed census data from 1948 to 2022, showing growth from 8,289 (1948) to 25,913 (2022).
- **UN/LOCODE**: Designated as SIKOP, per UNECE records.

### Digital and Cultural Resources
- **Online Presence**: Featured in Wikimedia Commons (Category:Koper) and Wikivoyage, with a dedicated banner image.
- **Educational Resources**: Covered in Vikidia (fr:Koper) and Encyclopedia Britannica Online (ID: place/Koper).

## References

1. [Source](http://niksic.me/latn/medjunarodna-saradnja)
2. BnF authorities
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Registry of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. [Source](http://www.stat.si/eng/KrajevnaImena/default.asp?txtIme=KOPER&selNacin=celo&selTip=naselja&ID=1751)
7. [Prebivalstvo - izbrani kazalniki, naselja, Slovenija, letno. Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia](https://pxweb.stat.si/SiStatData/pxweb/sl/Data/-/05C5004S.px/)
8. [Source](http://pop-stat.mashke.org/slovenia-cities.htm)
9. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
10. BBC Things
11. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/si.htm)
12. BabelNet
13. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)