# Kosovo

> country in southeastern Europe

**Wikidata**: [Q1246](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1246)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosovo

## Summary

Kosovo is a country that declared independence on February 17, 2008 . The country uses the euro as its currency . As of 2024, Kosovo has a population of approximately 1.6 million people [1]. The country covers an area of about 11,000 square kilometers .

## Summary
Kosovo is a country in southeastern Europe, specifically within the Balkans region and Southeast Europe. It is a distinct territorial body or political entity, officially a parliamentary republic, with a land area of 10,909 square kilometers. Pristina serves as its capital.

## Key Facts
- **Location:** Southeastern Europe, Balkans.
- **Area:** 10,909 square kilometers.
- **Capital:** Pristina.
- **Inception:** February 17, 2008.
- **Government Type:** Parliamentary republic.
- **Political Status:** Unitary state, landlocked country, state with limited recognition.
- **Population:** 1,586,659 (as of 2024 census).
- **Official Languages:** Albanian, Serbian.
- **Currency:** Euro (since January 1, 2002).
- **Time Zone:** UTC+01:00 (standard time), UTC+02:00 (daylight saving time).
- **Highest Point:** Gjeravica.
- **Anthem:** "Europe" (music by Mendi Mengjiqi, adopted August 11, 2008).
- **National Flag:** Adopted February 17, 2008.
- **International Dialing Code:** +383.
- **ISO Codes:** Alpha-2: XK, Alpha-3: XKS.
- **Head of State:** Vjosa Osmani (since April 4, 2021).
- **Head of Government:** Albin Kurti (since March 22, 2021).
- **Borders:** Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia.
- **Demonyms:** Kosovar, Kosovan (and various others in different languages).
- **Driving Side:** Right.
- **Mains Voltage:** 230 Volts, 50 Hz.
- **Emergency Phone Number:** 112.

## FAQs
**What is the political status of Kosovo?**
Kosovo declared independence on February 17, 2008, replacing the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. It is a parliamentary republic with limited recognition as a sovereign state.

**Who are the current leaders of Kosovo?**
The current President is Vjosa Osmani, who took office on April 4, 2021. The current Prime Minister is Albin Kurti, who has served since March 22, 2021.

**What countries border Kosovo?**
Kosovo shares borders with Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia.

**What are the demographics and key statistics of Kosovo?**
As of 2024, Kosovo has a population of 1,586,659 and approximately 353,702 households. The birth rate is 14.4, the death rate is 7.2, and the total fertility rate is 1.87. The literacy rate was recorded at 96.8% in 2014. Its nominal GDP was approximately $9.4 billion in 2022.

**What currency does Kosovo use?**
Kosovo uses the Euro, which it adopted on January 1, 2002.

## Why It Matters
Kosovo's significance lies in its unique geopolitical status as a partially recognized state in the heart of the Balkans. Its declaration of independence in 2008 marked a pivotal moment in post-Yugoslav history, representing a new chapter for the region's political landscape. The country is notable for its young population and its ongoing process of building state institutions and international relations. Its economy, while facing challenges, is closely tied to the Eurozone and international aid, making it a focal point for European development and diplomacy.

## Notable For
- Being a landlocked country in Southeast Europe with limited international recognition.
- Declaring independence on February 17, 2008.
- Using the Euro as its official currency despite not being a member of the Eurozone.
- Having Pristina as its capital and largest city.
- A high literacy rate of 96.8% as of 2014.
- Having Albanian and Serbian as its official languages.
- Being a member of the World Customs Organization since 2017.

## Body

### Geography and Environment
Kosovo is located in Southeastern Europe, within the Balkan peninsula. It is a landlocked country covering 10,909 square kilometers. Its geographic coordinates place it at approximately 42.55°N latitude and 20.833°E longitude. The country shares borders with four nations: Albania to the southwest, North Macedonia to the southeast, Montenegro to the west, and Serbia to the north and east. The highest point in Kosovo is Gjeravica.

The country observes Central European Time (UTC+01:00) during standard time and Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00) during daylight saving time. It has a diverse ecosystem represented by its culture of Kosovo.

### History and Government
Kosovo emerged as a distinct political entity following the breakup of Yugoslavia. It is classified as a post-Yugoslavia state and replaced the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. The country declared its independence on February 17, 2008.

The government is structured as a parliamentary republic. The executive power is vested in the Government of Kosovo, led by the Prime Minister. The legislative body is the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo. The head of state is the President of Kosovo. The current President is Vjosa Osmani (in office since April 4, 2021), and the current Prime Minister is Albin Kurti (in office since March 22, 2021). Previous heads of state include Fatmir Sejdiu (2008–2010), Behgjet Pacolli (2011), Atifete Jahjaga (2011–2016), and Hashim Thaçi (2016–2020).

Significant events in its history include the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence. The country has a history of territory claims, notably "Kosovo and Metohija," which is said to be the same as the entity.

### Demographics and Society
As of the 2024 census, the population of Kosovo is 1,586,659, residing in 353,702 households. The country has a birth rate of 14.4 and a death rate of 7.2, with a total fertility rate of 1.87 (2024 estimation). In 2014, the literacy rate was reported at 96.8%.

The official languages are Albanian and Serbian. Residents are referred to by demonyms such as Kosovar, Kosovan, Kosovare, and others in various languages. The culture of Kosovo is a significant aspect of its society, with the national anthem titled "Europe," composed by Mendi Mengjiqi and adopted on August 11, 2008.

### Economy and Infrastructure
Kosovo's economy is characterized by a nominal GDP of approximately $9.42 billion USD as of 2022. The country uses the Euro as its currency, a practice that began on January 1, 2002. The Gini coefficient, a measure of inequality, was 29 in 2017.

The infrastructure includes a mains voltage of 230 volts at 50 Hz. Vehicles drive on the right side of the road. The country utilizes electrical plug types compatible with its voltage standards. The central financial institution is the Central Bank of Kosovo. Kosovo is also a member of the World Customs Organization, having joined on January 25, 2017.

### International Relations and Recognition
Kosovo is a state with limited recognition and is the subject of various international diplomatic relations. It is a member of the World Customs Organization and maintains diplomatic ties with numerous countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, and others across Europe, Asia, and beyond. It uses the user-assigned ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code XK and alpha-3 code XKS, which are utilized by the European Commission and other bodies.

The country's status is complex, with Serbia claiming the territory as "Kosovo and Metohija." Freedom House classifies Kosovo as a "partly free country." The Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI) provides governance and status indices for the country, with a 2022 governance index of 5.45 and a status index of 6.33.

### Administration and Subdivisions
The country contains 38 administrative territorial entities (municipalities), which include Pristina, Prizren, Gjilan, Mitrovica, Peja, Gjakova, Ferizaj, and others. These municipalities form the basis of local governance.

### Symbols and Identity
Kosovo's national symbols include a flag, a coat of arms, and the anthem "Europe." The flag was officially adopted on February 17, 2008. Prior to this date, the flag of the United Nations was used. The coat of arms of Kosovo is another primary symbol. The country is also represented by the Unicode character flag emoji 🇽🇰.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. BnF authorities
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](http://www.ezv.admin.ch/pdf_linker.php?doc=Tares_Laenderverzeichnis)
5. [Source](http://www.bundesbank.de/Redaktion/DE/Downloads/Service/Meldewesen/Aussenwirtschaft/Schluessel/laenderverzeichnis.pdf?__blob=publicationFile)
6. [Source](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1116645/Kosovo_Toponymic_Factfile.pdf)
7. [‘XK’ country code for Kosovo. 2010](https://geonames.wordpress.com/2010/03/08/xk-country-code-for-kosovo/)
8. [Source](http://www.swift.com/dsp/resources/documents/IBAN_Registry.pdf)
9. [Glossary:Country codes](http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Glossary:Country_codes)
10. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
11. FIPS 10-4 Change Notice 14
12. MusicBrainz
13. [Source](https://askapi.rks-gov.net/Custom/1d268e37-5934-4bd5-bbd1-34a9965cff92.pdf)
14. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
15. [Source](https://newdaynews.ru/balkans/663025.html)
16. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
17. [Source](https://www.ui.se/landguiden/lander-och-omraden/europa/kosovo/)
18. The National Terminology Database for Irish
19. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
20. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
21. BabelNet
22. UMLS 2023
23. [Source](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/kosovo/)
24. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
25. [Gazetteer](https://github.com/EnvironmentOntology/gaz/blob/master/src/ontology/gaz_countries.csv)
26. [Alarming levels of illiteracy in Kosovo. Independent Balkan News Agency. 2014](https://balkaneu.com/alarming-levels-illiteracy-kosovo/)
27. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/kosova)
28. iNaturalist
29. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Kosovo-MZ56)
30. FactGrid
31. [Source](https://www.bti-project.org)
32. [Source](https://bti-project.org/en/reports/country-dashboard/XXK)
33. [Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands](https://biblio.hiu.cas.cz/records/2616699a-cd57-4074-995b-0b11bf8a3840)
34. museum-digital