Leskovac
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Location in Serbia | |
|---|---|
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| General Information | |
| District | Jablanica |
| Land area | 1025 km² |
| Population (2002 census) |
63,185 (town) 156,252 (municipality) |
| Settlements | 144 |
| Coordinates | |
| Area code | +381 16 |
| Car plates | LE |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) CEST (UTC+2) |
| Website | http://www.usluznicentar.com |
| Politics | |
| Mayor | Vladan Marinković (DS) |
Leskovac (Serbian Cyrillic: Лесковац) is a town and municipality located in southern Serbia at 43.00° North, 21.95° East. It is the administrative center of the Jablanica District of Serbia. Leskovac is accessible from Belgrade by the E75 motorway to Macedonia.
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[edit] History
Leskovac, initially Dubočica, was once known as "Little Manchester", because of its 19th century textile industry which was second only to that of Manchester, England. The city continued to be a major textile center until the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, but due to the economic isolation of Serbia resulting from ethic wars, its remote location, and failure to privatize the mills the industry collapsed resulting in depression of the economy in the area. [1]
[edit] Kosovo Conflict
On 12 April 1999, during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia a bridge near Leskovac (Grdelička klisura) was destroyed by a NATO aircraft as a passenger train was crossing. The act was highly condemned with the bridge being struck twice (the train itself having been bombed from the first attack).
[edit] Demographics
[edit] Demographics of the municipality
Ethnic groups in the municipality (2002 census):
- Serbs = 147,414
- Roma = 6,989
- others.
[edit] Demographics of the town
In 2002 the town's population was 63,185 of whom the majority are primarily Serbs (57,661). Other significant ethnic groups are Roma (4,327), Montenegrins (223), Macedonians (168), Yugoslavs (108), and others (including Greeks, Bulgarians, etc).
At one time the second largest city in Serbia, today Leskovac is blighted by economic problems with many working age people migrating out of the area. [2]
[edit] Features
[edit] "ROSTILJIJADA" (Barbaque Week)
"Roštiljijada" (Роштиљијада) is a grill-meat festival that is being organized in Leskovac many years back,each year at the beginning of september. During the manifestation blvd is closed for traffic, night and day for five days, and all its way there are a grill-stands constructed,so as many restaurants. Each restaurant offers a perfect grill. Many visitors from all over Serbia and many tourists come to Leskovac to enjoy good grill and entertainment. The festival organize competition - `making the biggest "pljeskavica" in the world`. In the evening the city is full with people so you better arm yourself with patience if you want to pass through. You can hear mainstream and national music coming from everywhere,and you can smell barbaque in the air. During these days Leskovac becomes a spot-light in south Serbia. If you are a fan of traditional cuisine,catchy music and charming people - Leskovac is the perfect place for you to be !
[edit] Notable citizens
- Miodrag Stojković, geneticist
[edit] Notes
- ^ "A Serbian Region Unravels With Its Textile Industry", article by Nicholas Wood in the New York Times, January 29, 2007
- ^ "A Serbian Region Unravels With Its Textile Industry", article by Nicholas Wood in the New York Times, January 29, 2007
[edit] Gallery
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People's Theatre |
 High school,Grammar |
