Dolný Kubín

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Coordinates: 49°12′38″N 19°17′51″E / 49.21056, 19.2975
Dolný Kubín
Town
none
Country Flag of Slovakia Slovakia
Region Žilina
District Dolný Kubín
River Orava
Elevation 468 m (1,535 ft)
Coordinates 49°12′38″N 19°17′51″E / 49.21056, 19.2975
Area 55.055 km² (21.257 sq mi)
Population 19,775 (31 December 2006)
Density 359 /km² (930 /sq mi)
First mentioned 1325
Mayor Ivan Budiak
Timezone CET (UTC+1)
 - summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 026 01
Area code +421-41
Car plate DK
Location in Slovakia
Location in Slovakia
Location in Slovakia
Location in the Žilina Region
Location in the Žilina Region
Location in the Žilina Region
Wikimedia Commons: Dolný Kubín
Statistics: MOŠ/MIS
Website: www.dolnykubin.sk

Dolný Kubín (pronunciation ; German: Unterkubin, Hungarian: Alsókubin) is a town in northern Slovakia in the Žilina Region. It is the historical capital of the Orava region.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Dolný Kubín lies at an altitude of 468 metres (1,535 ft) above sea level and covers an area of 55.055 square kilometres (21.3 sq mi).[1] It is located in northern Slovakia on the Orava River, between the Lesser Fatra, Oravská Magura and Chočské vrchy mountains. It is located around 15 km from Ružomberok, 45 km from the Polish border and 270 km from Bratislava. The town is composed of 10 boroughs: Banisko, Beňova Lehota, Brezovec, Kňažia, Malý Bysterec, Medzihradné, Mokraď, Staré mesto, Veľký Bysterec and Záskalie.

[edit] History

The first written reference of the town of Dolný Kubín dates from 1314. It was founded in the 14th century and initially belonged to the Orava Domain. It was granted town privileges (town status, town charter) in 1632, and its importance was further strengthened in 1633 when the town was granted the right to hold markets. In 1683 the town became the seat of the Orava county and in 1776 also the seat of a processus district.

In the 19th century Dolný Kubín was a centre of Slovak national life and the poet Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav and other Slovak national revivalists were active in the town.

The town experienced major developments mainly after World War II, when electrical works as well as other enterprises were established.

[edit] Landmarks and culture

The Gothic St. Catherine church was built in the 14th century. The Čaplovič Library, containing collection of newspapers, books, maps and other printed works from 15th to the 19th century, along with the P. O. Hviezdoslav Museum, is located in the town. The Orava Gallery focuses on the art works from the 15th century to the 20th century and is seated in the former County House from the 17th century.[2] The Slovak poetical and prose competition, called Hviezdoslavov Kubín, takes place in the town since 1954. The Orava Castle is located few kilometres north-east of the town.

[edit] Demographics

According to the 2001 census, the town had 19,948 inhabitants. 97.03% of inhabitants were Slovaks, 1.07% Czechs and 0.28% Roma.[1] The religious make-up was 65.11% Roman Catholics, 16.62% Lutherans and 14.55% people with no religious affiliation.[1]

[edit] Personalities

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Municipal Statistics. Statistical Office of the Slovak republic. Retrieved on 2007-12-12.
  2. ^ http://www.dolnykubin.sk/sk/navstevnik/o_meste/historia_mesta/ (Slovak)

[edit] External links