Dragaš

Dragaš or Dragash (Albanian: Dragash or Sharri; Serbian: Драгаш, Dragaš) is a town and municipality in the Prizren district of southern Kosovo. The population of the town is approximately 35,000^{[citation needed]}, that of the whole municipality is estimated at 41,000 (2006)^[1]. It was named after Constantine Dragaš.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Economy
5 Infrastructure
6 Symbol
7 References

[edit] History

The municipality of Dragaš was created by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) by merging the two former municipalities of Gora and Opolje.

[edit] Geography

The territory of the Dragaš municipality lies in the northern latitude of 41 52' 30" to 42 09' 03" and longitude of 20 35' 39" to 20 48' 26". The whole territory is surrounded by the Šar Mountains, then Koritnik Mountain, mountain Gjalic and Cylen in the direction of Prizren. Only one part of the territory in Prizren direction is hilly with a relatively slight slope by which this territory is connected with Prizren basin and through Prizren with the world.

[edit] Demographics

1971 - 13,867 Albanians, 11,076 Gorani - total 26850
1981 - 18,623 Albanians, 15,942 Gorani - total 35054
1991 - 22,785 Albanians, 16,129 Gorani - total 39435

OSCE estimates say the following...^[1]

January 1999 - 27,633 Albanians, 17470 Gorani - total 45103
March 2000 - 24,856 Albanians, 9,706 Gorani - total 34562
January 2006 - 22,800 Albanians (57,22) , 17975 Gorani (43,30) - total 40775

[edit] Economy

Its poor agricultural resources and relative geographical isolation have meant that Dragaš is one of the most underdeveloped regions of Kosovo. The economic situation in Dragaš is very poor and is dominated by a high rate of unemployment. The main employers in the area are the Municipality, UNMIK police, and private companies as “KUK Commerc”, “Meka” and former socially owned enterprises.^[1]

All major local companies were formerly state-run and, as elsewhere in Kosovo, are currently under the responsibility of KTA. The original UNMIK strategy towards these public enterprises consisted of carrying out a process of ‘commercialisation’. This process was believed to be the best way to revive the enterprises, although no foreign investors decided to invest.^[1]

[edit] Infrastructure

The municipality is mountainous and therefore has related infrastructural problems, e.g. problematic access to some villages during winter season. Whilst this part of Kosovo did not suffer much damage during the war, its infrastructure was in a state of serious disrepair beforehand, due to a combination of harsh winters and state neglect. Roads, in particular, (Zhur–Dragaš; Dragaš-Brod; Dragaš- Restelica) require urgent improvement for the social-economic development of the area. Bus connections between Dragaš town and the Opoja area continue to improve and the services to Gora are organized by the two OSCE-SIMF buses donated to the municipality. There is a free school bus service provided by the municipality along Gora routes. Taxi services do exist butare largely unaffordable for the population. OSCE through SIMF/ ECSF funds supported also the rehabilitation of the Heath House. Most Dragaš villages have no phone connection, although the system in Dragaš town has improved since 2001. Mobile coverage is also improving. Water supply is ensured in all villages.^[1]