Timočka Krajina is a geographical region located in Serbia. It is situated in eastern Serbia around the Timok River. The population of Timočka Krajina is 284,112 (2002 census).
Contents |
Timok derives its name from the ancient district of Timachiom from Roman times. Its name means "the Timok frontier". The region was named due to its location around the Timok River and near the state border (hence the name "krajina" - "frontier" in English). In Serbian, the region is known as Timočka Krajina (Тимочка Крајина), in Romanian Valea Timocului . In Bulgarian it is known as Timoshko (Тимошко).
Early Bronze Age pottery of the Kostolac-Kocofeni culture was found in Veljko, Štubik, Zlotske caves.[1]
Dacians and Thracians inhabited the area until their assimilation into contemporary ethnic groups in the area. Romans conquered Timok in the 1st century, Emperor Justinian had following strongholds in the region:
|
Petres Sculcoburgo Vindimiola Braeola Arganocili Castellonovo Florentiana Romyliana Septecasae Argentares Auriliana Gembero Clemades Turribas Gribo Chalaro Tzutrato Mutzipara Stendas Scaripara Odriuzo Cipipene Trasiana Potes Amulo Setlotes Timaciolum Meridio Meriopontede Tredetetilious Braeola Motreses Vicanovo Quartiana Julioballae Pontzas Zanes |
Triballian Plains or Tribalia or Lower Timok (Tribalija) is the souther territory of the Timočka Krajina, between Yantra river and Morava river. Its name is derived from the Paleo-Balkan tribe of Triballi who lived in the region. In the 11th century, Greek-Byzantine historian John Skylitzes referred to the region as "ton topon ton Serbon" (eng. Serb region)
Between 1918 and 1922, two districts of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes existed in the area - Krajina District, with seat in Negotin, and Timok District with seat in Zaječar. In 1922, these two districts were merged into newly formed Timok Oblast with seat in Zaječar. Timok Oblast existed until 1929 when it was included into newly formed Morava Banovina with seat in Niš. Today, there are two districts in the area - Bor District with seat in Bor, and Zaječar District with seat in Zaječar.
Timočka Krajina roughly corresponding to Bor and Zaječar districts of Serbia, and includes 7 municipalities and one city:
The main city in the region is Zaječar. Zaječar is the largest city in this region, and therefore the cultural, urban, and economic center of it. It consists of four municipality: Stari grad (old parts of the city: Vlačić, Kraljevica, Karađordjev venac, Šljivarsko brdo, Lubničko brdo, Oskoruša, Pazaršte, Zvezdan, Podliv, Veliki izvor), Kotlujevac (Ključ 1,2,3,4, Živinarnik, Selište, Vlaško brdo, Beli breg), Grljan (south suburban parts and Višnjar) and Salaš(north suburban parts).The largest part of Zaječar is Koltlujevac with the population of over 25,000.
Inhabitants of Krajina traditionally speak a Torlakian dialect, however standard Serbian shtokavian is used in formal communication. The Romanians(Vlachs) speak the Romanian language.[5]
The Serb population is Serbian Orthodox and the Romanian(Vlach) population is partially Romanian Orthodox.[6]
The region is rich in copper and gold mines, especially in the Bor and Majdanpek areas.
|
|||||||