Pčinja District
| Pčinjski okrug Пчињски округ | |
|---|---|
| District of Serbia | |
 | |
| Country |
 Serbia |
| Capital | Vranje |
| Government | |
| • Commissioner | n/a |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3,520 km2 (1,360 sq mi) |
| Population (2011 census) | |
| • Total | 159,081 |
| • Density | 45.1/km2 (117/sq mi) |
| Municipalities | 6 and 1 city |
| Settlements | 363 |
| – Cities and towns | 6 |
| – Villages | 357 |
The Pčinja District (Serbian: Пчињски округ, Pčinjski okrug) covers the southern part of Serbia, bordering the disputed territory of Kosovo, Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia. Its seat is in the city of Vranje.
It has a population of 159,081, according to the 2011 census. It is possible that the actual population is greater than is stated in the official statistics, because most Albanians boycotted the census; an estimate is that between 20,000–50,000 more people than recorded live in the district.
The Vranjska Banja spa plays a particular part in this region, with its multi-medicinal thermal mineral waters.
Municipalities
It encompasses the municipalities of:
Culture and history
The ancient Paeonian tribe of Agrianians (Agrianes) ruled the region of present Pčinja District.
The cultural-historic monuments date back over five centuries ago. The earliest military fortification: Marko's Fortress, originates from the thirteenth century. Also famous are the ancient Turkish Public Bath from the sixteenth century, and the Pasha's House from 1765, in which a Grammar School was opened in 1882.
In 2001, uprisings by Albanians occurred in the Albanian-majority municipalities of Presevo and Bujanovac. In addition, reports emerged in 2006 that the Trgoviste had threatened to secede to Macedonia, which were treated as noteworthy because the area has a majority Serb population. Representatives cited economic hardship and a declining population as grievances against Serbia's government.[1]
Economy
The economy of Vranje is based on industry, mining, building industry, trade, agriculture, and forestry. The best known factories are: DIV Tobacco Factory and holding companies: SIMPO and Jumko.
Demographics
1992
- Serbs = 60.4%
- Albanians = 26.5%
- Roma = 5.7%
- Bulgarians = 4.4%
- Others = 3%
2002
- Serbs = 147,046 (64.58%)
- Albanians = 54,795 (24.07%)
- Roma = 12,073 (5.3%)
- Bulgarians = 8,491 (3.73%)
- Others = 5,285 (2.32%)
2011
- Serbs = 132,601 (83,35%)
- Roma = 13,826 (8.69%)
- Bulgarians = 7,287 (4.58%)
- Albanians = 680 (0.43%)
- Others
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pčinja District. |
- Note: All official material made by Government of Serbia is public by law. Information was taken from official website.
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Jablanica District |
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 Kosovo[lower-alpha 1] |
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 Bulgaria | ||
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 Macedonia |
- ↑ Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Kosovo. The latter declared independence on 17 February 2008, but Serbia continues to claim it as part of its own sovereign territory. Kosovo's independence has been recognised by 108 out of 193 United Nations member states.
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Coordinates: 42°33′N 21°54′E / 42.550°N 21.900°E