Štrpce
Encyclopedia
Štrpce is a town and municipality
in the District of Uroševac
, Kosovo and Metohija.
According to the 1991 census, the municipality of Štrpce had a population of around 12,800 people. As of 2006, Štrpce had an ethnic two third Serbian
majority, making it a Serb enclave in Kosovo.
It encompasses an area of 247.36 square kilometres (95.5 sq mi) on the northeast part of the Šar Mountains, and the upper part of the Lepenac
river valley, which is well known as Sirinić Valley. Its municipal borders almost overlap with the borders of Sirinić Valley. Border lines are made of the mountain massive of the north-east part of the Šar Mountains and its branches: Ošljak, Kodža Balkan, Žar
and Jezerska Mountain. The municipality of Štrpce is a mainly mountainous area, comprising regions from 900 metres (2,952.8 ft) above sea level in the Lepenac river valley up to 2500 metres (8,202.1 ft) above sea level at its highest peak, Ljuboten
. Dominant mountain massifs create a natural isolation for this municipality towards north and south, meanwhile by Brod canyon the municipality is open towards Kosovo Valley, and through Prevalac
toward Prizren Valley. In the immediate neighborhood are the municipalities of Uroševac
, Kačanik
, Suva Reka and Prizren
, and on one side the municipality is bordered by the Republic of Macedonia
.
The area of the municipality and its center Štrpce have a relatively favorable location in comparison to other cities and administrative, economic centers of Kosovo, as well as the north and northwest part of Macedonia. The distance from this municipality from the municipality of Uroševac is 30 kilometres (18.6 mi), from the municipality of Pristina
61 kilometres (37.9 mi), from the municipality of Prizren 34 kilometres (21.1 mi), and the distance from cities in Macedonia is: Skopje
61 kilometres (37.9 mi), Tetovo
70 kilometres (43.5 mi). Štrpce municipality is situated at the center of the aforementioned cities, which is very important for further municipal economic development. It is also worth mentioning that within a radius of 100 kilometres (62.1 mi) from Štrpce there are a number of industrial and mining centers like Trepča
- Kosovo mining-energetic basin, then Skopje, Uroševac, Prizren and Peć
industrial basins. In the past few years a number of asphalt roads were constructed within the municipal territory, so that almost all settlements are connected with the center of the municipality. Relief features and potential for using agricultural land are prerequisites for the bloodstream of the settlements' network which are the valley's predominant type. Most of the settlements are not urbanized and mainly not functionally integrated, with the exception of Brezovica
settlement where tourism assets are located and Štrpce as the center of the municipality.
The diversity and attractive natural resources represent good potential for a faster economic development of the municipality. The most valuable natural potentials of the municipality are its environment values, climate features and untouched nature. Mountains with so called Alpine
mountain relief, in the upper part of mountain where there is snow up to 280 days during the year are just some of the advantages for the development of winter tourism. The Šar Mountains offer the possibility of preparing ski slopes for all types of winter sports fans, from novices to top professional skiers. The lower parts with characteristics of the valley climate are rich with a variety of flora, lakes, caves etc., and offer possibilities for development of summer tourism as well. Besides tourism, there are opportunities and natural resources for the development of agriculture and cattle-breading. Agricultural land takes 55% of the municipal territory —13651 hectares (33,732 acre). Pastures cover 38.8%, and meadows 25% of the total agricultural land. Cultivable soil covers 18%, and a small area is orchard. Forests take 42% of the territory of the municipality —11372 hectares (28,101 acre). Beech
is the most widely spread tree, but one can come across Turkey oak
, white ash
, birch
and some other types of trees as well. Above 1600 metres (5,249.3 ft) there are mixed and coniferous forests: pine
, fir
, spruce
, juniper
, as well as endemic trees like Pinus peuce, Pinus heldreichii, Pinus mugo, Taxus baccata
and some others. The whole territory of the municipality is rich with rivers; about 250 springs manifest a presence of underground waters. The largest river is Lepenac which is made of two rivers - Tisova and Cerenacke river. There are number of mountain lakes; the three most popular are: Livadičko, Štrbačko and Big Jažinačko Lake.
municipality for the 1971 and 1981 census. Therefore there is no separate population data for the municipality for those two years.
Municipalities of Serbia
Serbia is divided into 150 municipalities and 24 cities , which are the basic units of local self-government. The city may and may not be divided into city municipalities . Five cities, Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, Kragujevac and Požarevac comprise several city municipalities, divided into "urban" ...
in the District of Uroševac
District of Uroševac
The Uroševac District or Ferizaj District is one the seven districts of Kosovo, with seat in Uroševac.-Municipalities:* Uroševac * Štimlje * Kačanik * Štrpce...
, Kosovo and Metohija.
According to the 1991 census, the municipality of Štrpce had a population of around 12,800 people. As of 2006, Štrpce had an ethnic two third Serbian
Serbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
majority, making it a Serb enclave in Kosovo.
Geography
The municipality is situated near the Šar Mountains.It encompasses an area of 247.36 square kilometres (95.5 sq mi) on the northeast part of the Šar Mountains, and the upper part of the Lepenac
Lepenac
The Lepenac is a river in southern Kosovo and northern Macedonia, a long left tributary to the Vardar river.- Sirinić :The Lepenac springs out on the Kodža Balkan mountain, east of the city of Prizren, Kosovo, at an altitude of . It flows eastward, into the župa of Sirinić, between the Žar...
river valley, which is well known as Sirinić Valley. Its municipal borders almost overlap with the borders of Sirinić Valley. Border lines are made of the mountain massive of the north-east part of the Šar Mountains and its branches: Ošljak, Kodža Balkan, Žar
Zar
- Places :* Zar, Armenia, a town in the Kotayk Province* Zar, Azerbaijan, a village in the Kalbajar Rayon currently controlled by the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic* Žár , a village in the Czech Republic* Żar, Łódź Voivodeship, Poland...
and Jezerska Mountain. The municipality of Štrpce is a mainly mountainous area, comprising regions from 900 metres (2,952.8 ft) above sea level in the Lepenac river valley up to 2500 metres (8,202.1 ft) above sea level at its highest peak, Ljuboten
Ljuboten
Ljuboten is a peak of the Šar Mountains located at the border between Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia. Its height is .-Information:Ljuboten peak although not being the highest peak of the range, is certainly the most attractive and bewildering peak of the Sar Mountains. It is somewhat...
. Dominant mountain massifs create a natural isolation for this municipality towards north and south, meanwhile by Brod canyon the municipality is open towards Kosovo Valley, and through Prevalac
Prevalac
Prevalac is a village in the municipality of Vranje, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 153 people....
toward Prizren Valley. In the immediate neighborhood are the municipalities of Uroševac
Uroševac
Ferizaj or Uroševac is a city and municipality in southern Kosovo, located some south of the capital Pristina.Uroševac is the third most populous city in Kosovo, after Pristina and Prizren.It is the administrative centre of the homonymous district...
, Kačanik
Kacanik
Kačanik or Kaçanik is a town and municipality in southern Kosovo, in the Uroševac district. The municipality covers an area of , including the town of Kačanik and 31 villages. It has a population of approximately 33,454...
, Suva Reka and Prizren
Prizren
Prizren is a historical city located in southern Kosovo. It is the administrative center of the eponymous municipality and district.The city has a population of around 131,247 , mostly Albanians...
, and on one side the municipality is bordered by the Republic of Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
.
The area of the municipality and its center Štrpce have a relatively favorable location in comparison to other cities and administrative, economic centers of Kosovo, as well as the north and northwest part of Macedonia. The distance from this municipality from the municipality of Uroševac is 30 kilometres (18.6 mi), from the municipality of Pristina
Pristina
Pristina, also spelled Prishtina and Priština is the capital and largest city of Kosovo. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous municipality and district....
61 kilometres (37.9 mi), from the municipality of Prizren 34 kilometres (21.1 mi), and the distance from cities in Macedonia is: Skopje
Skopje
Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre...
61 kilometres (37.9 mi), Tetovo
Tetovo
Tetovo is a city in the northwestern part of Macedonia, built on the foothills of Šar Mountain and divided by the Pena River.The city covers an area of at above sea level, with a population of 86,580 citizens in the municipality. Tetovo is home to the State University of Tetovo and South East...
70 kilometres (43.5 mi). Štrpce municipality is situated at the center of the aforementioned cities, which is very important for further municipal economic development. It is also worth mentioning that within a radius of 100 kilometres (62.1 mi) from Štrpce there are a number of industrial and mining centers like Trepča
Trepça
- Basketball Hall :The club currently plays in the sport and youth center "Palestra e Sporteve Minatori", in the center of Mitrovica, with a capacity for around 3500 spectators.- Roster :-Notable players:- External links :**...
- Kosovo mining-energetic basin, then Skopje, Uroševac, Prizren and Peć
Pec
Peć or Pejë is a city and municipality in north-western Kosovo and Metohija - Serbia, and the administrative centre of the homonymous district. Governor of city is Ali Berisha....
industrial basins. In the past few years a number of asphalt roads were constructed within the municipal territory, so that almost all settlements are connected with the center of the municipality. Relief features and potential for using agricultural land are prerequisites for the bloodstream of the settlements' network which are the valley's predominant type. Most of the settlements are not urbanized and mainly not functionally integrated, with the exception of Brezovica
Brezovica, Kosovo
Brezovica; or is a village in Štrpce municipality in Kosovo, that is famous for its ski resort.The Brezovica ski resort is a famous tourist attraction in the northwest part of Šar Mountain...
settlement where tourism assets are located and Štrpce as the center of the municipality.
The diversity and attractive natural resources represent good potential for a faster economic development of the municipality. The most valuable natural potentials of the municipality are its environment values, climate features and untouched nature. Mountains with so called Alpine
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
mountain relief, in the upper part of mountain where there is snow up to 280 days during the year are just some of the advantages for the development of winter tourism. The Šar Mountains offer the possibility of preparing ski slopes for all types of winter sports fans, from novices to top professional skiers. The lower parts with characteristics of the valley climate are rich with a variety of flora, lakes, caves etc., and offer possibilities for development of summer tourism as well. Besides tourism, there are opportunities and natural resources for the development of agriculture and cattle-breading. Agricultural land takes 55% of the municipal territory —13651 hectares (33,732 acre). Pastures cover 38.8%, and meadows 25% of the total agricultural land. Cultivable soil covers 18%, and a small area is orchard. Forests take 42% of the territory of the municipality —11372 hectares (28,101 acre). Beech
Beech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
is the most widely spread tree, but one can come across Turkey oak
Turkey Oak
Quercus cerris, the Turkey oak is an oak native to southern Europe and Asia Minor. It is the type species of Quercus sect. Cerris, a section of the genus characterised by shoot buds surrounded by soft bristles, bristle-tipped leaf lobes, and acorns that usually mature in 18...
, white ash
White Ash
For another species referred to as white ash, see Eucalyptus fraxinoides.Fraxinus americana is a species of Fraxinus native to eastern North America found in mesophytic hardwood forests from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota, south to northern Florida, and southwest to eastern...
, birch
Birch
Birch is a tree or shrub of the genus Betula , in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. The Betula genus contains 30–60 known taxa...
and some other types of trees as well. Above 1600 metres (5,249.3 ft) there are mixed and coniferous forests: pine
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
, fir
Fir
Firs are a genus of 48–55 species of evergreen conifers in the family Pinaceae. They are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range...
, spruce
Spruce
A spruce is a tree of the genus Picea , a genus of about 35 species of coniferous evergreen trees in the Family Pinaceae, found in the northern temperate and boreal regions of the earth. Spruces are large trees, from tall when mature, and can be distinguished by their whorled branches and conical...
, juniper
Juniper
Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. Depending on taxonomic viewpoint, there are between 50-67 species of juniper, widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere, from the Arctic, south to tropical Africa in the Old World, and to the...
, as well as endemic trees like Pinus peuce, Pinus heldreichii, Pinus mugo, Taxus baccata
Taxus baccata
Taxus baccata is a conifer native to western, central and southern Europe, northwest Africa, northern Iran and southwest Asia. It is the tree originally known as yew, though with other related trees becoming known, it may be now known as the English yew, or European yew.-Description:It is a small-...
and some others. The whole territory of the municipality is rich with rivers; about 250 springs manifest a presence of underground waters. The largest river is Lepenac which is made of two rivers - Tisova and Cerenacke river. There are number of mountain lakes; the three most popular are: Livadičko, Štrbačko and Big Jažinačko Lake.
Demographics
Štrpce was a part of the UroševacUroševac
Ferizaj or Uroševac is a city and municipality in southern Kosovo, located some south of the capital Pristina.Uroševac is the third most populous city in Kosovo, after Pristina and Prizren.It is the administrative centre of the homonymous district...
municipality for the 1971 and 1981 census. Therefore there is no separate population data for the municipality for those two years.
| Ethnic Composition | |||||||||||||
| Year/Population | Albanians | % | Serbs | % | Turk | % | Others | % | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 census | 3,637 | 32.36 | 7,545 | 67.13 | - | - | 51 | 0.45 | 11,239 | ||||
| 1991 census | 4,300 | 32.83 | 8,138 | 64.02 | 74 | 0.58 | 200 | 1.57 | 12,712 | ||||
| September 1999 | 1,830 | 16.4 | 9,182 | 82.4 | 73 | 0.7 | 60 | 0.5 | 11,145 | ||||
| February 2001 | 4,500 | 33 | 9,099 | 66.7 | 34 | 0.2 | N/A | 0.1 | 13,633 | ||||
| Ref: Yugoslav Population Censuses for data through 1991, OSCE estimates for 1999 and 2001 | |||||||||||||
External links
- Municipality of Štrpce official website
- OSCE Profile of Štrpce / Shtërpcë
- Web site of ski resort Brezovica and Štrpce
- About coat of arms and banner of Štrpce