Kosovo

Is Kosovo a country or a territory? That question cannot be answered so easily - but according to 57 countries in the world - which have established diplomatic relations with Kosovo - it is a country. Most Western nations - including the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Poland - have recognized Kosovo as an independent state - but especially Russia and its allies have not.

Kosovo used to be a region of Serbia. But the crucial point is that 92% of Kosovo's population are ethnically Albanian, and for many centuries the Sebrs surpressed them brutally. Then in 1999 NATO drove the Serbs out of Kosovo and thereby its road to independence began.

It can now be seen as certain that it never again will be ruled by Serbia, though of course that country refuses to accept this fact, but Kosovo has finally gained freedom - and this is here to stay.

The population of Kosovo is about two million and the country is about ten thousand square kilometers big, roughly one quarter the size of Switzerland. Kosovo is mostly mountainous, with a mild, almost Mediterranean climate. Of course, it has great potential for tourism - though this story hasn't really started yet. But with Kosovo's economy now, at last, doing well, it seems certain that tourism will come to Kosovo at some time in the near future.

Traditionally, corruption has been a major problem for its economic development, but apparently now, this has changed, thanks to the efforts of Kosovo's government.

The capital of Kosovo is Prishtina - whose population is about half a million. This ancient city - it was originally founded by the Romans - is a vibrant place, and, as most cities that are ethnically Albanian, an amazing mixture of Orient and Occident. Being so old, Prishtina has monuments from various periods. Now, for the first time in its history, it is the capital of an independent state. This state, like Albania, has a very young population and is expected to join the European Union at some point.