| "> | | | | polo, and wrestling. Nonetheless, the Olympic team -- |
| The Youngest Country of the World! | | | | made up of Albanians, Kosovo Serbs, Bosniaks and |
| Did you know...Following more than seven decades of | | | | Goranis -- has not competed in the modern Olympic |
| Yugoslav/Serbian government, Kosovo declared its | | | | Games. Over the past 14 months, the national |
| independence on February 17, 2008. Hence, the | | | | government has stepped up efforts to participate in |
| Connecticut-size land made the world headlines when | | | | the world championships and multi-sports events. |
| became the youngest country in the first decade of | | | | Some of its best athletes living in Western Europe. In |
| the 21st century. Ten years before, it was not an | | | | 1987, Kosovo's boxer Aziz Salihu earned the gold |
| independent nation in Europe compared to its | | | | medal at the Mediterranean Games in Syria. |
| neighbors -- for example, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia | | | | Ecology |
| Hercegovina. At the same time, Kosovo boasted one | | | | Did you know... More than 25 per cent of its territory is |
| of Europe's last wars, an ethnic-based conflict, where | | | | covered by rainforests. |
| were killed more than 10,000 persons. From the end of | | | | Awards & Prizes |
| the Cold War to the beginning of the 21st century, it | | | | Did you know...The new nation was endorsed by |
| had not been neither prosperous nor stable. In those | | | | Donald Trump,president of Miss Universe Organization |
| circumstances, Kosovo stood as the poorest region | | | | in 2008. Also that year, Miss Kosovo, Zana Krasniqi, |
| on the European mainland. Later on, Kosovo's | | | | under the watchful eye of Fadil Berisha -- one of the |
| independence was backed by America, Albania, and | | | | world's most popular fashion photographers -- made |
| Great Britain. In 2009, it was one of the most peaceful | | | | the top 15 in Nha Trang, Vietnam. She was the first |
| countries on the Balkan Peninsula of Europe. | | | | Kosovar women to compete in MU. Ironically, Kosovo |
| People | | | | does not have diplomatic ties with Hanoi. In the |
| Did you know... This Southeastern European nation has | | | | following year, in August 2009, the nation's contestant |
| a population of about 1,800,000. It ranks 148th in | | | | Marigona "Gona" Dragusha finished third in The |
| population among the countries of the world. Around | | | | Bahamas, outpacing 80 other entries. Prior to Miss |
| 88 per cent of the nation's population is made up of | | | | Kosovo's Bahamas trip, she, who is reminiscent of the |
| Albanians. There are also other ethnic groups: Kosovo | | | | world-famous actress Audrey Hepburn, had been |
| Serbs, Bosniaks, Goranis, Roma, Turks, Ashkalis, | | | | training in New York City,along with Hasna Xhukici, |
| Egyptians. | | | | Miss Albania. |
| Education | | | | Metropolises |
| Did you know...Education and technology have | | | | Did you know... Apart from Pristina, the region gathers |
| received increased emphasis in this landlocked country | | | | four amazing cities: Dakovica, Kosovska Mitrovica, |
| since it became independent in the first decade of the | | | | Peja, and Prizren. |
| 21st century. | | | | International Organizations |
| Kosovo & the United States of America | | | | Did you know...Since 2009 this Eastern European |
| Did you know...On November 23, 1999, President Bill | | | | nation belongs to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) |
| Clinton made history when arrived in Urosevac, | | | | and the World Bank. |
| Kosovo. Since then, it was the first official visit by an | | | | Economics |
| American Head of State to Kosovo. America's leader | | | | Did you know... On the economic side, Kosovo over |
| Clinton arrived in Urosevac to an enthusiastic welcome. | | | | the last five decades has changed from a socialist |
| During his visit, Mr Clinton had called on Kosovo | | | | economy to a free market system. From then |
| Albanians to forgive the injustices perpetrated against | | | | onwards, a number of foreign corporations operate |
| them by the Serbs. This Southeastern European nation | | | | businesses in the country. Despite being one of |
| has been recognized by Washington since 2008. | | | | Europe's smallest nations, the landlocked country has |
| Geography | | | | important mineral resources, including nickel, lignite, lead, |
| Did you know...The landlocked country of Kosovo, that | | | | chrome, aluminum, and magnesium. But there's more. |
| once formed part of Ottoman empire, lies on the | | | | Much of Europe's coal wealth lies in Kosovo. The |
| Balkan Peninsula of Southeastern Europe. It is | | | | resources could provide for economic growth if those |
| bordered by Montenegro on the Northwest, | | | | natural resources were used more fully. Additionally, |
| Macedonia on the South, and Albania on the West. | | | | Kosovo is endowed with fertil soil. Nature-based |
| This new nation holds a territory of 4,203 square miles | | | | tourism is a new source of income. |
| (or 10,908 square kilometers). On the other hand, the | | | | Mountains |
| Kosovar countryside consists mainly of mountains | | | | Did you know...Deravica is the nation's tallest peak: it |
| separated by fertile valleys. Unique among European | | | | rises 8,714 feet (2,656 meters) above sea level. |
| countries, it is about the size of Connecticut, an | | | | Famous Kosovars |
| American state. | | | | Did you know... The country's has produced a number |
| Kosovo's capital | | | | of performers/artists, including Melihate Ajeti (actress), |
| Did you know...Pristina -- the country's largest city -- is | | | | Adekina Ismajli (singer), Shaban Gashi (photographer), |
| the capital city of Kosovo. It is also the nation's chief | | | | Akil Mark Koci (composer), Esat Valla (painter) and a |
| commercial, cultural, and industrial center. Since then, | | | | host of others. It has also produced many fine writers, |
| Pristina's rich history and friendly people has made it | | | | among them Xhevdet Bajraj and Eqrem Basha. |
| one of the most important metropolises on the Balkan | | | | However, few of them are known outside the country. |
| Peninsula. Additionally,it has about 500,000 inhabitants. | | | | Foreign Relations |
| Languages | | | | Did you know...During the 1990s and early 2000s, |
| Did you know...Albanian and Serbian are the national | | | | Kosovo worked to establish ties with several republics. |
| languages. The landlocked nation also has other | | | | So far, the new nation has been internationally |
| non-official languages: Gorani, Romani, Bosnian, and | | | | recognized by 62 member countries of the United |
| Turkish, among others. | | | | Nations, including the United States, Australia, France, |
| Sports | | | | Turkey, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, |
| Did you know...The most popular sports are: basketball, | | | | the new country receives continued support and aid |
| boxing, canoe, chess, gymnastics, soccer, swimming, | | | | from the US and European Union. |
| table tennis, team handball, track & field, water | | | | |