Kukës facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kukës
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| Country |  Albania |
| County | Kukës County |
| District | Kukës District |
| Elevation | 320 m (1,050 ft) |
| Population
(2001)
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| • Total | 17,222 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (Central European Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code |
8501-8503
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| Area code(s) | 024 |
| Car Plates | KU |
Kukës is a town in Albania. It is the main town of Kukës District and Kukës County. About 16,000 people live here. The town is located in the beautiful mountains of northern Albania.
Kukës became famous around the world during the Kosovo War in 1999. During this time, the town welcomed about 450,000 refugees from Kosovo (which is part of Serbia). This was a huge number of people for a small town to help.
Because of its amazing kindness and help for so many refugees, Kukës was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000. It was the very first time a town had ever been nominated for this important award! This shows how much the people of Kukës cared for others.
Where is Kukës?
Kukës is in the northern part of Albania. It sits among tall mountains, which makes the area very scenic. The town is built on a plateau, which is a flat area of land that is higher than the land around it.
The original town of Kukës used to be located where the Drin River and the White Drin meet. However, a new town was built higher up. This happened because a large dam was constructed, creating a big lake called Fierza Lake. The old town was flooded by this lake.
History of Kukës
The area around Kukës has been home to people for a very long time. There are signs that people lived here even in ancient times. The town itself grew over many centuries.
In the 20th century, Kukës went through a big change. As mentioned, the original town was moved to a new location. This was a massive project that involved building new homes and roads for everyone. The new Kukës was planned to be a modern town.
What is Kukës like today?
Today, Kukës is an important center for the region. It has schools, hospitals, and other services for the people living there. The town is also a gateway to the surrounding mountains, which are popular for hiking and exploring nature.
The people of Kukës are known for their hospitality. They are very welcoming to visitors. The town continues to be a symbol of kindness and helping others, especially after its role in the Kosovo War.
Images for kids
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Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan during the 1999 Kosovo War crisis in Kukes
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Eksod 99 Street overlooking Mount Gjallica
See also
In Spanish: Kukës para niños
