North Kosovo facts for kids
North Kosovo is a special area in Kosovo. Most of the people living here are Serbs, who are Christians. There are also smaller groups of Albanians, Turks, Greeks, Gorans, and Roma people. This area is like a Serbian "island" inside Kosovo.
Unlike some other parts of Kosovo that manage themselves, North Kosovo is directly managed by the government in Belgrade, which is the capital of Serbia. People in North Kosovo still use Serbian car license plates and the Serbian dinar as their money.
This region covers about 1,200 square kilometers (460 square miles). That's about 11% of Kosovo's total area. It includes three main towns: Zvecan, Leposavic, and Zubin Potok. Part of the city of Mitrovica is also in North Kosovo. You can also find Lake Gorazdevac here.
The United Nations does not officially recognize Kosovo as a fully independent country. This is because of a special decision made in 1999 called United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. Many other countries and world groups also do not recognize Kosovo as a country.
Contents
Geography and Towns
North Kosovo is located in the northern part of Kosovo. It is known for its beautiful landscapes and important towns.
Key Municipalities
The region is made up of three main municipalities. A municipality is like a local government area.
- Zvecan: This town is known for its historic Zvečan Fortress.
- Leposavic: This is another important town in the area.
- Zubin Potok: This municipality is also part of North Kosovo.
Mitrovica City
A part of the city of Kosovska Mitrovica is also in North Kosovo. The Ibar River flows through Mitrovica, dividing it into two parts.
Daily Life in North Kosovo
Life in North Kosovo has some differences compared to other parts of Kosovo. These differences show the strong connection North Kosovo has with Serbia.
Currency and Car Plates
People in North Kosovo use the Serbian dinar for their money. In most of Kosovo, the euro is used. Also, cars in North Kosovo still use Serbian license plates, not Kosovo ones.
Government Links
The government in Belgrade, Serbia, plays a direct role in running North Kosovo. This is different from other areas in Kosovo that have more local control.
International Recognition
The way the world sees Kosovo's independence is a complex topic, especially for North Kosovo.
United Nations View
The United Nations has a special resolution from 1999, Resolution 1244, which means it does not fully recognize Kosovo as an independent country. This affects how North Kosovo is viewed internationally.
Other Countries' Views
Many other international organizations and countries also do not recognize Kosovo as a fully independent state. This situation makes the status of North Kosovo unique.
Images for kids
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Partition of Kosovo proposed by some Serbian politicians
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Ethnic map of North Kosovo (blue-majority Serbs, red-majority Albanians)
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Zvečan Fortress
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North Mitrovica
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Leposavić
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Zvečan
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Zubin Potok
See also
In Spanish: Kosovo del Norte para niños
