Dragaš
Encyclopedia
Dragaš is a town and municipality
in the Prizren district
of southern Kosovo
. The population of the town is approximately 33,584, that of the whole municipality is estimated at 33,584 (2011). It was named after medieval Serbian lord Constantine Dragaš
.
) by merging the two former municipalities of Gora
and Opolje
; the government of Serbia does not recognise this act.
The Ottoman
defter
from 1591 registers Gora
as inhabited exclusively by Serbs, Opolje
to the north is Albanian populated.
Mountain, mountain Gjalic and Cylen in the direction of Prizren
. Only one part of the territory in Prizren direction is hilly with a relatively slight slope by which this territory is connected with Prizren basin and through Prizren with the world.
, with the Albanian population living in Opoja and the Gorani population living in Gora.
1971 - 13,867 Albanians, 11,076 Gorani - total 26,850
1981 - 18,623 Albanians, 15,942 Gorani — total 35,054
1991 - 22,785 Albanians, 16,129 Gorani — total 39,435
OSCE
estimates say the following...
January 1999 - 27,633 Albanians, 17,470 Gorani — total 45,103
March 2000 - 24,856 Albanians, 9,706 Gorani — total 34,562
January 2006 - 22,800 Albanians (57.22%) , 17,975 Gorani (43.30%) - total 40,775
All major local companies were formerly state-run and, as elsewhere in Kosovo, are currently under the responsibility of KTA. The original UNMIK strategy towards these public enterprises consisted of carrying out a process of ‘commercialisation’. This process was believed to be the best way to revive the enterprises, although no foreign investors decided to invest.
Most Dragaš villages have no phone connection, although the system in Dragaš town has improved since 2001. Mobile coverage is also improving. Water supply is ensured in all villages.
Municipalities of Kosovo
A Municipality is the basic administrative division in Kosovo.-List of Municipalities:The first name is Serbian and the second one is Albanian:* Dečani / Deçan* Dragaš / Dragash* Đakovica / Gjakovë* Glogovac / Gllogovc * Gnjilane / Gjilan...
in the Prizren district
District of Prizren
The Prizren District is one the seven districts of Kosovo, with seat in Prizren.-Municipalities:It include the municipalities of:* Prizren* Dragaš * Suva Reka...
of southern Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
. The population of the town is approximately 33,584, that of the whole municipality is estimated at 33,584 (2011). It was named after medieval Serbian lord Constantine Dragaš
Constantine Dragas
Constantine Dragaš Dejanović was a Serbian magnate that ruled the area around Kyustendil from 1378, during the fall of the Serbian Empire, until his death on May 17, 1395 at the battle of Rovine...
.
History
The municipality of Dragash was created by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIKUnited Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo
The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo or UNMIK is the interim civilian administration in Kosovo, under the authority of the United Nations. The mission was established on 10 June 1999 by Security Council Resolution 1244...
) by merging the two former municipalities of Gora
Gora (region)
Gora is a geographical region in southern Serbia and northeastern Albania, inhabited by Albanians and a Gorani minority. The name "Gora" is a Slavic word for "mountain" or "forest"....
and Opolje
Opolje
Opolje or Opoja is northern region of the municipality of Dragaš in the southern most part of Kosovo with Gora being the southern one.Opolje comprises 19 villages with a population of 30.000 . Its population is almost exclusively of Albanian ethnicity, whereas the population of Gora is Gorani...
; the government of Serbia does not recognise this act.
The Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
defter
Defter
A Defter was a type of tax register in the Ottoman Empire. The information collected could vary, but tahrir defterleri typically included details of villages, dwellings, household heads , ethnicity/religion , and land use.The defter-i hakâni was a land registry, also used for tax...
from 1591 registers Gora
Gora (region)
Gora is a geographical region in southern Serbia and northeastern Albania, inhabited by Albanians and a Gorani minority. The name "Gora" is a Slavic word for "mountain" or "forest"....
as inhabited exclusively by Serbs, Opolje
Opolje
Opolje or Opoja is northern region of the municipality of Dragaš in the southern most part of Kosovo with Gora being the southern one.Opolje comprises 19 villages with a population of 30.000 . Its population is almost exclusively of Albanian ethnicity, whereas the population of Gora is Gorani...
to the north is Albanian populated.
Geography
The territory of the Dragaš municipality lies in the northern latitude of 41 52' 30" to 42 09' 03" and longitude of 20 35' 39" to 20 48' 26". The whole territory is surrounded by the Šar Mountains, then KoritnikKoritnik
Koritnik is a mountain located in north-eastern Albania and south of Kosovo. It is high. It is totally surrounded by branches of the White Drin. In Kosovo the towns of Šar and Zur are next to the mountain. The Koritnik mountain because of its high pastures contains a population of 60 chamois.-...
Mountain, mountain Gjalic and Cylen in the direction of 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...
. Only one part of the territory in Prizren direction is hilly with a relatively slight slope by which this territory is connected with Prizren basin and through Prizren with the world.
Demographics
The municipality is split into the regions Opoja and GoraGora (region)
Gora is a geographical region in southern Serbia and northeastern Albania, inhabited by Albanians and a Gorani minority. The name "Gora" is a Slavic word for "mountain" or "forest"....
, with the Albanian population living in Opoja and the Gorani population living in Gora.
1971 - 13,867 Albanians, 11,076 Gorani - total 26,850
1981 - 18,623 Albanians, 15,942 Gorani — total 35,054
1991 - 22,785 Albanians, 16,129 Gorani — total 39,435
OSCE
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organization. Its mandate includes issues such as arms control, human rights, freedom of the press and fair elections...
estimates say the following...
January 1999 - 27,633 Albanians, 17,470 Gorani — total 45,103
March 2000 - 24,856 Albanians, 9,706 Gorani — total 34,562
January 2006 - 22,800 Albanians (57.22%) , 17,975 Gorani (43.30%) - total 40,775
Economy
Its poor agricultural resources and relative geographical isolation have meant that Dragaš is one of the most underdeveloped regions of Kosovo. The economic situation in Dragaš is very poor and is dominated by a high rate of unemployment. The main employers in the area are the Municipality, UNMIK police, and private companies as “KUK Commerc”, “Meka” and former state-owned enterprises.All major local companies were formerly state-run and, as elsewhere in Kosovo, are currently under the responsibility of KTA. The original UNMIK strategy towards these public enterprises consisted of carrying out a process of ‘commercialisation’. This process was believed to be the best way to revive the enterprises, although no foreign investors decided to invest.
Infrastructure
The municipality is mountainous and therefore has related infrastructural problems, e.g. problematic access to some villages during winter season. Whilst this part of Kosovo did not suffer much damage during the war, its infrastructure was in a state of serious disrepair beforehand, due to a combination of harsh winters and state neglect. Roads, in particular, (Zhur–Dragaš; Dragaš-Brod; Dragaš- Restelica) require urgent improvement for the social-economic development of the area. Bus connections between Dragaš town and the Opoja area continue to improve and the services to Gora are organized by the two OSCE-SIMF buses donated to the municipality. There is a free school bus service provided by the municipality along Gora routes. Taxi services do exist but are largely unaffordable for the population. OSCE through SIMF/ ECSF funds supported also the rehabilitation of the Heath House.Most Dragaš villages have no phone connection, although the system in Dragaš town has improved since 2001. Mobile coverage is also improving. Water supply is ensured in all villages.