Country profile: Kosovo

Facts and statistics on Kosovo including history, population, politics, geography, economy, religion and climate

Potted history of the country: Serbia considers Kosovo its birthplace, although Slavic and Albanian people have co-existed there since the 8th century. The Ottoman Empire took over in 1389, but Serbia regained control in 1913 and it became part of the Yugoslav federation. Following a decade of bloody conflict fuelled by ethnic divisions, Kosovo was administered by the UN from 1999 until 2008, when it made a unilateral declaration of independence (UDI). While countries including the UK and the US have recognised Kosovo's UDI, Serbia, along with Russia and China, refuses to do so.

#  Location:  South-east Europe
# Neighbours: Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia
# Size: 4,212 square miles
# Population: 2,126,728 (147th)
# Density: 504.9 people per square mile
# Capital city: Pristina (population not available)
# Head of state: President Fatmir Sejdiu
Head of government: Prime minister Hashim Thaçi
# Currency: Euro
# Time zone: Central European time (+1 hour)
# International dialling code: +381
# Website: rks-gov.net
# Data correct on Wednesday 22 April 2009

Political pressure points: Tensions with Serbia are significant. In October 2008, the UN general assembly voted on a Serbian draft resolution to refer the UDI to the international court of justice for an advisory opinion. Kosovo's prime minister, Hashim Thaçi, has tried to reach out to the dwindling Serb minority.

Population mix: Albanians 92%, Serb 5.3%, Roma 1.1%, Turks 0.4%

Religious makeup: Muslim, Serbian Orthodox, Roman Catholic (% breakdown not avialable)

Main languages: Albanian, Serbian, Turkish, Roma, Bosnian

Living national icons: Sabri Fejzullahu (singer and actor), Leonora Jakupi (singer), Lorik Cana (football)

Landscape and climate: Kosovo sits on a plateau between 400 metres and 700 metres above sea level and is surrounded by mountains. Mediterranean and Alpine influences give it a varied climate. Snowfall is heavy in winter, but its summers can be hot and dry. There are on average 160 rainy days a year.

Highest point: Gjeravica 2,565 metres

Area covered by water: Less than one square mile

Healthcare and disease: Since the conflict, the department of health has tried to reform and re-equip its healthcare system. With UN help, it is aiming to increase the number of doctors (at a low ratio to its population) and establish a "family practice" approach with centres providing emergency and basic care.

Average life expectancy (m/f): 67/71

Average number of children per mother: 2.9

Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births: 12-23 (estimate due to incomplete official reporting)

Infant deaths per 1,000 births: 69

Adults HIV/Aids rate: Not available

Doctors per 1,000 head of population: 1.3

Adult literacy rate: 94.2% (m 97.3%/f 91.3%)

Economic outlook: Kosovo is turning to a market-based system with some success, having privatised almost half of its state-owned enterprises, but poverty and high unemployment remain widespread.

Main industries: Agro-industrial, textiles, wine, retail, hotels, building materials, mining, metal-processing

Key crops/livestock: Potatoes, wheat, maize, fruit trees, vines

Key exports: Metals, scrap metals

GDP: £2,086m

GDP per head: £1,026

Unemployment rate: 44.9%

Proportion of global carbon emissions: n/a

Most popular tourist attractions: Museums and galleries in the capital Pristina, the Turkish baths in Vushtrri; Skenderraj, the symbol of the Kosovan fight for independence, Rugova Gorge at the base of the Albanian Alps

Local recommendation: The Pec Patriarchy, seat of the Serbian Orthodox church to the north of Pec, is home to spectacular paintings. The group of monasteries is guarded by Nato troops.

Traditional dish: Flija (sweet layered pastry)

Foreign tourist visitors per year: Not available

Media freedom index (ranked out of 173): 58

Did you know ... One of the main streets in Pristina is called Bill Clinton Boulevard. There's also a George W.Bush street.

National anthem:
n/a

• Information correct on date of first publication, Wednesday 22 April 2009.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/country-profile/kosovo