- Geography. Kosovo is landlocked in the central Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered by the Republic of Macedonia and Albania to the south, Montenegro to the west, and the uncontested territory of Serbia to the north and east.
- Pristina. Kosovo's capital and largest city is Pristina. It has a a lively city center with museums and monuments. The
- Monastery of Gračanica. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located southeast of Pristina.
- History. The Dardanian Kingdom, and later the Roman province of Dardania was located in the region. It was part of Serbia in the Middle Ages, then part of the Ottoman Empire, and ultimately becoming part of Yugoslavia. Ethnic tensions between the Albanian and Serb populations resulted in violence. In 2008 Kosovo declared independence. It has gained diplomatic recognition as a sovereign state by the UN. Serbia refuses to recognise Kosovo as a state.
- Sports. Popular sports in Kosovo include football (soccer), basketball, volleyball, handball, wrestling, judo, swimming, boxing, karate, and skiing. The Olympic committe has recognized the Olympic Committee of Kosovo and allowed Kosovo to compete as an independent nation.
- Albaniada is a traditional event in Kosovo where the people play traditional games and sports incuding Hats (Kapuça), Measure and Stick (Kut e Kleçkë), Crouch (Guxhas), Ball-on-Horse (top-n-kali), Arm Wrestling (rrëzim i duarve), Bag Hopping (vrapim me thes), Leg Wrestling (rrëzim i këmbëve), Boards (rrasash), Capture the Handkerchief (kapja e shamise), Rope Pull (tërheqja e litarit), Stone Throwing Sideways (gurapesh me dy duar anash), Overhead Stone Throwing (gurapesh prapa), Single-Hand Stone Throwing and Swords (Shpatash).
- Kullas. Kullas (which means tower in Albanian) are unique traditional stone houses in western Kosovo and northern Albania. Their design originated with the need to defend against blood feuds. Kullas were built in areas that had a large range of view so that families could best defend themselves. They were usually built with three floors, with one room on every floor. The first floor was used to hold the livestock, the second floor was for the family, and the third floor was for guests. These houses can be seen in Isniq, Junik and Dranoc (where you can stay in a kulla overnight).
- Language. Most people in Kosovo speak Albanian. Even though most people also understand Serbian, speaking it may result in hostile reactions from the mostly Albanian population. English, German, Italian and Turkish are also spoken. Most people in northern Kosovo are ethnic Serbs, so Serbian is spoken there.
- Novo Brdo. A huge medieval fortress was built on the top of an extinct volcano cone, the remains of which can be visited. In the outer wall of the fortress, a large cross is visible, built into the stones. The castle dates back to the Byzantine Empire.
- Food. Seafood (trout, bass, salmon) is popular and kept in pools where they are fried fresh. Other trraditional foods include burek (baked pastry stuffed with cheese, meat or spinach), Ayran (a sour yogurt drink), kebabs, Fli (a pastry), and bread.
- Crime. Aside from politically motivated corruption, it has been reported that crime is relatively low in Kosovo. It was also said that non-political corruption level is low because of the supervision of the EULEX international police. Supposedly it is one of the only countries in Eastern Europe where bribery is virtually unheard of.
- Manhole covers. There are many open manholes without covers in Kosovo. Commonly sold for scrap metal, these holes can be dangerous for the unaware pedestrian. This is particularily an issue in the tall grass beside roads. Local residents place sticks and stones over open sewer pits. Kosovo melts down siezed firearms to make new manhole covers.
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Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption, are not to be used to describe any organization or service not related to FRUA, without permission.
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