| The just recently declared independence of the | | | | The history of Kosovo's struggle to independence is |
| enclave of Kosovo has refocused attention on the | | | | quite complicated. As a province within Yugoslavia, |
| various territories of the former Yugoslavia and | | | | Kosovo was first formed in 1945 as the Autonomous |
| Albania, and the various languages spoken in the | | | | Kosovo-Metohian Area to protect Yugoslavia's |
| region. | | | | Albanian minority largely localize in the region. |
| At the heart of current events is Kosovo, though a | | | | The history of Kosovo however dates back to |
| series of wars apart from the Kosovo war were | | | | antiquity when according to Authur Evans, Kosovo |
| fought in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990's. | | | | was known as Dardania which is derived from the |
| Kosovo's days old declaration of independence is | | | | Albanian word dardh?eaning pear; after the Illyrian |
| strongly rejected by Serbia and by its patron, Russia. | | | | tribe known as the Dardani. |
| Geographically, Kosovo borders Serbia to the north, | | | | The key differentiator between Albanians is their |
| Montenegro to the east, and Albania and the Republic | | | | adherence to Islam. This is connected historically to |
| of Macedonia to the south. | | | | the Ottoman conquest of Kosovo. |
| Kosovo has a population numbering two million. The | | | | The conquest was a significant achievement for the |
| population is primarily Albanians, though populations of | | | | Ottoman Turks as the minerals resources in the |
| Serbians, Turks, Romani , Goranis, Bosniaks, and | | | | Kosovo region proved a needed asset to the |
| other ethnic communities also reside there. Priatina is | | | | Ottoman empire. The establishment of Ottoman |
| the capital and largest city. | | | | hegemony in Kosova initiated a new era culturally and |
| With approximately more than 90% of the population | | | | religiously. The religious makeup of the region was |
| of Kosovo being ethnic Albanians, the Albanian | | | | complicated with the existing Catholic population in a |
| language is recognized as an official language along | | | | delicate if not unfavorable relationship with the new |
| with Serbian. Other languages including Turkish, | | | | Turkish regime. |
| Romani, and Bosnian are also spoken. | | | | The beleaguered status of the Catholic Church led to |
| In addition, to Albania and Kosovo, Albanian is also | | | | increasing oppression of its members. Religiously |
| spoke in Italy, the Republic of Macedonia, | | | | selective taxation as well as threats to national |
| Montenegro, Greece, Turkey, and by immigrant | | | | assimilation by absorption into the Serbian Orthodox |
| communities in many countries throughout Europe, as | | | | Church led to a mass conversion of Albanians into |
| well as in communities in Egypt, Russia, Ukraine, | | | | Islam further cementing the cultural, religious, and |
| United Kingdom, United States, and Australia. | | | | linguistic differences that continue today. |