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