Knjaževac
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Location in Serbia | |
|---|---|
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| General Information | |
| District | Zaječar |
| Land area | 1202 km² |
| Population (2002 census) |
19,351 (town) 37,172 (municipality) |
| Settlements | 86 |
| Coordinates | |
| Area code | +381 19 |
| Car plates | ZA |
| Postal code | 19350 |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) CEST (UTC+2) |
| Website | http://www.knjazevac.co.yu |
| Politics | |
| Mayor | Gradimir Živković (DSS) |
Knjaževac (Serbian Cyrillic: Књажевац) is a town and municipality situated in the eastern part of Serbia bordering the Republic of Bulgaria and is part of Timočka Krajina region. It is found between 43°20' and 43°45', northern latitude and between 22°11' and 22°41' eastern longitude.
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[edit] Geography
The municipality extends over the area of 1202 square kilometers and is the fourth largest one in the Republic of Serbia. Its countryside is mostly hilly and mountainous.
The highest point on the territory of the municipality is Midžor on Stara Planina (2169 meters), which is the same time the highest peak in the Republic of Serbia. The lowest point is 176 metres high and is situated in Knjaževac valley. There are 86 inhabited places in the municipality 85 of which are villages. The very town of Knjaževac is situated at the confluence of the Trgoviški Timok and the Svrljiški Timok becoming together the Beli Timok, which farther on towards Zaječar and together with the Crni Timok becomes the Timok, Timočka Krajina region was named after.
Knjaževac is connected with other towns by road and railroad traffic. Knjaževac is situated in eastern Serbia and is integral part of Timočka Krajina region as its south - most towns.
[edit] History
Knjaževac region was inhabited in the prehistoric time, the first settlements in Baranica, Škodrino Polje, Dubrava etc, the drawing of a horseman in Gabrovnica and other numerous archeological finds testify about. The classical chronicler Plinius (second century BC) recorded that this area belonged to the Roman province of Moesia inhabited by Thracians, Dardanians and other peoples and who, in the symbiosis with the Slavic tribes had formed the local native population called Putuklije.
The Roman fort Timacum Minus, situated in the vicinity of the village Ravna, with its excavated ramparts, parts of the civil settlement and the rich necropolis, explains about the period of the history of Knjaževac region by the Middle Age. The remains of another late classical town of Timacum Maius were discovered in the town itself.
The towns of Ravna and Koželj, the church in Donja Kamenica and church in Gornja Kamenica, built in the fifteenth century as well as the first trace of the name Gurgusovac, date from the medieval period.
There are few historical records from the time of Turkish rule. A record from the eighteenth century describes the then Gurgusovac as a military fortress with palisades, a cannon and 46 Turkish and 120 Christian houses.
Gurgusovac was liberated from the Turks in 1833. Gurgusovačka kula a notorious prison for political prisoners, known as the “Serbian bastion”, has remained as a legacy from the time of Turkish rule. But at the behest of Prince Miloš Obrenović, Gurgusovačka kula was burnt and, in his honor, in 1859 the citizens of Knjaževac changed the name of the town into Knjaževac.
In the course of time Knjaževac gained the status of an important place for the eastern part of Serbia. Among the first Serbian town it obtained hospital, reading association, “St. George`s church”, the first primary and secondary school. The railroad Niš - Prahovo having been constructed before the beginning of the First World War, the town quickened its development.
[edit] Population
The population of the municipality of Knjaževac is 37,172, while the population of the town is 19,351 (2002 census). According to the previous census from 1991, the population of the municipality was 44,036, and the population of the town was 19,705. Average population density is 36 inhabitants per square kilometer making it a sparsely populated municipality.
The population of the municipality include 35,977 (96.79%) Serbs, 452 (1.22%) Roma, etc.
[edit] Climate
Knjaževac and its surroundings have a temperate and continental climate. The warmest month is July the average temperature of 21,3° C, whereas the coldest month is January with average temperature of –0.8° C. Average annual rainfall is 590.8 milimetres per square metre. There are 306 sunny and 30 snow days in a year.
[edit] Economy
Knjaževac is famous for being a fruit and wine growing region. Even in Roman times (Timacum Minus) vine was grown in this region. The fruits mostly grown are vine, sour cherry, plum and blackberry. Knjaževac is famous for exporting sour cherry mostly to Germany and England. The most prevalent branches of economy Knjaževac is famous for are machine – tool, furniture, textile, food – procesing and shoe industry.
[edit] Culture
The organisation in charge of the cultural life of the town are Dom kulture (Cultural centre), the Memorial Museum, the National Library as well as other organisations. The most famous cultural event which takes place in Knjaževac every year is Serbian Youth Culture Festival which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. This year Knjaževac secondary school celebrates 130th anniversary of its existence.
[edit] Tourism
Knjaževac, with its ski resort Babin Zub offers opportunities for tourism and sports events. Its picnic areas are set in areas of natural beauty and are a real place for rest and recreation.
