Colors and the Meaning of the Kosovo Flag
The flag of Kosovo on blue background consists of 6 stars and a map of Kosovo located beneath it.
Six stars represent six ethnic groups living in the country, including Albanians, Serbs, Turks, Gorani, Roma, and Bosniaks. It is the second flag after the flag of the Republic of Cyprus carrying its territory.
History of the Kosovo Flag
Kosovo is a newly established state, which declared its independence on 17 February 2008, leaving Serbia. Although it is a new state, Kosovo has a long history. In 1389, the Ottoman Empire dominated the region and used the Ottoman flag as a province of the empire. Kosovo did not have a flag of its own during this period.
At the end of the 19th century, the Albanian uprising took place and Kosovo took part in this uprising. For this reason, while the Albanians respect the Kosovo flag, the Albanian flag is respected by Kosovo. Following the 1878 Berlin Treaty, Serbia and Montenegro are separated from the Ottoman Empire and become independent. The Kingdom of Serbia occupies Kosovo in 1912.
By 1918, the region would become part of the kingdom of Yugoslavia. During this period, Albania gains independence. Kosovo Muslims who want to be independent by joining with Albania are persecuted by Serbs. The Serbian flag flutters in Kosovo.
The flag consists of three stripes, red on the top, blue on the middle and white on the bottom. These strips represent regions in the country. In this process, all identity seeking and separation movements were suppressed.
Kosovo is included in the borders of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, governed by communists in 1946, following World War II. After the collapse of the Yugoslav Federation in 1991, Muslims in Kosovo organized a general referendum. The overwhelming majority preferred independence. Ibrahim Rugova was elected as President.
With the declaration of independence, Serbs started a war against Kosovo. A United Nations-led airstrike began to force the Serbs into a cease-fire. In this process, Kosovo was under the protection of the United Nations. Thus, the flag of the United Nations became the national flag of Kosovo.
NATO and Kosovo War
The Serbian government ignores these sanctions and attempts a much more severe pressure against the Muslim population that lives there.
In 1999, the Kosovo War reignited and NATO forces launched a new air strike on Yugoslavia. NATO demands the end of the persecution of the people of Kosovo.
Related: NATO Map
Rugova, the first President of Kosovo, has redesigned the Dardania flag on 29 October 2000.
This flag belongs to an ancient kingdom that lived in this region for centuries. The flag is a red circle on a blue background, a black-headed double-headed eagle icon inside the circle.
This eagle, symbolizing Albanians, has Dardania Shield in the chest. The white strip on the top is “Dardania”. This flag, like the flag of the United Nations, is not accepted as the national, official flag of Kosovo. But it is used in some sporting and cultural activities.
At the funeral of President Rugova on 21 January 2006, this flag becomes very important. In 2007 an international competition is organized for the design of the Kosovo flag. The 993 flag design participates in the competition. The winner is Muhamer Ibrahimi’s design with a white map of Kosovo on a blue background and 5 yellow stars around the map.
But there are some changes in the design. The color of the stars changes from yellow to white, and the sequence of the stars is arranged to form a small arc.
The color of the map of Kosovo is also yellow instead of white. The stars represent Albanians, Serbs, Turks, Gorani, Roma and Bosniaks, six ethnic groups in Kosovo. Flag of Kosovo over blue background with white stars and yellow color reminds Bosnia and Herzegovina flag.
The work of Mendi Mengjiqi, who was the first in the national anthem competition, was accepted as the national anthem on 11 June 2008. The work consists only of music and does not contain any sayings.
Neighboring Countries of Kosovo
Kosovo, a Balkan country, has four neighbors. It is neighboring with Serbia from north and east, with Montenegro from the northwest. In West Albania and in south Macedonia are the other neighboring countries.
Main Characteristics of Kosovo
The Republic of Kosovo is one of the youngest countries in the world and became independent in 2008 and the 50th country in Europe (the international recognition of Kosovo as an independent country is until today only partial).
The capital city Pristina is the country’s most touristic and culturally active city.
There are two official languages, Albanian and Serbian. Apart from these languages, Turkish, Romanian and Bosnian have also gained official language identity in the status of municipalities. Euro is used as currency.
In Kosovo, continental climate prevails. The winters are cold and snowy, while the summer months are hot and dry.
The importance of pastries and meat dishes is great. The pastries and meatballs are very tasty.
| Country | Kosovo |
| Code | KS (KSV) |
| Calling Code | 383 |
| Capital City | Pristina |
| Currency | euro (EUR) |
| Emoji Symbol | 🇽🇰 |
| Highest Point | Djeravica (2,656 m) |
| Internet TLD | Doesn’t have yet |
| Population(2017) | 1,816,000 |
| Total Area | 10,887 km2 |