Junik
| |
|---|---|
Town and municipality | |
 | |
 Emblem | |
  Junik  Junik | |
| Coordinates: 42°28′34″N 20°16′39″E / 42.47611°N 20.27750°E | |
| Country | Kosovo |
| District | District of Gjakova |
| Municipality | Junik Municipality |
| Municipality | 2008 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Ruzhdi Shehu (LDK) |
| Area | |
• Municipality | 77.78 km2 (30.03 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 517 m (1,696 ft) |
| Population (2024) | |
• Municipality | 3,943 |
| • Density | 50.69/km2 (131.3/sq mi) |
| • Ethnicity | |
| Demonym(s) | Albanian: Junikas (m), Junikase (f) |
| Time zone | UTC1 |
| Postal code | 50000 |
| Area code | +383 390 |
| Vehicle registration | 07 |
| Website | kk |
Junik (Albanian definite form: Juniku; Serbian Cyrillic: Јуник) is a town and municipality in the Gjakova District in western Kosovo.
History
During the Ottoman occupation of the Balkans, Junik and the Municipality of Junik were part of the Nahiya of Altun-ili during the 15th century. In a 1485 defter of the region, Junik was mentioned with the name Lunik. In the 15th century, around half of Junik's population had typical Albanian anthroponomy. The Ottoman register from 1485 indicates that Junik was mostly inhabited by an Albanian population whom bore Albanian names mixed with Slavic and Christian[1] Junik was also recorded with 52 households in the 1485 register.[2] During the early period of Ottoman occupation, Gjakova and the Gjakova Municipality were part of the Nahiya of Altun-ili. Most of the villages in the Nahiya of Altun-ili were dominated by inhabitants with Albanian anthroponomy, which indicates that during the 15th century (as supported by Ottoman defters), the lands between Junik and Gjakova were inhabited by a dominant ethnic Albanian majority.[3]
In 1915, Montenegrin troops entered Albanian villages, and in Junik, Vojvoda Milika Vojvodić from Morača terrorized the local population. According to Milan Scekic in Radio Petnica, Montenegrin officials, especially in Metohija, acted as petty tyrants, disregarding laws and oppressing locals. Vojvodić, as Junik’s municipal president, abused his power so severely that even some Montenegrin gendarmes resented him—not out of sympathy for Albanians, but because he hoarded illicit gains instead of sharing them.[4]
Geography
Junik is located between Deçan and Gjakova along Kosovo's mountainous border with Albania. It has a convenient geographical position because it extends to the north-west of the Dukagjin plain, located in the left side of the Erenik river, which originates from the Gjeravica lakes and goes through the valleys of the Albanian Alps.
Junik is bordered by Deçan, Gjakova, Albania and Montenegro. The distance Junik-Peja is 25 km, Junik-Gjakova is 20 km, passing through the village of Batushë, while the distance from Junik to Rastavicë (Peja-Gjakova highway) is 5.5 km.
Climate
Junik has a continental climate, but with some Mediterranean features. This climate is suitable for the cultivation of various agricultural crops. The average monthly temperature is 21 °C (70 °F) in July and −11 °C (12 °F) in January.
Hydrology
The Erenik river is the largest and most important in the region, which also serves as a source of water for the irrigation of the Junik field.
Demographics
According to the last census of 2024 by the Kosovo Agency of Statistics, Junik has 3,943 inhabitants.[5]
Ethnicity
Of Junik’s 3,943 residents, an overwhelming 99.87% are ethnic Albanians, reflecting a highly homogeneous population.[5]
Notable people
See also
References
- ^ Popullsia Shqiptare e Kosoves Gjate Shekujve - Selami Pulaha p. 128-129
- ^ Defteri i regjistrimit te Sanxhakut te Shkodres i vitit 1485 p. 163-164
- ^ Pulaha, Selami (1984). Popullsia Shqiptare e Kosoves Gjate Shekujve XV XVI. Tirana: 8 Nëntori. pp. 83, 93, 94.
- ^ https://www.radiopetnjica.me/2019/07/16/milan-scekic-muslimani-iz-novooslobodjenih-krajeva-crne-gore-u-prvom-svjetskom-ratu-1914-1916/
- ^ a b "Regjistrimi i popullsisë, ekonomive familjare dhe banesave në Kosovë 2024" (PDF). Retrieved 1 January 2025.
External links
