Albanian AlbaNur for Albanians in Macedonia

Population in Tetovo

The population in Tetovo is mixed. About 83% of the population are Albanians , followed by 12% Macedonians and 5% Turks, Roma, and others. (http://tetova.gov.mk/meni.asp?lang=mak&menuid=10) Recent conflict has forced many Macedonians to move out of the surrounding villages and into the city, and their land has been sold mostly to emigrated Albanians from the area.[citation needed] Since the old days, Tetovo has been a tolerant and diverse city where people have lived together for centuries.

Sar Mountain in Tetovo

Šar Mountain is situated in the north-western part of the Republic of Macedonia, above the productive Polog valley. It expands in beyond one's sight and the snow cap on it during the early autumn, winter and early spring switches with the sheep folds in the rest of the year. The well known shepherd dog, Šarplaninec, finds Mali Sharr to be its home.

The Russian consul Jastrebov describes the area in the 19th century, as a wonderful place to stay, under which is the city of Tetovo. He said exactly as he was told previously by the Turkish Pashas and Beys, who already had built their harems on the mountain. What attracted the Turks to built their harems in the small city of Tetovo. The answer to that is - Tetovo is in the foothills of the Šar Planina, which provides the fresh air in the city. Šar Mountain looks like a huge sea of grass and is the largest compact area covered with pastures in Europe -"Lukovo Pole".

Macedonia is a country of lakes and mountains, and Mali Sharr is the most dominant with its massifs. It is wild and tame. It is covered with snow, from November to April. Mali Sharr's width is 12 km, and length of 80 km. The highest of all peaks is Titov Vrv (2,747 meters above the sea level), while other higher peaks are Ljuboten (2,498m.), Bistrica (2,640m.)... Ljuboten is even a part from the coat of arm of Skopje (can be seen even from Skopje).

There are 39 glacial lakes on the Šar Mountain, of which 27 belongs to Macedonia. Of those 27, 8 are temporary and 19 are always filled with water. As largest and most important are: Bogovinsko, Crno, Belo, Golem Gjol, Mal Gjol, Krivošinsko lake, Golemo Dedelbeško, Malo Dedelbeško, Gorno Dobroško and Dolno Dobroško. The Bogovinsko lake is the biggest one and covers an area of 67,000 sq meters. Its depth is 2,2 meters and length 452 meters and width 225 meters. It is located of 1,960 meters above the sea level.

The Šar Massive, has always been populated densely, due to its natural beauties. The cattle-breeding is the most important way for living. Almost all the villages on the Šar Planina, have a tradition of it, like Brvenica, Lešok, Vratnica, Tearce, Varvara, Odri, Dobrošte, Staro Selo, Rogačevo, Slatina, Glogji, Pršovce, Belovište and others. One of the most beautiful ski-resorts in Macedonia, is situated on Šar Planina. That is Popova Šapka on 1,900 meters above the sea level. Šar Planina is filled with natural monuments and as well as cultural-historical monuments.

Villages of the Tetovo Area

Jazince, Rogacevo, Staro Selo, Vratnica, Beloviste, Odri, Dobroste, Neraste, Glodji, Prsovce, Jegunovce, Raotince, Janciste, Preljubiste, Tudence, Podbredje, Zilce, Siricino, Semsovo, Ozormiste, Palatica, Sarakino, Zelino, Ratae, Varvara, Tearce, Slatina, Lesok, Neprosteno, Dzepciste, Poroj, Celopek, Miletino, Falise, Sipkovica, Lisec, Debarca,Recica e Vogel, Recica e Madhe, Kallnik, Pallcishte, Kamenjane, Bogovinje, Pirok.

More information on TETOVO can be found at HISTORY OF TETOVO