Pčinja District

Pčinjski okrug Пчињски округ
—  District of Serbia  —
Location of Pčinja District in Serbia
Country	Serbia
Capital	Vranje
Government
• Commissioner	n/a
Area
• Total	3,520 km2 (1,359.1 sq mi)
Population (2011 census)
• Total	158,717
• Density	45.1/km2 (116.8/sq mi)
Municipalities	6 and 1 city
Settlements	363
- Cities and towns	6
- Villages	357

The Pčinja District (Serbian: Пчињски округ, Pčinjski okrug) covers the southern part of Serbia, bordering Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia. Its seat is in the city of Vranje.
It has a population of 158,717, according to the 2011 census. It is possible that the actual population is greater than is stated in the official statistics, because most Albanians boycotted the census; an estimate is that between 20,000-50,000 more people than recorded live in the district.

The Vranjska Banja spa plays a particular part in this region, with its multi-medicinal thermal mineral waters.

Municipalities

It encompasses the municipalities of:

• Vladičin Han
• Surdulica
• Bosilegrad
• Trgovište
• Vranje
• Bujanovac
• Preševo

Culture and history

The ancient Paeonian tribe of Agrianians (Agrianes) ruled the region of present Pčinja District.

The cultural-historic monuments date back over five centuries ago. The earliest military fortification: Marko's Fortress, originates from the thirteenth century. Also famous are the ancient Turkish Public Bath from the sixteenth century, and the Pasha's House from 1765, in which a Grammar School was opened in 1881.

Economy

The economy of Vranje is based on industry, mining, building industry, trade, agriculture, and forestry. The best known factories are: DIV Tobacco Factory and holding companies: SIMPO and Jumko.

Demographics

1992

• Serbs = 60.4%
• Albanians = 26.5%
• Roma = 5.7%
• Bulgarians = 4.4%
• Others = 3%

2002

• Serbs = 147,046 (64.58%)
• Albanians = 54,795 (24.07%)
• Roma = 12,073 (5.3%)
• Bulgarians = 8,491 (3.73%)
• Others = 5,285 (2.32%)

Notes and references

Notes:

a.	^ Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Serbia and the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo. The latter declared independence on 17 February 2008, while Serbia claims it as part of its own sovereign territory. Its independence is recognised by 86 UN member states.

References:

• Note: All official material made by Government of Serbia is public by law. Information was taken from official website.