Tetovo
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From top: View over Tetovo, Isa Beg Hammam, Arabati Baba Teḱe, Painted Mosque, Church of St Cyril and Methodius, Popova Šapka, Urban Tetovo, Baltepe Fortress, Tetovo centre. | |
Coordinates: 42°00′N 20°58′E / 42.000°N 20.967°E | |
Country | ![]() |
Region | ![]() |
Municipality | ![]() |
Government | |
• Mayor | Bilal Kasami (Besa Movement) |
Area | |
• Total | 1,068 km2 (412 sq mi) |
Elevation | 468 m (1,535 ft) |
Population (2021)[1] | |
• Total | 63,176 |
• Density | 59/km2 (150/sq mi) |
Demonym(s) | (Macedonian: Тетовчанец/Тетовчанка) (Albanian: Tetovar/Tetovare) |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Postal code | 1200 |
Area code | +389 044 |
Vehicle registration | TE |
Climate | Cfb |
Website | tetovo.gov.mk |
Tetovo (Macedonian: Тетово, [ˈtɛtɔvɔ] ⓘ; Albanian: Tetovë, Albanian definite form: Tetova) is a city in the northwestern part of North Macedonia, built on the foothills of Šar Mountain and divided by the Pena River. The municipality of Tetovo covers an area of 1,080 km2 (417 sq mi) at 468 meters (1,535 ft) above sea level, with a population of 63,176, making it the country's fifth largest city.[2] The city of Tetovo is the seat of Tetovo Municipality.
Tetovo was founded in the 14th century on the place of the ancient town of Oaeneon.[3]
In the 15th century AD, Tetovo came under Ottoman rule for about five centuries. After its conquest by the Ottomans, most of the city's population converted to Islam and many Ottoman-style structures were built, such as the Šarena Džamija and the Arabati Baba Teḱe, which still stand as two of North Macedonia's most significant landmarks of its Ottoman period. During this period, the town belonged to the Vilayet of Kosovo, became a firearm and cannon foundry, and was renamed Kalkandelen (meaning "Shield Penetrator"); as a result, the town attracted many workers and grew into a city. Following the First and Second World Wars, Tetovo became a part of Yugoslavia and, later, the Republic of Macedonia.[4]
The South East European University, North Macedonia's third biggest university after Skopje and Bitola, is located in Tetovo.[5] Tetovo is also home to the State University of Tetovo. Tetovo is regarded as the de facto capital of North Macedonia's ethnic Albanian population.[6][7]
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The 25 per cent ethnic Albanian minority living along the western border with Albania were growing increasingly dissatisfied with their second-class status. They had elected a tough new leadership in the de facto Albanian capital, Tetovo, and were determined to voice their anger at their perceived human rights abuses through mass street demonstrations.
The Macedonian Albanians greeted Kosovo's declaration of independence with great rejoicing and substantive celebrations were organzised in capital Skopje and in Tetovo, "capital city" of the Macedonian Albanians.