Rahovec

Rahovec (Albanian definite form: Rahoveci) or Orahovac (Serbian Cyrillic: Ораховац), is a town and municipality located in the District of Gjakova in western Kosovo. According to the 2024 census, the town of Rahovec has 13,642 inhabitants, while the municipality has 41,777 inhabitants.

Rahovec Rahovec or Rahoveci (Albanian) Ораховац / Orahovac (Serbian)
Town and municipality
From the top, Panorama of Rahovec, Rahovec Clocktower, Xhamia e Sokolit
Flag Emblem
Rahovec Show map of Kosovo Rahovec Show map of Europe
Coordinates: 42°23′58″N 20°39′17″E
Country	Kosovo
District	District of Gjakova
Government
• Mayor	Smajl Latifi (AAK)
Area
• Municipal	278 km2 (107 sq mi)
• Rank	21st in Kosovo
Elevation	477 m (1,565 ft)
Population  (2024)[1]
• Municipal	41,777
• Density	150/km2 (390/sq mi)
• Urban	13,642
• Ethnicity	98.14% Albanians 1.85% Other
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	21000
Area code	+383 29
Vehicle registration	07
Website	kk.rks-gov.net/rahovec

Etymology

The name of the town and municipality is of Serbian origin and is derived from the Proto-Slavic word orěhъ, meaning nux (English: nut).^[2] The name Rahovec comes from an Albanised pronunciation of Orahovac.

Geography and population

The municipality covers an area of approximately 276 km² (107 sq mi) and contains 35 villages.

Economy

Rahovec is especially known for its vineyards and wines.^[3]

Demographics

Municipal historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1948	27,335	—
1953	30,095	+1.94%
1961	35,461	+2.07%
1971	46,788	+2.81%
1981	61,178	+2.72%
1991	85,698	+3.43%
2011	56,208	−2.09%
2016 est.	58,908	+0.94%
Source: Division of Kosovo

According to the last official census done in 2011, the municipality of Rahovec has 56,208 inhabitants.

In the municipality's total population, 98.14% are Albanians, amounting to 55,166 individuals, while the rest represent diverse minority groups in Kosovo, including Ashkali, Egyptians, Serbs, Bosniaks and various others.^[4]

Local Pidgin Language

The town was known for a language known locally as "Rahovecionshe" or "Raveqki", which is a mixture of Albanian, Serbian and Bulgarian. Its use has declined rapidly after the Kosovo War and nowadays it is nearly extinct.^[5] It is thought that this pidgin language developed as a way for Albanian grape farmers to sell their products to wine producers, who were predominately Slavic-speaking.^[5]

Notable people

• Shkëlzen Maliqi (born 1947), Kosovo Albanian former politician, born in Rahovec.^[6]
• Ajet Shehu (born 1990), English footballer, born in Rahovec .
• Ukshin Hoti (1943–1999), Kosovo Albanian activist, politician, and philosopher, born in Krusha e Madhe.^[7][8]
• Ali Sokoli (1921–1974), Yugoslav physician, born in Rahovec.
• Jovan Grković-Gapon (1879–1912), Serbian Chetnik, born in Rahovec.
• Lazar Kujundžić (1880–1905), Serbian Chetnik commander, born in Rahovec.^[9]
• Kida (born 1997), Kosovo Albanian female singer
• Bylbyl Sokoli (born 1957), Kosovan football manager and politician