Rahovec

Rahovec (Albanian definite form: Rahoveci) or Orahovac (Serbian Cyrillic: Ораховац), is a town and municipality located in the District of Gjakova in Kosovo. According to the 2024 census, the town of Rahovec has 13,642 inhabitants, while the municipality has 41,799 inhabitants.^[2]

Rahovec Rahovec or Rahoveci (Albanian) Ораховац / Orahovac (Serbian)
Town and municipality
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	41,799
• Density	150/km2 (390/sq mi)
• Urban	13,642
• Ethnicity	96.87% Albanians 3.13% 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).^[3] The name Rahovec comes from an Albanised pronunciation of Orahovac.

Geography

Rahovec is located in western-central part of Kosovo and is part of the district of Gjakova. To the north, it shortly borders Klina, to the northeast Malisheva, to the southeast Suhareka and Mamusha, to the south Prizren, and to the west Gjakova. The distance from the capital city of Kosovo, Prishtina, is approximately 60 km (37 mi). The municipality covers an area of approximately 276 km² (107 sq mi) and it includes 35 villages.

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%
2024	41,799	−2.25%
Source: ASK Data[4]

According to the last census of 2024 of Kosovo Agency of Statistics, the municipality of Rahovec has 41,799 while the town in itself has 13,642 inhabitants.

Of the 41,799 inhabitants, 40,491 (96.87%) are Albanians and other ethnicities mostly include Serbs and other ethnic groups.^[2]

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]

Economy

Rahovec's vineyards

Rahovec is especially known for its vineyards and wines.^[6]

Notable people

• Shkëlzen Maliqi (born 1947), Kosovo Albanian former politician, born in Rahovec.^[7]
• Ajet Shehu (born 1990), English footballer, born in Rahovec .
• Ukshin Hoti (1943–1999), Kosovo Albanian activist, politician, and philosopher, born in Krusha e Madhe.^[8][9]
• 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.^[10]
• Kida (born 1997), Kosovo Albanian female singer
• Bylbyl Sokoli (born 1957), Kosovan football manager and politician