Newest Country in the World - Kosovo

Kosovo, one of the latest place on earth where its government representatives broke ranks from their main government, Serbia, and has declared independence. Another new country being added? No notice was given by Kosovo prior to that with USA and the major European countries (Britain, France, Germany and Italy) supporting Kosovo's cause.

This is their flag. Officially, the six stars were to represent six ethnic groups.

Kosovo's profile:-
* Population about two million
* Majority ethnic Albanian; 10% Serb
* Under UN control since Nato drove out Serb forces in 1999

* 2,000-strong EU staff to take over from UN after independence
* Nato to stay to provide security

In my schooling days, I would take the initiative to read up on all countries' names and also trying to remember their capital city. I think I have lost count with the number of new countries springing up every now and then. The former USSR and Yugoslavia have broken up into so many countries.

For Yugoslavia, it has given birth to the following countries:-
* Slovenia
* Croatia
* Bosnia
* Serbia
* Montenegro
* Macedonia
* Kosovo

Rumours were strong that following areas may break away when possible - Republika Srpska / Vojvodina / Sandzak / Northern Kosovo Presevo Valley / Western Macedonia. What a mess therein.

Certain countries have opposed Kosovo's declaration of independence, namely, Russia / China / Cyprus / Romania / Slovakia / Spain. Taiwan declared their support for Kosovo where it got China fuming.

Kosovo is basically populated by ethnic Albanians and the minority Serbs are really not happy with this surprise independence.

Imagine overnight, someone in the government changed your citizenship.
Tags: Politics, Kosovo, Albania, Albanian, Serbian, Serbs, Yugoslavia