From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Krajina (Serbian/Montenegrin: Krajina or Крајина) or Kraja (Albanian: Krajë or Kraja) is an area in southerneastern Montenegro stretching among southern coast of Lake Skadar to the mountain of Rumija, comprising several villages. It is inhabited mainly with Albanians, which make around 98% of population. The area is divided between municipalities of Bar and Ulcinj.

Rruga Madgushit Madgushit in Krajina

The town is located near the border with Albania on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It is located between Crmnica and Ana e Malit and stretches out from Skje to Shestan, its border villages. It is also between Skadar Lake and Rumija mountain. It mainly consists of villages with Ostros being its most populated.

From the late 1960's to the early 1970's, a big migration occurred with many Albanians leaving there villages in hopes of finding jobs and better surroundings for there children to grow up in. Many migrated to Germany, France, Switzerland, Australia, the USA, and even neighboring Bar, Montenegro and Ulcinj. Although there is no exact number of the people that still live in Kraja, it is said to be estimated in the 2,000-3,000 range.

Between the Adriatic Sea and the Skadar Lake, extends the municipality of Bar. This municipality includes the Bay of Bar (principal places: Bar, Stari Bar, and Sutomore), territories of Krajina/Kraja (principal places: Ostros, Šestan, and Skadar Lake), Mrkojevići (principal places: Dobra Voda, Pečurice) and Crmnica (principal place: Virpazar), as well as the pocket of Čanj (which acts as a buffer zone between the areas of Bar and Budva) and is between the Adriatic Sea and the mountain of Rumija that the city of Bar is divided into 2 districts: Novi Bar (capital of the municipality) at the edge of the sea, and Stari Bar with the lower part of Rumija and with 4 km of the coastline. Bar, which is also the city of the olive trees and the olive oil producers, can be praised to have an olive tree with more than 2,000 years.

Between the municipality of Bar and Albania, there is the municipality of Ulcinj. This municipality includes the riviera of Ulcinj (principal places: Ulcinj, Velika Plaža, and Ada Bojana) and the territory of Vladimir (principal places: Vladimir, Šas Lake). Nature gives Ulcinj, a magic charm and exceptional traditions, with an extent of thin sand (16km) which the most famous beach is Velika Plaža (13 km in length). Ulcinj, which is also the most exotic place of Montenegro, can be praised to exist for more than 2,500 years.

Between 2,000 and 3,000 people live in Kraja.

By ethnicity:

• Albanians (98%),
• others (Montenegrins, Muslims) (2%)

Religion:

• Muslim (90%),
• others - mainly Christians (Orthodox, Roman Catholics) (10%)

The Orthodox & Catholic's were mostly in the Šestan region. Traces can also be found in Livari, Briska & Tejani.

• Rumiland: Website with pictures for Krajina, Vladimir, Ulcinj, Mrko(je)vići, and Bar.

• Kraja: History of Kraja, pictures and music.

• Albanians in Montenegro