Kosovo is a landlocked nation of just under two million people in southeast Europe, between Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, and Montenegro. Kosovo declared itself an independent nation, separate from Serbia, in 2008. Although recognized by many nations and international bodies, others do not formally recognize Kosovo as an independent nation, separate from Serbia.

 

The central Balkans were part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires before ethnic Serbs migrated to the territories of modern Kosovo in the 7th century. During the medieval period, Kosovo became the center of a Serbian Empire and saw the construction of many important Serb religious sites, including many architecturally significant Serbian Orthodox monasteries. The defeat of Serbian forces at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 led to five centuries of Ottoman rule during which large numbers of Turks and Albanians moved to Kosovo.