Kosjerić

Geography

The town is situated on the road between Požega on one end and Valjevo on the other. The town is near the mountain tourist centres: Divčibare and Zlatibor. It lies at the foothill of Drmanovina and Crnokosa and from south Povlen and Maljen mountains.

History

The exact date of the town's founding is unclear. Near the town archaeologists have found Roman and Serbian medieval relics, but it is believed that mass immigration occurred before the Serbian Revolution at the beginning of the nineteenth century with people from Montenegro, East Bosnia and the Western Serbian mountains Zlatibor and Tara.

This part of Serbia was under the rule of the Nemanjić dynasty until the Ottoman Empire seized control of the country in 1463. During the next two centuries roads were built and major development began linking the Adriatic Sea to western Serbia and to the east. Wars between Austria-Hungary and the Turks took a toll on the population numbers in Kosjerić.

It is thought that the oldest inhabitants of the town were from the family Kosijer. From legends it is said that Antonije Kosjer came from Kosijer in Montenegro and brought his three sons along with him. After that Jovan Baronim came from the village Bare and his sister accompanied him with seven sons. It is recorded that there was migration from the village of Divci and from Montenegrin Kolašin.

Rapid development began in 1882, but it was suppressed by the faster-growing communities of nearby bigger towns, Valjevo and Požega. Kosjerić reached the status of the town in 1966 and economic development after the completion of the Belgrade-Bar railway in 1972.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census results, the municipality of Kosjerić has a population of 42,966 inhabitants.

Settlements

Aside from the town of Kosjerić, the municipality includes the following 27 settlements:

Kosjeríć is officially classified as « urban areas » (in Serbian : градско насеље and gradsko naselje).
All other areas are considered as « villages » (in Serbian : село/selo).

Economy

Today Kosjeríć is the town with the highest economic standard in Western Serbia. It has a cement factory that is one of the most successful companies in Serbia. After the fall of socialism Kosjerić soon became the town with the highest part of private capital in whole country.

Cement factory

One of the most famed cement factories is located in Kosjerić and has helped boost the economic prosperity not only for the town but for the whole region.

On 30 January 2002, TITAN Group and the Serbian Privatisation Agency signed an agreement for the transfer of 70% of the share capital of the Kosjerić Cement Company. The acquisition cost amounts to $35.5 million. The production capacity of the Kosjerić cement plant is 600.000 tons. The Agreement with the Serbian Government includes a mandatory investment program of $28.5 million, which will increase the factory's production capacity to more than 800.000 tons. Many of the town citizens are employed at the factory.

Production

Due to its location and climate Kosjerić has a strong production of fruit and vegetables. Serbia is known for its production of plums and raspberries around the world and in Kosjerić they are widely grown. The area is well known for its plum brandy, 40–45% ABV ("ljuta rakija"). Kosjerić also has a factory for concrete pipelines production "Pim-Grad", a factory for the manufacture of electric equipment "Elkok" http://www.elkok.co.rs/, and factories for the manufacture of concrete elements called "Kofeniks" and "Povlen".

Tourism

Kosjerić is trying to create a strong tourism industry, which is supported by the "Serbian village tourist board". Kosjerić has attracted many people from central Serbia for its famed "Shepard festival" which is held every July.

Also, every year in Kosjeric an NGO called K-Town Group organise an International art camp Kosjeric which includes different art workshops with 50 participants from around the world.

The development and reconstruction of the Hotel Olympic has also further helped increase tourist numbers.

Features

Kosjerić and the surrounding area are known for their fresh air and beautiful nature. High mountains, fields, wood and water wells surround the town and it is famous for country tourism and the production of healthy food. Fresh air and nice climate are very appropriate for different sports; hence Kosjerić became a famous sport centre equipped with different types of sport fields on 40,000 square metres (430,000 square feet), sports hall with 700 places, Olympic-sized pool and several football, basketball and handball playgrounds.

Twin cities