Tetovo is a city in the northwestern part of
Macedonia, built on the foothills of Šar Mountain and divided by the Pena River.The city covers an area of 1,080 km2 (417 sq mi) at 468 metres (1,535 ft) above sea level, with a population of 52,915.Tetovo is home to the State University of Tetovo and South East European University. The city of Tetovo is the seat of Tetovo Municipality.
The home of several ethnic Albanian political parties and a population in which Albanians form a relative majority, Tetovo has become the unofficial capital of a predominantly Albanian region which extends in an arc from Tetovo to
Debar.It is also home to the National Democratic Party, an Albanian nationalist political entity.
Sports:
The most popular sport in Tetovo is Football. Tetovo is represented by three clubs all of which play in the Macedonian First League. FK Škendija, supported by the majority of the Albanians living in Tetovo, FK Teteks, supported by the Macedonians living in Tetovo and FK Renova, mainly supported by Albanians but has significant Macedonian support. FK Ljuboten (Macedonian: ФК Љуботен) founded in 1919, is the oldest football club in Macedonia. The club currently plays in the Macedonian Third League. FK Vrapčište currently plays in the Macedonian Second League, however, they are in located in the outskirts of Tetovo, village named Vrapčište. Wrestling, karate and volleyball are also fairly popular sports in Tetovo. Few volleyball teams are active in the volleyball league of Macedonia: Škendija, Bami Kor Medika, etc.)
Tourism:
Popova Šapka is a ski resort located in the Šar Mountains. Despite being around seven kilometers from the city, it is generally associated with Tetovo. Popova Šapka attracts many tourists in winter due it being one of the popular ski resorts in the former Yugoslavia. Aside from hosting recreational and competitive skiing competitions, Popova Šapka has many villas and restaurants to accommodate visitors. The rise in hotels was because the cable car that took people from Tetovo to Popova Šapka was destroyed during the 2001 Macedonia conflict. Therefore, people stay at Popova Šapka overnight before returning to Tetovo.
Present-Day:
In economic terms Tetovo is one of the most developing cities in Macedonia with some multinational companies (Ecolog International, Renova, Zikoprom) being located in this town. Despite the interest of private companies in Tetovo, the city is neglected by the government. Tetovo suffers from urban sprawl. Due to the lack of government regulations and no system for building permits, many houses and buildings have been built in unsafe ways and are built in random parts of the city i.e. on the footpaths, roads and parks.
Tetovo is one of the educational centres in Macedonia hosting two universities South East European University (Public Private Non-profitable) and State University of Tetovo (Public University). The prior one has educational leadership in the region, whereat the Bologna Process is applicable since its establishment, has the best campus in the region of South East
Europe and is trend with international developments in education. More than 20,000 students get their education and degrees in this town.
Main Sights:
- Šarena Džamija
- Lešok Monastery
- Tetovo Hamam
- Tetovo Kale Fortress
- Arabati Baba Tekke
- Tetovo's Stone Bridge
