The area of land opposite from the east coast of Italy across the Adriatic Sea, and known as the Balkan Peninsula, has been a battleground for warring tribes and empires since the dawn of recorded history. During the ancient Roman Empire, the area was known as the province of Illyricum.

Kosovo (“Kosova” in Albanian) is a region in the central Balkans. After thousands of years of civilization, it is still an area of intense conflict and dispute. For much of the 20th century, the area was a part of the country of Yugoslavia. After the death of Yugoslavia's unifying leader Marshal Josip Broz Tito, Yugoslavia broke up into smaller countries, some organized along much older ethnic groupings.

The most recent conflict in Kosovo has been between Serbia and the province’s majority ethnic Albanian population. Between 1996 and 1999, the Serbian Army attempted to forcibly drive out all ethnic Albanians and was met with fierce resistance by the KLA (Kosovar Liberation Army). In 1999, when Drita My Homegirl takes place, the international community became involved, with armed forces under NATO command acting as peace-keepers. Since the conclusion of the Kosovo War, the region has been under the control of the United Nations Interim Administrative Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

The province's final status has yet to be determined; talks on this issue are presently underway.

Kosovo Fact Sheet:

Official languages: Albanian, Serbian
Capital: Prishtinë
Area – Total: 10,912 square kilometers 
Population – Total (2003): 2.4 million (est.)
  – Density: 220 per square kilometer (approx.)
Ethnic groups (2003): Albanians: 88%
Serbs: 7%
Others: 5%

For further information and discussion about these hotly debated topics, see:

balkanupdate.blogspot.com

(pro-Albanian)
albanian.com

(pro-Serbian)
kosovo.com

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo_conflict

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo