Ljuboten
Ljuboten (Serbian and Macedonian: Љуботен ) or Luboten (in Albanian) is a peak of the Šar Mountains located on the border between Kosovo[lower-alpha 1] and North Macedonia. Its elevation is 2,498 m (8,196 ft).
Ljuboten | |
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Ljuboten as seen from Kosovo | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 2,498 m (8,196 ft) |
Geography | |
Location | Kosovo[lower-alpha 1] and North Macedonia |
Parent range | Šar Mountains |
Ljuboten, although not the highest peak of the range, is somewhat isolated from the rest of the mountains, making it visible from both Pristina and Skopje.
The majority of Ljuboten, the north, north-west, east, and south-east sides are located within Kosovo. On the Macedonian side of the peak there is a mountain house called Ljuboten, as well as Shija Ljubotenska (English: Ljuboten's Neck), Kozja Karpa (Goat's Rock), Shiljast Kamen (Pointed Rock), and Rogacevski Korita.
Ljuboten is a popular destination for mountain climbers in Europe. The mountain is covered with pastures along with rocky outcroppings. Livadh Lake in Kosovo and a few sheepfolds are near the peak. In winter there is usually over a meter of snow. The mountain house at Ljuboten is located in the foothills of the peak, connected with a road to Vratnica.
US soldiers stationed at Camp Bondsteel near the city of Ferizaj (or Uroševac) colloquially named the peak "Big Duke". The meaning behind the name is not known.
Annotations
- Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia. The Republic of Kosovo unilaterally declared independence on 17 February 2008. Serbia continues to claim it as part of its own sovereign territory. The two governments began to normalise relations in 2013, as part of the 2013 Brussels Agreement. Kosovo is currently recognized as an independent state by 98 out of the 193 United Nations member states. In total, 113 UN member states recognized Kosovo at some point, of which 15 later withdrew their recognition.