| Toplica | |
|---|---|
 Toplica inProkuplje | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | Serbia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | |
• location | South Morava |
• coordinates | 43°12′51″N21°50′18″E / 43.2143°N 21.8383°E /43.2143; 21.8383 |
| Length | 130 km (81 mi)[1] |
| Basin size | 2,217 km2 (856 sq mi)[2] |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | South Morava→Great Morava→Danube→Black Sea |
TheToplica (Serbian Cyrillic:Топлица,pronounced[tɔ̂plitsa]) is a river in southernSerbia. The river is 130 km long[1] and gives its name to the region it flows through, which constitutes most of the modernToplica District of Serbia.
The Toplica originates under the name ofDuboka from the eastern slopes of theKopaonik mountain, just south of the highest peak,Pančićev vrh. It flows to the southeast, on the western slopes of theLepa Gora mountain, next to the villages of Merćez, Selova, Žuč, Miljeviće and Dankoviće. At the monastery of Mačkovac, it reaches the northern side of theRadan mountain and turns to the east. This is also where the Toplica receives from the right its major tributary,Kosanica. Near the mouth are located the city ofKuršumlija and medieval ruins of "Marina kula" (The tower of Mara), and this is where the Toplica region begins.
The region is very fertile, especially for grains, fruits and grapes (famousprokupačko vino, wine of Prokuplje). The central part of the region occupiesToplička (or Prokupačka) kotlina (Depression of Toplica/Prokuplje), between the mountains ofVeliki Jastrebac from the north andSokolovica,Vidojevica andPasjača from the south, with many smaller settlements on the river: Donje Krmčare, Grabovnica, Bogojeva, Barlovo, Donje Točane, Donji Pločnik, Tulare, Donja Konjuša, Donja Toponica, and the center of the whole region, the city ofProkuplje. The river continues on the northern slopes of mountainPasjača, next to the villages of Podina, Voljčince, Badnjevac and the smaller regional centerŽitorađa. After the Toplica reaches municipal center ofDoljevac, it enters the most densely populated part of the southPomoravlje, turns north and flows into theJužna Morava at the village of Orljane, across the medieval ruins ofKurvin grad, as Južna Morava's longest left tributary.
The Toplica belongs to theBlack Seadrainage basin with its own drainage area of 2,217 km2.[2] The river is not navigable.
The river valley is a major traffic route in southern Serbia as both road and railway (Transbalkanic rail) pass through here. It connects northern and eastern Serbia withKosovo over the Prepolac ridge andMerdare.
Above the Prokuplje, the Toplica curves around the huge rock, almost making it an island. The picturesque hill, theHisar is the symbol of the city
Despite being fertile, the Toplica region is one of the highest depopulating areas of Serbia (population of 129.542 in 1971, or 58 per km2; population of 102.075 in 2002, or 45 per km2; down 22%).
The region was the site of arebellion of the local Serbian population against Bulgarian occupational forces in 1917 duringWorld War I. Initially, under the leadership ofKosta Vojinoviċ (1890-1917), rebels had some success, liberating many places in the area (at that time,Niški okrug). All three occupying forces in Serbia,Austro-Hungary,Germany and Bulgaria, joined forces and brought three artillery divisions into the area, crushing the rebellion.
