Municipality of Kobarid Občina Kobarid | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Location of the Municipality of Kobarid in Slovenia | |
| Coordinates:46°14′47″N13°34′43″E / 46.24639°N 13.57861°E /46.24639; 13.57861 | |
| Country |  Slovenia |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Darja Hauptman (SDS) |
| Area | |
• Total | 192.7 km2 (74.4 sq mi) |
| Population (2010)[1] | |
• Total | 4,217 |
| • Density | 21.88/km2 (56.68/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02 (CEST) |
TheMunicipality of Kobarid (pronounced[kɔbaˈɾiːt];Slovene:Občina Kobarid;Italian:Comune di Caporetto) is a municipality in the UpperSoča Valley in westernSlovenia, near theItalian border. The seat of the municipality is the town ofKobarid.[2]
The municipality was established on 3 October 1994, when the former larger Municipality of Tolmin was subdivided into the municipalities ofBovec, Kobarid, andTolmin.[3] It bordersItaly.
In addition to the municipal seat of Kobarid, the municipality also includes the following settlements:
The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Archeological remains from theHallstatt period have been found in the area. In the 6th century, it was settled by Slavic tribes, ancestors of the modernSlovenes. During theMiddle Ages, it was first part of thePatriarchate of Aquileia, and later ofTolmin County, before being included in theHabsburg monarchy in the 15th century, like the majority ofSlovene-speaking territories. With the exception of a brief period between 1809 and 1813, when it was included under theNapoleonic Kingdom of Italy, it remained under theAustrian rule until 1918.
In the mid-19th century, the area became an important center of theSlovene national revival. During World War I, the whole area was the theatre of theBattles of the Isonzo, fought between Italy andAustria-Hungary. After the end of the war in 1918, the region was occupied by the Italian Army, and in 1920 it was officially annexed to Italy, and included in theJulian March region. Between 1922 and 1943, the Kobarid area, which had an exclusively Slovene-speaking population, was submitted to a policy of violentFascist Italianization. Many locals emigrated to the neighbouringKingdom of Yugoslavia. Several Italian military memorials were built in the area.
Immediately after theItalian armistice in September 1943, the region was liberated by aPartisan uprising, and became the center of large liberated area of around 2,500 square kilometers known as theKobarid Republic, administered by theLiberation Front of the Slovenian People. The area was retaken by German forces in early November 1943, who remained until May 1945 and the arrival of theYugoslav People's Army.
In September 1947, theParis Peace Treaties awarded the area toYugoslavia. Several hundred inhabitants, especially from theBreginj area, chose emigration toItaly rather than becoming citizens of acommunist state.
With thebreakup of Yugoslavia in 1991, the Kobarid area became part of the independent Slovenian state.
The Municipality of Kobarid is governed by a mayor, elected by popular vote every four years, and a municipal council of 16 members. In both the local and the national elections, Kobarid tends to favor conservative parties, especially theSlovenian Democratic Party (which is the largest party in the municipal council).[4] However, in the mayoral elections, the voters have frequently supported independent candidates. The current mayor Darja Hauptmann is a member of the Slovenian Democratic Party.
Notable natives of the Municipality of Kobarid include:
Media related toMunicipality of Kobarid at Wikimedia CommonsPlaces adjacent to Municipality of Kobarid | |
|---|---|
| Settlements | | |
|---|---|---|
| Landmarks | ||
| Notable people | ||
