THE DISTRICT OF NIŠ
The District of Niš is situated in the river valleys of the rivers South Morava and Nišava, and encompasses the area of 2729 km2 with 381.757 inhabitants. The roads connecting Europe with the east and south Balkans to the Middle East pass along the two rivers. Niš is a modern University centre with more than 300.000 inhabitants. It is the natural, social, economic, educational, medical, cultural and sport centre for the whole south-east Serbia. The city is situated within 596. 71 km2 including the City itself, the Niška Banja Spa, and 68 suburbs. The District includes the following Municipalities: the City of Niš (Palilula, Pantelej, Crveni Krst and Niška Banja Municipalities), the Municipalities of Aleksinac, Gadžin Han, Doljevac, Merošina, Ražanj, Svrljig.
Economy
The District of Niš is one of the most economically developed parts of Serbia, with numerous industrial complexes, including textile and chemical industry, machine-building, electronic, construction and tobacco industry. The District is also famous for its catering services, tourism and transport. The industry takes 30% of the GDP of the District.
The most important branches are: electronic: production of x-ray equipment, electro-medical devices, home appliances, etc; heavy industry: production and repair of vehicles, mining equipment, equipment of hydroelectric and thermoelectric stations, processing industry equipment and water-cleaning equipment; chemical industry: pharmaceuticals, rubber industry, light industry and mining; textile industry: production of yarn, fabric and ready-made garments; wood processing: cellulose, paper and furniture industry; trade: there are many trade companies in the District of Niš – specialized and general, retail and whole sale trade; agriculture: the Regional Chamber of Economy Niš covers 771.994 ha, 330.201 ha of which are for agriculture, mostly as a property of private entrepreneurs. The regional food, wine and tobacco industry are represented by some of the most successful national producers; construction: this is one of the main economic activities in the regional economy. The high quality of constructing of underground and multi-floor buildings is guaranteed by skilled employees and modern technical equipment in some of the largest enterprises in the field of civil engineering in Serbia; Tourism
Owing to its important strategic position, natural resources, developed traffic facilities, and rich cultural and historic background, this region has exceptional possibilities for development of tourism - as a resort for people preferring to rest in one place/as a place for passing-by tourists. The resort tourism has a long tradition – since the discovery of the mineral springs by the Romans. There are several famous resorts in the District of Niš, such as: Niška Banja spa (the District of Niš), Kuršumlijska Banja spa, Prolom Banja spa, Lukovska Banja spa (the District of Toplica), etc.
The City of Niš itself has been a settlement of many civilisations, and represents an inexhaustible source of cultural, historic and religious inheritance of Europe. The Roman complex of “Mediana” where the Emperor Constantine was born, now the patron saint of the city, the great Turkish fortress on the Nišava river, the Skull-tower - a unique monument made of the skulls of the Serbian fighters for freedom against the Turks - to name but a few.
The airport of Niš “Emperor Constantine” has been the destination for many foreign tourists going for winter holidays to Kopaonik mountain during the last few years, and will, hopefully, become even more so, with the coming of investments into the nearby Stara Planina mountain. Transport
Due to its geographical position at the intersection of roads, railways and corridors, Niš has a highly important role in connecting Mid Europe and Middle East. It lies at the crossroads of E-75 and E-80 (Corridor №10), the former leading to Belgrade, Budapest and further on to the north, and Skopje, Thessaloniki and Athens to the south, while the latter leads to Sofia, Istambul and further on to the east. These roads have been known and used since the times of the Roman Empire. Niš can also boast of its civil airport “Emperor Constantine” – Serbia’s second active airport besides the one in Belgrade. THE DISTRICT OF PIROT
The District of Pirot is situated to the east of Niš and covers the area of 2.761 km2 with 104.292 inhabitants. The International road E80 – Corridor №10 which connects Europe with the Middle East passes through the District. Administratively, the District is divided into 4 Municipalities: Babušnica, Bela Planina, Dimitrovgrad, Pirot. The centre of the District is the Municipality of Pirot, which covers the area of 1234 km2 and 63.791 inhabitants in the town of Pirot and surrounding 72 settlements.
Economy
The District of Pirot is rich in natural resources. An abundance of water and the hill-sides of Suva Planina and Stara Planina with favourable climate represent ideal conditions for cattle breeding and fruit growing, and the grounds for the development of the region. During the last few years, the leaders of the agricultural development in the community have been cooperative farms, mini diaries, and individual producers of agricultural products. The District can boast of the wide known production of cheese, as well as the traditional handmade Pirot carpets. Chemical and rubber industry is particularly well developed, and in the field of tire production good cooperation has been achieved with the most respectable world producers, which has made tires one of the leading export products in Serbia for years. Special attention has been given to the development of local border trade with Bulgaria. The establishment of the Free Trade Zone Pirot has opened the possibilities for faster development of the whole area. Tourism
The existence of hot water springs (Zvonačka Banja spa) and good drinking water springs offer an opportunity for the development of health tourism and drinking water production. Suva Planina, Zavoj Lake, the river of Jerma Gorge, and the valley of the river Temska offer great advantages for tourism – relaxation, hunting, fishing, extreme sports, etc. There are a number of objects of great cultural and historic importance in the District, among which the most attractive is the Poganovo monastery from the 14th century, under UNESCO protection. Taking into consideration the strategic position, historic and cultural heritage, unpolluted environment and natural resources, tourism has a significant potential for the development of the whole District.
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