The Pirot District (Serbian: Пиротски Округ, romanized: Pirotski Okrug, pronounced [pǐroːtskiː ôkruːɡ]) is one of nine administrative districts of Southern and Eastern Serbia. It expands to the southeastern part of Serbia. According to the 2022 census results, it has a population of 76,700 inhabitants. The administrative center is the city of Pirot.
Pirotski Okrug
Пиротски Округ | |
|---|---|
Images from the Pirot District | |
Location of the Pirot District within Serbia
| |
| Coordinates: 43°10′N 22°36′E / 43.167°N 22.600°E / 43.167; 22.600 | |
| Country |  Serbia |
| Region | Southern and Eastern Serbia |
| Administrative center | Pirot |
| Government | |
| • Commissioner | Dragana Tončić |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2,761 km2 (1,066 sq mi) |
| Population
(2022 census)
| |
| • Total | 76,700 |
| • Density | 28/km2 (72/sq mi) |
| ISO 3166 code | RS-22 |
| Municipalities | 4 |
| Settlements | 214 |
| - Cities and towns | 4 |
| - Villages | 210 |
It encompasses the city of Pirot and the following municipalities:
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1948 | 160,285 | — |
| 1953 | 157,360 | −1.8% |
| 1961 | 145,785 | −7.4% |
| 1971 | 136,008 | −6.7% |
| 1981 | 127,427 | −6.3% |
| 1991 | 116,926 | −8.2% |
| 2002 | 105,564 | −9.7% |
| 2011 | 92,479 | −12.4% |
| 2021 | 76,700 | −17.1% |
| Source: [1] | ||
According to the 2011 census results, the Pirot District has a population of 92,479 inhabitants.
| Ethnic group | Population (2011) | % |
|---|---|---|
| Serbs | 77,379 | 83.67% |
| Bulgarians | 6,602 | 7.14% |
| Romani | 4,306 | 4.66% |
| Others | 4,192 | 4.53% |
| Total | 92,479 |
The first mention of Pirot was from the second century A.D.[citation needed] In its vicinity is a church from the thirteenth century, the Church of St. Petka, and the monastery of St. John the Theologist from the late fourteenth century. They are fine examples of medieval architecture.
Medicinal water from the Zvonce Spa (Zvonačka Banja), a health resort, was used in ancient times, and natural beauties of this region are renowned throughout Serbia. The oldest craft, today an industry, is Rug making: the weaving trade, by which this region has gained its worldwide fame.
