Koprivnica-Križevci County

Croatian County
name =Koprivničko-križevačka Županija
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image_coat_of_arms_size =100px
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capital =Koprivnica
area =1.746 km²
population =124.467
date-population =2001
density =71.28/km²
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code =048
iso =HR-06
zupan =Darko Koren (HSS)
site =http://www.kckzz.hr/
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Koprivnica-Križevci county - "Koprivničko-križevačka županija" is a county in northern Croatia. This hyphenated name comes from two entities, the two of its largest cities, Koprivnica and Križevci.

Koprivnica is the official capital of the county. It was first mentioned in 1272 in a document by prince Ladislav IV and declared a free royal town by king Ludovic I in 1356, and flourished as a trading place and a military fortress since.

The military aspect set it back some when it was included in the Military Frontier in the 16th century during the wars with the Ottoman Turks, but after Maria Theresa's decree of 1765 it resumed life as a peaceful little merchant town.

Koprivnica developed significantly in the 20th century with the advent of the Podravka food industry, known worldwide for its Vegeta spice.

Križevci, on the other hand, as a smaller city and second mentioned in the county name may seem like an underdog to its neighbour Koprivnica. Its first mention was from 1193 by Bela III but it was divided in two parts which didn't develop equally fast.

After centuries of division, empress Maria Theresa united the Lower and Upper Križevac into Križevci in 1752. The town was also hit by the wars with the Turks, but it regained importance in 1871 when the railway was built through it on the way from Budapest to Rijeka.

The modern Križevci is oriented towards entrepreneurship, while preserving its eight beautiful churches (one is cathedral), built mostly in the Middle Ages.

The county also includes a third town, Đurđevac, but its population is much smaller than the main two (8,862 in 2001).

The Koprivnica-Križevci county borders on the Međimurje county in the north, Varaždin county in the northwest, Zagreb county in the southwest, Bjelovar-Bilogora county in the south and Virovitica-Podravina county in the southeast.

Administrative division

Koprivnica-Križevci county is divided into:

* City of Koprivnica (county seat)
* Town of Križevci
* Town of Đurđevac
* Municipality of Drnje
* Municipality of Đelekovec
* Municipality of Ferdinandovac
* Municipality of Gola
* Municipality of Gornja Rijeka
* Municipality of Hlebine
* Municipality of Kalinovac
* Municipality of Kalnik
* Municipality of Kloštar Podravski
* Municipality of Koprivnički Bregi
* Municipality of Koprivnički Ivanec
* Municipality of Legrad
* Municipality of Molve
* Municipality of Novigrad Podravski
* Municipality of Novo Virje
* Municipality of Peteranec
* Municipality of Podravske Sesvete
* Municipality of Rasinja
* Municipality of Sokolovac
* Municipality of Sveti Ivan Žabno
* Municipality of Sveti Petar Orehovec
* Municipality of Virje

County government

Current leadership
* Župan (prefect): Darko Koren (HSS)
* Deputy župan: Vladimir Šadek (HSS)
* Deputy župan: Vjekoslav Flamaceta (SDP)

The county assembly is composed of 41 representatives, presided by Milivoj Androlić (SDP) and composed as follows:

* HSS-SDP: 27
** Croatian Peasants Party (HSS)
** Social Democratic Party of Croatia (SDP)
* Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ): 10
* DC-HDSS: 2
** Democratic Centre (DC)
** Croatian Democratic Peasants Party (HDSS)
* HSLS-HNS-LS-HSU: 2
** Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS)
** Croatian People's Party (HNS)
** Liberal Party (LS)
** Croatian Party of Pensioners (HSU)

Based on election results in 2005.

External links

* [http://www.kckzz.hr/ Koprivničko-križevačka županija] Official website
* [http://www.tz-koprivnicko-krizevacka.hr/ Koprivnica-Krizevci county tourist board]