Has of Prizren

The Has of Prizren (Albanian: Hasi i Prizrenit, Serbian: Призренски Xас/Prizrenski Has) is a region in southwestern Kosovo.

Hasi is an ethno-geographic area with well-defined borders, surrounded by rivers of Drini i Bardh in all sides. Hasi area is located in north-eastern part of Albania, being part of Kukes (inside of the Albanian territory) while the south-western part remaining in Kosovo, in Gjakova area and a part that captures the Prizren area. This division occurred in 1913 at the Ambassadors Conference of London after the Balkan wars.

Hasi has an area of 371 kilometers square and has a population of around 40,000 in the Republic of Kosovo, while in the Republic of Albania it has an area of 374 kilometers square and a population of 21,500. In this way, Hasi has an area of 745 kilometers square and a population of 61,500.

The name originates from hass, an Ottoman land revenue. The area was first mentioned as a hass in a 1570 document. In the early 17th century many chronicler mention the name of Has referring to the origin of the Kastriotis and the Askol population who struggled in the pronunciation of the letters h and s and in this way its name is seen in form of "Az" or "Ass". In the early 17th century Has was also known as Has Shullaa which in Latin means "dry places" according to its nature which remains the same even nowadays which becomes called Dry Has.

"Has" region that is part of Republic of Albania doesn't contain the whole ethnographic region of Has. Has is an ethnographic province with well defined boundaries, surrounded all around with lakes. Its region in the parts of Albania is based on Kukes, and through the Kosovo side, it is divided in the Municipality of Gjakova, and one part in the Municipality of Prizren. Some of the main rivers in Has are Kruma, Vlahna, Rosman, Leshnica, Vogova, Racica, Trava and Deshtica while the main lakes are Kruma's Lake, Zym's Lake, Shigjeq's Lake and Fierza.

Hasi contains 37 villages which are divided into flat settlements, hilly settlements and rocky mountains. These villages are: Gorozhup, Milaj, Planej, Kojush, Mazrrek, Gjonaj, Tupec, Shëngjergj, Zym, Lukinaj, Krajk, Romajë, Dedaj, Lugishtë, Kabash, Kushnin, Rogova, Demjani, Gercina, Lipoveci, Ujzi, Bishtazhi, Smaci, Godeni, Doli, Raca, Moglica, Zhubi, Pjetërshan, Guska, Vogova, Brekoci, Zylfaj, Kushaveci, Kusari, Firza and Deva.

The highland of Has territory, on geographical basis has a climate of three main types such as: a) Continental climate with elements of Mediterrean Climate elements in the valley of the Drina and b) mountain climate which reigns in the hilly areas of Has. The Has part in which the impact of the Mediterranean climate is felt is characterized with hot and dry summers, with little precipitation. The average annual temperature reaches 11.4C. The month of January is the coldest month in this region where the average temperature is 0.4C - 0.9C, while higher temperatures meet during July and August with 22C and 22 C. Average amount of precipitation in Has ranges from 700 to 800 mm.

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