Niš
Niš (/ˈniːʃ/; Serbian Cyrillic: Ниш, Serbian pronunciation: [nîːʃ] ⓘ; names in other languages), less often spelled in English as Nish, is the third largest city in Serbia and the administrative center of the Nišava District. It is located in the southern part of Serbia. According to the 2011 census, the city proper has a population of 183,164, while its administrative area (City of Niš) has a population of 260,237 inhabitants.
Niš
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| City of Niš | |
From top, left to right: Panoramic view of Niš, Niš Fortress, Bubanj Memorial Park, Monument on Čegar, Nišava river, Palace of Justice, Church of the Holy Emperor Constantine and Empress Helena, University of Niš | |
| Nickname(s): "Second capital" "Imperial City" | |
Niš Location within Serbia Niš Location within Europe Niš Niš (Europe) | |
| Coordinates: 43°19′15″N 21°53′45″E | |
| Country | Serbia |
| Geographical Region | Southern Serbia |
| Statistical Region | Southern and Eastern |
| District | Nišava |
| Municipalities | 5 |
| First mention | 2nd century AD |
| Liberation from Ottomans | 11 January 1878 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Dragana Sotirovski (SNS) |
| • Ruling parties | SNS/SPS/SRS |
| • Legislature | City Assembly of Niš |
| Area | |
| • City | 596.73 km2 (230.40 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 266.77 km2 (103.00 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 2,729 km2 (1,054 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 51st in Serbia |
| Elevation | 195 m (640 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • City | 260,237 |
| • Rank | 3rd in Serbia |
| • Density | 431.1/km2 (1,117/sq mi) |
| • City Proper | 183,164 |
| Demonym(s) | Nišlijka (female) Nišlija (male) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 18000 |
| Area code | +381(0)18 |
| ISO 3166 code | SRB |
| Car plates | NI |
| Patron Saint | Procopius of Scythopolis |
| Website | www |
Several Roman emperors were born in Niš or used it as a residence: Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor and the founder of Constantinople, Constantius III, Constans, Vetranio, Julian, Valentinian I, Valens; and Justin I. Emperor Claudius Gothicus decisively defeated the Goths at the Battle of Naissus (present-day Niš). Later playing a prominent role in the history of the Byzantine Empire, the city's past would earn it the nickname Imperial City.
After about 400 years of Ottoman rule, the city was liberated in 1878 and became part of the Principality of Serbia, though not without great bloodshed—remnants of which can be found throughout the city. Today, Niš is one of the most important economic centers in Serbia, especially in the electronics, mechanical engineering, textile, and tobacco industries. Constantine the Great Airport is Niš's international airport. The city is also the seat of the University of Niš, the Eparchy of Niš and the Command of Serbian Army.
In 2013, the city was host to the celebration of 1700 years of Constantine's Edict of Milan.