Koprivnica-Križevci County (Croatian: Koprivničko-križevačka županija [kǒpriːʋnit͡ʃko-krǐːʒeʋat͡ʃkaː ʒupǎnija]; Hungarian: Kapronca-Kőrös megye) is a county in Northern Croatia. Its hyphenated name comes from two entities: the two of its largest cities, Koprivnica and Križevci; Koprivnica is the official capital of the county.
The county also includes a third town, Đurđevac, but its population is much smaller than the main two (7,378 in 2021).
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, Virovitica-Podravina County in the southeast and Hungary in the east.
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History
Koprivnica was first mentioned in 1272 in a document by prince Ladislaus IV of Hungary and was declared a free royal town by king Ludovic I in 1356. It has flourished as a trading place and a military fortress since that time.
The military aspect set it back when it was included in the Croatian Military Frontier in the 16th century during the wars with the Ottoman Turks. After Maria Theresa's decree of 1765, however, it resumed life as a peaceful little merchant town.
Koprivnica developed significantly in the 20th century with the advent of the Podravka food industry, and is 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 Béla III but it was divided into two parts which developed at different rates.
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.
Modern Križevci is oriented towards entrepreneurship, while preserving its eight beautiful churches (one of which is a cathedral), built mostly in the Middle Ages.
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
Demographics
As of the 2021 census, the county had 101,221 residents. The population density is 58 people per km2.
Administration
The current prefect of the Koprivnica-Križevci County is Tomislav Golubić and the county assembly consists of 37 seats.