Definition
Krivaja (Šabac) is a village (selo) situated in the municipality of Šabac, within the Mačva District of western Serbia.
Overview
Located at coordinates 44°33′19″ N 19°36′07″ E, Krivaja lies in the fertile Mačva plain near the Drina and Sava rivers. According to the 2002 national census, the settlement had 952 inhabitants; the most recent 2022 data from Serbian statistical sources record a population of 580, indicating a decline over the past two decades. The village operates under the Central European Time zone (UTC+1) and observes Central European Summer Time (UTC+2).
Etymology/Origin
The name Krivaja is derived from the Serbian adjective kriv (“crooked” or “bent”), a common toponymic element in the region that often refers to a winding watercourse or a curved terrain feature. Precise historical documentation of the name’s origin in this specific locale is not available, but the linguistic derivation aligns with standard Slavic naming conventions.
Characteristics
- Administrative affiliation: Part of the Šabac municipality, which is one of the administrative units of the Mačva District.
- Population: 952 (2002 census); 580 (2022 census).
- Religious heritage: The village is home to the Church of the Transfiguration, an Orthodox Christian church erected in 1790. The church remains a notable cultural and architectural landmark.
- Economy and land use: The surrounding area is predominantly agricultural, with mixed farming and horticulture typical of the Mačva plain.
- Infrastructure: Basic rural infrastructure includes local roads connecting to Šabac town, a primary school, and community facilities serving the village’s residents.
Related Topics
- Mačva District – the larger administrative region encompassing Krivaja.
- Šabac municipality – the governing local authority for the village.
- Church of the Transfiguration (Krivaja) – the historic 18th‑century church located in the settlement.
- Demographic trends in Serbian villages – broader context for population changes observed in Krivaja.
- Serbian rural settlement patterns – typical characteristics of villages in the Mačva region.