A small republic: Montenegro

In Montenegrin, the local language of Montenegro, this country is called “Crna Gora.” As for the people of Montenegro, they distinguish themselves from those who made up the former Yugoslavia, calling themselves “Crnogoracs.” They do not believe that they are from the same ethnic roots as the Serbians, and despite the fact that they are, like the Serbians, Orthodox Christians, their churches are also different.

Montenegro, which separated from Serbia in 2006 -- entering onto the global stage as an independent country at that point -- is a young republic. The population, surface area and economy of Montenegro are all very small. At the same time, Montenegrins look towards the future with hope, and interestingly, they are one of the countries that began using the euro before actually entering the European Union.

Montenegro, which is located in the southeastern reaches of Europe, is a Balkan country. With a population of around just 650,000, Montenegro has shorelines that run along the Adriatic Sea. The capital of Montenegro is the city of Podgorica. Montenegro is surrounded by many neighbors; to its northeast is Serbia, to its east is Kosovo, to its south is Albania, to its northwest is Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to its west is Croatia. With a 300-kilometer-long Adriatic shoreline, Montenegro sees sunshine an average of 240 days of the year. The southern part of Montenegro enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate.

The current name of the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica, is one to which some people may not be accustomed. During the era of former Yugoslavian leader Tito, this city was called “Titograd.” Later, it was changed to Podgorica. It is the largest and most developed city in Montenegro, with a population of around 190,000. Podgorica is the trading, political, and cultural center of Montenegro.

Water in the capital city

The river that runs through Podgorica is called the Moraca. One of the bridges that span this river is the famous Millenium Bridge, one of the symbols of this capital city. The waters of this river are very clear.  It looks like a great, though difficult, sport.  Hercegovacka Pedestrian Street, which is closed to traffic, and is very busy, especially in the evenings. The open markets start slowly, early in the morning, gaining tempo through the day.

Though most Montenegrins are Christian, Muslims do make up 17 percent of the population. The state is respectful of its Muslim citizens, and the importance of living as one in a multicultural society is often underscored at the state level.

Quick Facts

Montenegro
Capital: Podgorica
Language: Serbian 63.6%, Montenegrin (official) 22%, Bosnian 5.5%, Albanian 5.3%, unspecified (includes Croatian) 3.7% (2003 census)
Government: Republic
Chief of state: President Filip Vujanovic
Head of government: Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic
Area: 13,812 square kilometers
Population: 653,474 (July 2013 est.)
Ethnic groups: Montenegrin 43 percent, Serbian 32 percent, Bosniak 8 percent, Albanian 5 percent, other (Muslims, Croats, Roma) 12 percent (2003 census)
Gross domestic product (PPP): $7.288 billion (2012 est.)
Religions: Orthodox 74.2 percent, Muslim 17.7 percent, Catholic 3.5 percent, other 0.6 percent, unspecified 3 percent, atheist 1 percent (2003 census)