Montenegro

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Coordinates: 42°30′N 19°18′E
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Crna Gora)
This article is about the country in Europe. For other uses, see Montenegro
(disambiguation).
"Crna Gora" redirects here. For other uses, see Crna Gora (disambiguation).
Montenegro
Crna Gora (Montenegrin)
Црна Гора (Montenegrin)
Flag of Montenegro
Flag
Coat of arms of Montenegro
Coat of arms
Anthem:
Oj, svijetla majska zoro
(English: "Oh, Bright Dawn of May")
Duration: 2 minutes and 6 seconds.2:06
Location of Montenegro (green) in Europe (dark grey) – [Legend]
Location of Montenegro (green)
in Europe (dark grey) – [Legend]

Capital
and largest city
Podgorica[1]
42°47′N 19°28′E
Official languages Montenegrin[2]
Languages in official use[3]
Albanian
Bosnian
Croatian
Serbian
Ethnic groups (2011[4])
45% Montenegrins
28.7% Serbs
8.6% Bosniaks
4.9% Albanians
8.7% others
4.0% no answer
Religion (2011[4])
76.0% Christianity
72.1% Eastern Orthodoxy
3.9% other Christian
19.1% Islam
1.3% no religion
1% others
2.6% no answer
Demonym(s) Montenegrin
Government Unitary parliamentary republic
• President
Jakov Milatović
• Prime Minister
Milojko Spajić
• Speaker
Andrija Mandić
Legislature Skupština
Establishment history
• Duklja
10th century
• Zeta
1356
• Prince-Bishopric
1516
• Principality
Secularization
13 March 1852
• Treaty of Berlin
Independence recognised
13 July 1878
• Kingdom
Kingdom proclaimed
28 August 1910
• Creation of Yugoslavia
26 November 1918
• Socialist Republic
within SFR Yugoslavia
29 November 1945
• Republic
State union with Serbia
27 April 1992
• Independence referendum
21 May 2006
• Independence restored
3 June 2006
Area
• Total
13,812 km2 (5,333 sq mi) (156th)
• Water (%)
2.6
Population
• 2023 estimate
Neutral decrease 602,445[5] (169th)
• Density
43.6/km2 (112.9/sq mi) (133rd)
GDP (PPP) 2023 estimate
• Total
Increase $17.431 billion[6] (149th)
• Per capita
Increase $28,002[6] (63rd)
GDP (nominal) 2023 estimate
• Total
Increase $7.058 billion[6] (153rd)
• Per capita
Increase $11,338[6] (73rd)
Gini (2020) Positive decrease 32.9[7]
medium
HDI (2021) Increase 0.832[8]
very high · 49th
Currency Euro (€)a (EUR)
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)
UTC+2 (CEST)
Date format dd.mm.yyyy.
Driving side right
Calling code +382
ISO 3166 code ME
Internet TLD .me
Adopted unilaterally; Montenegro is not a member of the Eurozone.
Montenegro (/ˌmɒntɪˈniːɡroʊ, -ˈneɪɡroʊ, -ˈnɛɡroʊ/ ⓘ MON-tin-E(E)G-roh, -AY-groh;[9]
Montenegrin: Crna Gora[a] / Црна Гора;[b] Albanian: Mali i Zi; lit. 'Black
Mountain')[10][11] is a country in Southeast Europe.[12] It is bordered by Bosnia
and Herzegovina to the north, Serbia to the northeast, Kosovo to the east, Albania
to the southeast, and Croatia and the Adriatic Sea to the northwest with a
coastline of 293.5 km.[13] Podgorica (Cyrillic: Подгорица) is the country's capital
and its largest city. It covers 10.4% of Montenegro's territory of 13,812 square
kilometres (5,333 sq mi), and is home to roughly 31% of its total population of
621,000.[14] Cetinje (Cyrillic: Цетиње) is the former royal capital and cultural
centre of Montenegro and is the location of several national institutions,
including the official residence of the President of Montenegro.[15]

During the Early Medieval period, three principalities were located on the
territory of modern-day Montenegro: Duklja, roughly corresponding to the southern
half; Travunia, the west; and Rascia proper, the north.[16][17][18] The
Principality of Zeta emerged in the 14th and 15th centuries. From the late 14th
century to the late 18th century, large parts of southern Montenegro were ruled by
the Venetian Republic and incorporated into Venetian Albania.[19] The name
Montenegro was first used to refer to the country in the late 15th century. After
falling under Ottoman Empire rule, Montenegro gained semi-autonomy in 1696 under
the rule of the House of Petrović-Njegoš, first as a theocracy and later as a
secular principality. Montenegro's independence was recognised by the Great Powers
at the Congress of Berlin in 1878. In 1910, the country became a kingdom. After
World War I, the kingdom became part of Yugoslavia. Following the breakup of
Yugoslavia, the republics of Serbia and Montenegro together proclaimed a
federation. In June 2006 Montenegro declared its independence from Serbia and
Montenegro following an independence referendum, creating Montenegro and Serbia as
they exist today.[20] Montenegro is therefore one of the newest internationally-
recognised countries in the world.[21]

Montenegro has an upper-middle-income economy,[22] and ranks 49th in the Human

Development Index.[23] It is a member of the United Nations, NATO, the World Trade
Organization, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council
of Europe, and the Central European Free Trade Agreement.[24] Montenegro is also a
founding member of the Union for the Mediterranean,[25] and has been in the process
of joining the European Union since 2012.[26]

Etymology
The country's English name derives from a Venetian calque of the Serbian "Crna
Gora", meaning literally "Black Mountain", deriving from the appearance of Mount
Lovćen which was covered in dense evergreen forests.[27] Crna Gora, was mentioned
for the first time in edicts issued by Stefan Uroš I to the Serbian Orthodox Zeta
Episcopate seat at Vranjina island in Lake Skadar.[28] It came to denote the
majority of contemporary Montenegro in the 15th century.[29]

Ruins of the ancient city of Doclea

Modern-day Montenegro was more and more known by that name in the historical period
following the fall of the Serbian Despotate.[30] Originally, it had referred to
only a small strip of land under the rule of the Paštrovići tribe, but the name
eventually came to be used for the wider mountainous region after the Crnojević
noble family took power in Upper Zeta.[29] The aforementioned region became known
as Stara Crna Gora 'Old Montenegro' by the 19th century to distinguish the
independent region from the neighbouring Ottoman-occupied Montenegrin territory of
Brda '(The) Highlands'. Montenegro further increased its size several times by the
20th century, as the result of wars against the Ottoman Empire, which saw the
annexation of Old Herzegovina and parts of Metohija and southern Raška. Its borders
have changed little since then, losing Metohija and gaining the Bay of Kotor.

After the second session of the AVNOJ during World War II in Yugoslavia, the
contemporary modern state of Montenegro was founded as the Federal State of
Montenegro (Montenegrin: Савезна држава Црне Горе / Savezna država Crne Gore) on 15
November 1943 within the Yugoslav Federation by the ZAVNOCGB. After the war,
Montenegro became a republic under its name, the People's Republic of Montenegro
(Montenegrin: Народна Република Црна Гора / Narodna Republika Crna Gora) on 29
November 1945. In 1963, it was renamed to the Socialist Republic of Montenegro
(Montenegrin: Социјалистичка Република Црна Гора / Socijalistička Republika Crna
Gora). As the breakup of Yugoslavia occurred, the SRCG was renamed to the Republic
of Montenegro (Montenegrin: Република Црна Гора / Republika Crna Gora) on 27 April
1992 within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia by removing the adjective
"socialist" from the republic's title. Since 22 October 2007, a year after its
independence, the name of the country became simply known as Montenegro. The
country is known as Mali i Zi (lit. black mountain) in Albanian,[31] while it is
known as Crna Gora in Montenegrin, Serbian, Bosnian as well as in Croatian.

History
Main article: History of Montenegro
Antiquity
Main articles: Illyria, Illyricum (Roman province), Dalmatia (Roman province), and
Praevalitana
Modern-day Montenegro was part of Illyria and populated by the Indo-European-
speaking Illyrians.[32][33] The Illyrian kingdom was conquered by the Roman
Republic in the Illyro-Roman Wars and the region was incorporated into the province
of Illyricum (later Dalmatia and Praevalitana).[34][35][36]

Arrival of the Slavs

Main articles: Duklja, Principality of Zeta, and Tribes of Montenegro

Constantine Bodin, medieval King and the ruler of Duklja

Three principalities were located on the territory: Duklja, roughly corresponding
to the southern half, Travunia, the west, and Raška, the north.[16][17] Duklja
gained its independence from the Byzantine Roman Empire in 1042. Over the next few
decades, it expanded its territory to neighbouring Rascia and Bosnia, and also
became recognised as a kingdom. Its power started declining at the beginning of the
12th century. After King Bodin's death (in 1101 or 1108), civil wars ensued. Duklja
reached its zenith under Vojislav's son, Mihailo (1046–1081), and his grandson
Constantine Bodin (1081–1101).[37]

As the nobility fought for the throne, the kingdom was weakened, and by 1186, the
territory of modern-day Montenegro became part of the state ruled by Stefan Nemanja
and was a part of various state formations ruled by the Nemanjić dynasty for the
next two centuries. After the Serbian Empire collapsed in the second half of the
14th century, the most powerful Zetan family, the Balšićs, became sovereigns of
Zeta.

By the 13th century, Zeta had replaced Duklja when referring to the realm. In the
late 14th century, southern Montenegro (Zeta) came under the rule of the Balšić
noble family, then the Crnojević noble family, and by the 15th century, Zeta was
more often referred to as Crna Gora.
Left: Petar I Petrović-Njegoš was the most popular spiritual and military leader
from the Petrović dynasty.
Right: Petar II Petrović-Njegoš was a Prince-Bishop (vladika) of Montenegro and the
national poet and philosopher. Oil painting of Njegoš as vladika, c. 1837
In 1421, Zeta was annexed to the Serbian Despotate, but after 1455, another noble
family from Zeta, the Crnojevićs, became sovereign rulers of the country, making it
the last free monarchy of the Balkans before it fell to the Ottomans in 1496, and
got annexed to the sanjak of Shkodër. For a short time, Montenegro existed as a
separate autonomous sanjak in 1514–1528 (Sanjak of Montenegro). Also, Old
Herzegovina region was part of Sanjak of Herzegovina.

Early modern period

Main articles: Prince-Bishopric of Montenegro and Venetian Albania
From 1392, numerous parts of the territory were controlled by Republic of Venice,
including the city of Budva, in that time known as "Budua". The Venetian territory
was centred on the Bay of Kotor, and the Republic introduced governors who meddled
in Montenegrin politics. Venice controlled territories in present-day Montenegro
until its fall in 1797.[19][38][39] Large portions fell under the control of the
Ottoman Empire from 1496 to 1878. In the 16th century, Montenegro developed a
unique form of autonomy within the Ottoman Empire that permitted Montenegrin clans
freedom from certain restrictions. Nevertheless, the Montenegrins were disgruntled
with Ottoman rule, and in the 17th century, repeatedly rebelled, which culminated
in the defeat of the Ottomans in the Great Turkish War at the end of that century.

Montenegrin territories were controlled by warlike clans. Most clans had a

chieftain (knez), who was not permitted to assume the title unless he proved to be
as worthy a leader as his predecessor. An assembly of Montenegrin clans (Zbor) was
held every year on 12 July in Cetinje, and any adult clansman could take part.[40]
In 1515, Montenegro became a theocracy led by the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and
the Littoral, which flourished after the Petrović-Njegoš of Cetinje became the
prince-bishop (whose title was "Vladika of Montenegro").

People from Montenegro in this historical period were described as Orthodox Serbs.
[41]

Principality and Kingdom of Montenegro

Main articles: Principality of Montenegro and Kingdom of Montenegro

Expansion of Montenegro from 1711 to 1918 within present borders

In 1858, one of the major Montenegrin victories over the Ottomans occurred at the
Battle of Grahovac. Grand Duke Mirko Petrović, elder brother of Knjaz Danilo, led
an army of 7,500 and defeated the numerically superior Ottomans with 15,000 troops
at Grahovac on 1 May 1858. This forced the Great Powers to officially demarcate the
borders between Montenegro and Ottoman Empire, de facto recognizing Montenegro's
independence.

Battle of Vučji Do, 1876, major battle of the Montenegrin-Ottoman War

Royal family of Montenegro: King Nicholas I with his family including his grandson
Alexander I. Karađorđević, future King of Serbia and Yugoslavia. The Petrović-
Njegoš dynasty ruled Montenegro continuously for almost 200 years.
In the Battle of Vučji Do Montenegrins inflicted a major defeat on the Ottoman Army
under Grand Vizier Ahmed Muhtar Pasha. In the aftermath of the Russian victory
against the Ottoman Empire in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, the major powers
restructured the map of the Balkan region. The Ottoman Empire recognised the
independence of Montenegro in the Treaty of Berlin in 1878.
The first Montenegrin constitution (also known as the Danilo Code) was proclaimed
in 1855. Under Nicholas I (ruled 1860–1918), the principality was enlarged several
times in the Montenegro-Turkish Wars and was recognised as independent in 1878.
Nicholas I established diplomatic relations with the Ottoman Empire.[citation
needed] Minor border skirmishes excepted, diplomacy ushered in about 30 years of
peace between the two states until the deposition of Abdul Hamid II in 1909.[42]

The political skills of Abdul Hamid II and Nicholas I played a major role in the
mutually amicable relations.[42] Modernization of the state followed, culminating
with the draft of a Constitution in 1905. However, political rifts emerged between
the reigning People's Party, who supported the process of democratisation and union
with Serbia, and those of the True People's Party, who were monarchist.

In 1910, Montenegro became a kingdom, and as a result of the Balkan Wars of 1912–
1913, a common border with Serbia was established, with Shkodër being awarded to
Albania, though the current capital city of Montenegro, Podgorica, was on the old
border of Albania and Yugoslavia. Montenegro became one of the Allied Powers during
World War I (1914–18). In the Battle of Mojkovac fought in January 1916 between
Austria-Hungary and the Kingdom of Montenegro, Montenegrins achieved a decisive
victory even though they were outnumbered five to one. The Austro-Hungarians
accepted military surrender on 25 January 1916.[43] From 1916 to October 1918
Austria-Hungary occupied Montenegro. During the occupation, King Nicholas fled the
country and established a government-in-exile in Bordeaux.

Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Main article: Kingdom of Yugoslavia
In 1922, Montenegro formally became the Oblast of Cetinje in the Kingdom of Serbs,
Croats and Slovenes, with the addition of the coastal areas around Budva and Bay of
Kotor. In a further restructuring in 1929, it became a part of a larger Zeta Banate
of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia that reached the Neretva River.

Nicholas's grandson, the Serb King Alexander I, dominated the Yugoslav government.
Zeta Banovina was one of nine banovinas that formed the kingdom; it consisted of
the present-day Montenegro and parts of Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia.

World War II and Socialist Yugoslavia

Main articles: Italian governorate of Montenegro and Socialist Republic of
Montenegro
In April 1941, Nazi Germany, the Kingdom of Italy, and other Axis allies attacked
and occupied the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Italian forces occupied Montenegro and
established a puppet Kingdom of Montenegro.

Captured ships of the Yugoslav Navy, Bay of Kotor 1941

Great People's Assembly on the occasion of the establishment of the Eighth

Montenegrin Brigade in Berane, February 25, 1944.

Opening of Belgrade–Bar railway. Construction of the line started in the 1950s and
completed in 1976. The line was opened in 1976 by the Yugoslavian President Josip
Broz Tito.
In May, the Montenegrin branch of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia started
preparations for an uprising planned for mid-July. The Communist Party and its
Youth League organised 6,000 of its members into detachments prepared for guerrilla
warfare. According to some historians, the first armed uprising in Nazi-occupied
Europe happened on 13 July 1941 in Montenegro.[44]

Unexpectedly, the uprising took hold, and by 20 July, 32,000 men and women had
joined the fight. Except for the coast and major towns (Podgorica, Cetinje,
Pljevlja, and Nikšić), which were besieged, Montenegro was mostly liberated. In a
month of fighting, the Italian army suffered 5,000 dead, wounded, and captured. The
uprising lasted until mid-August, when it was suppressed by a counter-offensive of
67,000 Italian troops brought in from Albania. Faced with new and overwhelming
Italian forces, many of the fighters laid down their arms and returned home.
Nevertheless, intense guerrilla fighting lasted until December.

Fighters who remained under arms fractured into two groups. Most of them went on to
join the Yugoslav Partisans, consisting of communists and those inclined towards
active resistance; these included Arso Jovanović, Sava Kovačević, Svetozar
Vukmanović-Tempo, Milovan Đilas, Peko Dapčević, Vlado Dapčević, Veljko Vlahović,
and Blažo Jovanović. Those loyal to the Karađorđević dynasty and opposing communism
went on to become Chetniks, and turned to collaboration with Italians against the
Partisans.

War broke out between Partisans and Chetniks during the first half of 1942.
Pressured by Italians and Chetniks, the core of the Montenegrin Partisans went to
Serbia and Bosnia, where they joined with other Yugoslav Partisans. Fighting
between Partisans and Chetniks continued through the war. Chetniks with Italian
backing controlled most of the country from mid-1942 to April 1943. Montenegrin
Chetniks received the status of "anti-communist militia" and received weapons,
ammunition, food rations, and money from Italy. Most of them were moved to Mostar,
where they fought in the Battle of Neretva against the Partisans, but were dealt a
heavy defeat.

During German operation Schwartz against the Partisans in May and June 1943,
Germans disarmed many Chetniks without fighting, as they feared they would turn
against them in case of an Allied invasion of the Balkans. After the capitulation
of Italy in September 1943, Partisans managed to take hold of most of Montenegro
for a brief time, but Montenegro was soon occupied by German forces, and fierce
fighting continued during late 1943 and 1944. Montenegro was liberated by the
Partisans in December 1944.

Montenegro became one of the six constituent republics of the communist Socialist
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY). Its capital became Podgorica, renamed
Titograd in honour of President Josip Broz Tito. After the war, the infrastructure
of Yugoslavia was rebuilt, industrialization began, and the University of
Montenegro was established. Greater autonomy was established until the Socialist
Republic of Montenegro ratified a new constitution in 1974.[45][46]

Montenegro within FR Yugoslavia

Main articles: Serbia and Montenegro and Republic of Montenegro (1992–2006)
After the formal dissolution of the SFRY in 1992, Montenegro remained part of a
smaller Federal Republic of Yugoslavia along with Serbia. In the referendum on
remaining in Yugoslavia in 1992, with 96% of the votes cast in favour of the
federation with Serbia. The referendum was boycotted by opposition parties such as
the Liberal Alliance of Montenegro,[47] the Social Democratic and Socialist
Parties,[48] as well as minority parties such as the Democratic League in
Montenegro,[49] leading to a relatively low turnout of 66%.[47]

During the 1991–1995 Bosnian War and Croatian War, Montenegrin police and military
forces, under orders of president Momir Bulatovic[50] and Interior Minister Pavle
Bulatovic[51] joined Serbian troops in attacks on Dubrovnik, Croatia.[52] These
operations, aimed at acquiring more territory, were characterised by large-scale
violations of human rights.[53]

Map of the disintegration of Yugoslavia until 2008.

Montenegrin General Pavle Strugar was convicted for his part in the bombing of
Dubrovnik.[54] Bosnian refugees were arrested by Montenegrin police and transported
to Serb camps in Foča, where they were subjected to systematic torture and
executed.[55]

In 1996, Milo Đukanović's government severed ties between Montenegro and its
partner Serbia, which was led by Slobodan Milošević. Montenegro formed its own
economic policy and adopted the German Deutsche Mark as its currency and
subsequently adopted the euro, although not part of the Eurozone. Subsequent
governments pursued pro-independence policies, and political tensions with Serbia
simmered despite political changes in Belgrade.

Targets in Montenegro were bombed by NATO forces during Operation Allied Force in
1999, although the extent of these attacks was limited in both time and area
affected.[56]

In 2002, Serbia and Montenegro came to a new agreement for continued cooperation
and entered into negotiations regarding the future status of the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia. This resulted in the Belgrade Agreement, which saw the country's
transformation into a more decentralised state union named Serbia and Montenegro in
2003. The Belgrade Agreement also contained a provision delaying any future
referendum on the independence of Montenegro for at least three years.

Independence
Main articles: Serbia and Montenegro and Montenegrin independence referendum, 2006
See also: 2016 Montenegrin coup d'état attempt allegations and 2019–20 Montenegrin
crisis

Supporters of Montenegrin independence in June 2006 in Cetinje.

The status of the union between Montenegro and Serbia was decided by a referendum
on Montenegrin independence on 21 May 2006. A total of 419,240 votes were cast,
representing 86.5% of the electorate; 230,661 votes (55.5%) were for independence
and 185,002 votes (44.5%) were against.[57] This narrowly surpassed the 55%
threshold needed to validate the referendum under the rules set by the European
Union. According to the electoral commission, the 55% threshold was passed by only
2,300 votes. Serbia, the member-states of the European Union, and the permanent
members of the United Nations Security Council all recognised Montenegro's
independence.

The 2006 referendum was monitored by five international observer missions, headed
by an OSCE/ODIHR team, and around 3,000 observers in total (including domestic
observers from CDT (OSCE PA), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE), the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
(CLRAE), and the European Parliament (EP) to form an International Referendum
Observation Mission (IROM). The IROM—in its preliminary report—"assessed compliance
of the referendum process with OSCE commitments, Council of Europe commitments,
other international standards for democratic electoral processes, and domestic
legislation." Furthermore, the report stated that the competitive pre-referendum
environment was marked by an active and generally peaceful campaign and that "there
were no reports of restrictions on fundamental civil and political rights."

On 3 June 2006, the Montenegrin Parliament declared the independence of Montenegro,

[58] formally confirming the result of the referendum.

Montenegro Foreign Minister Srdjan Darmanović presents a document to US

Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon and Montenegro Prime
Minister Duško Marković during a ceremony at the State Department to accept
Montenegro's instrument of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO).
On 28 June 2006, Montenegro joined the United Nations as its 192nd member state.
[59]

Montenegro has been dominated since the breakup of Yugoslavia by Milo Đukanović
(four-time prime minister and also twice president), accused of having established
an authoritarianism and clientelist regime, while maintaining close relations with
organized crime.[60] The massive privatizations of the Đukanović era lead to the
enrichment of him and oligarchs close to him. His brother Aleksandar, owner of
Montenegro's first private bank, oversaw the privatizations, while his sister, Ana
Kolarevic, has long controlled the judiciary. The clientelist networks of the
ruling party dominated all segments of social life. A party card was required to
start a business or obtain a position in the administration. This policy also
contributed to the reinforcement of regional disparities and social inequalities.
Unemployment climbs to 36.6 per cent in the northern part of the country, compared
to 3.9 per cent in the coastal region, while a quarter of the population lives
below the poverty line (2018).[61]

The Law on the Status of the Descendants of the Petrović Njegoš Dynasty was passed
by the Parliament of Montenegro on 12 July 2011. It rehabilitated the Royal House
of Montenegro and recognised limited symbolic roles within the constitutional
framework of the republic.

In 2015, the investigative journalists' network OCCRP named Montenegro's long-time

President and Prime Minister Milo Đukanović "Person of the Year in Organized
Crime".[62] The extent of Đukanović's corruption led to street demonstrations and
calls for his removal.[63][64]

In October 2016, for the day of the parliamentary election, a coup d'état was
prepared by a group of persons that included leaders of the Montenegrin opposition,
Serbian nationals and Russian agents; the coup was prevented.[65] In 2017, fourteen
people, including two Russian nationals and two Montenegrin opposition leaders,
Andrija Mandić and Milan Knežević, were indicted for their alleged roles in the
coup attempt on charges such as "preparing a conspiracy against the constitutional
order and the security of Montenegro" and an "attempted terrorist act."[66]

Recent history

The controversial 2019 law on religious communities, introduced by the former

ruling DPS, proposed the transfer of the majority of religious objects and land
owned by the largest religious organization in the country, the SPC, to the
Montenegrin state. It sparked a series of massive protests of the Serbian clerical
right and pro-Serbian radical parties in Montenegro across the country, which led
to the first government change in the country's history.
Montenegro formally became a member of NATO in June 2017, despite attempts by
Russia to sabotage it,[67] an event that triggered a promise of retaliatory actions
from Russia's government.[68][69][70]

Montenegro has been in negotiations with the EU since 2012. In 2018, the earlier
goal of acceding by 2022[71] was revised to 2025.[72] Legislation is being passed
bringing Montenegro law in line with EU membership requirements.

In April 2018, Milo Djukanovic, the leader of the ruling Democratic Party of
Socialists (DPS), won Montenegro's presidential election. The veteran politician
had served as Prime Minister six times and as president once before. He had
dominated Montenegrin politics since 1991.[73]

Anti-corruption protests began in February 2019 against Đukanović and the Prime
Minister Duško Marković-led government of the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists
(DPS), which had been in power since 1991.[74][75]

As of late December 2019, the newly adopted Law on Religion, which de jure
transferred the ownership of church buildings and estates built before 1918 from
the Serbian Orthodox Church to the Montenegrin state,[76][77] sparked large[78]
protests and road blockages.[79] Seventeen opposition Democratic Front MPs were
arrested prior to the voting for disrupting the vote.[80] Demonstrations continued
into March[81] 2020 as peaceful protest walks, mostly organised by the
Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral and the Eparchy of Budimlja and
Nikšić in the majority of Montenegrin municipalities.[82][83][84]

In its political rights and civil liberties worldwide report in May 2020, Freedom
House marked Montenegro as a hybrid regime rather than a democracy because of
declining standards in governance, justice, elections, and media freedom.[85][86]
For the first time in three decades, in the 2020 parliamentary election, the
opposition won more votes than Đukanović's ruling party.[87] In February 2022, that
very same government was voted out in the first successful vote of no-confidence in
the country's history.[88]

In September 2022 an investigation linked six Russian diplomats with twenty eight
Russian citizens holding temporary visas for Montenegro and two local citizens in a
spy investigation. The diplomats were expelled.[89] The Russian citizens were later
banned from Montenegro and the two locals, one an ex-diplomat, face charges of
illegal weapons, organising a criminal organisation and espionage.[90]

In March 2023, Jakov Milatovic, a pro-western candidate of the Europe Now movement,
won the presidential election run-off over incumbent Milo Djukanovic to succeed him
as the incumbent president of Montenegro.[91] The Europe Now movement won the
highest number of seats in the 2023 Montenegrin parliamentary election.[92] [93] On
31 October 2023, Milojko Spajic of the Europe Now Movement became Montenegro's new
prime minister, leading a coalition of both pro-European and pro-Serb parties.[94]

Geography
Main article: Geography of Montenegro

Map of Montenegro.

The Black Lake in Durmitor National Park, a World Heritage Site

Biogradska Gora National Park

Lake Skadar National Park is a hotspot of freshwater biodiversity

Prokletije National Park

Montenegro features high peaks along its borders with Albania, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Serbia. Its geography also includes a segment of the karst
of the western Balkan Peninsula, to a narrow coastal plain that is only 1.5 to 6
kilometres (1 to 4 miles) wide. The plain stops abruptly in the north, where Mount
Lovćen and Mount Orjen plunge into the inlet of the Bay of Kotor.[95]

Montenegro's large karst region lies generally at
ft) above sea level; some parts, however, rise to
Orjen 1,894 metres (6,210 ft), the highest massif
ranges. The Zeta River valley, at an elevation of
segment.
elevations of 1,000 metres (3,280
2,000 m (6,560 ft), such as Mount
among the coastal limestone
500 m (1,600 ft), is the lowest

The mountains of Montenegro include some of the most rugged terrains in Europe,
averaging more than 2,000 metres (6,600 feet) in elevation. One of the country's
notable peaks is Bobotov Kuk in the Durmitor mountains, which reaches a height of
2,522 metres (8,270 ft) and was previously thought to be the country's highest
point. In 2018, new triangulation measurements showed that Zla Kolata in the
Prokletije mountains, which reaches a height of 2,534 metres (8,310 ft).[96] Owing
to the hyperhumid climate on their western sides, the Montenegrin mountain ranges
were among the most ice-eroded parts of the Balkan Peninsula during the last
glacial period.

Internationally, Montenegro borders Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania

and Croatia. It lies between latitudes 41° and 44°N, and longitudes 18° and 21°E.

This section is in list format but may read better as prose. You can help by
converting this section, if appropriate. Editing help is available. (June 2022)
Name Established Area
Durmitor National Park 1952 390 square kilometres (39,000 ha)
Biogradska Gora National Park 1952 54 square kilometres (5,400 ha)
Lovćen National Park 1952 64 square kilometres (6,400 ha)
Lake Skadar National Park 1983 400 square kilometres (40,000 ha)
Prokletije National Park 2009 166 square kilometres (16,600 ha)
Montenegro is a member of the International Commission for the Protection of the
Danube River, as more than 2,000 km2 (772 sq mi) of the country's territory lie
within the Danube catchment area.

Biodiversity
The diversity of the geological base, landscape, climate, and soil, and the
position of Montenegro on the Balkan Peninsula and Adriatic Sea, created the
conditions for high biological diversity, putting Montenegro among the "hot-spots"
of European and world biodiversity. The number of species per area unit index in
Montenegro is 0.837, the highest in any European country.[97]

Biological estimates suggest that over 1,200 species of freshwater algae, 300
species of marine algae, 589 species of moss, 7,000–8,000 species of vascular
plants, 2,000 species of fungi, 16,000–20,000 species of insects, 407 species of
marine fish, 56 species of reptile, 333 species of regularly visiting birds and a
high species diversity of mammals are found in Montenegro.[98]

Montenegro can be divided into two main biogeographic regions, which include the
Mediterranean Biogeographic Region and the Alpine Biogeographic Region.[98] It is
also home to three terrestrial ecoregions: Balkan mixed forests, Dinaric Mountains
mixed forests, and Illyrian deciduous forests.[99] It had a 2019 Forest Landscape
Integrity Index mean score of 6.41/10, ranking it 73rd globally out of 172
countries.[100]

The total share of protected areas in Montenegro is 9.05% of the country's area,
which mainly comes from the five national parks of Montenegro.[98]

Politics
Main article: Politics of Montenegro
Jakov Milatović
Jakov Milatović
President (representative head of state)
Milojko Spajić
Milojko Spajić
Prime Minister (head of government)
Since the breakup of the political union of Serbia and Montenegro in 2006,
Montenegro has been an independent, sovereign state.

Montenegro is a parliamentary representative democratic republic with a codified

constitution established in 2007. The constitution describes Montenegro as a
"civic, democratic, ecological state of social justice, based on the reign of Law".
[101] Montenegro is a multi-party system.

The President of Montenegro is the representative head of state, elected for a

period of five years through direct election. The President promotes the country
internationally through diplomatic engagements, promulgates laws by ordinance,
calls elections for the Parliament, and ceremonially proposes candidates for Prime
Minister, president and justices of the Constitutional Court to the Parliament. The
President also ceremonially proposes the calling of a referendum to Parliament,
grants amnesty for criminal offences prescribed by the national law, confers
decoration and awards and performs other constitutional duties and is a member of
the Supreme Defence Council. The official residence of the President is in Cetinje.
The incumbent president is Jakov Milatović who has held the position since May
2023.

The Government of Montenegro is the executive branch of government authority of

Montenegro and led by the Prime Minister.[102] The role of Prime Minister is the
most politically powerful office in Montenegro. All of Montenegro's governments
since 2006 have been coalitions comprising a minimum of three political parties.
The government is primarily based in Podgorica.

The Parliament of Montenegro is the country's unicameral legislature, located in

Podgorica. The Parliament has power to appoint the government, pass legislation
(parliamentary law) and scrutinise bills (proposed parliamentary law). It also
appoints justices of all courts, approves the budget and performs other duties as
established by the country's Constitution. Parliament can pass a motion of no
confidence in the Government by simple majority vote. One member of the Montenegrin
parliament, known as a Deputy, is elected per 6,000 voters.[103] There are
currently 81 deputies. Elections to the Parliament are conducted by the D'Hondt
method, a form of proportional representation.

In 2019, Montenegro was described as a hybrid regime (a political system which

combines democractic and authoritarian features) according to the United States-
based Freedom House. The organisation cited state capture, abuse of power, and
strongman tactics by Prime Minister Milo Đukanović (2008-2010 and 2012–2016) as
explanations for its description as such. Đukanović held a number of senior
government positions, including the Presidency, before and after the dissolution of
the union between Serbia and Montenegro. In 2021, the Economist Democracy Index
(EDI) declared Montenegro as a "flawed democracy" and as of 2023, it remains
regarded as such by the EDI.

Đukanović's pro-European and pro-NATO Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) narrowly

lost the 2020 parliamentary election which ended the party's 30-year rule[104] and
the pro-Serbia "For the Future of Montenegro" (ZBCG) parliamentary group, composed
mainly of Serb nationalist parties, formed a government under Prime Minister
Zdravko Krivokapic.[105] Prime Minister Krivokapic's government was toppled in a
no-confidence vote after just 14 months in power.[106]

In April 2022, a new minority government, led by Prime Minister Dritan Abazović,
brought together moderate parties that are both pro-European and pro-Serb. However,
his government lost a confidence vote after only 113 days. Since Montenegro had
been unable to find a government which could command the confidence of the
Parliament,[107] Abazović remained in his post until the Spajić Cabinet had been
formed after the Parliamentary election which took place on 11 June 2023, where the
Europe Now! party led by Milojko Spajić won the most seats.[4] In October 2023, a
new minority government with confidence and supply support from ZBCG enabled
Milojko Spajić to become the new prime minister.[5]

Foreign relations
See also: Foreign relations of Montenegro
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was given the task of defining the foreign policy
priorities and activities needed for their implementation in cooperation with other
state administration authorities, the President, the Speaker of the Parliament, and
other relevant stakeholders.[108]

The country joined NATO on 5 June 2017.[109] Integration into the European Union
remains a high-priority for Montenegro and has been the focus of Montenegrin
foreign policy since its independence from Serbia.[110] In June 2023, newly elected
President Milatović stated that he expects Montenegro to join the European Union by
2027 or 2028.[111]

Military and law enforcement

Main article: Armed Forces of Montenegro

Montenegrin army soldiers with NATO allies from United States, Croatia, Albania,
Slovenia and North Macedonia during "Immediate Response 2012", Slunj, Croatia.
The military of Montenegro is a professional standing army under the Ministry of
Defence. It is composed of the Montenegrin Ground Army, the Montenegrin Navy, and
the Montenegrin Air Force, along with special forces. Conscription was abolished in
2006. The military maintains an active duty force of 2,400. The bulk of its
equipment and forces were inherited from the armed forces of the State Union of
Serbia and Montenegro. Montenegro contained the entire coastline of the former
union and retained practically the entire naval force.

Montenegro is a NATO member[112] and a member of Adriatic Charter.[113] The

government planned to have the army participate in peacekeeping missions through
the UN and NATO such as the International Security Assistance Force.[114]

Civil law enforcement in Montenegro is primarily the responsibility of the Police

Directorate, the national police force. Municipal police, known as Communal Police
in Montenegro, enforce local laws in their respective municipalities.[115]

An agreement signed with the EU effective July 2023 permits EU Frontex border
management personnel to operate in Montenegro in support of local border police
operating on other, non EU, borders in Montenegro.[116]

Symbols
See also: National symbols of Montenegro

The Mausoleum of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš in Lovćen National Park.

The flag includes a border and arms in gold and a golden lion in the center.

The national day of 13 July marks the date in 1878 when the Congress of Berlin
recognised Montenegro as the 27th independent state in the world[117] and the start
of one of the first popular uprisings in Europe against the Axis Powers on 13 July
1941 in Montenegro.

In 2004, the Montenegrin legislature selected a popular Montenegrin traditional

song, "Oh, Bright Dawn of May", as the national anthem. Montenegro's official
anthem during the reign of King Nicholas I was Ubavoj nam Crnoj Gori ("To Our
Beautiful Montenegro").

Administrative divisions
Main articles: Municipalities of Montenegro and List of regions of Montenegro
Montenegro is divided into twenty-five municipalities (opština).[118] Each
municipality can contain multiple cities and towns. Historically, the territory of
the country was divided into nahije and during the beginning of SR Montenegro was
divided into counties (srez).
Regions of Montenegro—designed for statistical purposes by the Statistical Office—
have no administrative function. Note that other organizations (i.e. Football
Association of Montenegro) use different municipalities as a part of similar
regions.

Municipalities and Statistical regions of Montenegro

Municipalities of Montenegro
Northern Region
Municipality Area Population
Km² Rank Total Rank
Andrijevica 283 12 5,117 10
Berane 544 6 28,305 3
Bijelo Polje 924 2 46,676 1
Gusinje 486 8 13,108 6
Kolašin 897 3 8,420 8
Mojkovac 367 11 8,669 7
Petnjica 173 13 6,686 9
Plav 486 7 13,549 5
Plužine 854 4 3,286 12
Pljevlja 1,346 1 31,060 2
Rožaje 432 10 23,312 4
Šavnik 553 5 2,077 13
Žabljak 445 9 3,599 11
Central Region
Municipality Area Population
Km² Rank Total Rank
Cetinje 899 3 16,757 4
Danilovgrad 501 4 17,678 3
Nikšić 2,065 1 72,824 2
Podgorica 1,399 2 187,085 1
Tuzi 236 5 12,096 5

Budva, a coastal peninsular town on the west coast of Montenegro.

Coastal Region
Municipality Area Population
Km² Rank Total Rank
Bar 598 1 42,368 1
Budva 122 5 19,170 5
Herceg Novi 235 4 30,992 2
Kotor 335 2 22,799 3
Tivat 46 6 14,111 6
Ulcinj 255 3 20,265 4
Economy
Main article: Economy of Montenegro

The de facto currency of Montenegro is the euro

The economy of Montenegro is mostly service-based and is in late transition to a
market economy. According to the International Monetary Fund, the nominal GDP of
Montenegro was $5.424 billion in 2019.[6] The GDP PPP for 2019 was $12.516 billion,
or $20,083 per capita.[6] According to Eurostat data, the Montenegrin GDP per
capita stood at 48% of the EU average in 2018.[119]

Montenegro joined the Central European Free Trade Agreement in 2007 and the
European Free Trade Association in 2011. The Central Bank of Montenegro is not part
of the euro system but the country is "euroised", using the euro unilaterally as
its currency. Montenegro was ranked 75th in the Global Innovation Index in 2023.
[120]
Infrastructure
Main article: Transport in Montenegro
The Montenegrin road infrastructure is not at Western European standards. No roads
meet full motorway standards. Construction of new motorways is considered a
national priority, as they are important for uniform economic development and the
development of Montenegro as an attractive tourist destination.

Roads of Montenegro in service and planned

A-1 motorway, part of the larger international project between Montenegro and
neighboring Serbia that connects to the Belgrade–Bar motorway
The European routes that pass through Montenegro are E65 and E80.

The backbone of the Montenegrin rail network is the Belgrade–Bar railway, which
provides international connection towards Serbia. A domestic branch line, the
Nikšić-Podgorica railway operated as a freight-only line for decades, that opened
for passenger traffic after reconstruction and electrification in 2012. The other
branch line from Podgorica towards the Albanian border, the Podgorica–Shkodër
railway, is not in use.

Montenegro has two international airports, Podgorica Airport and Tivat Airport.

The Port of Bar is Montenegro's main seaport. Initially built in 1906, the port was
almost completely destroyed during World War II. Reconstruction began in 1950. It
is equipped to handle over five million tons of cargo annually, but has been
operating at a loss and well below capacity. The reconstruction of the Belgrade-Bar
railway and the proposed Belgrade-Bar motorway are expected to return operating
levels to capacity.

In 2023 there is a plan to install an LNG terminal at Bar to receive gas imports.
[121]

Tourism
Main article: Tourism in Montenegro

The Bay of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

A total of 2.1 million visitors visited Montenegro in 2022 spending 12.4m nights
there.[122] The majority of foreign visitors to Montenegro come from the
neighbouring countries of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, as well as
Russia.[123]

The Montenegrin Adriatic coast is 295 km (183 mi) long, with 72 km (45 mi) of
beaches and many well-preserved ancient towns. Some of the most popular beaches
include Jaz Beach, Mogren Beach, Bečići Beach, Sveti Stefan Beach and Velika Plaža.
[124] Meanwhile, some of the most popular ancient towns include Herceg Novi,
Perast, Kotor, Budva and Ulcinj.[125]

National Geographic Traveler (edited once a decade) ranks Montenegro among the "50
Places of a Lifetime". Montenegrin seaside town Sveti Stefan was once used as the
cover for the magazine.[126] The coast region of Montenegro was considered one of
the great "discoveries" among world tourists. In January 2010, The New York Times
ranked the Ulcinj South Coast region of Montenegro, including Velika Plaža, Ada
Bojana, and the Hotel Mediteran of Ulcinj, among the "Top 31 Places to Go in 2010"
as part of a worldwide ranking.[127]

Demographics
Main articles: Demographics of Montenegro and Demographic history of Montenegro
Ethnic structure

Ethnic structure of Montenegro by settlements[128]

Linguistic structure of Montenegro by settlements[128]

Religious structure of Montenegro by settlements[128]

The 2011 census reported 620,029 citizens.[129] Montenegro is a multiethnic state
with no ethnic majority.[130][131] Major ethnic groups include Montenegrins
(Црногорци/Crnogorci), consisting of 45% of the population. and Serbs (Срби/Srbi),
consisting of 28.7% of the population. Minor ethnic groups include Bosniaks
(Bošnjaci), Muslims (Muslimani), Albanians (Albanci – Shqiptarët) and Croats
(Hrvati). The number of "Montenegrins" and "Serbs" fluctuates widely from census to
census due to changes in how people perceive, experience, or choose to express
their identity and ethnic affiliation.[132][133][134] The Montenegrin Roma
population is estimated to be 20,000.[135]

Languages

The Mountain Wreath is a poetic chronicle documenting the struggle of the

Montenegrin people for independence from the Ottoman Empire, and is the most famous
literary work in the country
Main article: Languages of Montenegro
The official language in Montenegro is Montenegrin. Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian, and
Croatian are recognised in official usage. Montenegrin, Serbian, Bosnian, and
Croatian are mutually intelligible as standard varieties of the Serbo-Croatian
language. Serbian is the most spoken language in the country, as a plurality of
42.9% of Montenegrins consider it as their native language.[136] Meanwhile,
Montenegrin is the most widely spoken native language among the under-18
population.[137] Previous constitutions endorsed Serbo-Croatian as the official
language in SR Montenegro and Serbian of the Ijekavian standard during the 1992–
2006 period.

Religion
Main article: Religion in Montenegro

Ostrog Monastery is the most visited religious shrine in the country, due to its
uniqueness in being situated against an almost vertical background that is high up
in the large rock of Ostroška Greda
Montenegro has historically stood at the crossroads of multiculturalism, and over
centuries this has shaped its unique co-existence between its Christian and Muslim
populations.[138] Montenegrins have throughout history been Eastern Orthodox
Christians that are members of the Serbian Orthodox Church, which is governed by
the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral and the Eparchy of Budimlja and
Nikšić.[139] Eastern Orthodox Christianity is the predominant religion in
Montenegro, with 72.1% of the population adhering to the religion.[140] Meanwhile,
the Serbian Orthodox Church is the largest and most popular church, with
approximately 90% of Orthodox Christians in Montenegro following the church.[141] A
schismatic church called The Montenegrin Orthodox Church, which broke off from the
Serbian Orthodox church in 1993, is followed by the remaining 10% of Orthodox
Christians in the country. It also has not been officially recognized by the
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and is not in communion with any other
canonical Orthodox Christian Church.[142]

Despite tensions between religious groups during the Bosnian War, Montenegro
remained fairly stable, mainly due to its population's perspective on religious
tolerance and faith diversity.[143] Religious institutions have guaranteed rights
and are separate from the state. The second largest religion is Islam, practiced by
19% of the population. Montenegro has one of the highest proportion of Muslims in
Europe and the third highest proportion among Slavic countries, behind only Bosnia
and Herzegovina and North Macedonia. A little more than one-fourth of the country's
Albanians are Catholics (8,126 in the 2003 census) while the rest (22,267) are
mainly Sunni Muslims; in 2012 a protocol recognised Islam as an official religion,
which ensures that halal foods are served at military facilities, hospitals,
dormitories and social facilities; and that Muslim women are permitted to wear
headscarves in schools and at public institutions, as well as ensuring that Muslims
have the right to take Fridays off for the Jumu'ah (Friday)-prayer.[144] Since the
time of Vojislavljević dynasty Catholicism is autochthonous in the Montenegrin
area.[145] A small Roman Catholic population, mostly Albanians with some Croats, is
divided between the Archdiocese of Antivari headed by the Primate of Serbia and the
Diocese of Kotor that is a part of the Catholic Church in Croatia.

Culture
Main article: Culture of Montenegro

National Museum of Montenegro

Boka Navy, from 2021 part of intangible World Heritage UNESCO

Montenegrin culture has been shaped most importantly by Orthodox, Ottoman (Turk),
Slavic, Central European, and seafaring Adriatic cultures (notably parts of Italy,
like the Republic of Venice).

Montenegro has many significant cultural and historical sites, including heritage
sites from the pre-Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque periods. The Montenegrin coastal
region is known for its religious monuments, including the Cathedral of Saint
Tryphon in Kotor[146] (Cattaro under the Venetians), the basilica of St. Luke (over
800 years), Our Lady of the Rocks (Škrpjela), the Savina Monastery and others.
Medieval monasteries contain many artistically important frescoes.

One cultural dimension is the ethical ideal of Čojstvo i Junaštvo, "Humaneness and
Gallantry".[147][148] The traditional folk dance of the Montenegrins is the Oro,
the "eagle dance" that involves dancing in circles with couples alternating in the
centre, and is finished by forming a human pyramid of dancers standing on each
other's shoulders.

Media
Main article: Media of Montenegro
Television, magazines, and newspapers are operated by both state-owned and for-
profit corporations that depend on advertising, subscription, and other sales-
related revenues. The Constitution of Montenegro guarantees freedom of speech.
Montenegro's media system is under transformation, along with the rest of the
country.

Sport
Main article: Sport in Montenegro
Sport in Montenegro revolves mostly around team sports, such as water polo,
football, basketball, handball, and volleyball. Other sports involved are boxing,
tennis, swimming, judo, karate, athletics, table tennis, and chess.

Water polo is the most popular and is considered the national sport.[149]
Montenegro men's national water polo team is one of the world's top ranked teams,
winning the gold medal at the 2008 Men's European Water Polo Championship in
Málaga, Spain, and winning the gold medal at the 2009 FINA Men's Water Polo World
League, held in Podgorica. The Montenegrin team PVK Primorac from Kotor became a
champion of Europe at the LEN Euroleague 2009 in Rijeka, Croatia. Montenegro came
fourth in the men's water polo in the 2016 Olympics.

Football is the second most popular sport.[149] Notable players are Dejan
Savićević, Predrag Mijatović, Mirko Vučinić, Stefan Savić, Stevan Jovetić, and
Stefan Mugoša. The Montenegro national football team, founded in 2006, played in
playoffs for UEFA Euro 2012, its highest play appearance. The Montenegro national
basketball team is known for good performances and won a lot of medals as part of
the Yugoslavia national basketball team. In 2006, the Basketball Federation of
Montenegro along with this team joined the International Basketball Federation
(FIBA) on its own, following the Independence. Montenegro participated in two
EuroBaskets.

Among women sports, the national handball team is the most successful, winning the
country's first Olympic medal, claiming silver at the 2012 Summer Olympics. This
was followed by the 2012 European Championship which Montenegro won, becoming
European champions. ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica has twice won the EHF Champions League.
Montenegro was one of the host countries for the 2022 European Women's Handball
Championship and came third.

Chess is another popular sport and notable global chess players such as Slavko
Dedić were born there.

Nikola Vučević, basketball player

Nikola Vučević, basketball player

Stevan Jovetić, football player

Stevan Jovetić, football player

Danka Kovinić, tennis player

Danka Kovinić, tennis player

Football fans at Podgorica City Stadium.

Football fans at Podgorica City Stadium.

Cuisine
Main article: Montenegrin cuisine

Foods from Montenegro.

The first major influences to Montenegrin cuisine came from the Levant and Turkey:
sarma, musaka, pilav, pita, gibanica, burek, ćevapi, kebab, đuveč, and Turkish
sweets such as baklava and tulumba. Hungarian cuisine influences stews and sataraš.
While Central European cuisine is evident in the prevalence of crêpes, doughnuts,
jams, many types of biscuits and cakes, and various kinds of breads. Montenegrin
cuisine also varies geographically; with the cuisine in the coastal area differing
from that of the northern highland region. The coastal area is traditionally a
representative of Mediterranean cuisine, with seafood being a common dish. The
traditional dishes of Montenegro's Adriatic coast, unlike its heartland, have been
significantly influenced by Italian cuisine.[150]

See also
Montenegro real estate taxes
Outline of Montenegro
Explanatory notes
Written identically in Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian.
Written identically in Serbian Cyrillic.
Citations
Podgorica is the administrative capital while Cetinje is considered the old royal
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Further reading
Banac, Ivo. The National Question in Yugoslavia: Origins, History, Politics Cornell
University Press, (1984) ISBN 0-8014-9493-1
Fleming, Thomas. Montenegro: The Divided Land (2002) ISBN 0-9619364-9-5
Longley, Norm. The Rough Guide to Montenegro (2009) ISBN 978-1-85828-771-3
Morrison, Kenneth. Montenegro: A Modern History (2009) ISBN 978-1-84511-710-8
Özcan, Uğur II. Abdulhamid Dönemi Osmanlı-Karadağ Siyasi İlişkileri [Political
relations between the Ottoman Empire and Montenegro in the Abdul Hamid II era]
(2013) Türk Tarih Kurumu Turkish Historical Society ISBN 978-975-16-2527-4
Roberts, Elizabeth. Realm of the Black Mountain: A History of Montenegro (Cornell
University Press, 2007) 521pp ISBN 978-1-85065-868-9
Stevenson, Francis Seymour. A History of Montenegro 2002) ISBN 978-1-4212-5089-2