The territory on which modern Montenegro is located was previously part of the Roman Empire. In those days it was called Doclea. The first Slavic tribes began to settle in this region of the Balkan Peninsula in the 6th century. The Balkans became Slavic in the 8th century.
Christianity appeared on the territory of Montenegro in the 7th century. When the Empire was divided into Western, Roman, Eastern and Byzantine, a border passed through this region. In addition, the churches here were divided into Roman and Orthodox. This determined the historical position of Montenegro on the border of Slavic and Mediterranean peoples. It mixed different cultures and economic systems.
The state included the territory near Lake Skadar, as well as nearby mountains. The first Prince of Dyukli was Vladimir. Dyukla was renamed Zeta. In 1040 it gained independence and became the first independent state in the Balkans to receive Byzantine recognition. The country reached its greatest prosperity at the end of the 11th century. Then it controlled almost the entire territory of modern Bosnia and Serbia.
The modern name Montenegro was first mentioned in the chronicles of the monastery of St. Nicholas in Vranjina, dating back to 1296. This is how the area around Mount Lovcen was named. It seemed black from the dense forest growing on it.
In the Middle Ages, Zeta was a small feudal state. The country had to win its independence from the encroachments of Albania, Venice, and then Turkey. The state was led by various dynasties: Vojisavljevic, Balsic and Crnojevic. In the 15th century, during the reign of the Krnojevics, a fortress and monastery were built in the town of Cestinje. This place began to be considered a symbol of spiritual and state independence. In 1493, under their rule, the first in the Balkans was created
printing house.
Then, in 1496, the state came under Turkish rule. The invaders annexed Zeta to the province of Skadar. But even at this time, Montenegro enjoyed greater autonomy rights. The state was able to gain independence from Turkey in 1645. After this, the country was headed by metropolitans, who enjoyed very great spiritual influence, as well as the Assembly of the People of Montenegro.
In 1697, the Assembly appointed Danilo I as metropolitan, from whom the Petrovich dynasty began. In the 18th-19th centuries, Montenegro won several victories in battles with superior Turkish troops. This contributed to its complete liberation from Turkish influence. In many ways, these victories were facilitated by allied relations with Russia. During the same period, Montenegro gained access to the Adriatic coast and began to control the port of Bar. The results of the liberation wars of 1875-1878 were formalized in the peace treaty signed in San Stefano in February 1878, as well as at the Berlin Congress in the summer of 1878. After this Berlin Congress, Montenegro (together with Serbia and Romania) received the status of an internationally recognized state. July 13 became a national holiday.
At the end of the 19th century, statehood was rapidly developing in Montenegro. In 1879, by decree, Prince Nicholas established the State Council, ministries and the Supreme Court. In 1888, the country adopted the Civil Code and the Property Law.
The first Montenegrin constitution appeared on December 19, 1905. In 1910, the Parliament (People's Assembly) declared Montenegro a Constitutional Monarchy. Prince Nicholas became King Nicholas I.
During this period, industry began to rapidly develop in the country. Prince Nicholas's daughter, Helena, was the wife of King Victor Emmanuel of Italy. By agreement with him, Italy invested 10 million liras in the development of the Montenegrin economy. With these funds, a port was built in the country in Bar. A railway also appeared that connected Bar, Virpazar, Podgorica and Danilovgrad.
During the First World War, the country fought on the side of the Entente. The Montenegrin army fought with the troops of Austria-Hungary under the command of Serbia. After the end of the war, Montenegro became the only victorious country that lost its independence. Serbia managed to realize the idea of “Greater Serbia” by creating a kingdom of the South Slavs called Yugoslavia. Montenegro joined it by decision of the Assembly in Podgorica on November 11, 1918. The country lost its sovereignty, army and royal dynasty. Part of the country's population protested against unification with Serbia. Armed uprisings began to break out, and the Serbian army successfully suppressed them. In the mountainous regions of the country, resistance to Serbia continued until 1920.
Montenegro became part of the province of Zetska Banovina. This territory became one of the poorest provinces in Yugoslavia. During the Second World War, the bases of Tito's partisan movement were located here. After the victory and the formation of a communist state, Yugoslavia became a federation. Montenegro was then one of the seven republics that were part of it. With subsidies from the center, industry began to develop in the republic. In the 1980s, the active development of the tourism industry began here.
In the early 1990s, Yugoslavia collapsed. Montenegro at this time remained in the same federal state with Serbia. At first, this state continued to bear the former name of Yugoslavia, and since 2003 - Serbia and Montenegro. The fighting did not affect Montenegro. However, the country suffered quite seriously from the international sanctions that were imposed on the union state. In a referendum held on May 21, 2006, 55.5% of Montenegrin residents voted to leave the federation with Serbia. On June 3, 2006, Montenegro declared its independence. On June 15, the independence of Montenegro was recognized by Serbia. Montenegro became an independent state.
, Berane , Cetinje
The longest rivers in Montenegro: Tara (144 km), Lim (123 km), Ceotina (100 km), Moraca (99 km), Zeta (65 km) and Boyana (30 km). About 52.2% of Montenegrin rivers belong to the Black Sea basin, the remaining 47.8% to the Adriatic Sea basin. Three Montenegrin rivers (Moraca, Zeta and Piva) flow throughout their entire length through the territory of Montenegro. The Boyana River was previously the only navigable river in Montenegro; At the moment it is not navigable. Most Montenegrin rivers are mountainous and form deep canyons. The Tara River Canyon, about 1200 m deep, is the deepest in Europe and the second deepest in the world. The rivers of Montenegro have an energy potential of 115 kW per 1 km² of territory, which is a very high figure. However, for various reasons (including environmental ones), hydropower is underdeveloped in the country.
The largest lake in Montenegro and the entire Balkan Peninsula is Skadar. The total area of its water surface is 369.7 km². Two thirds of the lake (by area) are located on the territory of Montenegro, one third - on the territory of Albania. The second largest lake in Montenegro is Shasskoe (3.64 km²), located near Ulcinj. Also on the territory of Montenegro there are 29 small mountain lakes of glacial origin (the so-called “mountain eyes”), the total area of which is 3.89 km².
More than 41% of the country's area is forests and woodlands, 39.58% is pastures. The flora of Montenegro is diverse: a total of 2,833 plant species have been recorded in the country, of which 212 are endemic to the Balkan Peninsula, and 22 are endemic to Montenegro. According to the Constitution of Montenegro, the republic is an “ecological state”; 8.1% of the territory is under various environmental regimes (including the national reserves Durmitor, Lovcen, Biogradska Gora and Lake Skadar).
Climate
In northern Montenegro it is temperate continental, on the Adriatic coast it is Mediterranean. In the coastal region, summers are usually long, hot (+23-25 °C) and quite dry, winters are short and cool (+3-7 °C). Mountain areas have moderately warm summers (+19-25 °C) and relatively cold winters (from +5 to −10 °C), precipitation falls mainly in the form of snow. Precipitation falls from 500 to 1500 mm per year, mainly in the form of rain; in the mountains near the sea coast, in some places over 3000 mm falls. In the northern regions of Montenegro there is snow for up to 5 months a year. Number of sunny hours per year: in Igalo - 2386, in Ulcinj - 2700.
Population
According to the 2003 census, 620,145 people live in Montenegro (an annual increase of 3.5%).
National composition of the population:
- others - 5.56%
¹ - Montenegrins and Serbs professing Islam
Legislature
Legislative power is exercised by a unicameral parliament - the Assembly. The Assembly includes 81 deputies, elected through direct secret ballot. The term of office of the Assembly is 4 years.
Executive branch
Executive power is exercised by the Government (Vlada). The composition of the government is approved by the Assembly at the proposal of the President.
Judicial branch
The judicial system is two-tiered. The Supreme Court of Montenegro ensures the unity of law enforcement practice throughout the republic.
In addition to the two-tier judicial system, there is also a Constitutional Court.
Administrative division
The territory of Montenegro is divided into 21 municipalities (region, community; Serbian opština). Municipalities are named after their central cities:
Administrative divisions of Montenegro
- Podgorica, this municipality includes two urban districts:
- Zeta urban district (central city - Golubovtsi, Zeta - the name of the historical region and the ancient name of Montenegro)
- Tuzi urban district
Political structure
Political situation
In the late 1990s, Montenegrin leader Milo Djukanovic turned from an ally of Slobodan Milosevic into his irreconcilable opponent, which immediately attracted the international community and the Serbian opposition to his side. Djukanovic first demanded that Milosevic secure Montenegro’s right to an independent foreign policy, and subsequently set complete independence as his goal. Then the European Union prevented it from gaining legal independence
The state community of Serbia and Montenegro was created under powerful pressure from the European Union with the active participation of Javier Solana. According to the Constitutional Party of the new state, elections to its legislative assembly were to be held in February 2005, and from 2006 the republics within it received the right to hold a referendum on independence. However, the elections did not take place - Montenegrin President Svetozar Marovic did not set a date for them, citing the lack of a legislative framework.
As a result, from the beginning of March 2005, after the expiration of their mandates, members of the Community Parliament, its ministers and the President himself, from a legal point of view, became private individuals. Around the same time, Djukanovic and Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic came up with a new plan - to transform the State Community into a union of independent states.
Serbian authorities are divided on the matter: while Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica rejected the proposal, Serbian President Boris Tadic said it could be considered.
In Serbia, it is widely believed that Djukanovic's desire for independence is hidden by purely personal reasons - a desire to avoid responsibility in connection with an ongoing investigation in Italy on suspicion of involvement in smuggling and links to the Italian mafia. Serbia also points out that the secession of Montenegro could become a legal argument in favor of the independence of Kosovo, since, according to UN Security Council Resolution No. 1244, Kosovo is recognized as an integral part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (and, accordingly, its successor - the State Community of Serbia and Montenegro), and not Serbia. The secession of Montenegro deprived Belgrade of access to the sea.
After the declaration of independence, Montenegro began to rebuild its international relations.
Referendum
Negotiations between the Montenegrin authorities and the opposition on the terms of the referendum have been going on since the beginning of 2006. Initially, the opposition, opposing the independence of Montenegro, categorically refused to discuss even the very idea of holding a referendum. The European Union offered its mediation. The mediation mission was entrusted to EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak. During further discussion, the opposition accepted the idea of a referendum and agreed with the ruling coalition on the conditions for its holding. However, differences remained on the key issue of the majority needed to make a decision.
According to the Montenegrin law on referendums, in order to make a decision it was necessary to obtain 50% plus one vote of those participating in the referendum, with a mandatory turnout of 50%. The opposition demanded that not only the population of Montenegro itself, but also Montenegrins living in Serbia participate in the referendum. Under these conditions, Miroslav Lajcak proposed his own formula: the European Union will recognize the independence of Montenegro if 55% of those participating in the referendum vote for it. This formula caused a strong negative reaction in Montenegro. Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic warned that it poses a danger to the stability of Montenegro.
Armed forces
Story
Montenegro emerged as an independent state in the 18th century, the first of the countries of the Balkan Peninsula to free itself from the yoke of the Ottoman Empire. The capital of the state was the city of Cetinje. In this form it existed until the First World War, after which in 1918 it became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. Since the collapse of Yugoslavia () it existed as part of the union republic of Serbia and Montenegro. In 2006, a referendum was held at which the independence of the state was proclaimed. The current capital is Podgorica.
In the 6th century, the Slavs came to the lands of Montenegro and mixed with the local tribes.
-1944 - under German occupation.
-1945 - under the control of Yugoslav partisans.
March - in a referendum, residents of Montenegro voted for the republic to remain part of Yugoslavia.
May 21 - a referendum on the state status of the republic was held in Montenegro, in which more than half of the participants voted for complete independence from Belgrade (at that time Montenegro already had a separate currency from Serbia and a duty border with it).
June 3 - the assembly (parliament) of Montenegro proclaimed the independence of the republic.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Montenegro
Traditionally, the basis of the Montenegrin economy was the ferrous metallurgy (center - Niksic), aluminum processing (Podgorica), electrical industry (Cetinje), rubber, chemical industry and bearing production (Kotor), textile industry (Bielo Polje), shipbuilding and ship repair (Bijela, Bar ), light and food industry (Niksic, Bar), woodworking (Rozaje, Berane, Pljevlja, Niksic).
During Yugoslavia, Montenegro was the most backward, subsidized republic of the federation. The country's economy was largely shaken by the wars of the early 1990s, in which Montenegro took the side of Serbia, and the subsequent isolation of “small” Yugoslavia. Despite this, by the beginning of the 2000s, Montenegro was able to find itself on the international stage, becoming an attractive destination for tourism, both summer and winter; Since then, the country has experienced significant economic growth every year. Very popular are international resorts in the cities of Herceg Novi, Budva, Becici, Petrovac, as well as historical and natural attractions - the city of Kotor on the shores of the Bay of Kotor, the former capital Cetinje, Lake Skadar, Mount Lovcen, the high-mountain monastery Ostrog, the canyon of the Tara River (the largest in Europe and second in the world: its depth reaches 1300 m), Durmitor National Park and its ski resort Zabljak (1465 meters above sea level, this is the highest city in the Balkans). State policy is aimed at the comprehensive development of the tourism sector, it is given priority over industry and agriculture. This is evidenced, in particular, by the declaration of Montenegro as an “ecological state”.
Useful information for tourists about Montenegro, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Montenegro, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in Montenegro.
Geography of Montenegro
The Republic of Montenegro is a state in southeastern Europe, on the Adriatic coast of the Balkan Peninsula. It is washed by the Adriatic Sea and borders Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Albania.
State
State structure
Presidential republic.
Language
Official language: Serbo-Croatian
In many resort areas, German is widely spoken and English is spoken to a limited extent.
Religion
The Montenegrin and Serbian population mainly professes Orthodoxy, national minorities practice Islam and Catholicism.
Currency
International name: EUR
Popular attractions
Tourism in Montenegro
Where to stay
Montenegro is known both for its seaside resorts and ancient cities. The spirit of history hovers here, which is organically intertwined with a completely modern and high-quality service. The cost of living depends not only on the category of the hotel, but also on its location relative to famous resorts and historical monuments. Hotels in Montenegro have their own classification, which is different from that accepted in other European countries.
The most comfortable hotels that provide high-level service are equated to the DELUX category. As a rule, in such a hotel you will be offered accommodation in a spacious room with a modern interior, a loggia, and a private bathroom. The room will also have satellite TV, telephone, air conditioning and, of course, a minibar. This hotel also has a swimming pool and children's playgrounds.
A lower price category, which, however, is characterized by high quality service, is represented by hotels of category A. When you stay in such a hotel, you will receive a room with a modern interior, a TV, and a telephone. You can also count on your own bathroom and access to the loggia. In the next category - B - there are hotels in which you will be offered a room with a private bath or shower, TV and telephone.
I would like to note that the hotel base in Montenegro is a little outdated, so among those who prefer family comfort and the famous hospitality of the Montenegrins, renting in the private sector is popular. Both small private apartments and cottages are united by one concept - a villa. The cost of living here is not much different from hotels. The only drawback is that the villas, as a rule, are located some distance from the sea (300-500 meters).
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Popular hotels
Excursions and attractions in Montenegro
Today Montenegro is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The stunning natural resources of this beautiful country, wonderful climate, abundance of historical, architectural and cultural attractions, combined with more than affordable prices, attract more and more tourists to this little paradise every year. Montenegro is mountains and plains, dense forests, crystal clear waters of the Adriatic, mountain rivers and picturesque lakes, as well as beautiful ancient cities, where different styles and cultures are so harmoniously combined, thereby creating a unique flavor and atmosphere of comfort.
Podgorica is the largest city and capital of Montenegro, as well as the economic and industrial center of the country. Of particular interest to tourists are the oldest districts of the city Stara Varosha and Drach with their narrow cobbled streets and beautiful ancient buildings. Among the most interesting attractions of the capital, it is worth noting the Archaeological Research Center, the City Museum, the Natural History Museum, the National Theater, the Cathedral of the Resurrection, the Church of St. George, the Njegusa Palace and the Art Gallery located on its territory. An excellent example of modern architecture and original engineering solutions is the Millennium Bridge over the Morač River. In the vicinity of Podgorica, it is worth visiting the ruins of the ancient fortified city of Medun, dating back to the 3rd century BC. The Ethnographic Museum of Marko Milyanov is also located here. Not far from the capital are the ruins of the ancient Roman Dioclea.
The cultural center of the country, undoubtedly, is its historical capital – Cetinje, located in a picturesque, cozy valley at the foot of Mount Lovcen. This is a very beautiful and interesting city with many historical, cultural and architectural monuments - a real open-air museum. Among the most popular attractions it is worth highlighting the famous Cetinje, the Vlaška Church, the Bilyard Palace, the Palace of King Nicholas I, the Royal Theater "Zemsky House", the Art, Historical and Ethnographic Museums. It is worth visiting the Lovcen National Park and the ancestral village of the Montenegrin royal Petrovich dynasty located on its territory - the colorful settlement of Njegusi, and so on. To the Mausoleum of Peter II Petrovic Njegos on the top of Mount Lovcen.
Perhaps the most famous landmark of Montenegro is the Ostrog Monastery. It is located about 15 km from Danilovgrad in a surprisingly picturesque place. This is one of the most revered Orthodox shrines in the world, visited annually by hundreds of thousands of pilgrims of various religious denominations. The upper part of the monastery is carved into the rock at an altitude of 900 m above sea level and is a truly impressive sight.
Among the abundance of natural attractions of Montenegro, the Skadar and Shas lakes, the Durmitor National Park and the famous Black Lake located on its territory, as well as the picturesque Tara River Canyon running through the park, the Biogradska Gora National Park, the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska) and the canyon deserve special attention Morač River.
You will also have a lot of fun getting to know such colorful Montenegrin cities as Budva, Kotor, Bar and Herceg Novi. However, every corner of Montenegro is beautiful and unique in its own way, and all its sights and interesting places are simply impossible to describe... but this amazing country is definitely worth a visit.
Podgorica(Montenegro. Podgorica / Pòdgorica, in 1952-1992 Titograd) is the capital and largest city of Montenegro, which is located in the central part of the country and covers an area of about 1500 km2. According to the latest census, the population of Podgorica is almost 200 thousand people. The city is located in a valley surrounded by mountains and while walking along the streets of the capital you can enjoy the picturesque landscapes of the mountains and hills of Podgorica. By the way, there are several hills in the capital, one of which is called Goritsa, which explains the origin of the city’s name. Cityscapes complement rivers and Ribnitsa.
City `s history.
The convenient geographical location and favorable climate of the valley attracted Illyrian tribes here 2000 years ago. Later, these territories were conquered by the Romans, and three settlements appeared here - Alata, Birziminium and Dioklea.
In the 5th century After the fall of the Roman Empire, the first Slavic tribes came to these lands, who waged continuous wars with Byzantium in the hope of forming their own state. On the banks of the Ribnica River they founded a new city with the same name. The first mention of Rybnitsa dates back to the time of the Nemanjić dynasty; it was in this city that the founder of the dynasty was born. Stefan Nemanja. The name "Podgorica" first appears in archival documents in 1326. It was in the 14th century. The economic importance of this place is increasing, due to the fact that the city was on the trade route between Serbia and Dubrovnik.
However, in 1474, the Turks captured the city and turned it into a fortified bastion to repel the attacks of the rebellious Montenegrin tribes, who repeatedly tried to recapture them. At the same time, a Depedogen fortress. The end of the 400-year Ottoman occupation was only put at the Congress of Berlin in 1878, which recognized the independence of Montenegro. Thus, the city becomes part of the new state.
The first years of the XX century. were a time of active development for Podgorica, large enterprises appeared here, new roads were built. However, with the outbreak of the First World War, a dark streak in the history of the city began again. In 1916, it fell under the Austro-Hungarian occupation, which lasted until 1918. And during the bombing during World War II, Podgorica was almost completely wiped off the face of the earth. On December 19, 1944, the city was liberated by partisans.
Already part of the SFRY, on July 13, 1946 the city acquired a new name Titograd, received in honor of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, and a new status - the capital. Historical name Podgorica was returned to the city on April 2, 1992.
Sights of Podgorica.
Throughout the year, Podgorica attracts a huge number of tourists from all over the world with its historical, cultural and architectural monuments, all kinds of museums, galleries and exhibitions.
Arriving in the capital of Montenegro, the first thing you can do is visit City Museum of Podgorica, founded in 1950. To this day, it houses unique exhibits dating back to the Roman and Illyrian eras. The exhibition is divided into 4 parts: archaeological, ethnographic, historical and cultural-historical. The museum's collection includes books printed by Bozidar Vukovich, ancient maps and coins, national costumes and household items.
When leaving the museum there is an intersection on the left. Get to him and turn right - after 2 blocks you will see his wife Natalya Goncharova. The monument was erected in 2002 as a sign of special respect for the work of the poet, who was once admired by the main writer of Montenegro, Peter II Petrovich Njegos. By the way, it is located nearby.
In the center of the city there is the main square of the capital with a fountain in the middle - Republic Square– a venue for all kinds of events: concerts, rallies and spontaneous markets.
Having walked to Sloboda streets(if you stand with your back to the fountain in the square, then you need to go left), you will get to Gorica hill, which is a park area. It was he who gave the name to the city. Nearby is the oldest building in Podgorica and the main attraction - Church of St. George, which is located at the foot of Mount Goritsa, built in the 10th–11th centuries. Frescoes from the 1670s have been preserved here, and in the altar there used to be a secret underground passage. 
Lifehack: Goritsa is a wonderful place for walking: climbing along the shady alleys of the hill, you can reach the very top, from where you can see the entire city.
Goritsa is located memorial to the Partisan fighter, opened in 1957. 97 heroes who died in the people's liberation struggle waged by Yugoslav partisans against the fascist occupiers with the support of Soviet troops in 1941-1945 are buried here.
Returning from Goritsa to the wide Ivan Crnojevic Boulevard, follow it to the right, past the city stadium, and you will get to another attraction of the city -. It connects two shores Moraca River and was built in 2005 according to the design of the architect Mladen Ulevich. The length of the bridge is 140 m, and the height of the pylon is 57 m. The construction cost the state 7 million €. The bridge is especially picturesque at night, in the rays of special lighting. 
A year earlier, it was installed on the banks of Moraca - if you cross the bridge, it will be on your left. Nearby is the 105 m long pedestrian Moscow Bridge.
Some distance from the center is located Stara Varosha district, small old town of Podgorica. Since the Ottoman occupation, narrow crooked streets, two mosques and, or Sakhat-kula, have remained here. The tower was built in 1667, and the clock installed on it, specially brought from Italy, remained the only one in the city for a long time. The height of the tower is 16 m. 
If you want to continue your walk around the city, be sure to visit the picturesque Petrovich Park, aka Krusevac. It contains the current Saint's Church Great Martyr Demetrius. Also located here Petrovich Palace, where the Petrovich Art Gallery is located and also includes the “House of Honor Guard,” the palace chapel and other buildings. Since 1995, the gallery has been part of the Center for Contemporary Art. The gallery displays more than 1,500 works of art from all over the world. Exhibitions are regularly held in the gallery's halls, attracting the attention of many fans of painting and sculpture.
The largest operating one in Montenegro is located in Podgorica. 
Its construction, which began in 1993, was carried out with donations from believers, as well as with financial support from the country's government.
There are 2 large shopping centers in the city. is a shopping area, under the roof of which there are more than 70 shops, playgrounds for children, beauty salons, a food court and a multiplex cinema. opened in 2010. It houses a large grocery supermarket, a gym, a children's playground, a bowling alley, a food court, a cafe, including live music, a disco (Thursday, Friday, Saturday 21:00-03:00) and many clothing stores.
There is a large concentration in the center of Podgorica. Local fish dishes worth trying include fish soup, fish goulash, fried and smoked fish. For meat lovers, we can recommend lamb in a pot. Meat dishes in Podgorica are often prepared with kajmak – salted cream. Local cheese and honey are good in Podgorica. As an accompaniment to lunch, you can order lozovac - grape moonshine, which is served here with prosciutto (dried meat).
How to get to the city?
Upon arrival at Podgorica airport, it is best to order a city taxi, since the cost of private driver services may be overpriced. Experienced travelers say that 800 meters from the airport on the road to Podgorica there is the Aerodrom railway stop. And from it you can drive to Podgorica in seven minutes. But the disadvantage of such a trip is that the trains run at large intervals.
From Podgorica itself, or rather, you can easily get to any city in Montenegro and beyond. Within the city you can use buses or minibuses. One trip costs approximately 0.8 EUR, a ticket can be purchased from the driver.
Being the capital, the city can offer a wide range of options for settlement. Among which we can highlight hotel Podgorica 4*, located on the picturesque banks of the Moraca River, very close to the city center or hotel Ramada 4*– winner of the award “Best Hotel in Podgorica 2012”.
Podgorica is the main city of Montenegro. You can’t call it a typical European capital, but Podgorica is worth a visit because of its unique atmosphere, here the old and the new are amazingly combined, in the city you can get acquainted with the culture of Montenegro, and in the summer you can swim in the river and sunbathe.
Montenegro is a small country on the Balkan Peninsula with a beautiful Adriatic coast. It borders with Croatia(14 km), Bosnia and Herzegovina(225 km), Serbia(203 km) and Albania(172 km). The length of the coastline is 300 km, of which 73 km- these are beaches.
There is a little confusion with the capitals in Montenegro. In the entire history of the country, 2 cities have had this status: Cetinje And Podgorica. Today the official and cultural capital is Cetinje. The President and Metropolitan live here. And business and political - Podgorica, since all administrative institutions remained here.
Capital |
Cetinje (official and cultural capital), Podgorica (main city) |
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Population |
625,266 (2011) |
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Population density |
50 people/km² |
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Montenegrin |
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Religion |
Orthodoxy |
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Form of government |
republic |
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Timezone |
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International dialing code |
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Internet domain zone |
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Electricity |
Conventionally, the territory of Montenegro is divided into 3 parts: the coast, a more or less flat central part, where the largest cities of Niksic and Podgorica are located, as well as a mountainous part in the east of the country.
The Montenegrin language was officially recognized in 2007. Before that, it was considered a form of Serbian. Montenegrins will understand you equally well in both English and Russian.
The vast majority of the population is of the Orthodox faith. The number of the rest is only 0.1%.
The main part of the economy in Montenegro is tourism. But besides this, such types of industry as electrical engineering in Cetinje, shipbuilding and repair in Bar and Bijela, ferrous metallurgy in Niksic and others are also developed at a high level. Growing tobacco, processing aluminum and extracting salt are also important.
Climate and weather
There are 3 climatic zones in Montenegro, as well as conventional territorial parts. In the north, a temperate continental climate predominates. There can be snow here for up to 5 months a year.
On the Adriatic coast the climate is Mediterranean. Summers here are dry and hot, with average temperatures +23…+25 °C. Winter is also warm, mild and rainy. The temperature rarely drops below 0 °C and on average reaches +7… +9 °C. Particularly seasoned beach season begins in mid-May. The peak period occurs in July and August and lasts until the end of September.
In the continental part of the country the climate is more temperate. Temperature differences in winter and summer are more pronounced here. Summer is hot and dry, average temperature +26…+28°C, but on particularly hot days the thermometer can rise to +40 °C. There is almost no rain in summer. In winter the temperature drops to +5…+7 °С, there may be frosts at night.
In the mountains, as expected, there are quite cold, snowy winters (-7...-8 °C), and summers are relatively warm (about +20 °C). Ski resorts open the season from the beginning of December. It lasts until the end of March.
Nature
In Montenegro, this small European country, you can see magnificent natural contrasts. It is located in one of the most beautiful places on the Mediterranean coast. Here, pebble beaches alternate with sandy ones, coniferous trees coexist with perennial olives, acacias and palm trees, and small sea bays with clear water cut into the mountain ranges.
As for the rivers, 52% of them belong to the Black Sea basin, the rest belong to the Adriatic. The largest rivers are Tara(144 km) and Lim(123 km). A significant part are mountain rivers that create very deep canyons. For example, the Tara River canyon, 1200m deep, is the deepest in Europe and the second in the world.
Skadar Lake(369.7 km²) - the largest in Montenegro. There are also 29 more reservoirs in the country, all of them of mountainous and glacial origin.
Most of the territory (41%) is occupied by forests. The flora is very rich and has 2833 plant species. Montenegro, according to the Constitution of the Republic, is an “ecological state”. Here, 8.1% of the land is under various nature protection regimes.
Attractions
A large number of monuments have been preserved in Montenegro. The business capital of this small country is Podgorica— is unique in that it is located at the confluence of 5 rivers. Unfortunately, the city was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War. Of the historical monuments, only a few buildings from the 17th-19th centuries have survived here. and an old Turkish fortress.
Cetinje- cultural capital of Montenegro. It can truly be called a museum city. Since its foundation (XIII century), this ancient city has accumulated attractions. Among them:
- mausoleum of Peter Njegos, a great poet and philosopher;
- National Gallery - “Vladin’s House”;
- Palace of King Nikola I.
The holy place is Cetinje Monastery, where the metropolitan lives. The right hand of John the Baptist is kept here.
Kotor is the pearl of Montenegro. This city is included in the UNESCO register and is part of the World Heritage Site. There are many historical monuments concentrated here:
- Cathedral of Saint Tripun;
- Clock tower;
- princely palace;
- palaces of Drago and Grubonia;
- Pima and Gergurina;
- Church of St. Anne, Our Lady of Health;
- Napoleon Theater
In addition, various festivals are constantly held in Kotor.
It is impossible not to say about Budva. This city is surrounded by ancient fortress walls, there are many churches and monasteries. The ruins of medieval Dukla are impressive.
Nutrition
Thanks to its location and rich history, Montenegrin cuisine has become very diverse. It has absorbed the traditions of Italy (cooking cheese, meat, bread, wine), Turkey (pita - bread flatbread, dolma, pilaf, coffee traditions), Hungary (goulash), Europe (jams).
Meat dishes are considered traditional. You should definitely try here evapchichi" - sausages made from minced meat, " liver» - meat roasted on a spit and much more.
Montenegrins love cheese very much. There is a great variety here. These are different " rocked», « kachamak», « Senichki», « Lipsky" And " zlatibor", as well as cheese made from cow's and sheep's milk.
Vegetables are always served on the table, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. This can be either a regular snack or a separate dish. For example, stuffed peppers, “sarma” (stuffed cabbage rolls) and a huge number of other recipes.
In coastal areas, fish dishes are common, for example “ riblya chorba" - ear or " caretaker"- carp baked in cream.
Of the desserts, the most famous is “ gibanica"- pie with curd filling.
Coffee in Montenegro is consumed in huge quantities. Of the wines, the calling card of the country is “ Crnogorski Vranac", which comes in many varieties. Among the stronger drinks, the world famous grape moonshine stands out " rakia" or " lozovac».
Accommodation
There are enough options and opportunities for accommodation in Montenegro: from camping to private apartments.
The most common type of accommodation is, of course, hotels. True, there are no places of the highest category, but this makes the holiday more affordable. The condition of hotels depends on the owner. The state ones were built around 1970-1980, so they resemble Soviet sanatoriums. However, their prices are more affordable. In private hotels the service is higher; there are swimming pools and gyms. But even in them there are not so many rooms with good furniture, comfort and service. Hotels can be booked in advance on your own. A room in a fairly good hotel will cost less than 100 € .
The second most popular accommodation option is private apartments and apartments. This option is cheaper and does not require advance booking. Local residents offer similar apartments to tourists right at train stations.
Camping is common in the south of the country. They can have 10-15 seats, or 200. There can also be big differences in the level of hygiene: from the most primitive washbasins to modern bathrooms.
Entertainment and relaxation
You can relax in Montenegro both actively and calmly. There is 170 beaches different types: pebbly, sandy, with a rocky shore. They can be several kilometers long or just a few hundred meters long. There are beaches right under the hotel windows, and there are remote and deserted ones. Some are isolated and located in bays, while others go straight out to the open sea.
Montenegro has a wide variety of active recreation options. Rock climbers and mountaineers can try their hand at the mountains. Mountain rivers are ideal for rafting. It is officially offered at Tara River. The session can last up to 15 hours.
The sea in Montenegro is calm in some places, but stormy in other areas and therefore perfect for surfing. Sailing is gaining momentum.
In Montenegro there is something to see underwater. There are more than 400 species of fish and a large number of sunken ships. The city is especially popular for this type of recreation. Bar. Forest roads are suitable for walking, horseback riding and bicycle tours. And in winter, ski resorts open. The main ones are Zabljak And Kolasin.
Montenegrins love to hold all kinds of festivals. February is carnival time. In the city Herceg Novi At the beginning of this month there is a mimosa festival. A big music festival takes place in Budva in the summer.
Purchases
There are no supermarkets or hypermarkets in Montenegro. But there are many small shops and even vans here. True, it is not always possible to find what you need here. The most convenient are self-service stores (“ Self-help"). They are open late and you can find almost anything there. Prices are almost the same everywhere.
There are kiosks at every step ( traffic), where you can buy ice cream, newspapers, telephone cards, drinks.
Closer to the beach there is trade in everything under the sun: sunglasses, swimwear, cosmetics, cigarettes (which are no cheaper than in stores). However, all this is of dubious origin.
The markets are similar to Belarusian and Russian. You can bargain here. On the coast, fresh (sometimes just caught fish) and fruits straight from the garden predominate.
Textiles in Montenegro are different. The one that is cheap and sold at every turn is usually made in Turkey or China and is not distinguished by quality. Branded goods are offered in boutiques, of which there are few, and are expensive.
The best souvenirs are wine, brandy, cheese, and ham.
Transport
Montenegro is a small country that you can travel around by car in 1-2 days. The condition of roads in the republic leaves much to be desired. There may even be no traffic signs. However, on mountain roads the coverage is quite good. The capital is connected to the coast by 2 highways: one goes to Budva through a pass, and the second along Lake Skadar, and then along a steep serpentine road through the mountains down to the sea.
Speed limits in Montenegro are as follows: in populated areas - up to 40 km/h, outside populated areas - up to 80 km/h. On highways the speed limit is up to 100 km/h.
You can rent a car at Podgorica airport and in many large cities. It is best to rent for at least 5 days.
The most developed type of transport is the bus. In addition to routes on the coast, there are also short, intra-city routes. Minibus taxis run along the coast.
Rail transport is not developed. There are only 2 directions: Podgorica-Niksic and Bar - Podgorica - Bijelo Polje (then goes beyond the country, to Belgrade). Ticket prices are very low.
There are many taxis near the airports. Here you will need to pay to turn on the meter and the set limit for each kilometer. There are also many private taxi drivers who are ready to either take you to your destination or arrange an excursion for the whole day.
Connection
There are several opportunities to use the Internet in Montenegro.
Firstly, this is ADSL T-COM. Connection costs 5 €. Monthly payment – 20 €. Speed 2 GB/s, without traffic restrictions.
Secondly, a 3G modem. It doesn't work fast everywhere, it depends on the location. The cost of the modem is 29 € + 5 € per number + 25 € for every 2 GB of traffic.
Thirdly, cable Internet. This species is not very well developed in this country. This is due to the fact that in Montenegro there are mainly one- and two-story houses, so the cost of laying cables is high.
And finally, WIMAX M-TEL. Today this is the most popular way to access the Internet. Works well, stable connection. Connection occurs within 1 day. You will need to pay 200 € for connection. The cost of a month of Internet is 15 €.
The major mobile operators in Montenegro are MoNet GSM and Pro Monte. It will be beneficial for tourists to buy a local SIM card, then all incoming ones will be free. You can top up your balance using express payment cards, which are sold everywhere.
You can also make a call from a pay phone using Monte Cards. They are sold in kiosks and at the post office. Such a call will cost less than from a hotel, and the quality of communication will be higher. In resort areas there are machines that accept credit cards as payment.
Montenegro is considered a fairly safe country. You can safely walk here even in the dark. However, you need to be careful not to become a victim of pickpockets. Violent crime is extremely rare.
Safety
In Montenegro, women are treated like knights, and foreign tourists will always come to the rescue.
You should not take photographs of police officers, police cars or police stations.
Traffic rules are strictly enforced here.
You must only drive with your low beams on (fine - 30 €), wearing a seat belt (fine 15 €), the driver must not talk on the phone (fine 20 €), you cannot overtake after a prohibitory sign and cross a solid line (fine from 50 to 150 € ). Be sure to monitor your speed: on the highway - no more than 90 km/h, in populated areas - up to 60 km/h.
If a fine has been issued, it must be paid within 48 hours. In the meantime, the policeman has the right to take away your license until a receipt is presented.
Business climate
After the introduction of the euro in Montenegro, most enterprises could not cope with rising prices and went bankrupt. This had a very strong impact on ordinary people: there is 30% unemployment in the republic, and the average salary is 200 €.
Agriculture is very developed in Montenegro; more than 40% of the territory is occupied by meadows and pastures. Cattle and sheep are raised here, and potatoes, corn, wheat, and barley are grown.
Fruit growing is also developed in the republic: oranges, lemons, tangerines, figs, plums, pomegranates, and almonds are popular.
Mineral raw materials are mined, albeit in small quantities.
The country has tobacco and textile food factories, aluminum metallurgical and woodworking plants, and electrical plants.
The largest in all of Montenegro is the Podgorica aluminum plant (Kombinat aluminijuma Podgorica - KAP). It belongs to the Russian company RUSAL.
There are 2 exchanges in Podgorica: Montenegrin and NEX.
Tourism is developing most rapidly. Holidays here are varied: from ski resorts to quiet bays with beaches and clear water. So, if you open your own business here, it will be in one of the areas mentioned above.
Real estate
Purchasing real estate in Montenegro is a profitable investment. For foreigners, however, there are small restrictions: the sale of large plots and plots without buildings is prohibited.
It is best to entrust the process of purchasing real estate to a qualified specialist. At first glance, it may seem quite simple, but you can still stumble upon pitfalls.
There is a large amount of illegal real estate in Montenegro, which can lead to problems for the future owner. A realtor and a lawyer check the property. The decision on the right to transfer property to a new owner can be made by the local community up to 2 months. Since 2011, the purchase and sale agreement has been registered by a notary.
The tax on the purchase of real estate is 3% of its cadastral value. When purchasing premises in a new building, no tax is charged.
Tips in Montenegro are usually 10% of the order amount.
Montenegrins are heavy smokers. They can smoke almost everywhere, even in transport.
It is prohibited in the country to photograph military installations, port facilities, etc.
At the border of Serbia and Montenegro they may offer to take out “national insurance”. This is a violation of the law, since the “green card” is valid throughout the country.
Visa information
The visa regime in Montenegro fully complies with EU requirements. To travel to the republic, a visa is not required for foreign citizens of states included in the Schengen Union, and for foreigners who already have a visa from one of the EU countries or an American visa. Also, excellent travel conditions are provided to Belarusians, Ukrainians and Russians. If their stay in the country does not exceed 30 days, then such tourists do not need a Montenegrin visa. Citizens of other CIS countries obtain a visa to Montenegro through the embassy in Moscow, which is located at the address: st. Mytnaya, 3, office. 23--25. Contact phone: (+7 499) 230 18 65.
Regardless of citizenship, everyone arriving in Montenegro will pay 15 € at the airport if this fee was not included in the ticket price.
Other tourists submit an application to the representation of Montenegro in their country. The visa can be short-term, valid for up to a year. Moreover, foreigners have the right to stay in this country for no more than 90 days within six months. A transit visa is issued upon presentation of a visa from the country to which the foreign person is traveling. A long-term visa is issued with the permission of the relevant authority. A foreign citizen who does not plan to stay in a hotel must register at his place of stay at the nearest police station within 24 hours.
