General Overview
The use of the name Montenegro began in the 15th century when the Crnojevic dynasty began to rule the Serbian principality of Zeta; over subsequent centuries Montenegro was able to maintain its independence from the Ottoman Empire. From the 16th to 19th centuries, Montenegro became a theocracy ruled by a series of bishop princes; in 1852, it was transformed into a secular principality. After World War I, Montenegro was absorbed by the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929; at the conclusion of World War II, it became a constituent republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. When the latter dissolved in 1992, Montenegro federated with Serbia, first as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, after 2003, in a looser union of Serbia and Montenegro. In May 2006, Montenegro invoked its right under the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro to hold a referendum on independence from the state union. The vote for severing ties with Serbia exceeded 55% - the threshold set by the EU - allowing Montenegro to formally declare its independence on 3 June 2006.
Demographics
Montenegro is a small mountainous region on the Adriatic coast north of Albania, bordering Bosnia & Herzegovina to the west, Serbia to the east and Albania to the south. Its small Adriatic coastline comprises the main ports of Bar and those in the Gulf of Kotor.
• Country name: Montenegro
• Capital Name: Podgorica
• Population: 678,177 (July 2008 est.)
• Nationality: Maltese
• Languages: Montenegrin (official), Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian, Croatian
• Ethnic Groups: Montenegrin 43%, Serbian 32%, Bosniak 8%, Albanian 5%, other (Muslims, Croats, Roma (Gypsy)) 12% (2003 census)
Economy
Montenegro severed its economy from federal control and from Serbia during the MILOSEVIC era and maintained its own central bank, used the euro instead of the Yugoslav dinar as official currency, collected customs tariffs, and managed its own budget. The dissolution of the loose political union between Serbia and Montenegro in 2006 led to separate membership in several international financial institutions, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. On 18 January 2007, Montenegro joined the World Bank and IMF.
Montenegro is pursuing its own membership in the World Trade Organization as well as negotiating a Stabilization and Association agreement with the European Union in anticipation of eventual membership. Severe unemployment remains a key political and economic problem for this entire region. Montenegro has privatized its large aluminum complex - the dominant industry - as well as most of its financial sector, and has begun to attract foreign direct investment in the tourism sector.
• GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.918 billion (2007 est.)
• GDP - real growth rate: 7.5% (2007 est.)
• GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,800 (2005 est.)
• Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (2007)
• Exports: $171.3 million (2003)
• Imports: $601.7 million (2003)
Government
Montenegro is considered a parliamentary representative democratic republic, with the seat of government centered in the capital city, Podgorica. The country declared its independence from "Serbia and Montenegro" on June 3, 2006. The national holiday is National Day, celebrated on July 13.
• Administrative divisions: 21 municipalities (opstine, singular - opstina); Andrijevica, Bar, Berana, Bijelo Polje, Budva, Cetinje, Danilovgrad, Herceg Novi, Kolasin, Kotor, Mojkovac, Niksic, Plav, Pljevlja, Pluzine, Podgorica, Rozaje, Savnik, Tivat, Ulcinj, Zabljak
• Legal system: Based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
• Constitution: 19 October 2007 (approved by the Assembly)
• Independence: 3 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro)
References
Government of Montenegro - Official Website
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - The World Factbook
Nation Master - World Data Center
Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia
Lonely Planet - Travel Guidebook
