Montenegro - Country Profile
| Full name: |
Republic of Montenegro |
| Population: |
650.000 |
| Administrative capital: |
Podgorica |
| Area:: |
13,938 sq km |
| Languages: |
Montenegrin, Serbian |
| Monetary unit: |
euro |
| Internet domain: |
.me |
| International dialling code: |
(+382) |
Location of Montenegro
Montenegro belongs geographically to the central Mediterranean and is located one hour's flight from Rome, or two hours from London. It shares a southern sea border with Italy, to the east and north it borders on Serbia and Albania, and to the west on Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.
Travel and Tourism in Montenegro: The most promising and probably the most profitable section of the economy of Montenegro is tourism. This ranges from nautical tourism, mountaineering, hiking, hunting, to health tourism United Nations recognized Montenegro as the first ecological state, and that adds to the attractiveness of Montenegro as a touristic location.
Coastal tourism is developed in the south. Along the coastline, like a string of beads there are beautiful beaches and charming old towns, a jewel in the crown is the little town of St. Steven which was turned into a luxury hotel area. Then, there is Budva, the metropolis of Montenegrin tourism, with its surrounding beaches- the Slavic Beach and the so-called "mosaic-beach" of Becici, which was acknowledged to be the most beautiful beach in Europe. The list includes the medieval town of Kotor with its cultural monuments, which have received UNESCO's protection; the Gulf of Kotor:; called the "Pearl of the Adriatic Sea", with its curved shoreline and numerous small villages.
Culture and Education
The first literary works written in this region are ten centuries old; the first Montenegrin book was printed five hundred years ago. The first state-owned printing press in the world was located in Cetinje in 1494, where the first South Slavic book was printed the same year. Ancient manuscripts, dating from the 13th century, are kept in Montenegrin monasteries.
The national capital Cetinje is the center of culture and art of Montenegro.
The live styles and culture of all ethnic groups in Montenegro are best illustrated in its museums, which house over tens of thousands of artifacts.
Today we have accumulated a rich cultural and historical heritage, which dates from the pre Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque periods. The Montenegrin coastal region is especially known for its cultural monuments, such as the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, the basilica of St. Luka (over 800 years), Our lady of Skrpjelo, the Savina Monastery, and many others.
The Byzantine influence in the architecture and in monastery paintings is especially felt in the continental part of Montenegro. Montenegrin medieval monasteries are decorated with thousands of square meters of frescos on their walls.
Cuisine in Montenegro
Often when we are meeting some new state, people, culture, we start from the question what their national cuisine is like, and with what pleasant thing that civilization can surprise us. Montenegro is a culture like that, hidden, like a pearl, in the very heart of Europe, ready to surprise you, to surrender to all your senses, and to offer to you on its national table the things which you are seeing for the first time, as well as those that you had the chance to see before, but now in a new arrangement. One thing could never be reprimanded to Montenegrins – they are exquisite hosts. The doors are opened for you here; you will be given the best seat at the table, and offered with the best things that your host has… Montenegrin national cuisine opens its doors for you – taste the tradition…
Montenegro is known for its delicious traditional food including fresh fish, juicy steak, peppers in kajmak cheese, smoked hams and lamb braised in milk. Crisp salads, earthy vegetables, rich sauces, bread, garlic, parsley, olive oil being the staple accompaniments. All washed down with a full-bodied red or dry white wine or rather strong loza.
Climate
Summer is hot, especially in the south where it can be stifling. Autumn and spring are mild with sunny weather. Winter in the northern and central areas of Montenegro is much wetter and cooler than in the south. Mountainous areas are often cold with heavy snowfall.
