Montenegro

The Republic of Montenegro (Serbian: Crna Gora, Црна Гора) is a constituent republic within the state union (political union) of Serbia and Montenegro in the Balkans, on the Adriatic Sea. By its constitution, Montenegro is defined as a "democratic, welfare, and ecological state" [1].

Crna Gora translates literally to "black mountain", a reference to the dark forests that once covered the slopes of the Dinaric Alps as seen from the coast [2]. The English-language term stems from the Venetian "monte negro," while in Albanian the name is Mali i Zi; both also translate to "black mountain." Other languages use either "Montenegro" or their own translation.

Throughout a number of centuries Montenegro was a de facto independent principality ruled by a succession of dynasties and rulers. The country obtained de jure international recognition of its independence, following the Eastern Crisis (1875-1878), at the Congress of Berlin. On 28 August 1910, Montenegro's ruler Prince Nikola Petrović Njegoš proclaimed himself King. In 1918, Montenegro's Serb-approved legislature, sitting in Podgorica, voted for Montenegro to become part of Serbia. Montenegrins loyal to King Nicholas rebelled in 1919 and were suppressed by 1924 by the Serbian Army.

Between 1945 and 2003, Montenegro was a Republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia respectively. It is now one of two constituent states of the state union of Serbia and Montenegro. On May 21 2006, Montenegro will hold a referendum to determine whether or not to terminate the union with Serbia.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Union with Serbia
5 Symbols
6 See also
7 External links

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History

Template:Main Image:Principalities02.png The Slav tribes mixed with Illyrians, Avars, and Romans organized into a semi-independent dukedom of Duklja by the 10th century. In 1077, Pope Gregory VII recognized Duklja as an independent state, acknowledging its King Mihailo (Michael) (of the Vojisavljević dynasty founded by nobleman Stefan Vojislav) as rex Doclea (King of Duklja). The kingdom, however, paid tribute to the Byzantine Empire; it gave birth to the later medieval kingdom of Serbian Great Zupan (Serbian: župan) Stefan Nemanja, who originated from Duklja.

The independent principality of Zeta (which more closely corresponds to the early modern state of Montenegro) asserted itself towards 1360. The Balšić (1360s – 1421) and Crnojević (1421 – 1499) dynasties ruled Zeta; and though the Ottoman Empire controlled the lands to the south and east from the 15th century, it never fully conquered Zeta.

In 1516, the secular prince Đurađ Crnojević abdicated in favor of the Archbishop Vavil, who then formed Montenegro into a theocratic state under the rule of the prince-bishop (vladika) of Cetinje, a position held from 1697 by the Petrović-Njegoš family of the Riđani clan. Petar Petrović Njegoš, perhaps the most influential vladika, reigned in the first half of the 19th century. In 1851 Danilo II Petrović Njegoš became vladika, but in 1852 he married, threw off his ecclesiastical character, assuming the title of knjaz (Prince), and transformed his land into a secular principality.

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Geography

Main article: Geography of Montenegro

See also: List of cities in Montenegro

Image:Montenegro-un.png Image:Montenegro municipalities.png The principal cities and towns of Montenegro are: the capital Podgorica (136,473 inhabitants), Nikšić (58,212), Pljevlja (21,377), Bijelo Polje (15,883), Herceg Novi (16,493 - incl. Igalo) and Berane (11,776) . The former royal capital and the seat of the throne is Cetinje.

Internationally, it borders Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Albania. Within the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro it borders Serbia (including the southern Serbian province Kosovo and Metohia).

The Montenegrin surface ranges from high peaks along its borders with Kosovo and Albania, a segment of the Karst of the western Balkan Peninsula, to a narrow coastal plain that is only one to four miles wide. The plain stops abruptly in the north, where Mount Lovcen and Mount Orjen plunge abruptly into the inlet of the Bay of Kotor.

Montenegro's vast Karst region lies generally at elevations of 1,000 meters (3,281 ft) above sea level - however some parts rise to 2,000 meters (6,560 ft) like Mount Orjen (1,894 m / 6,214 ft), the highest masif among the coastal limestone ranges. Zeta River valley is the lowest segment at an elevation of 500 meters (1,640 ft).

The rough mountains of Montenegro include some of the most rugged terrain in Europe. They average more than 2,000 meters (6,560 ft) in elevation. One of the country's notable peaks is Bobotov Kuk in the Durmitor mountain, which reaches a height of 2,522 meters (8,274 ft). The Montenegrin mountain ranges were among the most ice-eroded parts of the Balkan Peninsula during the last glacial period.

Longest beach: Velika Plaza, Ulcinj - 13,000 meters (8 miles)
Highest peak: Bobotov Kuk (Durmitor Mt.) - 2,522 meters (8,274 ft)
Largest lake: Lake Skadar - 391 km² (151 mi²) of surface area
Deepest canyon: Tara River - 1,300 meters (4,265 ft)
Biggest bay: Boka Kotorska Bay of Kotor
National parks: Durmitor - 390 km² (150 mi²), Lovćen - 64 km² (25 mi²), Biogradska Gora - 54 km² (21 mi²), Lake Skadar - 400 km²(154 mi²)
UNESCO World Heritage sites: Durmitor and Tara River canyon, old city of Kotor.

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Demographics

Image:Montenegro ethnic02.png Main article: Demographic history of Montenegro Ethnic composition according to the 2003 census:

Montenegrins: 267,669 (43.16%)
Serbs: 198,414 (31.99%)
Bosniaks: 48,184 (7.77%)
Albanians: 31,163 (5.03%)
Muslims: 24,625 (3.97%)
Croats: 6,811 (1.1%)
Roma and Egyptians: 2,826 (0.46%)

NB: Montenegrin and Serb identities are not exclusive and the size of each group varies with each census, due to political events and as people view themselves, on balance, as more one than the other. A "Montenegrin" may view himself as a "Serb" as well, and vice versa. Of course, in both groups there are those who view themselves as belonging to one group exclusively.

In the constitution of Montenegro adopted in 1992, the official language of the republic was changed from Serbo-Croat to the Serbian of the Ijekavian standard. As of 2003, 63.5% of the population declare Serbian their mother tongue, while almost 22% declare Montenegrin language. The dialects used are the same, very similar to those used by Serbs, Croats and Muslims in Bosnia and Croatia, with slight nuances.

Over 74% of Montenegrins are Eastern Orthodox Christians, adherents of the Serbian Orthodox Church. 110,000 Muslims make up 17.74% of Montenegro's population. They are divided into three main groups: ethnic Albanians and Slavic Muslims split among Bosniaks and Montenegrin Muslims. Albanians are a separate group, speaking their own language (5.26%) and living mostly in the south-east, especially in Ulcinj, where they form the majority of the population. Bosniaks are Slavic Muslims speaking the Bosnian language living mostly in the north. Finally, there are a few Croats and Catholic inhabitants, who live mostly in the coastal areas, particularly Boka Kotorska.

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Union with Serbia

In the last referendum on remaining in Yugoslavia in 1992, 95.96% of the votes were cast for remaining in the federation with Serbia, although the turnout was at 66% because of a boycott by the Muslim and Catholic minorities as well as of pro-independence Montenegrins. Proponents of independence claim that the poll was organized under undemocratic conditions, with widespread propaganda from the state-controlled media in favour of a pro-federation vote.

In 1996, Milo Đukanović's government severed de facto ties between Montenegro and Serbia (back then still under Milošević). Montenegro formed its own economic policy and switched to using the Deutsche Mark as its currency as proposed by foreign economic advisors at the time. It currently uses the euro, though it is not formally part of the Eurozone. The Serbian Dinar is not legal tender in Montenegro and is only accepted at a few tourist resorts.

The current and previous government of Montenegro are carrying out pro-independence policies. Political tensions with Serbia still simmer regardless of the recent political changes in Belgrade.

In 2002, Serbia and Montenegro came to a new agreement regarding continued cooperation. In 2003, the Yugoslav federation was replaced in favour of a looser state union named Serbia and Montenegro and the possible referendum for Montenegro's independence was postponed for a minimum of three years.

The status of the union between Serbia and Montenegro will be decided by a referendum on Montenegrin independence which will be held on May 21, 2006.

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Symbols

A new official flag of Montenegro was adopted on July 12th 2004 by the Montenegrin legislature. The new flag is based on the personal standard of King Nikola I of Montenegro. It is all red with a gold border with a gold coat of arms of King Nikola I (the initials НI are of King Nikola I in Cyrillic script).

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 and the start of the first popular uprising in Europe against the Axis Powers on 13 July 1941 in Montenegro.

In 2004, the Montenegrin legislature selected a popular Montenegrin folk song, "Oh the Bright Dawn of May", as the national anthem. Montenegro's official anthem during the reign of King Nicholas was Ubavoj nam Crnoj Gori (To our beautiful Montenegro). The music was composed by the King's son Knjaz Mirko.

Podgorica, Millennium bridge	Podgorica, Old bridge over the Ribnica river	The Harbor in Budva	Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (Sv. Tripun) in Kotor
Church in Perast	The two islands off Perast	Mount Lovćen	Durmitor
Sveti Stefan