Montenegro:

Country Guide

Montenegro - general country guide

Contents

Map

Source: CIA World Factbook

Summary Data

Summary Data  
Total Area (km2) 14,026
Land (km2) 13,812
Water (km2) 214
Population 678,177
Population Density (/km2) 49.1
Capital Podgorica
Religion Orthodox,
Muslim,
Roman Catholic
Time GMT+1
Climate  

Mediterranean climate, hot dry summers
and autumns and relatively cold winters
with heavy snowfalls inland.

Source: CIA World Factbook

Geography

The Republic of Montenegro is a small state in the southeast of Europe. Located in the south-west Balkans, it borders Croatia to the west, Bosnia to the north-west, Serbia to the north-east and Albania to the south-east. It has 293.5 km of coastline on the Adriatic Sea, which includes 52 km of beaches. Montenegro's administrative capital and largest city is Podgorica, while the old royal capital or seat to the throne is Cetinje.

The name 'Montenegro' means 'black mountain' and probably derives from the dark forests and deep canyons that line the country's limestone mountain areas. These mountains comprise some of the most rugged terrain in Europe and average more than 2,000 metres in height. The lowlands are made up of fertile plains and river valleys, with a narrow coastal plain. The beautiful Adriatic coastline is made up of beaches, bays and coves, while the UNESCO protected Bay of Kotor is Europe's most southern Fjord.

Government

The Republic of Montenegro is a new state that only formally declared its independence from its state with Serbia on June 3rd 2006. The referendum on independence was held in May 2006, and the vote for severing ties with Serbia exceeded 55% - the threshold set by the EU.

The head of state is the President, currently Filip Vujanovic (DPS). He was elected on the 11 May 2003 and will remain in office for five years.

The head of government is Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, who was elected in February 2008. The ruling party is the centre-left Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro (DPS) in coalition with the smaller Social Democratic Party of Montenegro (SDP). The Montenegrin Parliament appoints the Prime Minister and all justices of courts, passes all laws and performs other duties. The parliament can pass a vote of no-confidence on the Government if supported by a majority of the members.

Language

Montenegrin (official), Serbian (Ijekavian dialect), Bosnian, Albanian, Croatian

Electricity

220 volts 50Hz.

Plugs are of the European round two-pin style.

Passports/Visa

A passport is required by foreign nationals including British, Australian, Canadian, USA and EU.

Visas

Visas are not required for British, Australian, Canadian, USA and EU nationals for stays up to 90 days for tourist purposes only.

Other nationals are advised to contact the Embassy of the Republic of Montenegro in France for information on visa requirements.

All visitors must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival in Montenegro, unless you are staying in a hotel or official tourist accommodation where it will be done for you.

Passport/Visa Information

Embassy of the Republic of Montenegro in France,

Boulevard St Germain,

Paris,

France

Tel: (01) 5363 8030.

Email: ambasadacg@orange.fr

 

Embassy of Serbia and Montenegro

28 Belgrave Square,

London,

SW1X 8QB,

Great Britain
Tel: 44 207 235 9049

Fax: 44207 235 7092

Website: http://www.yugoslavembassy.org.uk/

Office hours: Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm

Consular Services Section: Mon-Fri 10am – 1pm

Airports and Airlines

The national airline is Montenegro Airlines www.montenegro-airlines.cg.yu

Podgorica airport (TGD)

  • Location: 12km from the city. Buses and taxis are available to transfer to the city.
  • Contacts: 81000 Podgorica, PP202, Montenegro
  • Tel: +382 81 872 870
  • Transfer to the city: Buses and taxis are available to and from the airport. Car journeys take app. 15 minutes to the city.
  • Facilities: Two cafes, duty free shop, car rental post, Montenegrin banks

Standard of Living

The standard of living in Montenegro is still not as high as a lot of Europe, but it is improving. Unemployment remains a key problem, though recently there have been great improvements. With continued FDI and GDP growth per capita, income and employment should rise.

In the last five years, the human rights situation in Montenegro has improved greatly. As would be expected in a country in political and economic transition, some problems remain. Yet, following independence Montenegro should remain faithful to the human rights commitments it made while part of the State Union with Serbia. 

Principal commercial centres and towns

Podgorica is the administrative capital of Montenegro, while Cetinje is the old royal capital.

Population by city/town 2007  
Podgorico 136,473
Niksic 58,212
Pljevlja 21,377
Bijelo Polje 15,883
Herceg Novi 16,493

Source: Wikipedia Top

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