Fun Easy English - Travel abroad Montenegro.

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Montenegro

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION

Montenegro declared its independence from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro on June 3, 2006, following a peaceful referendum process. Montenegro is a small Balkan country currently undergoing significant political and economic change. Tourist facilities are widely available but vary in quality and some may not be up to Western standards.

PEOPLE

Montenegro resisted the rule of the Ottoman Turks, maintaining its independence and playing off its powerful neighbors against each other. Montenegro was recognized as an independent and sovereign principality by the Great Powers of Europe assembled at the Congress of Berlin on July 13, 1878.

During World War I, Montenegro fought on the side of the Allies but was defeated and occupied by Austria. Upon Austrian occupation, the Montenegrin king, King Nikola I, and his government went into exile. In late 1918, an Assembly met in Podgorica, and under the eyes of the Serbian army, deposed King Nikola and declared unification with Serbia. The government of Montenegro in exile denounced the Assembly's action, to no avail. From 1919 to 1941, Montenegro was part of what became known as the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, despite armed resistance in the early 1920s to rule from Belgrade.

When Yugoslavia was invaded and partitioned by the Axis powers in April 1941, Montenegro was appropriated by the Italians under a nominally autonomous administration. While some Montenegrins sided with Italy, motivated by antipathy against past rule from Belgrade, the Partisan Revolt in Montenegro began early, on July 13, 1941, and initially scored impressive successes against the Italian occupiers. Throughout World War II, Montenegro served as an effective base and refuge for Tito's Partisans. After the war, Montenegro was granted the status of a republic within Yugoslavia.

The breakup of the Yugoslav federation after 1989 left Montenegro in a precarious position. Between 1991 and 1992, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Macedonia all seceded from Yugoslavia. On April 27, 1992 in Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro joined in passing the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Though Montenegro reaffirmed its political attachment to Serbia, a sense of a distinct Montenegrin identity continued to thrive. The government of Montenegro was critical of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic's 1998-99 campaign in Kosovo, and the ruling coalition parties boycotted the September 2000 federal elections, which led to the eventual removal of Milosevic's regime.

In March 2002, the Belgrade Agreement was signed by the heads of the federal and republican governments, setting forth the parameters for a redefinition of Montenegro's relationship with Serbia within a joint state. On February 4, 2003, the F.R.Y. parliament ratified the Constitutional Charter, establishing a new state union and changing the name of the country from Yugoslavia to Serbia and Montenegro. On May 21, 2006, the Republic of Montenegro held a successful referendum on independence and declared independence on June 3.

Serbia, the European Union (EU), and all permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have recognized the Republic of Montenegro's independence. Montenegro joined the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on June 22, 2006, the United Nations (UN) on June 28, 2006, and the Council of Europe on May 11, 2007.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

U.S. citizens with tourist, official, or diplomatic passports do not require a visa for entry and stay in Montenegro for up to 90 days. If U.S. citizens decide to stay longer than 90 days they must apply for a temporary residence permit one week before the 90 day period expires. This applies to bearers of all types of U.S. passports – tourist, official, and diplomatic. The Government of Montenegro has established its Embassy in Washington and a Consulate in New York. See our Foreign Entry Requirements brochure for more information on Montenegro and other countries. Visit the Embassy of Montenegro web site at insert site here for the most current visa information.

Travelers are required to declare currency in excess of 2,000 Euros upon entry and must obtain from customs officials a declaration form that must be presented at departure. Failure to comply may result in confiscation of funds and criminal proceedings.

Registration with Local Authorities: Visitors staying in private accommodations other than hotels must register with the police station responsible for the area in which they are staying within 24 hours of arrival. Failure to comply may result in a fine, incarceration, and/or expulsion. Persons who fail to register may face difficulties in departing the country. Visitors staying in hotels or tourist facilities are automatically registered with the police by the hotel.

QUICK FACTS

Geography
Area: Montenegro (13,938 sq. km.) is slightly smaller than Connecticut.
Cities: Capital--Podgorica. Other cities--Bar, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Budva, Cetinje, Herceg Novi, Kotor, Niksic, Pljevlja, Tivat, Ulcinj.
Terrain: Varied; mountainous regions with thick forests; central plains; southwestern Adriatic coast with high shoreline with very few islands off the coast.
Climate: Generally continental; Mediterranean along the coast.

People
Nationality: Noun--Montenegrin(s); adjective--Montenegrin.
Population: 630,548 (2004 Republic census).
Population growth rate (2004): 3.5%.
Ethnic groups (2004 census): Montenegrin 43%, Serbian 31%, Bosniak 8%, Albanian 5%, Muslim 5%, Croatian 1%, Roma 0.5%.
Religions (2004 census): Orthodox 74%, Muslim 18%, Roman Catholic 4%.
Languages: Serbo-Croatian 95%, Albanian 5%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--14.2 deaths/1,000. Life expectancy--male 72.8 yrs., female 76.7 yrs.

Government
Type: Republic.
Constitution: Adopted October 12, 1992.
Independence: June 3, 2006 (declared by parliament after referendum in favor of independence from state union of Serbia and Montenegro).
Branches: Executive--president (chief of state); prime minister (head of government). Legislative--Montenegrin parliament. Judicial--Constitutional Court and Supreme Court.
Political parties: Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), Democratic Union of Albanians (DUA), Democratic League in Montenegro (DSCG), Democratic Serbian Party (DSS), Liberal Party (LP), People's Party of Montenegro (NS), Serbian People's Party (SNS), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Socialist People's Party (SNP), Movement for Change (PZP), Albanian Alternataive (AA), Croatian Civic Initiative (HGI), Bosniak Party (BS), Party of Serbian Unity (SSJ), People's Socialist Party (NSS), and Party of Serbian Radicals (SSR).
Suffrage: Universal at 18.

Economy
GDP (2006): $2.230 billion (€1,778).
Real GDP growth rate (2006/2005): 6.5%.
Per capita income (2006): $3,500 (€2,790).
Inflation rate (2006): 2.5%.
Natural resources: Bauxite.
Agriculture: 15% of GDP.
Industry: 28% of GDP.
Services: 56% of GDP.
Trade (2006): Exports--$619.3 million (€493.6 million). Major markets--Serbia ($211.1 million; €168.2 million), Italy ($178.4 million; €142.2 million), Hungary ($55 million; €43.9 million) Greece ($52.3 million; €41.7 million), Bosnia and Herzegovina ($34.9 million; €27.8 million). Imports--$1.763 billion (€1.405 billion). Major suppliers--Serbia ($502.4 million; €400.4 million), Germany ($194.8 million; €155.3 million), Italy ($174.1 million; €138.7 million), Greece ($75.1 million; €59.9 million), Croatia ($72.6 million; €57.9 million).

USEFUL LINKS

U.S. Government