Montenegro

Montenegro is a country in Southeast Europe on the Adriatic coast. It is bordered by Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and Albania, with a short Adriatic coastline. The country covers about 13,812 square kilometers and has a population of roughly 620,000. The capital and largest city is Podgorica; Cetinje is the historic former royal capital. The official language is Montenegrin, with Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian, and Croatian spoken in various communities.

Montenegro gained independence in 2006 after a referendum that ended the State Union with Serbia. It has pursued closer ties with the European Union and joined NATO in 2017. It has held EU candidate status since 2010, with accession negotiations ongoing.

Its terrain is largely mountainous with a short Adriatic coastline. Notable landscapes include the Bay of Kotor, Durmitor National Park, and the Tara River Canyon. The country contains several cultural sites, including medieval churches and fortresses; the historic towns of Kotor, Budva, and Cetinje are popular destinations. Tourism, energy, and services are central to the economy, and Montenegro uses the euro as its de facto currency.

Demographically, Montenegro is home to diverse ethnic communities, with Montenegrins and Serbs forming the largest groups, along with Albanians, Bosniaks, and Croats. The population is largely Orthodox Christian, with Catholic and Muslim minorities. The country maintains a unitary parliamentary republic as its constitutional framework.