Serbia

Serbia is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe, located in the central Balkans. It covers about 88,400 square kilometers and has a population of roughly 7 million. Its capital and largest city is Belgrade. Serbia borders Hungary to the north, Romania and Bulgaria to the east, North Macedonia and Montenegro to the south, and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia to the west. The Danube and Sava rivers flow through the country, linking it to the Black Sea and the Adriatic. The terrain includes fertile plains in Vojvodina and mountainous regions in the interior.

Serbia’s modern history features medieval Serbian states, notably under the Nemanjić dynasty, and a long period under Ottoman rule. It gained independence in the late 19th century, established as a kingdom and later as part of the Yugoslav state formations in the 20th century. After the dissolution of Yugoslavia, Serbia remained as a republic within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and later Serbia and Montenegro, until 2006. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, a move Serbia does not recognize, and the status of Kosovo remains a central and ongoing issue in regional politics and diplomacy.

Serbia is a parliamentary republic. The president serves as head of state, and the prime minister as head of government, with a unicameral National Assembly as the legislature. The economy operates on a market basis, with services forming the largest sector; manufacturing, energy, and agriculture also play important roles. The currency is the dinar (RSD). Major exports include motor vehicles, machinery, food products, and chemicals; key trading partners are European Union members and neighboring countries.

The official language is Serbian, written in both Cyrillic and Latin alphabets. The population is predominantly Orthodox Christian, with minority communities including Catholics, Muslims, and others. Serbia preserves a rich cultural heritage, including Orthodox monasteries and traditional cuisine. UNESCO sites such as Studenica and Dečani are notable, and Belgrade features a historic fortress and riverfront. Serbia is a candidate for European Union accession, with ongoing negotiations and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans.