Perhaps everyone has heard of a country like Montenegro. Although she, as a state, was not yet ten years old! Where is the youngest European country located? How and when did she become independent? And what is Montenegro "the best"?
The European country Crna Gora (as the Montenegrins themselves call it) is located in the Balkans. First of all, it is known to tourists and travelers who are very delighted with visiting Montenegro.
The youngest European country
Until 2006, this state was an integral part of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro, and even earlier it was part of Yugoslavia. The youngest European country officially became independent at the end of June 2006. The appearance of a new state on the political map of the world was soon recognized by the UN.
Immediately it should be noted that the sovereignty of Montenegro was recognized by all European countries, including Serbia.
Montenegro has little access to the Adriatic Sea. It borders with Serbia, Croatia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and also with Kosovo - partiallyrecognized republic.
Geographically, this European country consists of three parts (regions): coastal, central plains and eastern mountains. Podgorica received the status of the capital of the state. But the main cultural center of the country is the city of Cetinje.
The state flag and coat of arms depict an eagle - a sign of the first royal dynasty of Montenegro. It symbolizes the unity of state and church authorities.
The long history of Montenegro
The European country of Montenegro existed as an independent state already in the 18th century. She was the first of the modern Balkan states, which managed to separate from the powerful Ottoman Empire. The capital of sovereign Montenegro in those days was the city of Cetinje. By the way, the Berlin Treaty of 1878 included Montenegro among the 27 independent states of the world.
In 1916, the country was occupied by the troops of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Two years later, Montenegro was liberated (or captured, if you look from a different point of view) by the Serbian army. The Podgorica assembly (the national authority of the country at that time) decided to cling to the wing of the royal dynasty of Serbia.
During 1919-19124, mass unrest and protests of the population against the Serbian authorities took place in Montenegro. After the end of World War II, Montenegro, as one of the republics, became part of Yugoslavia.
Modern history of Montenegro: the way toindependence
After the collapse of Yugoslavia, the country became part of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. Already in the late 90s, Milo Djukanovic (the ideological leader of the Montenegrin people) became an ardent opponent of Slobodan Milosevic. Djukanovic began to actively promote the idea of independence, demanded the expansion of political and economic rights for Montenegro.
By the way, in the early 2000s, many European countries did not support Montenegro's aspirations to become an independent state. Despite this, in 2002 Montenegro adopted the euro as the local currency.
Negotiations on holding a referendum began at the very beginning of 2006. Serbian opposition categorically rejected this idea. However, the dialogue continued. Soon EU representatives also joined him. It was they who proposed the referendum condition to the parties: Montenegro will gain independence if at least 55% of citizens vote for it.
The referendum took place on May 21, 2006. The turnout was very high - over 86%. At the same time, 55.4% of the people who came to the polling stations voted for the independence of Montenegro. In June of the same year, the Montenegrin parliament solemnly declared sovereignty, and a new young European country appeared on the map.
Montenegro is a tourist country
Tens of thousands of European tourists visit Montenegro every year. And they remain in awe of this amazingly beautiful, unusual and original country.
Here there is everything for the development of tourism: centuries-old history, ancient temples andmonasteries, cultural highlights… And most importantly - diverse and simply stunning natural landscapes! And Montenegrins skillfully and effectively use all this. At the same time, they carefully store and protect their natural resources.
According to statistics, every year the number of tourists coming to Montenegro is twice the number of the indigenous population of this country. And this is no small achievement for such a young state!
12 amazing facts about Montenegro
As a result, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the list of the most amazing facts about Montenegro;
- in the capital of the country Podgorica is the shortest street in Europe with a length of 30 meters;
- in Montenegro (according to some sources) there is also the narrowest street in Europe;
- Montenegrins are the highest European nation;
- this country has the rainiest place in Europe (a village on the slopes of Mount Orien);
- in the north of the state there is a so-called village of bachelors, in which 60 men live who voluntarily deprived themselves of family well-being;
- a fragment of the cross on which Christ was crucified is kept in Montenegro;
- the highest bell tower on the entire Adriatic coast was built in this country;
- the highest mountain church is located in Montenegro (at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level);
- Crna Gora is a country of phenomenally narrow river canyons, some of which a person can even step over;
- one of the three relict (untouched) forests has been preserved in MontenegroEurope;
- this tiny country has 22 endemic plant species;
- it was in Montenegro that nature created the deepest canyon in Europe (this is the canyon of the Tara River up to 1300 meters deep).
In conclusion…
Montenegro is a small European country located on the Balkan Peninsula. This is the youngest state on the map of Europe. Independence was proclaimed here in June 2006.
