Montenegro is a small country on the Balkan Peninsula with a beautiful Adriatic coast. It borders with Croatia(14 km), Bosnia and Herzegovina(225 km), Serbia(203 km) and Albania(172 km). Length coastline is 300 km, of which 73 km- these are beaches.

There is a little confusion with the capitals in Montenegro. In the entire history of the country, 2 cities have had this status: Cetinje And Podgorica. Today is official and cultural capital is Cetinje. The President and Metropolitan live here. And business and political - Podgorica, since all administrative institutions remained here.

Capital	Cetinje (official and cultural capital), Podgorica (main city)
Population	625,266 (2011)
Population density	50 people/km²
	Montenegrin
Religion	Orthodoxy
Form of government	republic
Timezone
International dialing code
Internet domain zone
Electricity

Conventionally, the territory of Montenegro is divided into 3 parts: coast, more or less flat central part, where the largest cities of Niksic and Podgorica are located, as well as the mountainous part in the east of the country.

The Montenegrin language was officially recognized in 2007. Before that, it was considered a form of Serbian. Montenegrins will understand you equally well in both English and Russian.

The vast majority of the population is of the Orthodox faith. The number of the rest is only 0.1%.

The main part of the economy in Montenegro is tourism. But besides this high level Such types of industries as electrical engineering in Cetinje, shipbuilding and repair in Bar and Bijela, ferrous metallurgy in Niksic and others are also developed. Growing tobacco, processing aluminum and extracting salt are also important.

Climate and weather

There are 3 climatic zones in Montenegro, as well as conventional territorial parts. In the north, a temperate continental climate predominates. There can be snow here for up to 5 months a year.

On the Adriatic coast the climate is Mediterranean. Summers here are dry and hot, with average temperatures +23…+25 °C. Winter is also warm, mild and rainy. The temperature rarely drops below 0 °C and on average reaches +7… +9 °C. Particularly seasoned beach season begins in mid-May. The peak period occurs in July and August and lasts until the end of September.

In the continental part of the country the climate is more temperate. Temperature differences in winter and summer are more pronounced here. It's hot and dry in summer, average temperature +26…+28°C, but on particularly hot days the thermometer can rise to +40 °C. There is almost no rain in summer. In winter the temperature drops to +5…+7 °С, there may be frosts at night.

In the mountains, as expected, there are quite cold, snowy winters (-7...-8 °C), and summers are relatively warm (about +20 °C). Ski resorts open the season from the beginning of December. It lasts until the end of March.

Nature

In Montenegro, this small European country, you can see magnificent natural contrasts. She settled down in one of the most beautiful places Mediterranean coast. Here, pebble beaches alternate with sandy ones, coniferous trees coexist with perennial olives, acacias and palm trees, and small sea ​​bays with clear water crash into mountain ranges.

As for the rivers, 52% of them belong to the Black Sea basin, the rest belong to the Adriatic. The largest rivers are Tara(144 km) and Lim(123 km). A significant part are mountain rivers that create very deep canyons. For example, the Tara River canyon, 1200m deep, is the deepest in Europe and the second in the world.

Skadar Lake(369.7 km²) - the largest in Montenegro. There are also 29 more reservoirs in the country, all of them of mountainous and glacial origin.

Most of the territory (41%) is occupied by forests. The flora is very rich and has 2833 plant species. Montenegro, according to the Constitution of the Republic, is an “ecological state”. Here, 8.1% of the land is under various nature protection regimes.

Attractions

Preserved in Montenegro a large number of monuments. The business capital of this small country is Podgorica— is unique in that it is located at the confluence of 5 rivers. Unfortunately, the city was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War. From historical monuments Only a few buildings from the 17th-19th centuries have survived here. and an old Turkish fortress.

Cetinje- cultural capital of Montenegro. It can truly be called a museum city. Since its foundation (XIII century), this ancient city has accumulated attractions. Among them:

• mausoleum of Peter Njegos, a great poet and philosopher;
• National Gallery - “Vladin’s House”;
• Palace of King Nikola I.

The holy place is Cetinje Monastery, where the metropolitan lives. The right hand of John the Baptist is kept here.

Kotor is the pearl of Montenegro. This city is included in the UNESCO register and is part of the World Heritage Site. There are many historical monuments concentrated here:

• Cathedral of Saint Tripun;
• Clock tower;
• princely palace;
• palaces of Drago and Grubonia;
• Pima and Gergurina;
• Church of St. Anne, Our Lady of Health;
• Napoleon Theater

In addition, various festivals are constantly held in Kotor.

It is impossible not to say about Budva. This city is surrounded by ancient fortress walls, there are many churches and monasteries. The ruins of medieval Dukla are impressive.

Nutrition

Thanks to its location and rich history, Montenegrin cuisine has become very diverse. It has absorbed the traditions of Italy (cooking cheese, meat, bread, wine), Turkey (pita - bread flatbread, dolma, pilaf, coffee traditions), Hungary (goulash), Europe (jams).

Meat dishes are considered traditional. You should definitely try here evapchichi" - sausages made from minced meat, " liver» - meat roasted on a spit and much more.

Montenegrins love cheese very much. There is a wide variety of it here. These are different " rocked», « kachamak», « Senichki», « Lipsky" And " zlatibor", as well as cheese made from cow's and sheep's milk.

Vegetables are always served on the table, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. This can be either a regular snack or a separate meal. For example, stuffed peppers, “sarma” (stuffed cabbage rolls) and a huge number of other recipes.

In coastal areas, fish dishes are common, for example “ riblya chorba" - ear or " caretaker» - carp baked in cream.

Of the desserts, the most famous is “ gibanica"- pie with curd filling.

Coffee in Montenegro is consumed in huge quantities. Of the wines, the calling card of the country is “ Crnogorski Vranac", which comes in many varieties. Among the stronger drinks, the world famous grape moonshine stands out " rakija" or " lozovac».

Accommodation

There are enough options and opportunities for accommodation in Montenegro: from camping to private apartments.

The most common type of accommodation is, of course, hotels. True, there are no places of the highest category, but this makes the holiday more affordable. The condition of hotels depends on the owner. The state ones were built around 1970-1980, so they resemble Soviet sanatoriums. However, their prices are more affordable. In private hotels the service is higher; there are swimming pools and gyms. But even in them there are not so many rooms with good furniture, comfort and service. Hotels can be booked in advance on your own. A room in a fairly good hotel will cost less than 100 € .

The second most popular accommodation option is private apartments and apartments. This option is cheaper and does not require advance booking. Local residents offer similar apartments to tourists right at train stations.

Camping is common in the south of the country. They can have 10-15 seats, or 200. There can also be big differences in the level of hygiene: from the most primitive washbasins to modern bathrooms.

Entertainment and relaxation

You can relax in Montenegro both actively and calmly. There is 170 beaches different types: pebbly, sandy, with a rocky shore. They can be several kilometers long or just a few hundred meters long. There are beaches right under the hotel windows, and there are remote and deserted ones. Some are isolated and located in bays, while others go straight out to the open sea.

Montenegro has a wide variety of options active rest. Rock climbers and mountaineers can try their hand at the mountains. Mountain rivers are ideal for rafting. It is officially offered at Tara River. The session can last up to 15 hours.

The sea in Montenegro is calm in some places, but stormy in other areas and therefore perfect for surfing. Sailing is gaining momentum.

In Montenegro there is something to see underwater. There are more than 400 species of fish and a large number of sunken ships. The city is especially popular for this type of recreation. Bar. Forest roads are suitable for walking, horseback riding and bicycle tours. And in winter, ski resorts open. The main ones are Zabljak And Kolasin.

Montenegrins love to hold all kinds of festivals. February is carnival time. In the city Herceg Novi At the beginning of this month there is a mimosa festival. A big music festival takes place in Budva in the summer.

Purchases

There are no supermarkets or hypermarkets in Montenegro. But there are many small shops and even vans here. True, it is not always possible to find what you need here. The most convenient are self-service stores (“ Self-help"). They are open late and you can find almost anything there. Prices are almost the same everywhere.

There are kiosks at every step ( traffic), where you can buy ice cream, newspapers, telephone cards, drinks.

Closer to the beach there is trade in everything under the sun: sunglasses, swimwear, cosmetics, cigarettes (which are no cheaper than in stores). However, all this is of dubious origin.

The markets are similar to Belarusian and Russian. You can bargain here. On the coast, fresh (sometimes just caught fish) and fruits straight from the garden predominate.

Textiles in Montenegro are different. The one that is cheap and sold at every turn is usually made in Turkey or China and is not distinguished by quality. Branded goods are offered in boutiques, of which there are few, and are expensive.

The best souvenirs are wine, brandy, cheese, and ham.

Transport

Montenegro is a small country that you can travel around by car in 1-2 days. The condition of roads in the republic leaves much to be desired. There may even be missing signs traffic. However, on mountain trails the coverage is quite good. The capital is connected to the coast by 2 highways: one goes to Budva through a pass, and the second along Lake Skadar, and then along a steep serpentine road through the mountains down to the sea.

Speed ​​limits in Montenegro are as follows: in populated areas - up to 40 km/h, outside populated areas - up to 80 km/h. On highways the speed limit is up to 100 km/h.

You can rent a car at Podgorica airport and in many large cities. It is best to rent for at least 5 days.

The most developed type of transport is the bus. In addition to routes on the coast, there are also short, intra-city routes. Minibus taxis run along the coast.

Rail transport is not developed. There are only 2 directions: Podgorica-Niksic and Bar - Podgorica - Bijelo Polje (then goes beyond the country, to Belgrade). Ticket prices are very low.

There are many taxis near the airports. Here you will need to pay to turn on the meter and the set limit for each kilometer. There are also many private taxi drivers who are ready to either take you to your destination or arrange an excursion for the whole day.

Connection

There are several opportunities to use the Internet in Montenegro.

Firstly, this is ADSL T-COM. Connection costs 5 €. Monthly payment – ​​20 €. Speed ​​2 GB/s, without traffic restrictions.

Secondly, a 3G modem. It doesn't work fast everywhere, it depends on the location. The cost of the modem is 29 € + 5 € per number + 25 € for every 2 GB of traffic.

Thirdly, cable Internet. This species is not very well developed in this country. This is due to the fact that in Montenegro there are mainly one- and two-story houses, so the cost of laying cables is high.

And finally, WIMAX M-TEL. Today this is the most popular way to access the Internet. Works well, stable connection. Connection occurs within 1 day. You will need to pay 200 € for connection. The cost of a month of Internet is 15 €.

The major mobile operators in Montenegro are MoNet GSM and Pro Monte. It will be beneficial for tourists to buy a local SIM card, then all incoming ones will be free. You can top up your balance using express payment cards, which are sold everywhere.

You can also make a call from a pay phone using Monte Cards. They are sold in kiosks and at the post office. Such a call will cost less than from a hotel, and the quality of communication will be higher. In resort areas there are machines that accept credit cards as payment.

Montenegro is considered a fairly safe country. You can safely walk here even in the dark. However, you need to be careful not to become a victim of pickpockets. Violent crime is extremely rare.

Safety

In Montenegro, women are treated like knights, and foreign tourists will always come to the rescue.

You should not take photographs of police officers, police cars or police stations.

Traffic rules are strictly enforced here.

You must only drive with your low beams on (fine - 30 €), wearing a seat belt (fine 15 €), the driver must not talk on the phone (fine 20 €), you cannot overtake after a prohibitory sign and cross a solid line (fine from 50 to 150 € ). Be sure to monitor your speed: on the highway - no more than 90 km/h, in populated areas - up to 60 km/h.

If a fine has been issued, it must be paid within 48 hours. In the meantime, the policeman has the right to take away your license until a receipt is presented.

Business climate

After the introduction of the euro in Montenegro, most enterprises could not cope with rising prices and went bankrupt. This also had a very strong impact on ordinary people: there is 30% unemployment in the republic, and the average salary is 200 €.

Agriculture is very developed in Montenegro; more than 40% of the territory is occupied by meadows and pastures. Cattle and sheep are raised here, and potatoes, corn, wheat, and barley are grown.

Fruit growing is also developed in the republic: oranges, lemons, tangerines, figs, plums, pomegranates, and almonds are popular.

Mineral raw materials are mined, albeit in small quantities.

The country has tobacco and textile food factories, aluminum metallurgical and woodworking plants, and electrical plants.

The largest in all of Montenegro is the Podgorica aluminum plant (Kombinat aluminijuma Podgorica - KAP). He belongs Russian company RUSAL.

There are 2 exchanges in Podgorica: Montenegrin and NEX.

Tourism is developing most rapidly. Holidays here are varied: from ski resorts to quiet bays with beaches and clear water. So, if you open your own business here, it will be in one of the areas mentioned above.

Real estate

Purchasing real estate in Montenegro is a profitable investment. For foreigners, however, there are small restrictions: the sale of large plots and plots without buildings is prohibited.

It is best to entrust the process of purchasing real estate to a qualified specialist. At first glance, it may seem quite simple, but you can still stumble upon pitfalls.

There is a large amount of illegal real estate in Montenegro, which can lead to problems for the future owner. A realtor and a lawyer check the property. The decision on the right to transfer property to a new owner can be made by the local community up to 2 months. Since 2011, the purchase and sale agreement has been registered by a notary.

The tax on the purchase of real estate is 3% of its cadastral value. When purchasing premises in a new building, no tax is charged.

Tips in Montenegro are usually 10% of the order amount.

Montenegrins are heavy smokers. They can smoke almost everywhere, even in transport.

It is prohibited in the country to photograph military installations, port facilities, etc.

At the border of Serbia and Montenegro they may offer to take out “national insurance”. This is a violation of the law, because " green map» is valid throughout the country.

Visa information

The visa regime in Montenegro fully complies with EU requirements. To travel to the republic, a visa is not required for foreign citizens of states included in the Schengen Union, and for foreigners who already have a visa from one of the EU countries or an American visa. Also, excellent travel conditions are provided to Belarusians, Ukrainians and Russians. If their stay in the country does not exceed 30 days, then such tourists do not need a Montenegrin visa. Citizens of other CIS countries obtain a visa to Montenegro through the embassy in Moscow, which is located at the address: st. Mytnaya, 3, office. 23--25. contact number: (+7 499) 230 18 65.

Regardless of citizenship, everyone arriving in Montenegro will pay 15 € at the airport if this fee was not included in the ticket price.

Other tourists submit an application to the representation of Montenegro in their country. The visa can be short-term, for up to a year. Moreover, foreigners have the right to stay in this country for no more than 90 days within six months. Transit visa issued upon presentation of a visa from the country to which you are traveling foreign person. A long-term visa is issued with the permission of the relevant authority. Foreign citizen who does not plan to stay at the hotel must register at his place of stay at the nearest police station within 24 hours.

Montenegro or Montenegro (Montenegro, this is the name of this country in English, which translated into Russian means: “Black Mountain”) is a small and very young state located on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe. Montenegro gained independence only in June 2006, having previously been part of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, and even earlier part of the union state.

Montenegro was recently opened to mass tourism, but the number of vacationers on its sea coast is growing at a faster pace. There are a lot of reasons for this, because Montenegro and attractions are almost synonymous words! Cozy resorts on the shore Adriatic Sea, ancient cities, some of whom still remember Roman times, the most beautiful mountain monasteries and magnificent natural landscapes, practically untouched by human activity - that’s what this European country is all about.

Attractions and resorts

A significant part of the almost 300-kilometer coast of Montenegro is occupied by beaches and resort towns. The city of Ulcinj in the very south of the country with its memorable beaches covered with the purest black basalt sand. Further north, the cities of Bar, Becici and Budva, the island of Sveti Stefan, have a well-developed tourist infrastructure offering all imaginable types of seaside entertainment.

The winding Bay of Kotor, with its famous Tivat and the town of Herceg Novi far beyond the borders of the country. Lake Skadar (Shkoder, Scutari) in the south of the country, on the border with Albania, is also a very popular and picturesque vacation spot.

As for cities, it is impossible not to visit the sights of the ancient and cozy medieval Kotor, protected by UNESCO as World Heritage humanity, literally the entire cobblestone town of Perast, also on the shores of the Bay of Kotor, Old city the town of Herceg Novi with its churches and a powerful ancient fortress, which is called Stari Grad.

The old town of Budva and the Venetian fortifications in the town of Petrovac a little to the south. The city of Bar with a 16th century aqueduct and a wonderfully preserved Old Town. In the central part of the country, it would be worth visiting the Orthodox monastery Ostrog, carved right into the rock - it is no less picturesque than the famous Spanish Montserrat. As well as national parks with untouched nature: Durmitor, Biogradska Gora, Lovcen rock.

Basic information

Geographically, the country is divided into 21 regions (municipalities). The name of each region corresponds to the name of its central city.
In the southwest, the shores of Montenegro are washed by the turquoise waters of the warm and clean Adriatic Sea. Country borders:

To the west with Croatia;
-in the northeast with Serbia;
-in the northwest with;
-in the southeast with;
-and, finally, in the east with Kosovo, which, however, cannot be considered a completely independent state, since Serbia still considers it part of its territory.

General the area of ​​the land Montenegro: 13,812 km2
Population: about 680 thousand inhabitants
Capital: Podgorica.
Official language : Most Montenegrin citizens speak the Iekavian dialect of Serbian, although the country adopted new Constitution, according to which the official state language became Montenegrin.
Official currency: euro.
Telephone code countries: +382
Local time: 3 hours behind Moscow in winter and 2 hours in summer

Montenegro is a parliamentary republic. The head of state is the president, elected for a 5-year term by popular secret vote. The country's highest legislative body is the unicameral parliament (Montenegro Assembly), consisting of 81 deputies. Elections are held using a proportional system: 76 representatives are elected from Montenegro and 5 from the Albanian minority. Members of Parliament are elected for 4 years. Executive power is in the hands of the government (Vlada), headed by the Prime Minister. The composition of Vlada is approved by the Assembly. Montenegro has a two-tier judicial system.

Big cities

— Podgorica is the capital and the most populated city Montenegro (according to the 2003 census, the number of inhabitants was 136,473). Telephone code: (+382) 20.
- Niksic - 58,212 inhabitants (2003). Telephone code: (+382) 40;
- Pljevlja - 21,337 inhabitants (2003). Telephone code: (+382) 89;
- Bijelo Polje: 15,883 inhabitants (2003). By the way the name of this city (“White Field”) is translated into Russian, one can draw a quite obvious conclusion about the similarity of the Russian and Montenegrin languages. Telephone code: (+382) 50;
— Cetinje (Cetinje) - 15,137 inhabitants (2003). The city is considered the second capital of Montenegro - it is here that the residence of the country's president is located. Telephone code: (+382) 41.

- state in Southern Europe, located on the Balkan Peninsula. In the southeast it borders with Albania, in the south it is separated from Italy by the Adriatic Sea, in the west it has borders with Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The length of the sea coast of Montenegro (including the Malente Islands) is 293.5 km.

The name comes from the toponym Black Mountain.

Official name: Montenegro (Crna Gora).

Capital: Podgorica

The area of ​​the land: 13,812 sq. km

Total Population: 620 thousand people

Administrative division: Montenegro is divided into 21 communities.

Form of government: Republic.

Head of State: The president.

Population composition: 57% are Montenegrins, 30.% are Serbs, 7.77% are Bosnians, 3% are Albanians, 1% are Russians, 0.42% are Roma.

Official language: Montenegrin. Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian and Albanian are also recognized as official languages.

Religion: 74.24% are Orthodox, 17.74% are Muslim, 3.54% are Catholic.

Internet domain: .me

Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz

Country dialing code: +382

Country barcode: 389

Climate

Montenegro has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by dry and hot summers and cool winters with heavy rainfall. Despite the fact that the country's territory is small, 4 climatic regions can be distinguished here: coast, rocky plateau, plain and highlands.

A narrow strip, 2 - 10 km wide, along the coast of Montenegro, bears the most pronounced features of the Mediterranean climate. Summer there is hot (average daily temperature in July is 28..30 C), and there is little precipitation (25 - 50 mm per month). The rainy period lasts from November to January, during which time 170 - 260 mm falls per month; in the north of the coast 1.5 times more precipitation falls than in the south. The average monthly temperature at night in January does not fall below 4..5 C, and during the day 11..13 C. Negative temperatures are not observed every year. The swimming season lasts 5 months from the end of May to October, the water temperature is 20..25 C.

A rocky plateau separates the coast from the interior of the country. It receives the most rainfall in Europe, as its southwestern slopes trap moist air coming from the sea. Thus, in the village of Krivosie, located above the Bay of Kotor, 480 mm of precipitation per day was recorded. In the town of Crkvice, the maximum annual rainfall fell - 5155 mm, and in the cultural capital of the country, Cetinje, located on a plateau near Mount Lovcen - the maximum average annual rainfall (3927 mm/year). Just like on the coast, in summer there is noticeably less precipitation (60 - 80 mm in July), and the rainiest month is November (500 - 700 mm).

The difference in altitude between the coast and the plateau is on average 1000 m, and the height of some peaks reaches 1700 m. Therefore, in the summer it is cooler here than on the coast; the average daily temperature in July varies from 23 to 27 C depending on the altitude. In winter, the average temperature at night is -3..-5 C, and during the day 5..8 C. Snow usually falls in December and persists until mid-March.

The plain is protected by a rocky plateau from the direct influence of the Adriatic Sea, so in summer it is hotter than on the coast (average daytime temperature in July 30..32oC), and in winter it is cooler: on average 0..3oC at night and 9..11oC during the day. Precipitation occurs mainly in autumn and winter. In July, 30 - 60 mm of precipitation falls, and in November 250 - 300 mm.

The climate of the highlands has subalpine features. In winter, the average temperature at night is -6..-9 C, and during the day 0..3oC, but it decreases with altitude. Snow usually falls at the end of November and persists until the end of March. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year, with a maximum in November (can fall from 100 to 300 mm per month depending on the orientation of the slope). Summer is cool, the average temperature during the day is 19..23 C (high in the mountains it can be colder!), and at night 8..10 C.

Best time to visit:

For beach holiday July and August are the best months - the hottest, driest and sunny months. In September, when the sea is still warm and the main wave of tourists has already subsided, you can also have a great holiday at sea. Diving, windsurfing, paragliding and other sports, as well as sightseeing can be done practically all year round, except November-December. You can safely travel to mountainous regions from April to October. The ski season lasts from December to March.

Geography

Montenegro - small country, located in the southwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula on the Adriatic coast. Its area is only 13.8 thousand km2. However, 4 different natural and climatic regions can be distinguished on the territory of the country: coastal, plateau, highland and flat, leading to Lake Skadar.

In the west, Montenegro borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the coast with Croatia, in the north and northeast with Serbia, and in the east with Albania. From the south it is limited by the Adriatic Sea, the length of the coastline is about 300 km. The length of the beaches is 73 km, of which 56 km are sandy beaches.

The coast of Montenegro, only 2-10 km wide, is sandwiched between the sea and a rocky plateau that falls steeply towards it. Montenegro is home to one of the best harbors in Europe - the Bay of Kotor (protrudes into the coast for more than 20 km), consisting of several spacious bays connected by narrow canals. For a long time there was a belief that the bay was a fjord, but now it is believed that the Bay of Kotor is the remains of a river canyon that once existed here. Strong tectonic and karst processes led to its gradual destruction.

A karst plateau rises above the coast; the terrain here is harsh, but beautiful in its own way. The rocks dry out quickly: even the heaviest annual rainfalls cannot significantly moisten the soil, so there are few plants and animals here. Rare areas of fertile land are found only on small plains and crater-shaped depressions. The Lovcen National Park is located here.

The basin of Lake Skadar, the fertile plain of the Zeta River, the Bjelopavlica plain and the Nikšić field make up a flat region with an elevation difference of 350 m. The bulk of the population of Montenegro lives in the flat region. Here are the two largest cities of the country - Podgorica and Niksic, as well as the Skadar Lake national park.

In the north of the country, northeast of the Piva, Komarnica and Moraca rivers, there is a highland region. In the highlands, 4 large mountain ranges can be distinguished: Visitor, Durmitor and Komovi (they form the Dinaric Highlands) and Prokletiye (Cursed Mountains). The height of the peaks reaches more than 2000 m above sea level. The most high point Montenegro - Mount Bobotov Kuk (2522 m) is located in the Durmitor massif.

In the highlands there are pastures and forests, numerous mountain lakes. The rivers Piva, Tara, Moraca and their tributaries have carved narrow canyons with steep banks in the rocks. The Tara River canyon is the largest in Europe and the second in the world, its depth reaches 1300 m. There are also two national parks in this region - Biogradska Gora and Durmitor.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

The flora of Montenegro is very rich, despite the harsh conditions in mountainous areas, occupying most of the country. Here, on just 0.14% of Europe's territory, 2,833 plant species grow, accounting for almost a quarter of the species of European flora. On the coast you can find olive and fruit groves, cypress trees, palm trees and grapes. However, most of the coastal cliffs are covered with maquis - dense thickets of evergreen shrubs characteristic of the Mediterranean.

Higher in the mountains there are oak and coniferous forests. The Bjelasica mountain range, where the Biogradska Gora National Park is located, is covered with mixed forest. There are 86 tree species here, including spruce, fir, beech, elm, oak, maple and even rowan. Alpine edelweiss, which has become rare, as well as mountain cornflowers and violets grow in the mountains; such vegetation is typical for the belt of alpine meadows.

In the area of ​​another national park"Skadar Lake" area is completely different. The main part of its coast is marshy, overgrown with reeds, and the surface of the lake is covered with a carpet of yellow and white water lilies. Many types of vegetation are endemic, i.e. found only in this area.

Animal world

The fauna of Montenegro is also rich. Predators in mountainous areas include wolves, bears, and foxes. Their prey includes deer, fallow deer, chamois, wild goats, hares and gophers. There are wild boars in the valleys. The Adriatic Sea is home to several hundred species of fish, including sea bass, mullet, red mullet, as well as shrimp, lobster, and octopus.

The rivers are rich in trout, perch, carp, catfish, carp and pike. Lake Skadar is home to 50 species of fish; the local population hunts mainly for bleak and carp. In addition, Lake Skadar is a permanent or temporary habitat for 270 bird species. Here you can see colonies of pelicans, cormorants, herons and black ibises. The lake attracts bird watchers from all over the world.

Attractions

On the territory of Montenegro, many historical and cultural monuments, and most of them, despite the numerous wars that have swept through this land, are in excellent condition. Hundreds of medieval monasteries and ancient cities, dozens of balneological resorts, unique natural complexes of the southern Balkans, tens of kilometers of beaches of the Montenegrin Riviera, good-natured and friendly people - this is far from full list the merits of this country.

Montenegro, even during the unified Yugoslavia, was the main tourist area countries. Thanks to the varied terrain, clean mountain rivers, warm sea(considered, by the way, the cleanest in Europe), a luxurious coastline (length is 290 km, beaches - 73 km, 56 km of which are sandy, which is quite rare for this region), excellent climate and the status of a European ecological park, this tiny the country is one of the recognized centers of tourism in Europe.

Banks and currency

The monetary unit is the euro (coins 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 euro cents, 1 and 2 euros; banknotes 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 euros).

The National Bank of Montenegro is open from Monday to Friday (10:30-14:00). Commercial banks are open from 08:00 to 19:00, on Saturdays - from 08:00 to 13:00, Sunday - closed. On weekends you can use exchange offices. There are many ATMs in Montenegro, through which you can make transactions with foreign currency. ATMs are installed in banks, airports and some hotels. Some shops and hotels accept payment using credit cards. In the bank you can always find several employees who speak English or Russian.

Useful information for tourists

Montenegrins are extremely tolerant of manifestations of interethnic differences, even the question interethnic conflicts in the Balkans. But it is not recommended to talk about politics or the collapse of the SFRY.

The crime rate is low. The police strictly suppress any manifestations of deception foreign tourists, but at the everyday level there are frequent cases of petty fraud or an allegedly suddenly appeared language barrier, so you should be especially careful when discussing financial issues and never give money in advance, before the service is provided.

Tips in restaurants usually amount to 5% of the bill.

For drinking, it is better to use mineral or bottled water.

The price level in the country is quite low, but varies markedly depending on location. In coastal areas everything is about 25% more expensive.

Current Montenegro is one of the most widespread tourist places among European countries. The natural luxury of this delightful country, comfortable climate, many historical and architectural treasures and low prices attract more and more tourists to the country of black mountains and white beaches.

Montenegro is famous for its natural treasures, including the Shassko and Skadar lakes of a stunning azure-blue color, a national park, within which there is a famous Black Lake and the colorful canyons of the Tara and Morač rivers,

Every corner of Montenegro is interesting in its own way, and all exotic places defy description, so this delightful country is a must-see. The country most likely acquired its name (Black Mountain) thanks to the impenetrable black forests, which in the Middle Ages covered Mount Lovcen and the rest of the alpine hills of ancient Montenegro.

Tourist country

Montenegro today is a very popular Eastern European country in terms of tourism. Mountain landscapes, the clearest Adriatic Sea, optimal temperature - that’s why holidays here are so popular. Even when it is cloudy in most resorts, the weather in Montenegro always pleases vacationers with its mild Mediterranean climate. In summer, the air warms up to +40 °C, and the water temperature on the coast of Montenegro reaches +25 °C. What else do you need to have a great time? Meanwhile, winter in the mountains is snowy and moderately cold, which favors the development of ski tourism.

The number of those who dream of spending their holidays in Montenegro, relaxing or improving their health is constantly growing; many people from all over Europe even dream of purchasing real estate here for this purpose - because, given the wonderful natural conditions, housing prices here are lower than in most other countries.

Geographical location

Montenegro is located in the south of Europe, on the southwestern side of the Balkans. Its southern border is with Albania, in the west with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and on the northern side its neighbors are Serbia and Croatia. The area of ​​Montenegro is geographically divided into three regions: mountains in the northeastern part of the country, the shore of the Adriatic Sea, as well as the flat basin of Lake Skadar and the valley landscape around it. The length of the coast reaches 293.5 km. The state owns 14 sea islands.

In the north-west there is a large inlet - Boka Kotorska. The main beaches are located in Montenegro - a colorful country that is bathed in the waters of the Adriatic. The coastal line occupies approximately a third of the state's border. Rocky mountains, colorful architecture and generous nature - this is what Montenegro is famous for today. Mountain tourism is no less fascinating than holidays on the sea coasts. National Park Durmitor reveals to tourists the delightful colors of the Black Mountains. The path to them is more convenient and interesting through the town of Pluzine. On the way you can see the Piva artificial reservoir, with a natural emerald hue. You can go through tunnels carved into the rocks; they contain winding roads in the form of serpentines. Here you can find stunning views of the Black Lake, the canyon of the Tara River, and the Dzhurzhevich Bridge between two mountain shores.

The country is characterized by cozy towns with small houses and huge natural expanses. The most famous cities among travelers are Podgorica, Kotor, Budva, Perast, Petrovets, Cetinje.

Capital

The city of Podgorica is the largest locality Montenegro, which is the center of the economy and industry of the state. Tourists in the city are attracted by the narrow streets and unique ancient buildings of the ancient districts of Stara Varos and Drach. Most fascinating places, which should be visited are: Church of St. George, Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, Museum of Natural History, National Theatre, Njegusa Palace and Art Gallery. Among the modern structures is the Millennium Bridge, stretching across the Morač River. Not far from Podgorica you can see the ruins of the ancient fortress Medun, which existed in the 3rd century BC. e.

Population

It has about 627,000 inhabitants. The diversity of the population is distributed according to ethnic composition as follows:

• Montenegrins - 43%;
• Serbs - 32%;
• Bosnians - 8%;
• Albanians - 5%;
• other nationalities: Croats, Russians, gypsies.

The official language in the country is Montenegrin, which is a Slavic language and therefore very close to the Russian and Ukrainian languages. The most popular foreign languages ​​are German and English.

The city of Tsetne, located in a colorful valley at the foot of the Lovcen mountain, is rightfully considered the historical and cultural capital. A complex of historical, cultural and architectural attractions create a true museum under open air. Among the most visited places by tourists, the following stand out: the Bilyard Palace, Royal Palace Nicholas I, Vlaška Church, art, ethnographic and many different museums. You should definitely get to the National Park and see the royal family estate of the Petrovichs in the picturesque village of Njegusi on the top of Mount Lovcen. Here you can also visit the Mausoleum of Peter II Njegos.

The total area of ​​Montenegro is 13,812 km².

The largest resorts: Budva, Becici, Herceg, Petrovac, Novi, Bar. Airports: Podgorica and Tivat. The highest place in Montenegro: the peak of Bobotov Kuk in the Durmitor mountain range - 2522 m. Here is Lake Skadar - the deepest on the Balkan Peninsula, its depths reach up to 530 km. Here is the deepest European canyon along the Tara River, with a depth of up to 1300 m. Thanks to the favorable geography of Montenegro on the coast, the climate is subtropical: summers are long, hot and dry, the air warms up to +28-32 ˚С, sea water - up to +22-26 ˚С, and a short mild winter with temperatures up to +8 +10 ˚С. The beach season lasts six months a year, because Montenegro is second only to Cyprus in terms of the number of sunny days per year. In mountainous areas the climate is temperate continental, winters are snowy and long, which is favorable for the development ski holiday.

Kitchen

A feature of all Montenegrin cuisine is the high ecological purity of the products used. The land in Montenegro is so fertile that additional artificial fertilizers are not used here at all, and the local population has not even heard of GMOs. Natural food, clean ecology, mountain air and sea ​​water- everything is conducive to strengthening the health of the local population; it is not for nothing that life expectancy is high here. Typical Slavic cuisine with Mediterranean elements - a variety of meat dishes, seafood, fruits, vegetables. Don't forget to try the local wines “Vranac” and “Krstac”, as well as grape vodka - vine. Another distinctive feature of Montenegrin cuisine is large portions both in bars and restaurants, which cannot but please foreign guests of the country.

First of all, in Montenegro, tourists buy local handicrafts: jewelry, haberdashery, honey, olive oil, wine. Shops are open daily, from morning until late evening. Both supermarkets and small shops are open every day from 6:00 to 20:00, and in tourist centers - until 23:00. You can also find shops everywhere that are open 24 hours a day. At local markets, purchases can be made in the first half of the day.

Holidays and leisure

Montenegro has many holidays a year, both state and religious: on January 1 and 2, the population of Montenegro celebrates New Year, January 6 and 7 - Christmas, April 27 - Statehood Day in Montenegro, people also celebrate Christian Easter in the spring with the entire Orthodox world, May 1 and 2 - Spring and Labor Day, May 9 - Victory Day, June 4 - Partisan Day, June 13 is Uprising Day, November 29 and 30 are Republic Days. If the celebration falls on a weekend, then the weekdays that follow are also considered weekends.

Political system of the country

According to the country's Constitution, adopted in 2007, Montenegro is a free democratic state. The President of Montenegro is elected for a five-year term by general secret ballot. Since 2003, the state has been led by Filip Vujanovic. During the reign of the current president, the independence of Montenegro was proclaimed in May 2006. The residence of the President of Montenegro is located in Cetinje.

Currency regulation

What is the currency in Montenegro? The monetary currency in Montenegro is the euro. There are no special restrictions on import and export. Tourists are allowed to import and export any amount of foreign currency that was declared upon entry into the country, without export declaration cash currency No more than 500 euros are allowed from the country. When exporting large amounts, they must be declared. In this case, it is necessary to present a declaration stating that the indicated amount of currency was previously imported into the Montenegro area. The State National Bank operates only on weekdays. Commercial banks accept clients on Thursdays and Fridays. On weekends, only currency exchange offices are open. It is better to use plastic cards, then the question of which currency is best to pay in Montenegro and where to change it will not arise.

Hotels

Over the past decades, a huge current has flowed into the economy of Montenegro - tourism, bringing significant profits to the state. The excellent ecological situation and convenient location are attracting more and more wealthy Europeans here. Recently, many comfortable hotels, inns, private villas and mini-hotels have been built in Montenegro, and money has been invested in the development of resort infrastructure. Many hotels have undergone renovations. Accommodation in private villas is very common. Typically, this is a 3-5 storey building with standard rooms and apartments equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay. Almost all of them provide tourists with breakfast. All private villas are located at a distance of 900 to 200 m from hotels in private villas: check-in to rooms after 12:00, check-out before 11:00. Population composition by ethnicity: Montenegrins (43%) and Serbs (32%), other nationalities - Bosnians, Albanians, Croats, Russians, Gypsies. The official language in the country is Montenegrin.

Religion in Montenegro

The majority of the Montenegrin population professes the Orthodox Christian faith (74%), with a minority of Islam (18%) and Catholicism (4%). The most popular attraction of the state is the Ostrog Monastery. It is located 15 km from Danilovgrad in a delightful natural place. This monastery is a famous Orthodox shrine in the world; hundreds of thousands of pilgrims of various faiths come to it every year to touch the miraculous power of the relics of St. Basil of Ostrog. The top of the monastery is carved into the rock at an altitude of 900 m and looks amazing.

The Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Montenegro is one of the most stunning Orthodox churches in the world. There is a special attitude towards religion in Montenegro. In the nineties of the 20th century, construction of the cathedral began in Podgorica. It was a grandiose project in its scale and beauty, the most majestic in the Balkans Orthodox church. The construction of the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ began in 1993 by Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and Primorye. The cathedral can be visited by five thousand parishioners at the same time. The largest bell was made in Voronezh at the Anisimov plant and weighs 10 tons. Together, all 14 bells of the temple weigh close to 20 tons. The temple is still being painted and completed today.

Nature

The clearest sea of ​​the Adriatic, captivating mountain ranges, a coast with many inlets, protected from strong winds and storms, excellent beaches, sun, magnificent nature - this is all Montenegro. Its description can be continued endlessly, but it is better to see everything with your own eyes.

In the early 90s, Montenegro was called a country of clean, untouched and protected nature. This is a land of sharp contrasts, located in a small area. Montenegro has both a sea with excellent beaches and mountains covered with snow all year round, creating conditions for a ski holiday. The beaches of Montenegro stretch along the Adriatic coast. 173 beaches with a total length of 73 km occupy a quarter of the entire 293 km coastline. A tourist can visit a beach with different preferences - with fine or coarse sand, pebbly or rocky, in calm creeks or on capes protruding into the sea, there are beaches with modern amenities or wild beaches with pristine nature. The water in the sea is dark blue, its transparency is amazing - 40-55 meters, salinity ranges from 28% in the Boka Kotorska inlet, and up to 38% in the south near Ulcinj. There are nudist beaches, and there is even a nudist village. At the level of mountain cliffs, the climate is typical subalpine - with cold snowy winters and moderate summers. IN northern mountains In Montenegro there is usually snow for many months, and sometimes even throughout the year.

Transport and communications

What kind of transport is developed in the country? Air transport. Montenegro has two airports of international importance - in the cities of Tivat and Podgorica. National cannot yet compete with the largest carriers, but its planes fly to Europe and the neighboring Balkan countries. Regular flights here are also operated by the Russian Aeroflot and the Serbian airline JAT.

There is also a railway here that connects the following cities: Subotica - Novi - Sad - Belgrade - Bar. Railway laid from the port through Podgorica to Belgrade, there is also a direction Podgorica - Niksic. Water transport. Port - city of Bar. There is a constant ferry crossing to Italy (route Bar - Bari). Seaports: Kotor and Perast. Maritime transport connects everything beach resorts on the coast.

There are bus routes between all cities. The roads are quite good, for a mountainous country, and traffic is on the right.

Main highways: Adriatic Highway; routes from the coast through Podgorica to Sarajevo and Belgrade. In the country, the bus is the most common form of transportation, and in some places it is the only one. Stops on request along the way are allowed. Advice for tourists: it is better to buy a ticket at any kiosk, because a ticket purchased on the bus will be about 2 times more expensive.

Operators mobile communications in Montenegro are the companies ProMonte and Monet.

Safety

For safety reasons, video and photography can only be done where there is no special sign - a crossed out camera. It is not allowed to photograph transport and energy facilities, port facilities and military facilities. By the way, in Montenegro today the crime rate is very low, so both residents and tourists of this country can feel safe and calmly enjoy the picturesque beauty of this unique region.

Republic of Montenegro.

The name comes from the toponym Black Mountain.

Capital of Montenegro. Podgorica.

Area of ​​Montenegro. 13,812 km2.

Population of Montenegro. 641 thousand people

Location of Montenegro. Montenegro is a country in the South, located on the Balkan Peninsula. In the southeast it borders with, in the south it is separated from, in the west it has borders with and. The length of the sea coast of Montenegro (including the Malente Islands) is 293.5 km.

Administrative divisions of Montenegro. Montenegro is divided into 21 communities.

Form of government of Montenegro. Republic.

Head of State of Montenegro. The president.

Supreme legislative body of Montenegro. Skupshtina (parliament).

Supreme executive body of Montenegro. Government.

Major cities of Montenegro. No.

State language of Montenegro. Serbian.

Religion of Montenegro. 69% are Orthodox, 19% are Muslim, 4% are .

Ethnic composition Montenegro. 62% - Montenegrins, 15% - , 7% - Albanians, 1% - .

Currency of Montenegro. Euro = 100 cents.

Useful information for tourists

Montenegrins are extremely tolerant of manifestations of inter-ethnic differences, even the issue of inter-ethnic conflicts in the Balkans. But it is not recommended to talk about politics or the collapse of the SFRY. The crime rate is low. The police strictly suppress any manifestations of deception of foreign tourists, but at the everyday level there are frequent cases of petty fraud or an allegedly suddenly appeared language barrier, so you should be especially careful when discussing financial issues and never give money in advance, before the service is provided.

Tips in restaurants usually amount to 5% of the bill. For drinking, it is better to use mineral or bottled water.

The price level in the country is quite low, but varies markedly depending on location. In coastal areas everything is about 25% more expensive.