MONTENEGRO

Presentation by Stefania and Larisa

 What is Montenegro?
Montenegro is a country in the Balkans, on the
Adriatic Sea.
It is one of Europe's youngest countries, independent
since 2006. Infrastructure greatly improved since
independence as Montenegro became home to
numerous five-star hotels, glamorous new settlements
and investments in roads, energy, water and sanitary
pipelines.
 1. History

Montenegro has been a political entity since at

least the 11th century. It was founded as a state
under its present name in 15th century,
continuing the tradition of the Slavic state of
Duklja. It was able to maintain its
independence during the reign of the Ottoman
Empire in the Balkans, as its independence
Let’s understand was recognized at the Congress of Berlin in
1878. In World War I, it fought on the side of
Montenegro! the Allied powers. It was absorbed into the
Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes,
which became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in
1929. Montenegro was part of various
incarnations of Yugoslavia, until it regained its
independence from the federation of Serbia-
Montenegro after the May 2006 referendum.
 People
Montenegro is home to 620,000 people (2020), and is a multicultural and multi-ethnic country. The majority
of people (~75 %) in the country are ethnic Montenegrins or Serbs, however the exact breakdown of these
groups is difficult to determine due to their individual perspectives on how they see their identity.

Religion
Most ethnic Montenegrins and Serbs are Serbian Orthodox Christians. In the northeast, there is a Bosniak
majority, and an Albanian minority, most of whom are followers of Islam. In the town of Ulcinj, there is an
Albanian majority, of varying religious persuasions. In the Kotor area, there is a Croat minority, many of
whom are Roman Catholic. Regardless of their ethnicity, Montenegrin citizens are known for their kindness
and hospitality.
Climate
Montenegro's lower areas along the coast enjoy a Mediterranean climate, having dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Central
and northern regions have Continental climate, where temperature varies greatly with elevation. Podgorica, lying near sea
level in the valley of the central region, is noted for having the warmest July temperatures in Montenegro, averaging 35-40°C
(95-104°F).

Money
Montenegro uses the euro, like several other European countries. The official symbol for the euro is €, and its ISO code is
EUR.
 Economy!
As a relatively small principality founded in 1852, Montenegro's economy was originally wholly
based in agriculture, but it began developing an industrial economy at the turn of the 20th
century. Growth was hampered by its small population, lack of raw materials, an underdeveloped
transport network, and a comparatively low rate of domestic and international investment.
The first industrial enterprises built in Montenegro were wood mills, an oil refinery, a brewery,
salt works, and electric power plants. Economic development was interrupted by several wars.
Throughout the first half of the 20th century, agriculture continued to dominate Montenegro's
economic activity.
The economy of Montenegro is currently in a process of transition, as it navigates the impacts
of the Yugoslav Wars, the decline of industry following the dissolution of the Yugoslavia, and
economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations.
 Sightseeing!
While Montenegro may be a small country, it has so much diverse history and
nature to see. There are stunning mountainous landscapes, dramatic
coastlines, historic monuments and truly beautiful walled towns. The
Montenegro coast is just as gorgeous as that of its better-known neighbour,
Croatia, and it is for good reason that its main tourist destinations get crowded
in summer.

Of the country's many churches and monasteries, the Serbian Orthodox

Ostrog Monastery deserves special attention. Founded in the 17th century,
it's one of the most visited pilgrimage destinations on the Balkans and boasts
a magnificent view over the Bjelopavlići plain

Also, a great attraction is Lake Scadar, on the border with Albania, that is
the largest natural lake in Southern Europe. It is a great back-to-nature
destination that hosts multiple species of migratory birds and other wildlife.

Tara Canyon is another of Montenegro's amazing natural wonders. After the

Grand Canyon, it is the world's deepest canyon, and just like the Grand
Canyon, it can be experienced with an epic whitewater rafting trip.
 Culture of Montenegro!
Montenegro’s diverse culture reflects its geographic location, its diversity of ethnicities and its
troubled history over the millennia, drawing from ancient Greece, Rome, Byzantium, Turkey, Venice,
Austria-Hungary, and Yugoslavia. This rich mix is represented in its beliefs including bravery and
humanity, loyalty and love of the country.

• Christmas
In Montenegro and Serbia, Christmas Eve is on January 6, and Christmas Day is on January 7.
Christmas Eve is called "Badnji dan" during the day and "Badnje veche" after sunset. It is the time
when families prepare for the Holidays.
On the morning of Christmas Eve, it is traditional for men to go out into the forest and cut down a
tree trunk called "Badnjak" (Christmas Eve tree), usually oak. The Badnjak is brought into the house
on Christmas Eve evening and is meant to burn through the evening and night. Outside churches,
there are often large bonfires where people gather in the early evening on Christmas Eve. There are
sometimes nativity and Christmas plays put on either outside or inside the churches. People can bring
special Badnjak to put on the bonfires.
“Cesnica", is a special kind of Christmas bread, from which each family member gets a piece. There
is a coin hidden in it and whoever finds it will be especially lucky in the coming year
• Food
Montenegrin cuisine is a result of Montenegro's geographic position and its long history. The traditional dishes of Montenegro's
heartland, and its Adriatic coast have a distinctively Italian flavour which shows in the style of bread and cheese-making and meat
curing, as well as the wines and spirits produced and consumed.
The second large influence came from the Levant and Turkey, sarma, musaka, pilav, pita, burek, ćevapi, kebab, and sweets like
baklava and tulumba, etc. Hungarian dishes are represented by goulash, satarash, and djuvech.

Traditional food:
 Njeguski Steak
The steak is made from a beef or pork ham stuffed with Njegusi prosciutto and cheese.

 Burek
Burek is made from filo pastry and filled with cheese, meat, spinach or potatoes. It comes in coils, wedges and tubes, but wedges are
the best. An oily, crispy pastry layer gives way to a delicious filling.

 Cepavi
Cepavi is a common meat dish in Montenegro, which is a sausage made from minced meat. It is available in this country both as a
separate dish and as a semi-finished product that you can cook yourself.

 Lamb in Milk
Montenegrin lamb in milk is a regional specialty available in northern Montenegro. The lamb slowly simmers in milk with potatoes,
carrots, fennel, rosemary, garlic, parsley, and spices. This meal is traditionally cooked in a sack over coals, and the meat becomes
delightfully tender.
 • Festivals
Montenegro has a lot of local festivals that are worth going to and may range from typical music concerts
to local festivities involving free food and drinks. Usually wine and seafood.
•
1. Bokeška Noć (3rd week of August) - Celebrations under masks by the iconic fortifications of Kotor
where each year a hateful figure is burned, and celebrations out in the open continues till early morning.
2. Sea Dance Festival (end of July) - infamous Exit festival has found a new home for summer season
and the biggest music happening in SE Europe is hosted on Jaz beach in Budva.
3. Days of Wine and Fish in Virpazar - worth experiencing. Gathering of wine and fish lovers in a
scenic local village on the Skadar Lake. Very crowded, and smokey from fish frying.
4. Petrovačka noć (Petrovac) - celebrating the local traditions it is great time to visit the city and enjoy
the crowd, food and music.
5. Spring Break - typical music festival with plenty of DJs on Kamenovo beach
6. Blueberry Days - in Plav in northern Montenegro, this festival is attributed to blueberries which are
famous is important gathering of Montenegrin diaspora and its relatives as well as many tourists.
 H VA L A N A PA Ž N J I !
NADAMO SE DA ĆETE POŽELETI DA POSETITE CRNU
GORU!