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 most-most"?
The European country of Crna Gora (as the Montenegrins themselves call it) is located in the Balkans. First of all, it is known to tourists and travelers who remain from visiting Montenegro in great delight.
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 became officially independent in late June 2006. The appearance on the political map of the world of a new state was soon recognized by the UN.
It is immediately worth noting that the sovereignty of Montenegro was recognized by all European countries, including Serbia.
Montenegro has little access to the Adriatic Sea. It borders on Serbia, Croatia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Kosovo, a partially recognized republic.
Geographically, this European country consists of three parts (regions): coastal, central lowland and eastern mountainous. Podgorica received the status of the capital of the state. But the main cultural center of the country is the city of Cetinje.
The national 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 power.
The long history of Montenegro
The European country of Montenegro as an independent state existed already in the XVIII century. She was the first of the modern Balkan states who managed to separate from the powerful Ottoman Empire. The capital of sovereign Montenegro in those days was precisely the city of Cetinje. By the way, the Berlin treaty of 1878 classified Montenegro among the 27 independent states of the world.
In 1916, the country was occupied by 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 people's national authority at that time) decided to snuggle under the wing of the royal dynasty of Serbia.
During 1919-19124, mass unrest and protests by 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.
The recent history of Montenegro: the path to independence
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 the desire of Montenegro to become an independent state. Despite this, in 2002, Montenegro accepted the euro as a local currency.
Negotiations on holding a referendum began at the very beginning of 2006. Serbian opposition categorically rejected such an idea. However, the dialogue continued. Soon, EU representatives joined him. It was they who proposed the parties a referendum condition: Montenegro will gain independence if at least 55% of citizens vote for it.
The referendum was held on May 21, 2006. The turnout was very large - over 86%. At the same time, 55.4% of people who came to the polls voted for Montenegro’s independence. In June of that year, the Montenegrin parliament solemnly proclaimed 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 delighted with this amazingly beautiful, unusual and original country.
There is everything for the development of tourism: a centuries-old history, ancient temples and monasteries, cultural highlights ... And most importantly, diverse and simply stunning natural landscapes! And all this the Montenegrins skillfully and effectively use. At the same time, they carefully store and protect their natural wealth.
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 a considerable 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, Podgorica, the shortest street in Europe is 30 meters long;
- in Montenegro (according to some sources) there is also the narrowest street in Europe;
- Montenegrins - the highest European nation;
- in this country is the rainiest place in Europe (a village on the side of Mount Orien);
- in the north of the state there is the so-called village of bachelors, in which 60 men live who voluntarily deprived themselves of family well-being;
- in Montenegro, a fragment of the cross is kept on which Christ was crucified;
- the highest bell tower on the entire Adriatic coast is 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 people can even step over;
- in Montenegro, one of the three relict (untouched) forests of Europe has been preserved;
- in this tiny country, 22 endemic plant species grow;
- 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).
Finally…
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.