​Montenegro
Country Information

• The official name of the country is the Republic of Montenegro.  However in Montenegro it is Црна Гора (Crna Gora).
• Etymology. Montenegro comes from the Venetian meaning black mountain.  This came from the time when Venice ruled the area.  The name of the country in its native language is Crna Gora, which also means black mountain.  The reference to a black mountain comes from the abundance of mountains in the region.
  
• Language.  According to the Montenegro Constitution the Serbian language of the jekavian dialect (Serbo-Croatian) is the official language. However prominent Montenegrins argue that this if the Serbs call their language Serbian, the Croats - Croatian, the Bosnians - Bosnian, that Montenegro should call their languate Montenegrin.  Montenegro's ruling coalition is trying to declare Montenegrin the official language of the state.  Cyrillic and Latin alphabets are used equally. In areas where the population is mostly national or ethnic minorities their respective languages and alphabet are used.
  
• Geography.  Montenegro is bordered on the southwest by the Adriatic Sea, on the west by Croatia, on the northwest by Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the northeast by Serbia, and on the southeast by Albania to the southeast. There are high mountains next to Serbia, Kosovo and Albania.  The coast consists of a narrow plain ending in the north at Mount Lovćen and Mount Orjen.
• Capital.  The capital and largest city is Podgorica. It is situated in the  center of the country.  The city is known for it's green spaces - within the city there are many parks, mountains, trails, sports areas "hidden" in the trees, rivers, waterfalls, gardens, beaches, eco-resorts, and ponds.  Cetinje is designated as the Prijestonica, meaning the former Royal Capital City.  It has spectacular views, mountains, museums, churches and monestaries.
• History. Prehistorically, the Docleatae lived in the maritime region. In the 9th century, there were three principalities on the territory of Montenegro: Duklja, roughly corresponding to the southern half, Travunia, the west, and Rascia, the north. In the 1920s it became part of Yugoslavia.  After the dissolution of Socialist Yugoslavia in 1992, Montenegro remained part of a smaller Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, along with Serbia.  In 2003, the Yugoslav federation was replaced by a state union named Serbia and Montenegro.  Montenegro became independent from Serbia in 2006.
• Dance, Folklore, Music.  The traditional folk dance of the Montenegrins is the Oro, a circle dance that involves dancers standing on each other's shoulders in a circle while one or two dancers are dancing in the middle. Folk songs are patriotic - songs of pride, sorrow, and joy, reflecting the tumultuous history of Montenegro.
• Culture and Traditions.  A very important dimension of Montenegrin culture is the ethical ideal of Čojstvo i Junaštvo, "Humaneness and Gallantry". There is no hurry.  Tranquility and peacefulness are the norm, even though Montenegrins have a strong warrior traditon.  Many people still wear their most prized possession, thier revolver, in their kolan (belt).   
  
• Sports.  The most popular sports in Montenegro are football (soccer), basketball, water polo, volleyball, handball, boxing, judo, karate, athletics, table tennis, hiking, and chess.  All forms of watersports are popular at the coast.
• Food.  The cuisine of Montenegro is influenced by Italy, Turkey, Greece, and Hungary.  It varies geographically. The coastal area is very Mediterranean, with a lot of seafood.  The northern areas are very influenced by Oriental cuisine.
• Movies.  Part of the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale is set in Montenegro, although all of the filming was done in the Czech Republic.  The first scenes of The November Man with Pierce Brosnan are filmed in Montenegro. The Dark Side of the Sun stars a young Brad Pitt, was filmed in Montenegro and directed by Montenegrin director Božidar Nikolić.