Montenegro

Language: Serbian

 

Capital: Podgorica

 

Population: 617 000, Montenegrins 61.7% (~381 000),Serbs 9.3% (~57 000), Muslims 14.5% (~89 000), Albanians 6.5% (~40 000) and 8% (~49 000) of others.

 

Currency: Euro

 

Religion: Orthodox, Catholic, Islam

 

Montenegro is part of the Balkans and part of the Mediterranean, near Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Italy and Albania. Montenegro, the pearl of the Mediterranean, is situated in the south of the Adriatic. Here you find natural wealth, beauty, mild beaches, clear lakes, fast rivers and gorgeous mountains.

Cities in Montenegro 
Towns and cities in Montenegro are rich in architecture, from various periods that take the breath away and bring one back to the time when the structures were created.
As Montenegro is divided into three regions: coastal, central and mountain, each one of these gave some special taste to its towns.
Coast cities - Ulcinj, Bar, Budva, Tivat, Kotor, Herceg Novi
Central cities - Podgorica, Niksic, Cetinje, Danilovgrad
Mountain cities - Kolasin, Mojkovac, Bijelo Polje, Berane, Pljevlja, Rozaje, Zabljak, Plav

 

When you first find yourself in front of monastery of Ostrog you may consider it is not created by man. This glorious monastery located above the valley of Bjelopavlici, carved in rocks as though keeping centenarian secrets of this shrine. Metropolitan Vasilije founded monastery of Ostrog in 17th century. The most magnificent part of monastery is Gornji Ostrog. There are two churches upper Church dedicated to Holy Cross. The other Lower church in Gornji manastir is dedicated to Vavedenje of Holy Mary. People of all religions and nations visit Ostrog. This shrine is one of the most visited in Christian world.

Bokokotorska bay
Boka Kotorska bay is one of the most beautiful bays of the world. It consists of four connected straits. High cliffs surround Boka Kotorska bay from all sides that reflects in deep blue water of The Adriatic Sea. Seven island decorate Boka Kotorska bay: Sveti Marko, Mamula, Gospa od Skrpjela, Sveti Djordje, Milosrdja, Ostrvo cveca and Mala Gospa, that is the smallest among them. On the road around Boka Kotorska bay there are a chain of cities that by their characteristics can tell a lot, among them is Kotor, city of World Cultural Heritage.

Durmitor mountain
Because of its indescribable beauty and untouched nature Durmitor was as early as in 1952 proclaimed National park. National park Durmitor spreads from mountain massive of Durmitor with canyons of the rivers Tara, Susica and Draga to the canyon valley of the river Komarnica. Giant Durmitor abounds in imposing mountaintops and numerous glacier lakes surrounded by rich evergreen forests.

 

 

There is local train service, operating from Bar, through Podgorica and Kolasin and Mojkovac to Bijelo Polje. It is the cheapest way to travel from north to south and vice versa, quality of service is not on the high level. It might also be dangerous, an accident with over 200 casualties occurred in 2006. Tickets can be purchased on board.

 

This may be the easiest way to get around Montenegro. Buses are frequent (especially during the summer), safe and are more or less on schedule. Ticket prices within Montenegro are all under €15. Local buses usually have no airconditioning. In addition, it is common for people to smoke on a crowded bus.

Besides the buses, there are minibuses at bus stations that are usually slightly cheaper, but are actually faster and more comfortable option.

 

As there is no real highway in Montenegro, all roads are two-lane only, and generally are not up to European standards. Most roads are curvy and mountainous, so speeds over 70 km/h (43 mph) are rarely legal, and rarely safe.

Speed limit is 80km/h on the open road, unless signs specify otherwise. Speed limit inside the cities is 50km/h.

The use of safety belts is compulsory, and the use of cellphones while driving is prohibited. Signposts used in Montenegro are almost identical to those used in EU countries.

Drivers tend to be extremely vocal, so don't take it personally if a driver yells at you.

It is necessary to use headlights 24 hours a day in Montenegro.

 

Roads from Podgorica to Bar and to Niksic are fairly good, easy to drive on.

The roads from Podgorica through Cetinje to Budva and to Petrovac are both in good condition, but are curvy mountainous roads which rarely permit speeds over 70km/h.

The road from Podgorica north to Kolasin, and then on to Zabljak or Serbia, is considered dangerous during the winter, especially the part through the Moraca canyon. It is recommended one takes the bus to the north during the cold or rainy days, as bus drivers are expirienced and know the road