History
The name “Crna Gora” (Montenegro) is mentioned for the first time in the Charter of King Milutin, in 1276. It is believed that it got its name after the dense forests that covered Mount Lovcen and the surrounding area. The forests were so dark that the viewers got the impression of a “black” mountain.
During the Roman Empire, the territory of Montenegro was actually the territory of Duklja (Doclea). With the arrival of the Slovenes in the 7th century, Christianity quickly gained primacy in this region.Duklja got its independence in 1040, and was proclaimed Kingdom in 1077. Thus, it became one of the first independent states in the Balkans. It was later named Zeta, which in the old Slavic languages meant the harvesters.
In the 14th century, under the leadership of the Balsic and Crnojevic dynasties, it became an independent feudal state and slowly expanded.Ivan Crnojevic chose Cetinje as his base and constructed a castle and a monastery there. Cetinje thus became the synonym of spiritual freedom and freedom of the state. During rule of DjuradjCrnojevic, the son of Ivan Crnojevic,in 1493, the first printing facility in the Balkans was opened, and one year later, in 1494, the first book was printed – “Oktoih” (Octoechos). During the reign of DjuradjCrnojevic, Zeta came to be more widely known as Montenegro.
Then the spiritual leaders, bishops take the rule in Montenegro. At the time, the main authority in the country were the All-Montenegrin Assembly. In 1697, the Montenegrin Assembly elevated Danilo I Petrovicas the main bishop (“Vladika”). At that time the establishment of the Petrovic dynasty has started, as well as their fight for the unity of religion and politics.
The Ottoman Empireoccupied Montenegro in 1496. Irrespective of that fact, Montenegro kept a high level of autonomy, and fully regained its independence in 1645.
Petar I Petrovic (1784 – 1830) is one of the most renowned persons in the Montenegrin history. Lead by him, Montenegro strengthened its independence, and after the great victories over the more numerous Ottoman army, it freed itself from the Ottoman influence and domination.
He unified the Montenegrin clans and brought them closer to the coastal population, as the coast was under the influence of Austro-Hungary at the time. The successor of Petar I Petrovic was Petar II PetrovicNjegos. He was an extraordinary statesman, philosopher and writer. During his rule, was established the state institutions, administrative and state authorities. He maintained links with Russia and engaged often in the fights against the Ottomans. He wrote many literary works, such as “Gorski vijenac” (“The Mountain Wreath”) and “Luca mikrokozma” (“The light of microcosm), which made him one of the greatest writers of theBalkan. During the rule of his successor, Danilo, the sovereignty of Montenegro was strengthened further and formally recognized.
During rule of the Prince and later King Nikola Petrovic, Montenegroachieved significant political objectives. Lead by him, Montenegro recovered Bar and Ulcinj, and thus got a part of the Adriatic coast, and it also recovered Podgorica, Kolasin and Niksic. At the Berlin Congress in 1878, Montenegro received full international recognition. The fact that Montenegro was the only country in the Balkans that successfully fought against the Ottoman Empire impressed Europe, and Montenegro became a kingdom in 1910.
The 20th century represented a difficult period for Montenegro. When the World War I broke out, Montenegro sided with the Allied Forces. In 1916, after occupation by Austro-Hungary, King Nikola went to exile. He spent a period of time in Italy, and then went to France. The attempts of the King and his Government to influence the events in Montenegro at the time were not successful. After the World War I Montenegro become a part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes in 1918 that was later renamed Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929.
With the fall of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia before the fascist Germany and Italy in World War II, Montenegro proved again that the spirit of freedom. On July 13, 1941, a large number of Montenegrins stood up against the Italian occupiers.The uprising was among the first against the Axis powers in the Europe.
After the World War II, the monarchy was subsequently abolished in November 1945. Yugoslavia was renamed the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia in 1945, when a communist government was established. Partisan leader Josip Broz Tito ruled the country from 1944 as prime minister and later as president until his death in 1980. In 1963, the country was renamed for the final time, as the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY).Montenegro was one of the six federal units (republics) of the Yugoslav federation.
In the end of the 20th century, after the turbulent yearsand disintegration of former Yugoslavia followed by a devastating civil war in the 1990-s, Montenegro established the union with Serbia, thus these two republics formed the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.
On referendum held on May 21, 2006,citizens voted independence of Montenegro. Thus, today Montenegro is an independent and internationally recognized state. The UN received Montenegro as 192nd Member State on July 27, 2006.
Montenegro become 29th member of NATO on 5 June 2017. In 2008, the country applied for the EU membership. In 2010, the Commission issued a favourable opinion on Montenegro's applicationand the Council granted its candidate status. The accession negotiations with Montenegro started in 2012. It is perceived as a regionalfrontrunner in European integration with perspective to become an EU member in near future.
Politics
Montenegro's Parliament approved the state Constitution on 12 October 1992. This established Montenegro as a democratic sovereign state with parliamentary system. Power is vested in its citizens, who exercise it directly through the election of its representatives to the 81 seat Parliament. Decisions related to changes in constitutional status or to an alteration of borders are subject to a vote of the citizens of Montenegro exercised in a referendum.
Montenegro follows the principle of division of powers. Its judicial, legislative, and executive branches are independent of each other. The judiciary is autonomous and independent. The rulings of the courts must be in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of Montenegro. Appointment to a judiciary position is permanent.
Parliament passes laws of the land, ratifies international treaties, appoints the Prime Minister, judges, adopts the budget and performs other duties as established by the Constitution. The Parliament can pass a vote of no-confidence to the government by a majority of the MPs.
The Main parties in Montenegro are: “Europe Now” Movement (PES); Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS); Democrats (DCG); Bosniak Party (BS); United Reform Action (URA); Social Democratic Party (SDP), Socialist People's Party (SNP)...
The President is elected for a period of five years through direct and secret ballots. The President represents the State in the country and abroad; promulgates laws; calls for Parliamentary elections; proposes to the Parliament a candidate for the Prime Minister, as well as for the president and judges of the Constitutional Court; proposes the holding of a referendum; grants pardons; and confers honours and decorations.
The Government formulates and conducts foreign policy; adopts decrees and other regulations; implements laws; concludes international treaties; establishes the organization and operation of the government administration; and performs other duties as laid down in the Constitution.
The Prime Minister leads the work of the Government. The resignation of the Prime Minister cause the fall of the Government.
Geographical location
Montenegro is located in Southeast Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the south (Adriatic Sea border with a coast length of 293km), Republic of Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Republic of Serbia to the northeast, Republic of Kosovo to the east and Albania to the southeast. The total area of Montenegro is 13,812 km² and the capital and largest city is Podgorica, while Cetinje represents the old royal capital and former seat of the monarchy.
Population
Montenegro has a population of 629,036, with 45% of Montenegrins, 28.7% Serbs, 8.7% Bosniaks, 4.9% Albanians, 3.3% Muslims, 1% Roma, 1% Croats and 2.6% Others (2011 census).
Religion
Orthodox Christian 72%, Islam 19%, Catholic 3.44%
Languages
According to the state Constitution, Montenegrin is the official language of the country, while Bosniak, Croatian, Serbian and Albanian languages are also in official use.
Main Cities
• Podgorica
• Cetinje
• Niksic
• Bar
Sports
• Water Polo
• Basketball
• Football
• Handball
Health Care:
Organization and financing health care in Montenegro is founded on the dominant role of the public sector to provide and ensure resources for health care and services. Namely, financing health care is based on the method of compulsory health insurance (German – Bismarck method). Contributions are paid according to employee gross earnings, according to present legal regulations in the amount of 15% of employee earnings (proportional 50:50 employee and employer), as well as the self-employed. The Pension and Disabled Persons' Fund assigns resources for pensioners, while the employment Agency, that is Budget, pays unemployment contributions.
Education in Montenegro
There is only one state university of Montenegro. Under the University of Montenegro there are the following faculties and institutes:
• Architectural Faculty
• Biotechnical Faculty
• Faculty of Economics
• Electro-Technical Faculty
• Faculty of Drama Arts
• Faculty of Fine Arts
• Faculty of Political Science
• Faculty for Sports and Physical Education
• Faculty for Tourism and Hotel Management
• Philological Faculty
• Philosophical Faculty
• Faculty of Civil Engineering
• Institute for Biology of Sea
• Historical Institute
• Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
• Medical Faculty
• Metallurgical Faculty of Technology
• Musical Academy
• Maritime Faculty Kotor
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Natural Sciences
State Faculty
• Faculty for Montenegrin language and literature
Private universities of Montenegro:
• University Mediteran
• University DonjaGorica (UDG)
Independent (private) faculties:
• Faculty for business management
• Faculty for business economy
• Faculty for government and European studies
• Faculty for management in traffic and communications
• Faculty for management Herceg Novi
• Faculty for Mediterranean business studies
• Faculty for business and tourism Budva
• Maritime Faculty
• Faculty for International management in tourism and hotel manageme
