The Republic of Montenegro is a country located in the Southeastern Europe, with coast on the Adriatic Sea on the south, in the middle region of the Mediterranean. It borders Serbia on the north, Albania on the southeast, and Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the west. Its southern neighbour is Italy, situated across the Adriatic Sea.
Montenegro has a population of 648,000 and a total area of 13,812 km2. Its capital is Podgorica. It is a common belief that the country owes its name to 'dark forests' that covered the slopes of the mountain Lovćen in the Middle Ages. The country's name is mentioned for the first time in 1276. Italy was the first country to use the terms montagna negra and montenegro ('black mountain'). Its name was later adopted into all Western European languages.
This is a small country with a pleasant climate and beautiful nature, rich in cultural and historical monuments, and is also one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Europe.
Montenegro is in the same time a maritime, continental, and mountainous country. About 80% of its territory is composed of forests, grasslands, and meadows. Despite its diverse terrain configuration, ranging from plains and clear, breathtaking streams and rivers, to the structure typical for mountainous regions, such as dense forests and a rich lake scenery (with about 40 lakes), Montenegro is often perceived as a Mediterranean country. Taking a swim in the clean, warm sea is possible as soon as May and even as late as November. If you tire from swimming in the sea and decide to go skiing, it is possible to reach the mountains of Bjelasica and Durmitor in a mere two hours' drive by car.
Montenegrin coast includes a large number of both large and small sandy and stony beaches. Sandy beaches have a total length of 33 km and the capacity of 230,000 swimmers. Montenegro owes its reputation of one of the warmest and sunniest tourist regions in Europe to the fact that six months a year, the air temperature ranges above 15-18ºC. This impressive coastline is in fact a rather narrow stripe of land, surrounded by the tall mountains of Rumija, Orjen, Lovćen, and Sutorman, which give it an added air of natural beauty and dignity. Its beautiful nature and a rich cultural and tourist offer, combined with its close proximity, present a special advantage to tourists from nearby countries and make Montenegro an ideal holiday destination. Its intense and varied cultural life includes many different summer and winter manifestations, such as the music festival of Sunčane skale, the celebration of the Day of Mimose, and many others.
Montengrin towns and villages lack nothing when it comes to cultural, sport, tourist, and everyday activities. Tourists will also enjoy their many churches and monasteries, as well as other sites of historical importance. Every monastery is different with its impressive architecture, lovely frescoes and icons, and spiritual significance. Among the most important monasteries in Montenegro are the Monastery of Ostrog near Nikšić, positioned in a delve up a high cliff; the Monastery of Savina in the city of Herceg Novi; the Monastery of Morača, positioned on the right bank of river Morača; the Monastery of Đurđevi Stupovi near Berane; as well as many others.
Whether you'd like to go sightseeing, swimming, sunbathing, or skiing, you will enjoy the favourable climate, natural beauty, and multiple holiday possibilities of Montenegro. Do not pass up the chance to experience all this beautiful country has to offer. If you come and visit Montenegro, you will always come back for more. | 
