2012 Edition

Background

The use of the name Montenegro began in the 15th century when the Crnojevic dynasty began to rule the Serbian principality of Zeta; over subsequent centuries Montenegro was able to maintain its independence from the Ottoman Empire. From the 16th to 19th centuries, Montenegro became a theocracy ruled by a series of bishop princes; in 1852, it was transformed into a secular principality. After World War I, Montenegro was absorbed by the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929; at the conclusion of World War II, it became a constituent republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. When the latter dissolved in 1992, Montenegro federated with Serbia, first as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, after 2003, in a looser union of Serbia and Montenegro. In May 2006, Montenegro invoked its right under the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro to hold a referendum on independence from the state union. The vote for severing ties with Serbia exceeded 55% - the threshold set by the EU - allowing Montenegro to formally declare its independence on 3 June 2006.

Area

13,812 sq km 13,452 sq km 360 sq km

total

13,812 sq km

water

360 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Climate

Mediterranean climate, hot dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfalls inland

Coastline

293.5 km

Elevation extremes

Adriatic Sea 0 m Bobotov Kuk 2,522 m

highest point

Bobotov Kuk 2,522 m

lowest point

Adriatic Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets, especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution none of the selected agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

42 30 N, 19 18 E

Geography - note

strategic location along the Adriatic coast

Irrigated land

22 sq km

Land boundaries

625 km Albania 172 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 225 km, Croatia 25 km, Kosovo 79 km, Serbia 124 km

border countries

Albania 172 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 225 km, Croatia 25 km, Kosovo 79 km, Serbia 124 km

total

625 km

Land use

13.7% 1% 85.3%

arable land

13.7%

other

85.3%

permanent crops

1%

Location

Southeastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

12 nm defined by treaty

continental shelf

defined by treaty

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

destructive earthquakes

Natural resources

bauxite, hydroelectricity

Terrain

highly indented coastline with narrow coastal plain backed by rugged high limestone mountains and plateaus

Age structure

15.4% (male 49,282/ female 52,098) 71% (male 242,716/ female 223,908) 13.6% (male 35,478/ female 53,912) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

15.4% (male 49,282/ female 52,098)

15-64 years

71% (male 242,716/ female 223,908)

65 years and over

13.6% (male 35,478/ female 53,912) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

10.89 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

2.2% (2006)

Death rate

9.03 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Montenegrin 43%, Serbian 32%, Bosniak 8%, Albanian 5%, other (Muslims, Croats, Roma (Gypsy)) 12% (2003 census)

Hospital bed density

3.98 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Languages

Serbian 63.6%, Montenegrin (official) 22%, Bosnian 5.5%, Albanian 5.3%, unspecified (includes Croatian) 3.7% (2003 census)

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 98.4% 99.4% 97.4% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

97.4% (2010 est.)

male

99.4%

total population

98.4%

Major cities - population

PODGORICA (capital) 144,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

intermediate bacterial diarrhea Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (2009)

degree of risk

intermediate

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne disease

Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

38.3 years 37.1 years 39.6 years (2012 est.)

female

39.6 years (2012 est.)

male

37.1 years

total

38.3 years

Nationality

Montenegrin(s) Montenegrin

adjective

Montenegrin

noun

Montenegrin(s)

Population

657,394 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.633% (2012 est.)

Religions

Orthodox 74.2%, Muslim 17.7%, Catholic 3.5%, other 0.6%, unspecified 3%, atheist 1% (2003 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 96% of population rural: 86% of population total: 92% of population urban: 4% of population rural: 14% of population total: 8% of population

rural

14% of population

total

8% of population

urban

4% of population

Sex ratio

1.07 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female 0.66 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.08 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.66 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

0.95 male(s)/female

Urbanization

61% of total population (2010) 0.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

61% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

21 municipalities (opstine, singular - opstina); Andrijevica, Bar, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Budva, Cetinje, Danilovgrad, Herceg Novi, Kolasin, Kotor, Mojkovac, Niksic, Plav, Pljevlja, Pluzine, Podgorica, Rozaje, Savnik, Tivat, Ulcinj, Zabljak

Capital

Podgorica; note - the Old Royal Capital is Cetinje mentioned in the constitution 42 26 N, 19 16 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1 hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1 hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

42 26 N, 19 16 E

name

Podgorica; note - the Old Royal Capital is Cetinje mentioned in the constitution

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

approved 19 October 2007 (by the Assembly)

Country name

none Montenegro none Crna Gora People's Republic of Montenegro, Socialist Republic of Montenegro, Republic of Montenegro

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Montenegro

former

People's Republic of Montenegro, Socialist Republic of Montenegro, Republic of Montenegro

local long form

none

local short form

Crna Gora

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Sue K BROWN Dzona Dzeksona 2, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro use embassy street address [382] 20 410 500 [382] 20 241 358

chief of mission

Ambassador Sue K BROWN

embassy

Dzona Dzeksona 2, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

FAX

[382] 20 241 358

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[382] 20 410 500

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Srdjan DARMANOVIC 1610 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20009 [1] (202) 234-6108 [1] (202) 234-6109 New York

chancery

1610 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Srdjan DARMANOVIC

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 234-6109

telephone

[1] (202) 234-6108

Executive branch

President Filip VUJANOVIC (since 6 April 2008) Prime Minister Milo DJUKANOVIC (since 4 December 2012) Ministries act as cabinet president elected by direct vote for five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 6 April 2008 (next to be held in 2013); prime minister proposed by president, accepted by Assembly Filip VUJANOVIC reelected president; Filip VUJANOVIC 51.9%, Andrija MANDIC 19.6%, Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC 16.6%, Srdan MILIC 11.9%

cabinet

Ministries act as cabinet

chief of state

President Filip VUJANOVIC (since 6 April 2008)

election results

Filip VUJANOVIC reelected president; Filip VUJANOVIC 51.9%, Andrija MANDIC 19.6%, Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC 16.6%, Srdan MILIC 11.9%

elections

president elected by direct vote for five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 6 April 2008 (next to be held in 2013); prime minister proposed by president, accepted by Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister Milo DJUKANOVIC (since 4 December 2012)

Flag description

a red field bordered by a narrow golden-yellow stripe with the Montenegrin coat of arms centered; the arms consist of a double-headed golden eagle - symbolizing the unity of church and state - surmounted by a crown; the eagle holds a golden scepter in its right claw and a blue orb in its left; the breast shield over the eagle shows a golden lion passant on a green field in front of a blue sky; the lion is symbol of episcopal authority and harks back to the three and a half centuries that Montenegro was ruled as a theocracy

Government type

republic

Independence

3 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICC jurisdiction

International organization participation

CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court (five judges serve nine-year terms); Supreme Court (judges have life tenure)

Legal system

civil law

Legislative branch

unicameral Assembly (81 seats; members elected by direct vote to serve four-year terms) last held on 14 October 2012 (next to be held by 2016) percent of vote by party - Coalition for European Montenegro 45.6%, Democratic Front 22.8%, SNP 11.1%, Positive Montenegro 8.2%, Bosniak Party, 4.2%, other (including Albanian and Croatian minority parties) 8.1%; seats by party - Coalition for European Montenegro 39, Democratic Front 20, SNP 9, Positive Montenegro 7, Bosniak Party 3, Albanian and Croatian minority parties 3

election results

percent of vote by party - Coalition for European Montenegro 45.6%, Democratic Front 22.8%, SNP 11.1%, Positive Montenegro 8.2%, Bosniak Party, 4.2%, other (including Albanian and Croatian minority parties) 8.1%; seats by party - Coalition for European Montenegro 39, Democratic Front 20, SNP 9, Positive Montenegro 7, Bosniak Party 3, Albanian and Croatian minority parties 3

elections

last held on 14 October 2012 (next to be held by 2016)

National anthem

"Oj, svijetla majska zoro" (Oh, Bright Dawn of May) Sekula DRLJEVIC/unknown, arranged by Zarko MIKOVIC adopted 2004; the anthem's music is based on a Montenegrin folk song

lyrics/music

Sekula DRLJEVIC/unknown, arranged by Zarko MIKOVIC

name

"Oj, svijetla majska zoro" (Oh, Bright Dawn of May)

National holiday

National Day, 13 July (1878)

National symbol(s)

double-headed eagle

Political parties and leaders

Albanian Alternative or AA [Vesel SINISHTAJ]; Bosniak Party or BS [Rafet HUSOVIC]; Coalition for European Montenegro (bloc) [Milo DJUKANOVIC] (includes Democratic Party of Socialists or DPS [Milo DJUKANOVIC], Social Democratic Party or SDP [Ranko KRIVOKAPIC], and the Liberal Party of Montenegro or LP [Andrija POPOVIC]); Croatian Civic Initiative or HGI [Marija VUCINOVIC]; Democratic Center or DC [Goran BATRICEVIC]; Democratic Front (bloc) [Miodrag LEKIC] (includes New Serb Democracy or NOVA [Andrija POPOVIC], Movement for Change or PZP [Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC], a dissident faction of the Socialist People's Party, and the Democratic Party of Unity [Zoran ZIZIC]); Democratic League-Party of Democratic Prosperity [Mehmet BARDHIJ]; Democratic Serbian Party of Montenegro or DSS [Ranko KADIC]; Democratic Union of Albanians or DUA [Mehmet ZENKA]; FORCA [Nazif CUNGU]; People's Party of Montenegro or NS [Predrag POPOVIC]; Positive Montenegro [Darko PAJOVIC]; Socialist People's Party or SNP [Srdjan MILIC]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

tobacco, potatoes, citrus fruits, olives, grapes; sheep

Budget

$1.7 billion $1.9 billion (2011 est.)

expenditures

$1.9 billion (2011 est.)

revenues

$1.7 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.6% of GDP (2011 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.69% (31 December 2011 est.) 9.53% (31 December 2010 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.927 billion (2011 est.) -$1.102 billion (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$1.2 billion (2011 est.) $650 million (2006 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

24.3 (2010) 30 (2003)

Economy - overview

Montenegro's economy is transitioning to a market system, but the state sector remains large and additional institutional changes are needed. The economy relies heavily on tourism and the export of refined metals. Unprofitable state-owned enterprises weigh on public finances. Montenegro severed its economy from federal control and from Serbia during the MILOSEVIC era and maintained its own central bank, adopted the deutsch mark, then the euro - rather than the Yugoslav dinar - as official currency, collected customs tariffs, and managed its own budget. The dissolution of the loose political union between Serbia and Montenegro in 2006 led to separate membership in several international financial institutions, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. In January 2007, Montenegro joined the World Bank and IMF. Montenegro became the 156th member of World Trade Organization in December 2011. The European Council (EC) granted candidate country status to Montenegro at the December 2010 session. Montenegro began negotiations to join the EC in June, 2012, having met the conditions set down by the European Council, which called on Montenegro to take steps to fight corruption and organized crime. Unemployment and regional disparities in development are key political and economic problems. Montenegro has privatized its large aluminum complex - the dominant industry - as well as most of its financial sector, and has begun to attract foreign direct investment in the tourism sector. The global financial crisis had a significant negative impact on the economy, due to the ongoing credit crunch, a decline in the real estate sector, and a fall in aluminum exports. In 2012, real GDP growth slipped to 0.2%, reflecting the general downturn in most of Europe.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7838 (2012 est.) 0.7185 (2011 est.) 755 (2010 est.) 0.7198 (2009 est.) 0.6827 (2008 est.)

Exports

$640 million (2011 est.) $171.3 million (2003)

Exports - partners

Serbia 17.5%, Hungary 16.9%, Croatia 10.1% (2011 est.)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

0.8% 11.3% 87.9% (2011)

agriculture

0.8%

industry

11.3%

services

87.9% (2011)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$11,700 (2012 est.) $11,700 (2011 est.) $11,000 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.2% (2012 est.) 2.5% (2011 est.) 2.5% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.332 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$7.288 billion (2012 est.) $7.273 billion (2011 est.) $7.099 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Imports

$2.5 billion (2011 est.) $601.7 million (2003)

Imports - partners

Serbia 28.4%, Greece 7.9%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 7.6% (2011 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3% (2011) 3.4% (2007)

Investment (gross fixed)

22% of GDP (2011 est.)

Labor force

251,300 (2011 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

6.3% 20.9% 72.8% (2011 est.)

agriculture

6.3%

industry

20.9%

services

72.8% (2011 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$3.322 billion (31 December 2011) $3.604 billion (31 December 2010) $4.289 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

6.6% (2010 est.)

Public debt

45% of GDP (2011 est.) 38% of GDP (2006 est.) data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$400 million (31 December 2011)

Stock of broad money

$1.982 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $2.01 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$3.29 billion (31 December 2009) $3.771 billion (31 December 2008)

Stock of narrow money

$749 million (31 December 2011 est.) $783.3 million (31 December 2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

39.2% of GDP (2011 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.5% (2011 est.) 14.7% (2007 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.941 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

4.1 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

24.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

75.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.5 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

868,000 kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

2.621 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

4,446 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

3,666 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

state-funded national radio-TV broadcaster operates 2 terrestrial TV networks, 1 satellite TV channel, and 2 radio networks; 4 public TV stations and some 20 private TV stations; 14 local public radio stations and more than 40 private radio stations (2007)

Internet country code

.me

Internet hosts

10,088 (2012)

Internet users

280,000 (2009)

Telephone system

modern telecommunications system with access to European satellites GSM mobile-cellular service, available through multiple providers with national coverage, is growing country code - 382; 2 international switches connect the national system

domestic

GSM mobile-cellular service, available through multiple providers with national coverage, is growing

general assessment

modern telecommunications system with access to European satellites

international

country code - 382; 2 international switches connect the national system

Telephones - main lines in use

169,500 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.17 million (2010)

Airports

5 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

5

under 914 m

1 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2010)

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2010)

total

1

Heliports

1 (2012)

Merchant marine

cargo 1, passenger/cargo 1 4 (Bahamas 2, Honduras 1, Slovakia 1) (2010)

registered in other countries

4 (Bahamas 2, Honduras 1, Slovakia 1) (2010)

total

2

Ports and terminals

Bar

Railways

250 km 250 km 1.435-m gauge (169 km electrified) (2007)

total

250 km

Roadways

7,624 km 5,097 km 2,527 km (2008)

total

7,624 km

unpaved

2,527 km (2008)

Manpower fit for military service

149,159 131,823 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

131,823 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

149,159

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

3,120 3,677 (2010 est.)

female

3,677 (2010 est.)

male

3,120

Military branches

Armed Forces of the Republic of Montenegro: Army of Montenegro (includes Montenegrin Navy (Mornarica Crne Gore, MCG)), Air Force (2011)

Armed Forces of the Republic of Montenegro

Army of Montenegro (includes Montenegrin Navy (Mornarica Crne Gore, MCG)), Air Force (2011)

Military service age and obligation

compulsory national military service abolished August 2006

Disputes - international

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons

9,367 (Kosovo) (2011)

refugees (country of origin)

9,367 (Kosovo) (2011)