Montenegro Awaits Discovery

With its diversity of towering mountain ranges, deep canyons, fast flowing rivers, glacial lakes and dozens of Adriatic beaches, whether painter or poet, traveller or tourist, each person finds their own inspiration and experience that is both unique and extraordinary.

This is confirmed by the inclusion of Kotor and Risan bay areas into the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the admission of the Boka Kotorska Bay into the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club.

Escape the stresses and strains of modern day living. Relax in one of the many restaurants and pavement cafes or party in the plaza. Cars are not allowed in the old city of Kotor!

Challenge and excitement, adventure and love, heritage and tradition, rest and relaxation: All these differences magnified yet harmoniously united. Combining the incompatible and the unbelievable, East meets West within the wild and natural beauty that is Montenegro.

Country: Montenegro or Crna Gora means Black Mountain when translated into English.

Location: Lying in the heart of the Mediterranean, bordering Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, divided from Italy by the Adriatic Sea, and less than a two-hour flight from London.

Comparative Area: Approximately equal in circumference to Cyprus covering an area of 13,938sq kilometres.

Coastline: 293km.

Climate: The Adriatic climate along the coast means hot balmy summers and autumns accompanied by relatively mild winters. However, inland areas may experience heavy snowfall.

Terrain: Extremely varied; ancient mountains and hills to the southeast, to the southwest extremely high shoreline with no islands off the coast.

Geographical Importance: Controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey.

Nationality: Montenegrin.

Population: 726,000 inhabitants (2004).

Religion: Predominant religion Orthodox.

Languages: Srpski 95% - Albanian 5%.

Capital: Podgorica.

Legal System: Civil Law system.

Montenegrin Prime Minister: Milo Djukanovic.

Montenegrin Independance, European Union and United Nations Memberships: On 21st May 2006 Montenegrins voted for independence from Serbia in a referendum and declared independence on June 3. The vote saw 55.4 percent in favour.

In June 2006 the Republic of Montenegro was admitted to membership in the United Nations joining 191 other U.N. members. Diplomats in the General Assembly hall burst into applause.

The European Union will now reopen EU membership talks with Montenegro. EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn met with Montenegrin President Filipom Vujanovic and European Integration Gordana Djurovic in the Montenegrin capital of Podgorica on July 7th to discuss moving negotiations ahead.

Flag: Three horizontal bands of colour that are (from top down) blue, white and red.

Bank: Rejoined the World Bank in 2001(Belgrade US Embassy, 2004), joined the Council of Europe Development Bank: A voice for solidarity, circa 2004. Out of 45 Council of Europe member states, 36 have joined the Bank (Source: C.E.B. Doc. 10204, June 2004).

Currency: Euro is the legal tender.

Travel and Tourism: Forecast annual growth of 10.3% per annum in Travel and Tourist Demand with an annualised real growth of 9% in terms of GDP.

Activities: Sailing, Scuba Diving, White-water Rafting, Windsurfing, Hiking, Mountaineering, Skiing, Horse Riding, Hunting, and Fishing. Less strenuous activities include visiting Museums, Art Galleries, Festivals, Shopping, Sunbathing.

Montenegrin Cuisine: Most of the food produced is organic including fresh fish, juicy steak, peppers in Kajmak (sour cream), smoked hams and lamb braised in milk. Crisp salads, earthy vegetables, rich sauces, bread, garlic, parsley, olive oil and Lubenita (watermelon) being the staple accompaniments. All washed down with a full-bodied red, dry white wine or rather cheeky Merlot.

National Drink: Rakija, white grape brandy.

Property Purchase: Given the reciprocal arrangement with the United Kingdom, there are no major restrictions regarding purchase however, land titles must be registered and verified. In 2004, The World Bank approved $30million credit for effective property registration and Cadastre - property tax record, to develop effective property markets (Washington May 2004). For more information go to either the properties or new developments pages and click onto Legal Requirements.

Property Purchase Tax: 2% of the property value.

Mortgages: Whilst on the cusp of privatisation Montenegro is not yet equipped to arrange mortgages, search the internet for International Brokers to seek independent advice. Alternately, one can often raise capital on existing property, or pay upon purchase. Our company will advise regarding euro-mortgages if required.

Introductions: We can recommend or introduce independent bi-lingual Interpreters, Solicitors, Insurance Brokers, Surveyors, Architects, Project Managers, and Skilled Local Builders.

Communications: Comprehensive telephone links cover main line and cellular plus Radio, Television and Internet communication links. The Internet country code being .yu

Transport Infrastructure: Railways, highways, and waterways. The World Bank approved $55million to improve the transport structure in Serbia and Montenegro (Washington May 2004).

Ports and Harbours: Situated in Bar, Kotor and Tivat.

Airports: Tivat and Podgorica. In addition, Dubrovnik Airport, Croatia, less than 60km from Kotor, is easily accessible.