Serbia is located in south-eastern Europe and borders Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary, Albania, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria and Kosovo. In northern Serbia, there is also the autonomous province of Vojvodina, where Novi Sad, Serbia’s second largest city, is the capital.
| Capital: | Belgrade |
| Biggest city: | Belgrade |
| State: | republic |
| Language: | Serbian |
| Religion: | orthodox christian |
| Surface: | 77 474 km² |
| Population: | 7.1 million (2013) |
| Population density: | 95 residents per km² |
| Life expectancy: | 74 years |
| Illiteracy: | 4% |
| Currency: | Serbian dinar (RSD) 1 dinar = SEK 0.08 |
| GDP per capita: | $ 10,900 (2010) |
| Time difference: | +0 hours |
| Electricity: | 220 V AC, 50Hz |
| National Day: | February 15th |
| Country area code: | 381 |
| 2-Letter country abbreviation: | RS (See more abbreviations on Abbreviationfinder) |
| Climate: | temperate; cold winters and hot summers |
Serbia was previously one of six constituent republics in the State Federation of Yugoslavia. In the early 1990s, all sub-republics except Serbia and Montenegro chose to leave the Federation of Yugoslavia, which was strongly opposed by the then central government in Belgrade. Several wars followed the dissolution of Yugoslavia. These wars are usually called the Yugoslav wars and Serbia was a warring party in all wars except for the armed conflict in Macedonia in 2001.
Following the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the two remaining Länder, Serbia and Montenegro, formed the “Federal Republic of Yugoslavia”, which in 2003 changed its name to Serbia and Montenegro. Relations between the two constituent republics were strained, however, and after a 2006 referendum in Montenegro showed that approximately 55.5% were in favor of Montenegro’s independence, it later declared itself an independent state later that year.
On 17 February 2008, the autonomous province of Kosovo declared independence from Serbia.
Serbia, like many other countries in Eastern Europe, has problems with corruption and economic crime, which in Serbia’s cases were the result of many years of sanctions and post-war hyperinflation.
WORLD HERITAGE
The following objects in Serbia are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The year in which the item was added to the list is indicated in parentheses.
- Residential environment in the town of Stari Ras with the Sopoćani Monastery (1979)
- The Monastery of Studenica (1986)
- Gamzigrad-Romuliana, Roman Palace and Fortifications (2007)
ELECTRICAL OUTLET
Electricity and electrical outlets in Serbia
Voltage: 220 V
Frequency: 50 Hz
Type of plug: C, F
Need an adapter: No, you do not need an adapter.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
Weather in Belgrade
| Climate | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Christmas | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Average temperature °C | 1 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 13 | 6 | 2 |
| Day °C | 3 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 21 | 23 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 17 | 8 | 5 |
| Night °C | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| Rain (mm) | 40 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 70 | 80 | 60 | 50 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Belgrade
According to Countryaah, Belgrade is the capital of Serbia. The city is one of Europe’s oldest capitals, which in its history has been ruled by Celts, Romans, Bulgarians, Hungarians / Austrians, Turks, Germans and Serbs. The first time the city became the capital of Serbia was in 1284. The city is located where the river Sava meets the Danube and has 1.6 million residents (2006). Belgrade is also Serbia’s economic and cultural center.
The appearance of the city is marked by almost two millennia of conquest and war. The city has been completely destroyed several times and has elements from the different conquerors’ building styles. This has given the city an exotic and cosmopolitan character. The city’s architecture is characterized by both modern and old. Central Belgrade consists mostly of old buildings, while the area of Novi Belgrade (New Belgrade) began to be built after World War II in the low-lying area by the Sava River, and is characterized by 20th century architecture. Novi Belgrade is the district that is growing the most, it is also the city’s financial center. Many large companies have i.a. their regional offices there.
Belgrade has become famous for its vibrant nightlife. Many nightclubs are open until early morning and are spread throughout the city. More traditional Serbian nightlife with traditional music, so-called “Starogradska muzika” (folk music) can be found in the prominent Skadarlija, the city’s central bohemian quarter with 19th century buildings. The city’s poets and artists gather there. Skadarska Street (central part of Skadarlija) and the surrounding area have some of Belgrade’s best and oldest restaurants. There is also the city’s oldest beer hall, from the early 19th century.
Novi Sad
Novi Sad is Serbia’s second largest city and capital of the autonomous province of Vojvodina in northern Serbia. The city is an industrial and cultural center.
Novi Sad has 205,378 residents (2002). The city is home to many national minorities, such as Hungarians, Slovaks, Croats and Montenegrins. As a result, Novi Sad has four official languages: Serbian, Hungarian, Slovak and Russian.
Novi Sad was bombed by NATO during the war in Kosovo in 1999. All three bridges were destroyed, leaving the city without communications, water and electricity. Novi Sad was the cultural capital of the Serbs during the Ottoman period and has therefore been nicknamed “the Serbian Athens”.