Montenegro : a small, young and beautiful country

Montenegro is in South Europe and lies between Albania and Croatia along the coast of Adriatic Sea.  Its population is just above 600,000 with territories of just over 5,000 square miles.  It joined Yugoslavia during its creation in 1918.  It avoided the bloody ethnic wars when Yugoslavia broke down into different states in the 1990s.  Until 2006, people of Montenegro voted to declare its independence and became one of the young sovereign states with the United Nations.

During our trip to the Balkans, my wife and I spent two days in this beautiful country.  Monte-negro means black mountains.  In fact, you can see its high mountains raising up right from the Adriatic Sea coast.

(Montenegro coast along the Adriatic Sea)

(Big cruises ship can dock at the old city of Kotor)

Within its small territories, Montenegro has diversity of landscapes, plants, birds and marine lives.  Lake Kadar is one of the most important fresh ecosystem in South Europe.  Hundreds species of European birds past through the lake during their migrations.

(Many birds rest in the Lake Kadar)

(Can you see the kingfisher - blue bird)

The coastal areas along Adriatic Sea enjoy warn weather with lot of sunshine.  Traditionally, Montenegro has great olive oil, orange and wines.  We had tried them and they were really good. Because of its limited production, you may not find their farm products in your department stores. 

In the past years, Montenegro attracts millions of tourists from Europe and all over the world.  They come to enjoy the sunny warm weather, beautiful natural scenery, great seafood and wines.

(Evening in the seashore resort)

During summer time, the old cities Budva and Kotor are packed with tourists.  This provides important source of foreign exchange and employment opportunities to Montenegro.  Properties along its beautiful coast also attract foreign investment.

(Sveti Stefan island is now converted into a hotel resort complex)