{{Short description|Country in Southeast Europe}}
{{Redirect|Crna Gora|other uses|Crna Gora (disambiguation)|and|Montenegro (disambiguation)}}
{{Pp-move|small=yes}}
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{{Use British English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Montenegro
| common_name            = Montenegro
| native_name            = {{lang|cnr|Црна Гора}}<br/>{{lang|cnr|Crna Gora}}
| image_flag             = Flag of Montenegro.svg
| image_coat             = Coat of arms of Montenegro.svg
| coa_size               = 80
| national_motto         = 
| national_anthem        = {{lang|cnr|[[Oj, svijetla majska zoro]]|italic=yes}}<br />({{langx|en|"Oh, Bright Dawn of May"}})<br /><div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">[[File:National Anthem of Montenegro.ogg|center]]</div>
| image_map              = Europe-Montenegro.svg
| map_caption            = {{map caption
  | location_color = green
  | region         = Europe
  | region_color   = dark grey
  | legend         = Europe-Montenegro.svg
  }}
| image_map2             = 
| capital                = [[Podgorica]]{{efn|Podgorica is the administrative capital while [[Cetinje]] is considered the old royal capital.}}
| coordinates            = {{Coord|42|47|N|19|28|E|type:city}}
| largest_city           = capital
| official_languages     = [[Montenegrin language|Montenegrin]]<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=187544|title=Constitution of Montenegro|chapter-url=https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=187544#LinkTarget_1506|chapter=Language and alphabet Article 13 |publisher=[[WIPO]]|date=19 October 2007|quote=The official language in Montenegro shall be Montenegrin. Cyrillic and Latin alphabet shall be equal.}}</ref>
| national_languages     = {{hlist|[[Albanian language|Albanian]]<ref name="Constitution of Montenegro">{{cite book|url=http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=187544|title=Constitution of Montenegro|chapter-url=https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=187544#LinkTarget_1506|chapter=Language and alphabet Article 13 |publisher=[[WIPO]]|date=19 October 2007|quote=Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian and Croatian shall also be in the official use.}}</ref>|[[Bosnian language|Bosnian]]<ref name="Constitution of Montenegro"></ref>|[[Croatian language|Croatian]]<ref name="Constitution of Montenegro"></ref>|[[Serbian language|Serbian]]<ref name="Constitution of Montenegro"></ref>}}
| ethnic_groups          = {{ubl
| 41.1% [[Montenegrins]]
| 32.9% [[Serbs of Montenegro|Serbs]]
| 11.1% [[Bosniaks of Montenegro|Bosniaks]] or [[Muslims (ethnic group)|Muslims]]
| 5.0% [[Albanians in Montenegro|Albanians]]
| 2.1% [[Russians]]
| 5.8% [[Demographics of Montenegro|others or undeclared]]
}}
| ethnic_groups_ref      = <ref name="Monstat">{{cite web|title=Census of Population, Households and Dwellings in Montenegro 2023|url=https://monstat.org/uploads/files/popis%202021/saopstenja/SAOPSTENJE_Popis%20stanovnistva%202023%20II_cg.pdf|publisher=Monstat|access-date=15 October 2024}}</ref>{{efn|Excluding the categories of "no response" and "unknown"}}
| ethnic_groups_year     = 2023 census
| religion               = {{ublist|item_style=white-space;|
{{Tree list}}
* 74.9% [[Christianity]]
** 71.1% [[Eastern Orthodoxy in Montenegro|Eastern Orthodoxy]]
** 3.2% [[Catholic Church in Montenegro|Catholicism]]
** {{nowrap|0.6% other [[List of Christian denominations|Christian]]}}
{{Tree list/end}}
|19.9% [[Islam in Montenegro|Islam]]|2.7% [[Irreligion in Montenegro|no religion]]|0.3% [[Religion in Montenegro|other]]|2.2% not stated}}
| religion_ref           = <ref name="Monstat"/>
| religion_year          = 2023 census
| demonym                = [[Montenegrins|Montenegrin]]
| government_type        = [[Unitary parliamentary republic]]
| leader_title1          = [[President of Montenegro|President]]
| leader_name1           = [[Jakov Milatović]]
| leader_title2          = [[Prime Minister of Montenegro|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name2           = [[Milojko Spajić]]
| leader_title3          = [[President of the Parliament of Montenegro|President of the Parliament]]
| leader_name3           = [[Andrija Mandić]]
| legislature            = [[Parliament of Montenegro|Parliament]]
| sovereignty_type       = [[History of Montenegro|Establishment history]]
| established_event1     = [[Duklja]]
| established_date1      = 10th century
| established_event2     = [[Principality of Zeta|Zeta]]
| established_date2      = 1356
| established_event3     = [[Prince-Bishopric of Montenegro]]
| established_date3      = 1516
| established_event4     = [[Principality of Montenegro]]
| established_date4      = 13 March 1852
| established_event5     = [[Treaty of Berlin (1878)|Treaty of Berlin]]
| established_date5      = 13 July 1878
| established_event6     = [[Kingdom of Montenegro]]
| established_date6      = 28 August 1910
| established_event7     = [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia]]
| established_date7      = 1 December 1918
| established_event8     = [[SFR Yugoslavia]]
| established_date8      = 29 November 1945
| established_event9     = [[Serbia and Montenegro]]
| established_date9      = 27 April 1992
| established_event10    = [[2006 Montenegrin independence referendum|Independence declared]]
| established_date10     = 3 June 2006
| area_rank              = 155th <!-- Area rank should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]] -->
| area_km2               = 13883<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2024 |title=SY MNE – 2024|url=https://monstat.org/uploads/files/publikacije/godisnjak2024/GODISNJAK%202024_30.12..pdf |journal=Statistički godišnjak |issn=0354-2076}}</ref>
| area_sq_mi             = <!--5332.843-->
| percent_water          = 3.1
| population_census      = {{IncreaseNeutral}} 623,633<ref>{{cite web|url=https://monstat.org/uploads/files/popis%202021/saopstenja/SAOPSTENJE_Popis%20stanovnistva%202023%20II_cg.pdf
| title=Statistical Office of Montenegro – MONSTAT }}</ref>
| population_estimate    = {{DecreaseNeutral}} 622,902<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://monstat.org/uploads/files/demografija/osnovni%20demografski%20pokazatelji/2025/Procjene%20broja%20stanovnika%20na%201.%20januar_podaci.xlsx
|title=Procjene broja stanovnika na 1. januar
|website=MONSTAT
|access-date=2026-05-31
}}</ref>
| population_census_year = 2023
| population_estimate_year = January 2026
| population_estimate_rank = 164th
| population_density_km2 = 43.6
| population_density_sq_mi = 124
| population_density_rank = 173rd
| GDP_PPP                = {{increase}} $22.69 billion<ref name="r395">{{cite web | title=Country profile: Montenegro | website=IMF | url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/MNE | language=ar | access-date=2026-05-31}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2026
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 152nd
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $36,330<ref name="r395"/>
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 61st
| GDP_nominal            = {{increase}} $10.23 billion<ref name="r395"/>
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2026
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 149th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $16,380<ref name="r395"/>
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 68th
| Gini_year              = 2023
| Gini_change            = decrease <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini                   = 29.4 <!--number only-->
| Gini_ref               = <ref>{{Cite book |last=Đokić |first=Dunja |url=https://www.monstat.org/uploads/files/SILC/2023/Saop%C5%A1tenje_Anketa_o_dohotku_i_uslovima_%C5%BEivota_EU-SILC_2023.pdf |title=Anketa o dohotku i uslovima života (EU-SILC) 2024 |publisher=MONSTAT |year=2024 |archive-date=28 November 2025 |access-date=10 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251128085019/https://www.monstat.org/uploads/files/SILC/2023/Saop%C5%A1tenje_Anketa_o_dohotku_i_uslovima_%C5%BEivota_EU-SILC_2023.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| HDI                    = 0.862
| HDI_rank               = 48th
| HDI_year               = 2023<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year. -->
| HDI_change             = increase
| HDI_ref                = <ref name="UNHDR">{{Cite web |date=6 May 2025 |title=Human Development Report 2025 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506051232/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf |archive-date=6 May 2025 |access-date=6 May 2025 |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]}}</ref>
| currency               = [[Euro]] ([[€]])<sup>a</sup>
| currency_code          = EUR
| time_zone              = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset             = +1
| utc_offset_DST         = +2
| time_zone_DST          = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| calling_code           = [[+382]]
| cctld                  = [[.me]]
| footnote_a             = [[Montenegro and the euro|Adopted unilaterally]]; Montenegro is not a member of the [[Eurozone]].
| today                  = 
}}

'''Montenegro'''{{efn|{{lang-cnr-Latn-Cyrl|Crna Gora|Црна Гора|separator=" / "}}}} is a country in [[Southeast Europe]], on the [[Balkan Peninsula]].<ref>{{cite web |date=19 October 2021 |title=Montenegro – The World Factbook |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/montenegro/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260116122206/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/montenegro/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 January 2026 |access-date=6 March 2022 |website=www.cia.gov}}</ref> Its 25 [[Municipalities of Montenegro|municipalities]] have a total population of 633,158 people in an area of 13,883&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (5,360 sq mi). It is bordered by [[Serbia]] to the northeast, [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] to the northwest, [[Kosovo]] to the east, [[Albania]] to the southeast, and [[Croatia]] to the west, and has a coastline along the [[Adriatic Sea]] to the southwest.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Britannica">{{cite web |title=Montenegro – History |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Montenegro |access-date=9 April 2021 |website=Encyclopædia Britannica}}</ref> The capital and largest city is [[Podgorica]], while [[Cetinje]] is the [[Old Royal Capital Cetinje|Old Royal Capital]] and cultural centre.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |date=4 March 2025 |title=Cetinje Historic Core |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5561/|website=whc.unesco.org}}</ref>

Before the arrival of the [[Slavs|Slav peoples]] in the Balkans in the 6th and 7th centuries CE, the area now known as Montenegro was inhabited principally by people known as [[Illyrians]].
During the [[Early Medieval]] period, three principalities were located on the territory of modern-day Montenegro: [[Duklja]], roughly corresponding to the southern half; [[Travunia]], the west; and [[Principality of Serbia (early medieval)|Rascia]] proper, the north.<ref name="Luscombe">{{cite book|last1=Luscombe|first1=David|last2=Riley-Smith|first2=Jonathan|title=The New Cambridge Medieval History: Volume 4, c. 1024{{snd}}c. 1198|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cUl53tLtFukC&pg=PA267|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|date=2004|pages=266–|isbn=9780521414111}}</ref><ref name="Sedlar">{{cite book|last=Sedlar|first=Jean W.|title=East Central Europe in the Middle Ages, 1000–1500|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4NYTCgAAQBAJ&q=East%20Central%20Europe%20in%20the%20Middle%20Ages%2C%201000-1500&pg=PA32|publisher=[[University of Washington Press]]|date=2013|pages=21–|isbn=9780295800646}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=John Van Antwerp Fine|title=The early medieval Balkans: a critical survey from the sixth to the late twelfth century|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RSNpAAAAMAAJ&q=raska+duklja+serbian+principality|publisher=[[University of Michigan Press]]|year=1983|page=194|isbn=9780472100255}}</ref> The [[Zeta under the Balšići|Principality of Zeta]] emerged in the 14th and 15th centuries. From the late 14th century to the late 18th century, large parts of southern Montenegro were ruled by the [[Venetian Republic]] and incorporated into [[Venetian Albania]].<ref name=":0" /> The name ''Montenegro'' was first used to refer to the country in the late 15th century. After falling under [[Ottoman Empire]] rule, Montenegro gained semi-autonomy in 1696 under the rule of the [[House of Petrović-Njegoš]], first as a [[Prince-Bishopric of Montenegro|theocracy]] and later as a secular [[Principality of Montenegro|principality]]. Montenegro's independence was recognised by the [[Great Powers]] at the [[Congress of Berlin]] in 1878. In 1910, the country became a [[Kingdom of Montenegro|kingdom]]. After [[World War I]], the kingdom became part of [[Yugoslavia]]. Following the [[breakup of Yugoslavia]], the republics of [[Republic of Serbia (1992–2006)|Serbia]] and [[Republic of Montenegro (1992–2006)|Montenegro]] together proclaimed a [[Serbia and Montenegro|federation]]. In June 2006 Montenegro declared its independence following a [[2006 Montenegrin independence referendum|referendum]].<ref name=":3">{{cite news |date=5 June 2006 |title=Serbia ends union with Montenegro |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/serbia-ends-union-with-montenegro-1.785687 |access-date=2 September 2020 |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref>

Montenegro has an [[Economy of Montenegro|upper-middle-income economy]], mostly [[Tertiary sector of the economy|service-based]], and is in [[Transition economy|late transition]] to a [[market economy]].<ref name="The Heritage Foundation 2021">{{cite web| title=Montenegro Economy: Population, GDP, Inflation, Business, Trade, FDI, Corruption| website=The Heritage Foundation| date=9 March 2021| url=https://www.heritage.org/index/country/montenegro| access-date=16 April 2021| archive-date=6 September 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906070742/https://www.heritage.org/index/country/montenegro| url-status=unfit}}</ref> It is a member of the [[United Nations]], [[NATO]], the [[World Trade Organization]], the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]], the [[Council of Europe]], and the [[Central European Free Trade Agreement]].<ref name="mvp.gov.me">{{cite web| title=Membership of Montenegro in International Organisations| website=mvp.gov.me| url=https://mvp.gov.me/en/sections/Multilateral-relations/UN-links/Membership-of-Montenegro-in-International-Organiza/| access-date=16 April 2021| archive-date=16 April 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416064111/https://mvp.gov.me/en/sections/Multilateral-relations/UN-links/Membership-of-Montenegro-in-International-Organiza/| url-status=dead }}</ref> Montenegro is also a founding member of the [[Union for the Mediterranean]],<ref name="European Western Balkans 2020">{{cite web|title=Montenegro| website=European Western Balkans| date=24 February 2020| url=https://europeanwesternbalkans.com/montenegro/| access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref> and has been in the process of [[Accession of Montenegro to the European Union|joining the European Union]] since 2012.<ref name="European Neighbourhood Policy And Enlargement Negotiations - European Commission 2016">{{cite web|title=European Neighbourhood Policy And Enlargement Negotiations – European Commission|url=https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/montenegro_en|website=European Neighbourhood Policy And Enlargement Negotiations – European Commission|date=6 December 2016|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
Montenegro's ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-Montenegro.ogg|ˌ|m|ɒ|n|t|ᵻ|ˈ|n|iː|ɡ|r|oʊ|,_|-|ˈ|n|eɪ|ɡ|r|oʊ|,_|-|ˈ|n|ɛ|ɡ|r|oʊ}} {{respell|MON|tin|E(E)G|roh|,_|-|AY|groh}};<ref name=":4">{{cite EPD|18}}</ref> {{langx|cnr|Crna Gora|italic=yes}}{{efn|name=native name 2|Written identically in [[Bosnian language|Bosnian]], [[Croatian language|Croatian]] and [[Serbian language|Serbian]]}} / {{lang|cnr|Црна Гора}},{{efn|name=native name 3|Written identically in [[Serbian Cyrillic]]}} {{IPA|cnr|t͡sr̂ːnaː gǒra}};<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cȓnā Gòra |url=https://hjp.znanje.hr/index.php?show=search_by_id&id=f1tmWRU |website=Hrvatski jezični portal}}</ref> {{langx|sq|Mali i Zi}})<ref name="Vlada Crne Gore">{{cite web |title=Влада Црне Горе |url=https://www.gov.me/naslovna?alphabet=cyr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514182820/https://www.gov.me/naslovna?alphabet=cyr |archive-date=14 May 2021 |access-date=9 April 2021 |website=Vlada Crne Gore |language=cnr}}</ref><ref name="Влада Црне Горе">{{cite web |title=Vlada Crne Gore |url=https://www.gov.me/naslovna?alphabet=lat |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513184345/https://www.gov.me/naslovna?alphabet=lat |archive-date=13 May 2021 |access-date=9 April 2021 |website=Влада Црне Горе |language=cnr}}</ref> English name is a literal translation from a [[Venetian language|Venetian]] [[calque]] of the [[Montenegrin language|Montenegrin]] phrase "''Crna Gora''", or "Black Mountain", deriving from the appearance of [[Mount Lovćen]], which was covered in dense evergreen forests.<ref name="visit-montenegro">{{cite web|title=Montenegro History – Part I|url=https://www.visit-montenegro.com/montenegro/history/|website=visit-montenegro.com|access-date=27 June 2018}}</ref> ''Crna Gora'' was mentioned for the first time in [[edict]]s issued by [[Stefan Uroš I]] to the [[Serbian Orthodox]] [[Zeta (crown land)|Zeta]] [[Episcopate]] seat at [[Vranjina island]] in [[Lake Skadar]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 October 2017 |title=Crna Gora: Istorijski razvoj |url=https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/crna-gora/historical-development_me |access-date=6 March 2021 |website=Eurydice – European Commission |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628190256/https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/crna-gora/historical-development_me |url-status=dead}}</ref> It came to denote the majority of contemporary Montenegro in the 15th century.<ref name="Fine532">{{harvnb|Fine|1994|p=532}}</ref>

[[File:Map Byzantine Empire 1045 2000px svg.png|thumb|right|Duklja in the 11th century]]

Modern-day Montenegro was more and more known by that name in the historical period following the fall of the [[Serbian Despotate]] in 1459.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Zlatar |first=Zdenko |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ltRWy32dG7oC |title=The Poetics of Slavdom: The Mythopoeic Foundations of Yugoslavia |date=2007 |publisher=Dumbarton Oaks Library and Collection |pages=459 |isbn=978-0-88402-137-7 |language=en}}</ref> Originally, it had referred to only a small strip of land under the rule of the [[Paštrovići]] tribe, but the name eventually came to be used for the wider mountainous region after the [[Crnojević noble family]] took power in [[Upper Zeta]].<ref name=Fine532 /> The aforementioned region became known as ''Stara Crna Gora'' '[[Old Montenegro]]' by the 19th century to distinguish the independent region from the neighbouring Ottoman-occupied Montenegrin territory of ''Brda'' (the "Highlands"). Montenegro further increased its size several times by the 20th century, as the result of wars against the [[Ottoman Empire]], which saw the annexation of [[Old Herzegovina]] and parts of [[Metohija]] and southern [[Raška (region)|Raška]]. Its borders have changed little since then, losing Metohija and gaining the [[Bay of Kotor]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 August 2016 |title=Securitu=y Council |url=https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_pv_7760.pdf |access-date=22 April 2025 |website=www.securitycouncilreport.org |language=en }}</ref>

After the second session of the [[AVNOJ]] during [[World War II in Yugoslavia]], the contemporary modern state of Montenegro was founded as the ''Federal State of Montenegro'' ([[Montenegrin language|Montenegrin]]: Савезна држава Црне Горе / ''Savezna država Crne Gore'') on 15 November 1943 within the Yugoslav Federation by the [[ZAVNOCGB]]. After the war, Montenegro became a republic under its name, the [[People's Republic of Montenegro]] ([[Montenegrin language|Montenegrin]]: Народна Република Црна Гора / ''Narodna Republika Crna Gora'') on 29 November 1945. In 1963, it was renamed to the [[Socialist Republic of Montenegro]] ([[Montenegrin language|Montenegrin]]: Социјалистичка Република Црна Гора / ''Socijalistička Republika Crna Gora''). As the [[breakup of Yugoslavia]] occurred, the SRCG was renamed to the Republic of Montenegro ([[Montenegrin language|Montenegrin]]: Република Црна Гора / ''Republika Crna Gora'') on 27 April 1992 within the [[Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]] by removing the adjective "socialist" from the republic's title. Since 22 October 2007, a year after its independence, the name of the country became simply known as Montenegro. The country is known as ''Mali i Zi'' (lit. black mountain) in [[Albanian language|Albanian]],<ref>''Namenforschung'' / Name Studies / ''Les noms propres''. 1. Halbband, Ernst Eichler, Ladislav Zgusta, Heinrich Löffler, Gerold Hilty, Hugo Steger, p. 718</ref> while it is known as ''Crna Gora'' in Montenegrin, Serbian, [[Bosniak language|Bosnian]], and [[Croatian language|Croatian]].

== History ==
{{Main|History of Montenegro}}

===Antiquity===
{{main|Illyria|Illyricum (Roman province)|Dalmatia (Roman province)|Praevalitana}}

Modern-day Montenegro was part of [[Illyria]] and populated by the Indo-European-speaking [[Illyrians]].<ref name=Boardman629>John Boardman. [https://books.google.com/books?id=vXljf8JqmkoC&pg=PA629 The prehistory of the Balkans and the Middle East and the Aegean world]. Cambridge University Press, 1982. {{ISBN|978-0-521-22496-3}}, p. 629</ref><ref>Wilkes John. [https://books.google.com/books?hl=el&id=4Nv6SPRKqs8C The Illyrians]. Wiley-Blackwell, 1995, {{ISBN|978-0-631-19807-9}}, p. 92</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 November 2023 |title=Blog #90: The Illyrians with Danijel Džino |url=https://peoplingthepast.com/2023/11/10/blog-90-the-illyrians-with-danijel-dzino/ |access-date=20 April 2025 |website=Peopling the Past |language=en}}</ref> The [[Illyrian kingdom]] was conquered by the [[Roman Republic]] in the [[Illyro-Roman Wars]] and the region was incorporated into the [[Illyricum (Roman province)|province of Illyricum]] (later [[Dalmatia (Roman province)|Dalmatia]] and [[Praevalitana]]).<ref>Livy, The History of Rome, 45.26.11–15</ref><ref>Appian, the Foreign Wars, The Illyrian wars,   Book 10, The Illyrian Wars; Loeb Classical Library, Vol II, Books 8.2–12, Harvard University Press, 1912; {{ISBN|978-0674990043}} [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Appian/home.html], 10.18–27</ref><ref>Cassius Dio, Roman History, Vol 6, Books 51–65 (Loeb Classical Library), Loeb, 1989; {{ISBN|978-0674990920}} [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/home.html]? 49.37–38</ref>

=== Arrival of the Slavs ===
{{Main|Duklja|Principality of Zeta|Tribes of Montenegro}}

Three principalities were located on the territory: [[Duklja]], roughly corresponding to the southern half, [[Travunia]], the west, and [[Principality of Serbia (early medieval)|Raška]], the north.<ref name=Luscombe /><ref name=Sedlar /> Duklja gained its independence from the Byzantine Roman Empire in 1042.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Papathanassiou |first=Manolis |title=Byzantine Battles: Battle of Bar |url=https://byzantium.gr/battle.php?byzbat=c11_09b |access-date=20 April 2025 |website=ΒΥΖΑΝΤΙΝΟΝ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΟΝ |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MONTENEGRINA - digitalna biblioteka crnogorske kulture i nasljedja |url=https://www.montenegrina.net/pages/pages_e/history/duklja_the_first_montenegrin_state_first_dinasty_Vojislavljevic.htm? |access-date=20 April 2025 |website=www.montenegrina.net}}</ref> Over the next few decades, it expanded its territory to neighbouring Rascia and Bosnia, and also became recognised as a kingdom. Its power started declining at the beginning of the 12th century. After King Bodin's death (in 1101 or 1108), civil wars ensued. Duklja reached its zenith under Vojislav's son, [[Mihailo I of Duklja|Mihailo]] (1046–1081), and his grandson [[Constantine Bodin]] (1081–1101).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.montenegro.org/duklja.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970116032145/http://www.montenegro.org/duklja.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 January 1997|title=Duklja, the first Montenegrin state|publisher=Montenegro.org|access-date=7 December 2012}}</ref>
[[File:Cytadela w obrębie murów miejskich w Kotorze 02.jpg|thumb|right|[[Fortifications of Kotor]]. Built between the 9th and 19th centuries, [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]].]]

As the nobility fought for the throne, the kingdom was weakened, and by 1186, the territory of modern-day Montenegro became part of the state ruled by [[Stefan Nemanja]] and was a part of various state formations ruled by the [[Nemanjić dynasty]] for the next two centuries. After the [[Serbian Empire]] collapsed in the second half of the 14th century, the most powerful Zetan family, the [[Balšić]]s, became sovereigns of Zeta.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://centruldestudiitransilvane.ro/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/3.1.-Premovic-co_-SuplimTR.1.2024.pdf |title=Zeta Under the Balšić Dynasty and the Ottoman Empire (1385–1421) |website=centruldestudiitransilvane.ro |access-date=21 April 2025 }}</ref>

By the 13th century, ''Zeta'' had replaced ''Duklja'' when referring to the realm.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.montenegrina.net/pages/pages_e/history/duklja_the_first_montenegrin_state_first_dinasty_Vojislavljevic.htm |title=Duklja (Doclea), the first Montenegrin state under the first dynasty, the Vojislavljevic |website=www.montenegrina.net |access-date=29 May 2025}}</ref> In the late 14th century, southern Montenegro ([[Lordship of Zeta|Zeta]]) came under the rule of the [[Balšić noble family]], then the [[Crnojević noble family]], and by the 15th century, Zeta was more often referred to as ''Crna Gora''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.montenet.org/history/doclea.htm |title=Montenet - History of Montenegro: Doclea Under Vojisavljevics' Dynasty  |website=montenet.org |access-date=29 May 2025}}</ref>

In 1421, Zeta was annexed to the [[Serbian Despotate]], but after 1455, another noble family from Zeta, the [[Crnojević]]s, became sovereign rulers of the country, making it the last free monarchy of the Balkans before it fell to the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] in 1496, and got annexed to the ''[[sanjak]]'' of [[Shkodër]]. For a short time, Montenegro existed as a separate autonomous ''sanjak'' in 1514–1528 ([[Sanjak of Montenegro]]). Also, [[Old Herzegovina]] region was part of [[Sanjak of Herzegovina]].{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

=== Early modern period ===
{{Main|Prince-Bishopric of Montenegro|Venetian Albania}}

From 1392, numerous parts of the territory were controlled by [[Republic of Venice]], including the city of [[Budva]], in that time known as "Budua". 
The Venetian territory was centred on the [[Bay of Kotor]], and the Republic introduced governors who meddled in Montenegrin politics.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Venita Albania |url=https://albanianstudies.weebly.com/venita-albania.html |access-date=20 April 2025 |website=My Albanian studies |language=en}}</ref> Venice controlled territories in present-day Montenegro until [[Fall of the Republic of Venice|its fall]] in 1797.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Schmitt |first=Oliver Jens |title=Das Venezianische Albanien (1392–1479) |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |year=2001 |isbn=978-3-486-56569-0}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=28 September 2007 |title=News ITALIA PRESS |url=http://www.newsitaliapress.it/interna.asp?sez=245&info=136207 |access-date=8 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928163000/http://www.newsitaliapress.it/interna.asp?sez=245&info=136207 |archive-date=28 September 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=City ... Budva History And Culture.html |url=https://www.montenegro.com/city/.../Budva_History_and_Culture.html |access-date=8 April 2021 |website=www.montenegro.com}}</ref>
Large portions fell under the control of the [[Ottoman Empire]] from 1496 to 1878. In the 16th century, Montenegro developed a unique form of autonomy within the Ottoman Empire that permitted Montenegrin clans freedom from certain restrictions. Nevertheless, the Montenegrins were disgruntled with Ottoman rule, and in the 17th century, repeatedly rebelled, which culminated in the defeat of the Ottomans in the [[Great Turkish War]] at the end of that century.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}
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Montenegrin territories were controlled by warlike clans. Most clans had a chieftain (''knez''), who was not permitted to assume the title unless he proved to be as worthy a leader as his predecessor. An assembly of Montenegrin clans (''Zbor'') was held every year on 12 July in Cetinje, and any adult clansman could take part.<ref name="Visit Montenegro">{{cite web| title=The History of Cetinje| website=Visit Montenegro| url=https://www.visit-montenegro.com/destinations/cetinje/info/history| access-date=22 June 2021}}</ref> In 1515, Montenegro became a [[theocracy]] led by the [[Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral]], which flourished after the [[Petrović-Njegoš]] of Cetinje became the prince-bishop (whose title was "Vladika of Montenegro").{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

People from Montenegro in this historical period were described as Orthodox Serbs.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Crampton|first1=R. J.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0IlVRg6M7jkC|title=Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century-- and After|date=1997|publisher=Psychology Press|pages=16|isbn=978-0-415-16422-1|language=en}}</ref>

=== Principality and Kingdom of Montenegro ===
{{Main|Principality of Montenegro|Kingdom of Montenegro}}

[[File:Crna Gora - Oslobodjenje od strane okupacije 1711-1918.png|thumb|right|Expansion of Montenegro from 1711 to 1918 within present borders]]

In 1858, one of the major Montenegrin victories over the Ottomans occurred at the [[Battle of Grahovac]]. [[Mirko Petrović Njegoš|Grand Duke Mirko Petrović]], elder brother of [[Knjaz Danilo]], led an army of 7,500 and defeated the numerically superior Ottomans with 15,000 troops at [[Grahovac, Montenegro|Grahovac]] on 1 May 1858. This forced the [[Great Powers]] to officially demarcate the borders between Montenegro and Ottoman Empire, ''de facto'' recognising Montenegro's independence.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

In the [[Battle of Vučji Do]] Montenegrins inflicted a major defeat on the Ottoman Army under Grand Vizier [[Ahmed Muhtar Pasha]]. In the aftermath of the Russian victory against the Ottoman Empire in the [[Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878]], the [[great powers of Europe|major powers]] restructured the map of the Balkan region. The Ottoman Empire recognised the independence of Montenegro in the [[Treaty of Berlin (1878)|Treaty of Berlin]] in 1878.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hertslet |first=Edward |url=https://dn790008.ca.archive.org/0/items/mapofeuropebytre04hert/mapofeuropebytre04hert.pdf |title=THE MAP OF EUROPE BY TREATYSHOWING THE VARIOUS POLITICAL AND TERRITORIAL CHANGES WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE SINCE THE GENERAL PEACE OF 1814. With Numerous Maps and Notes. Vol. IV. |date=1891 |publisher=HARRISON AND SONS, ST. MARTINS LANE |volume=4 |location=London |pages=Preface-vii}}</ref>

The first Montenegrin constitution (also known as the Danilo Code) was proclaimed in 1855. Under [[Nicholas I of Montenegro|Nicholas I]] (ruled 1860–1918), the [[principality]] was enlarged several times in the Montenegro-Turkish Wars and was recognised as independent in 1878. Nicholas I established diplomatic relations with the Ottoman Empire.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Radeljić |first1=Branislav |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l42ZEAAAQBAJ&dq=montenegro+ottoman+empire+diplomatic+relations+nicholas+I&pg=PA234 |title=Turkey's Return to the Western Balkans: Policies of Continuity and Transformation |last2=Özşahin |first2=Mustafa Cüneyt |date=1 November 2022 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-3-031-10074-1 |language=en}}</ref> Minor border skirmishes excepted, diplomacy ushered in about 30 years of peace between the two states until the deposition of [[Abdul Hamid II]] in 1909.<ref name="ttk.gov.tr">Uğur Özcan, [http://www.ttk.gov.tr/index.php?Page=Yayinlar&KitapNo=989 II. Abdülhamid Dönemi Osmanlı-Karadağ Siyasi İlişkileri] (Political relations between the Ottoman Empire and Montenegro in the Abdul Hamid II era) Türk Tarih Kurumu, Ankara 2013. {{ISBN|9789751625274}}</ref>

The political skills of Abdul Hamid II and Nicholas I played a major role in the mutually amicable relations.<ref name="ttk.gov.tr" /> Modernization of the state followed, culminating with the draft of a Constitution in 1905. However, political rifts emerged between the reigning [[People's Party (Montenegro, 1906)|People's Party]], who supported the process of democratisation and union with Serbia, and those of the [[True People's Party]], who were monarchist.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

In 1910, Montenegro became [[Kingdom of Montenegro|a kingdom]], and as a result of the [[Balkan Wars]] of 1912–1913, a common border with Serbia was established, with [[Shkodër]] being awarded to [[Albania]], though the current capital city of Montenegro, Podgorica, was on the old border of Albania and Yugoslavia. Montenegro became one of the [[Allies of World War I|Allied Powers]] during World War I (1914–1918). In the [[Battle of Mojkovac]] fought in January 1916 between [[Austria-Hungary]] and the Kingdom of Montenegro, Montenegrins achieved a decisive victory even though they were outnumbered five to one, however this was not enough to prevent Montenegro's defeat, and the Austro-Hungarians accepted a military surrender on 25 January 1916.{{sfn|Pope|Wheal|Robbins|2003|p=431}} From 1916 to October 1918 Austria-Hungary occupied Montenegro. During the occupation, King Nicholas fled the country and established a [[government-in-exile]] in [[Bordeaux]].{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

=== Kingdom of Yugoslavia ===
{{Main|Kingdom of Yugoslavia}}

[[File:Locator map Zeta Banovina in Yugoslavia 1929-1939.svg|thumb|right|Locator map of [[Zeta Banovina]] in [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia]]]]

In 1922, Montenegro formally became the [[Zeta Oblast|Oblast of Cetinje]] in the [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes]], with the addition of the coastal areas around [[Budva]] and [[Bay of Kotor]]. In a further restructuring in 1929, it became a part of a larger [[Zeta Banate]] of the [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia]] that reached the [[Neretva]] River.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

Nicholas's grandson, the Serb King [[Alexander I of Yugoslavia|Alexander I]], dominated the Yugoslav government. [[Zeta Banovina]] was one of nine banovinas that formed the kingdom; it consisted of the present-day Montenegro and parts of Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FEATURES OF THE TERRITORIAL STRUCTURE OF YUGOSLAVIA UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF 1931 {{!}} Yur-VAK |url=https://urvak.org/articles/probe-vypusk-3-osobennosti-politiko-territorialnog/ |access-date=2 September 2025 |website=urvak.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== World War II and Socialist Yugoslavia ===
{{Main|Italian governorate of Montenegro|Socialist Republic of Montenegro}}

In April 1941, [[Nazi Germany]], the [[Kingdom of Italy]], and other Axis allies attacked and occupied the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Italian forces occupied Montenegro and established a puppet [[Italian governorate of Montenegro|Kingdom of Montenegro]].

[[File:Osnivanje Osme crnogorske brigade.jpg|thumb|Great People's Assembly on the occasion of the establishment of the Eighth Montenegrin Brigade in [[Berane]], 25 February 1944]]

In May, the Montenegrin branch of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia started preparations for an uprising planned for mid-July. The Communist Party and its Youth League organised 6,000 of its members into detachments prepared for [[guerrilla warfare]]. According to some historians, the first armed uprising in [[Nazi Germany|Nazi]]-occupied Europe happened on 13 July 1941 in Montenegro.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2010&mm=07&dd=13&nav_category=167&nav_id=445290|title=Prema oceni istoričara, Trinaestojulski ustanak bio je prvi i najmasovniji oružani otpor u porobljenoj Evropi 1941. godine|date=13 July 2010|publisher=B92.net|language=sr|access-date=7 December 2012}}</ref>

Unexpectedly, the uprising took hold, and by 20 July, 32,000 men and women had joined the fight. Except for the coast and major towns (Podgorica, Cetinje, Pljevlja, and Nikšić), which were besieged, Montenegro was mostly liberated. In a month of fighting, the Italian army suffered 5,000 dead, wounded, and captured. The uprising lasted until mid-August, when it was suppressed by a counter-offensive of 67,000 Italian troops brought in from Albania. Faced with new and overwhelming Italian forces, many of the fighters laid down their arms and returned home. Nevertheless, intense guerrilla fighting lasted until December.

Fighters who remained under arms fractured into two groups. Most of them went on to join the Yugoslav Partisans, consisting of communists and those inclined towards active resistance; these included [[Arso Jovanović]], [[Sava Kovačević]], [[Svetozar Vukmanović-Tempo]], [[Milovan Đilas]], [[Peko Dapčević]], [[Vlado Dapčević]], [[Veljko Vlahović]], and [[Blažo Jovanović]]. Those loyal to the [[Karađorđević dynasty]] and opposing communism went on to become [[Chetniks]], and turned to collaboration with Italians against the Partisans.

War broke out between Partisans and Chetniks during the first half of 1942. Pressured by Italians and Chetniks, the core of the Montenegrin Partisans went to Serbia and Bosnia, where they joined with other Yugoslav Partisans. Fighting between Partisans and Chetniks continued through the war. Chetniks with Italian backing controlled most of the country from mid-1942 to April 1943. Montenegrin Chetniks received the status of "anti-communist militia" and received weapons, ammunition, food rations, and money from Italy. Most of them were moved to [[Mostar]], where they fought in the [[Battle of Neretva]] against the Partisans, but were dealt a heavy defeat.

During German [[operation Schwarz]] against the Partisans in May and June 1943, Germans disarmed many Chetniks without fighting, as they feared they would turn against them in case of an Allied invasion of the Balkans. After the capitulation of Italy in September 1943, Partisans managed to take hold of most of Montenegro for a brief time, but Montenegro was soon [[German occupied territory of Montenegro|occupied by German forces]], and fierce fighting continued during late 1943 and 1944. Montenegro was liberated by the Partisans in December 1944.

Montenegro became one of the six constituent republics of the communist [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]] (SFRY). Its capital became Podgorica, renamed [[Titograd]] in honour of President [[Josip Broz Tito]]. After the war, the infrastructure of Yugoslavia was rebuilt, industrialization began, and the [[University of Montenegro]] was established. Greater autonomy was established until the [[Socialist Republic of Montenegro]] ratified a new constitution in 1974.<ref name="Roberts 1978 pp. 136–146">{{cite journal| last=Roberts| first=Adam| title=Yugoslavia: The Constitution and the Succession| journal=The World Today| publisher=Royal Institute of International Affairs| volume=34| issue=4| year=1978| issn=0043-9134| jstor=40395044| pages=136–146| url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/40395044| access-date=22 June 2021}}</ref><ref>[http://mojustav.rs/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Ustav-SFRJ-iz-1974.pdf Ustav Socijalističke Federativne : Republike Jugoslavije] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818185853/http://mojustav.rs/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Ustav-SFRJ-iz-1974.pdf |date=18 August 2021 }} (1974). Mojustav.rs. Retrieved 18 January 2021.</ref>

=== Montenegro within FR Yugoslavia ===
{{Main|Serbia and Montenegro|Republic of Montenegro (1992–2006)}}

After the formal dissolution of the SFRY in 1992, Montenegro remained part of a smaller [[Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]] along with Serbia. In the [[Montenegrin independence referendum, 1992|referendum on remaining in Yugoslavia in 1992]], 96% of the votes cast were in favour of the federation with Serbia. The referendum was boycotted by opposition parties such as the [[Liberal Alliance of Montenegro]],<ref name=":1">Morrison (2009), p. 105</ref> the [[Social Democratic Party of Montenegro|Social Democratic]] and Socialist Parties,<ref>Morrison (2009), pp. 108–110</ref> as well as minority parties such as the [[Democratic League in Montenegro]],<ref>Morrison (2009), p. 126</ref> leading to a relatively low turnout of 66%.<ref name=":1" />
[[File:Former Yugoslavia durning war.svg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|Map of the [[Breakup of Yugoslavia|disintegration of Yugoslavia]] until 2008]]

During the 1991–1995 [[Bosnian War]] and [[Croatian War]], Montenegrin police and military forces, under orders of president Momir Bulatovic<ref name="MD">{{cite news |author=Veseljko Koprivica |date=30 September 2011 |title=''Zločini koji su se Đukanoviću isplatili'' |language=sr |agency=[[Monitor (magazine)|Monitor]] |url=http://www.monitor.co.me/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2922:zloini-koji-su-se-ukanoviu-isplatili&catid=2009:broj-1093&Itemid=3232 |access-date=11 February 2019}}</ref> and Interior Minister [[Pavle Bulatovic]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pavlovic: The Siege of Dubrovnik |url=https://www.yorku.ca/soi/_Vol_5_1/_HTML/Pavlovic.html#fnB41 |access-date=17 November 2023 |website=www.yorku.ca}}</ref> joined Serbian troops in attacks on [[Dubrovnik]], Croatia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.croatiatraveller.com/southern_dalmatia/Dubrovnik/bombing.html|title=Bombing of Dubrovnik|publisher=Croatiatraveller.com|access-date=7 December 2012}}</ref> These operations, aimed at acquiring more territory, were characterised by large-scale violations of human rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/47/a47r121.htm|title=A/RES/47/121. The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina|publisher=United Nations|access-date=7 December 2012}}</ref>

Montenegrin General [[Pavle Strugar]] was convicted for his part in the bombing of Dubrovnik.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yihr.org/uploads/newsletters/eng/28.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403105152/http://www.yihr.org/uploads/newsletters/eng/28.pdf|url-status=dead|title=YIHR.org|archive-date=3 April 2015}}</ref> Bosnian refugees were arrested by Montenegrin police and transported to Serb camps in [[Foča ethnic cleansing|Foča]], where they were subjected to systematic torture and executed.<ref>[http://www.ess.uwe.ac.uk/comexpert/ANX/VIII-03.htm#III.A.25 Annex VIII – part 3/10 Prison Camps]. ess.uwe.ac.uk {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020191517/http://www.ess.uwe.ac.uk/comexpert/ANX/VIII-03.htm#III.A.25|date=20 October 2013}}</ref>

In 1996, [[Milo Đukanović]]'s government severed ties between Montenegro and its partner Serbia, which was led by [[Slobodan Milošević]]. Montenegro formed its own [[economic policy]] and adopted the German [[Deutsche Mark]] as its currency and subsequently [[Montenegro and the euro|adopted the euro]], although not part of the [[Eurozone]]. Subsequent governments pursued pro-independence policies, and political tensions with Serbia simmered despite political changes in [[Belgrade]].

Targets in Montenegro were bombed by NATO forces during [[Operation Allied Force]] in 1999, although the extent of these attacks was limited in both time and area affected.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/331036.stm|title=Russia pushes peace plan|publisher=BBC|date=29 April 1999}}</ref>

In 2002, Serbia and Montenegro came to a new agreement for continued cooperation and entered into negotiations regarding the future status of the [[Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]]. This resulted in the Belgrade Agreement, which saw the country's transformation into a more decentralised state union named [[Serbia and Montenegro]] in 2003. The Belgrade Agreement also contained a provision delaying any future referendum on the independence of Montenegro for at least three years.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

=== Independence ===
{{Main|Serbia and Montenegro|Montenegrin independence referendum, 2006}}

{{See also|2016 Montenegrin coup d'état attempt allegations|2019–20 Montenegrin crisis}}

[[File:Independent montenegro.jpg|thumb|left|Supporters of Montenegrin independence in June 2006 in [[Cetinje]]]]
[[File:Under Secretary Shannon Poses for a Photo With Montenegro's Prime Minister Markovic, Montenegro's Foreign Minister Darmanovic, and NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg at a Ceremony in Washington (34734796140).jpg|thumb|left|Montenegro Foreign Minister Srdjan Darmanović presents a document to [[US]] Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs [[Thomas A. Shannon Jr.|Thomas Shannon]] and Montenegro Prime Minister [[Duško Marković]] during a ceremony at the [[State Department]] to accept Montenegro's instrument of accession to the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] ([[NATO]]), 5 June 2017.]]

The status of the union between Montenegro and Serbia was decided by a [[Montenegrin independence referendum, 2006|referendum on Montenegrin independence]] on 21 May 2006. A total of 419,240 votes were cast, representing 86.5% of the electorate; 230,661 votes (55.5%) were for independence and 185,002 votes (44.5%) were against.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5007364.stm|title=Montenegro vote result confirmed|work=BBC News|date=23 May 2006|access-date=11 September 2010}}</ref> This narrowly surpassed the 55% threshold needed to validate the referendum under the rules set by the European Union. According to the electoral commission, the 55% threshold was passed by only 2,300 votes. Serbia, the member-states of the European Union, and the [[permanent members of the United Nations Security Council]] all [[diplomatic recognition|recognised]] Montenegro's independence.

The 2006 referendum was monitored by five international observer missions, headed by an [[OSCE]]/[[ODIHR]] team, and around 3,000 observers in total (including domestic observers from [[Center for Democracy and Technology|CDT]] (OSCE PA), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE), and the European Parliament (EP) to form an International Referendum Observation Mission (IROM). The IROM—in its preliminary report—"assessed compliance of the referendum process with OSCE commitments, Council of Europe commitments, other international standards for democratic electoral processes, and domestic legislation." Furthermore, the report stated that the competitive pre-referendum environment was marked by an active and generally peaceful campaign and that "there were no reports of restrictions on fundamental civil and political rights".

On 3 June 2006, the Montenegrin Parliament declared the independence of Montenegro,<ref>{{cite news|title=Montenegro declares independence|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5043462.stm|publisher=BBC News|date=4 June 2006|access-date=11 September 2010}}</ref> formally confirming the result of the referendum.

On 28 June 2006, Montenegro joined the [[United Nations]] as its 192nd member state.<ref>{{cite web|title=General Assembly Approves Admission of Montenegro to United Nations, Increasing Number of Member States to 192 {{!}} Meetings Coverage and Press Releases|url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2006/ga10479.doc.htm|website=www.un.org}}</ref>

Montenegro has been dominated since the breakup of Yugoslavia by [[Milo Đukanović]] (four-time prime minister and twice president), accused of having established an [[authoritarianism|authoritarian]] and [[clientelist]] regime, while maintaining close relations with [[organized crime]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 June 2009|title=Djukanovic's Montenegro a family business – ICIJ|url=https://www.icij.org/investigations/tobacco-underground/djukanovics-montenegro-family-business/|access-date=|language=en-US}}</ref> The massive privatizations of the Đukanović era lead to the enrichment of him and oligarchs close to him. His brother Aleksandar, owner of Montenegro's first private bank, oversaw the privatizations, while his sister, Ana Kolarevic, has long controlled the judiciary. The clientelist networks of the ruling party dominated all segments of social life. A party card was required to start a business or obtain a position in the administration. This policy also contributed to the reinforcement of regional disparities and social inequalities. Unemployment climbs to 36.6 per cent in the northern part of the country, compared to 3.9 per cent in the coastal region, while a quarter of the population lives below the poverty line (2018).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Otašević|first=Ana|date=1 April 2021|title=Montenegro's ragged coalition|url=https://mondediplo.com/2021/04/06montenegro|access-date=|website=|language=en}}</ref>

The [[Law on the Status of the Descendants of the Petrović Njegoš Dynasty]] was passed by the Parliament of Montenegro on 12 July 2011. It rehabilitated the [[House of Petrović-Njegoš|Royal House of Montenegro]] and recognised limited symbolic roles within the constitutional framework of the republic.

In 2015, the investigative journalists' network [[OCCRP]] named Montenegro's long-time President and Prime Minister [[Milo Đukanović]] "Person of the Year in Organized Crime".<ref>"[https://www.occrp.org/personoftheyear/2015/ OCCRP announces 2015 Organized Crime and Corruption 'Person of the Year' Award]". [[Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project]].</ref> The extent of Đukanović's corruption led to street demonstrations and calls for his removal.<ref>"[https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2017/01/05/the-balkans-corrupt-leaders-are-playing-nato-for-a-fool/ The Balkans' Corrupt Leaders are Playing NATO for a Fool]". ''[[Foreign Policy]]''. 5 January 2017.</ref><ref>"[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/dec/1/montenegros-drive-for-nato-angers-russia-strains-a/ Montenegro invited to join NATO, a move sure to anger Russia, strain alliance's standards]". ''The Washington Times''. 1 December 2015.</ref>

In October 2016, for the day of the [[Montenegrin parliamentary election, 2016|parliamentary election]], a [[Montenegrin coup d'état attempt|coup d'état was prepared]] by a group of persons that included leaders of the Montenegrin opposition, Serbian nationals and Russian agents; the coup was prevented.<ref>{{cite news|first=Dusan|last=Stojanovic|date=31 October 2016|title=NATO, Russia to Hold Parallel Drills in the Balkans|url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_BALKANS_MILITARY_DRILLS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-10-31-12-14-05|agency=Associated Press|access-date=8 November 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107162123/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_BALKANS_MILITARY_DRILLS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-10-31-12-14-05|archive-date=7 November 2016}}<br />{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=Russians behind Montenegro coup attempt, says prosecutor|url=https://www.dw.com/en/russians-behind-montenegro-coup-attempt-says-prosecutor/a-36284714|publisher=Deutsche Welle|location=Germany|agency=AFP, Reuters, AP|date=6 November 2016|access-date=8 November 2016}}<br />{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=6 November 2016|title=Montenegro Prosecutor: Russian Nationalists Behind Alleged Coup Attempt|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/montenegro-prosecutor-russian-nationalists-behind-alleged-coup-attempt-1478473032|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|location=United States|access-date=8 November 2016}}<br />{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title='Russian nationalists' behind Montenegro PM assassination plot|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37890683|publisher=BBC|location=United Kingdom|date=6 November 2016|access-date=8 November 2016}}</ref> In 2017, fourteen people, including two Russian nationals and two Montenegrin opposition leaders, [[Andrija Mandić]] and [[Milan Knežević (Montenegrin politician)|Milan Knežević]], were indicted for their alleged roles in the coup attempt on charges such as "preparing a conspiracy against the constitutional order and the security of Montenegro" and an "attempted terrorist act".<ref name="rferlcoup">[https://www.rferl.org/a/montenegro-coup-charges-confirmed/28535744.html Montenegrin Court Confirms Charges Against Alleged Coup Plotters] Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/Radio Liberty, 8 June 2017.</ref>

=== Recent history ===

Montenegro formally [[Montenegro–NATO relations|became a member]] of [[NATO]] in June 2017, despite attempts by Russia to sabotage it,<ref name="murkypolitico">{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/montenegro-nato-milo-dukanovicmurky-coup-plot/|title=Indictment tells murky Montenegrin coup tale|work=[[Politico Europe|Politico]]|first=Valerie|last=Hopkins|date=23 May 2017|access-date=27 November 2025}}</ref> an event that triggered a promise of retaliatory actions from [[Government of Russia|Russia's government]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/25/montenegro-tensions-russia-joins-nato-member|title=Montenegro finds itself at heart of tensions with Russia as it joins Nato|work=The Guardian|first=Alec|last=Luhn|date=25 May 2017|access-date=27 November 2025}}</ref><ref>[https://tass.ru/politika/3682321 МИД РФ: ответ НАТО на предложения российских военных неконкретный и размытый] // "Расширение НАТО", [[TASS]], 6 October 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.mid.ru/web/guest/kommentarii_predstavitelya/-/asset_publisher/MCZ7HQuMdqBY/content/id/2740071 Комментарий Департамента информации и печати МИД России в связи с голосованием в Скупщине Черногории по вопросу присоединения к НАТО] [[Russian Foreign Ministry]]{{prime}}s Statement, 28.04.17.</ref>
[[File:Protest in Kotor, Jan 2020.jpg|thumb|right|The controversial 2019 [[2019-2020 clerical protests in Montenegro#Background|law on religious communities]], introduced by the former ruling [[Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro|DPS]], proposed the transfer of the majority of religious objects and land owned by the largest religious organization in the country, the [[Serbian Orthodox Church]], to the Montenegrin state. It sparked a [[2019–2020 clerical protests in Montenegro|series of massive protests]], which led to the first [[2020 Montenegrin parliamentary election|government change]] in the country's history.]]

Montenegro has been in [[Accession of Montenegro to the European Union|negotiations]] with the EU since 2012.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Foy |first1=Henry |last2=Dunai |first2=Marton |last3=Hancock |first3=Alice |last4=Bounds |first4=Andy |last5=Dubois |first5=Laura |date=18 December 2024 |title=Why enlargement will overshadow the EU-western Balkan summit |url=https://www.ft.com/content/4c30bca2-59e3-43d6-aa00-33778ea2bf70 |access-date=20 April 2025 |work=Financial Times}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Montenegro |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/montenegro/ |access-date=20 April 2025 |website=Consilium |language=en}}</ref> In 2018, the earlier goal of acceding by 2022<ref>[https://europeanwesternbalkans.com/2017/04/20/darmanovic-montenegro-becomes-eu-member-in-2022/ Darmanović: Montenegro becomes EU member in 2022] 20 April 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2017.</ref> was revised to 2025.<ref>[https://www.ft.com/content/e0774a28-0695-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5 "EU to map out membership for 6 western Balkan states"], Michael Peel and Neil Buckley, ''Financial Times'', 1 February 2018</ref> As of 2024, all 33 negotiation chapters had been opened, with three provisionally closed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 March 2025 |title=Montenegro - European Commission |url=https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/montenegro_en |access-date=20 April 2025 |website=enlargement.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Montenegro Targets 2025 to be Ready for EU Accession |url=https://www.gov.me/clanak/montenegro-targets-2025-to-be-ready-for-eu-accession |access-date=20 April 2025 |website=Vlada Crne Gore}}</ref> Legislation is being passed bringing Montenegro law in line with EU membership requirements.<ref name=":5" />

In April 2018, [[Milo Đukanović]], the leader of the ruling [[Democratic Party of Socialists]] (DPS), won Montenegro's [[2018 Montenegrin presidential election|presidential election]]. The veteran politician had served as Prime Minister six times and as president once before. He had dominated Montenegrin politics since 1991.<ref>{{cite news|title=Djukanovic Wins Montenegro's Presidential Election|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2018/04/15/montenegro-presidential-election-04-15-2018/|work=Balkan Insight|date=15 April 2018}}</ref>

[[2019 Montenegrin anti-corruption protests|Anti-corruption protests]] began in February 2019 against Đukanović and the Prime Minister [[Duško Marković]]-led [[Government of Montenegro#Marković Cabinet (2016-present)|government]] of the ruling [[Democratic Party of Socialists]] (DPS), which had been in power since 1991.<ref>{{cite news|title=Thousands march in Montenegro capital to demand president resign|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-montenegro-protests/thousands-march-in-montenegro-capital-to-demand-president-resign-idUSKCN1QX0OD|work=Reuters|date=16 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Montenegrin Antigovernment Protests Enter Eighth Week|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/montenegrin-antigovernment-protests-enter-eighth-week/29866285.html|work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=7 April 2019}}</ref>

{{As of|pre=late|2019|12|post=,}} the newly adopted Law on Religion, which [[de jure]] transferred the ownership of church buildings and estates built before 1918 from the [[Serbian Orthodox Church]] to the Montenegrin state,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2019/12/26/world/europe/26reuters-montenegro-protest.html|title=Serbs Protest in Montenegro Ahead of Vote on Religious Law|agency=Reuters|date=26 December 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=5 January 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2019/06/14/montenegros-attack-on-church-property-will-create-lawless-society/|title=Montenegro's Attack on Church Property Will Create Lawless Society|date=14 June 2019|website=Balkan Insight|language=en-US|access-date=5 January 2020}}</ref> sparked large<ref>{{Citation|title=Masovna litija SPC u Podgorici|date=2 February 2020|url=https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/video-masovna-litija-u-podgorici/30413077.html|language=sh|access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref> [[2019–2020 clerical protests in Montenegro|protests]] and road blockages.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/europe_montenegro-adopts-law-religious-rights-amid-protests-pro-serbs/6181703.html|title=Montenegro Adopts Law on Religious Rights Amid Protests by pro-Serbs|website=Voice of America|date=27 December 2019|language=en|access-date=5 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Montenegro adopts law on religion amid protests by pro-Serbs |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/27/montenegro-adopts-law-on-religion-amid-protests-by-pro-serbs |access-date=20 April 2025 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kajosevic |first=Samir |date=27 December 2019 |title=Montenegrin Parliament Adopts Religion Law Amid Furious Protests |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2019/12/27/montenegrin-parliament-adopts-religion-law-amid-furious-protests/? |access-date=20 April 2025 |website=Balkan Insight |language=en-US}}</ref> Seventeen opposition [[Democratic Front (Montenegro)|Democratic Front]] MPs were arrested prior to the voting for disrupting the vote.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50923647|title=Montenegro's parliament approves religion law despite protests|date=27 December 2019|work=BBC|access-date=5 January 2020|language=en}}</ref> Demonstrations continued into March<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politika.rs/scc/clanak/449003/Nastavljene-litije-sirom-Crne-Gore|title=Настављене литије широм Црне Горе|website=Politika Online|access-date=2 March 2020}}</ref> 2020 as peaceful protest walks, mostly organised by the Serbian Orthodox Church in the majority of Montenegrin municipalities.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/01/01/world/europe/ap-eu-montenegro-church.html|title=Several Thousand Protest Church Bill in Montenegro|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=1 January 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=5 January 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102030703/https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/01/01/world/europe/ap-eu-montenegro-church.html|archive-date=2 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rs.n1info.com/English/NEWS/a557775/Thousands-at-protest-headed-by-Bishop-Amfilohije-in-Montenegrin-capital.html|title=Thousands at protest headed by Bishop Amfilohije in Montenegrin capital|website=N1 Srbija|date=3 January 2020|language=sr-Latn|access-date=5 January 2020|archive-date=26 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126212421/http://rs.n1info.com/English/NEWS/a557775/Thousands-at-protest-headed-by-Bishop-Amfilohije-in-Montenegrin-capital.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rs.n1info.com/English/NEWS/a558047/Thousands-will-regret-Vucic-s-absence-in-Montenegro.html|title='Thousands will regret Vucic's absence in Montenegro'|website=N1 Srbija|language=sr-Latn|access-date=5 January 2020|archive-date=26 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126212422/http://rs.n1info.com/English/NEWS/a558047/Thousands-will-regret-Vucic-s-absence-in-Montenegro.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In its political rights and civil liberties worldwide report in May 2020, [[Freedom House]] marked Montenegro as a [[hybrid regime]] rather than a democracy because of declining standards in governance, justice, elections, and media freedom.<ref>[https://www.vijesti.me/vijesti/politika/433690/kako-se-crna-gora-nasla-u-hibridnim-rezimima Kako se Crna Gora našla u "hibridnim režimima"] 
{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708172129/https://www.vijesti.me/vijesti/politika/433690/kako-se-crna-gora-nasla-u-hibridnim-rezimima|date=8 July 2020 }}, [[Vijesti]]/[[Radio Free Europe]]</ref><ref>[https://freedomhouse.org/country/montenegro/freedom-world/2020 Freedom in the World—Montenegro Country Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707181417/https://freedomhouse.org/country/montenegro/freedom-world/2020|date=7 July 2020 }}, [[Freedom House]] (2020)</ref> For the first time in three decades, in the [[2020 Montenegrin parliamentary election|2020 parliamentary election]], the opposition won more votes than Đukanović's ruling party.<ref>{{cite news|title=How the use of ethnonationalism backfired in Montenegro|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2020/9/4/how-the-use-of-ethnonationalism-backfired-in-montenegro/|work=Al-Jazeera|date=4 September 2020}}</ref> In February 2022, that very same government was voted out in the first successful vote of no-confidence in the country's history.<ref>{{cite news|title=Izglasano nepovjerenje Vladi Zdravka Krivokapića|url=https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/crna-gora-vlada-krivokapic-skupstina-smjena/31685479.html/|work=Radio Slobodna Evropa|date=4 February 2022}}</ref>

In September 2022, an investigation linked six Russian diplomats with twenty eight Russian citizens holding temporary visas for Montenegro and two local citizens in a spy investigation. The diplomats were expelled.<ref>{{cite news |title=Six Russian Diplomats Expelled From Montenegro Amid Espionage Probe |newspaper=Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/montenegro-six-russian-diplomats-expelled-espionage/32059029.html |date=30 September 2022}}</ref> The Russian citizens were later banned from Montenegro and the two locals, one an ex-diplomat, face charges of illegal weapons, organising a criminal organisation and espionage.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cigarettes smuggling in Montenegro, and strike on Russian spies ring |url=https://insightnews.media/cigarettes-smuggling-in-montenegro-and-strike-on-russian-spies-ring/ |date=13 February 2023}}</ref>

In March 2023, [[Jakov Milatovic]], a pro-western candidate of the [[Europe Now]] movement, won the presidential [[2023 Montenegrin presidential election|election]] run-off over incumbent Milo Đukanović to succeed him as the incumbent [[president of Montenegro]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Milatovic declares victory in Montenegro presidential elections|url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20230402-former-minister-milatovic-claims-victory-in-montenegro-presidential-elections|work=France 24|date=2 April 2023|language=en}}</ref> The [[Europe Now]] movement won the highest number of seats in the [[2023 Montenegrin parliamentary election]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Montenegro's pro-EU party wins election, initial results show |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/06/12/pro-eu-group-projected-to-win-montenegro-snap-parliamentary-election |work=euronews |date=12 June 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=12 June 2023 |title=Montenegro's pro-EU party wins election, initial results show |language=en |work=euronews |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/06/12/pro-eu-group-projected-to-win-montenegro-snap-parliamentary-election}}</ref> On 31 October 2023,  [[Milojko Spajic]] of the Europe Now Movement became Montenegro's new prime minister, leading a coalition of  both pro-European and pro-Serb parties.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 October 2023 |title=Montenegro appoints predominantly pro-EU new government |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/montenegro-votes-new-government-with-milojko-spajic-prime-minister-2023-10-31/ |access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref>

The [[Parliament of Montenegro]] in June 2024 adopted a resolution acknowledging the atrocities committed at the [[Jasenovac concentration camp]] during [[World War II]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://politiko.al/english/kosova/parlamenti-i-malit-te-zi-miraton-rezoluten-per-jasenovcin-kroacia-reagon--i510008 | title=The Montenegrin Parliament approves the resolution on Jasenovcin, Croatia reacts harshly | date=29 June 2024 }}</ref> This decision, spearheaded by pro-Serbian factions, is viewed as a response to Montenegro's earlier support for a [[UN]] resolution on the [[Srebrenica genocide]]. [[Croatia]] has criticized the move, accusing Montenegro of politicizing historical events and warned that it could harm [[Accession of Montenegro to the European Union|Montenegro's path to EU membership]] and bilateral relations between [[Croatia]] and Montenegro. The resolution has led to increased diplomatic tensions between the two nations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2024/05/15/croatia-protests-montenegrin-push-for-jasenovac-resolution/|title=Croatia Protests Montenegrin Push for Jasenovac Resolution|first=Borislav|last=Visnjic|date=15 May 2024|website=Balkan Insight}}</ref>

In 2024, Montenegro was one of 22 countries with a [[Global Hunger Index]] score of less than 5.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Hunger Index Scores by 2024 GHI Rank |url=https://www.globalhungerindex.org/ranking.html |access-date=25 December 2024 |website=Global Hunger Index (GHI) – peer-reviewed annual publication designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger at the global, regional, and country levels |language=en}}</ref>

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Montenegro}}

[[File:Montenegro_Map.png|thumb|upright=1.2|Map of Montenegro]]

Montenegro features high peaks along its borders with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Serbia. Its geography also includes a segment of the [[karst]] of the western Balkan Peninsula, to a narrow coastal plain that is only {{convert|1.5|to|6|km|mi|0|abbr=off}} wide. The plain stops abruptly in the north, where [[Mount Lovćen]] and [[Mount Orjen]] plunge into the inlet of the Bay of Kotor.<ref name="The Natural Adventure 2023 x643">{{cite web | title=Montenegro walking holidays | website=The Natural Adventure | date=19 January 2023 | url=https://www.thenaturaladventure.com/adventures/montenegro-walking-holidays/ | access-date=20 November 2023}}</ref>

Montenegro's large karst region lies generally at elevations of {{convert|1000|m|sigfig=3}} above sea level; some parts, however, rise to {{convert|2000|m|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}, such as [[Mount Orjen]] {{convert|1894|m|sigfig=3}}, the highest massif among the coastal limestone ranges. The [[Zeta River]] valley, at an elevation of {{convert|500|m|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}, is the lowest segment.

The mountains of Montenegro include some of the most rugged terrains in Europe, averaging more than {{convert|2000|m|abbr=off}} in elevation. One of the country's notable peaks is [[Bobotov Kuk]] in the [[Durmitor]] mountains, which reaches a height of {{convert|2522|m|sigfig=3}} and was previously thought to be the country's highest point. In 2018, new [[triangulation]] measurements showed that [[Zla Kolata]] in the [[Prokletije]] mountains, which reaches a height of {{convert|2534|m|sigfig=3}}.<ref name="Gajević Gajević 2023 c815">{{cite web | last1=Gajević | first1=Jasna | title=Snagom volje do vrha Zla Kolata | website=vijesti.me | date=7 October 2023 | url=https://www.vijesti.me/blogovi/676706/snagom-volje-do-vrha-zla-kolata | language=sr | access-date=20 November 2023}}</ref> Owing to the hyperhumid climate on their western sides, the Montenegrin mountain ranges were among the most ice-eroded parts of the Balkan Peninsula during the last glacial period.

Internationally, Montenegro borders [[Serbia]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Kosovo]], [[Albania]] and [[Croatia]]. It lies between latitudes [[41st parallel north|41°]] and [[44°N]], and longitudes [[18th meridian east|18°]] and [[21st meridian east|21°E]].

Montenegro has many national parks, making it important for its biodiversity. The national parks include: the [[Durmitor National Park]] (1952), having an area of {{convert|390|km2|ha|0}}, is also a massif. Located in the [[Dinaric Alps]], the Belgrade–Bar railway crosses the mountains in it; the [[Biogradska Gora National Park]] (1952), spans to {{convert|54|km2|ha|0}}, being as well a forest, the park was recognised as one of the [[UNESCO]] [[World Network of Biosphere Reserves]]; the [[Lovćen|Lovćen National Park]] (1952) is located in southwestern Montenegro, it is the inspiration behind the names of Montenegro and ''[[Crna Gora]]'', the area is {{convert|64|km2|ha|0}}; the [[Lake Skadar|Lake Skadar National Park]] (1983) is a big lake lying on the [[Albania-Montenegro border]], the national park measure approximately {{convert|400|km2|ha|0}}; the [[Prokletije|Prokletije National Park]] (2009) is a mountain range including [[Gjeravica|the second tallest mountain of Montenegro]], the park have an area of {{convert|166|km2|ha|0}}.

Montenegro is a member of the [[International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River]], as more than {{convert|2000|km2|0|abbr=on}} of the country's territory lie within the [[Danube]] [[Drainage basin|catchment area]].

=== Biodiversity ===
[[File:NP Lovćen (by Pudelek) 01.jpg|thumb|[[Lovćen]], southern region of Montenegro]]
The diversity of the geological base, landscape, climate, and soil, and the position of Montenegro on the Balkan Peninsula and Adriatic Sea, created the conditions for high biological diversity, putting Montenegro among the "hot-spots" of European and world biodiversity. The number of species per area unit index in Montenegro is 0.837, the highest in any European country.<ref>{{cite book|title=Environment Reporter 2010|year=2011|publisher=Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro|page=22}}</ref>

Biological estimates suggest that over 1,200 species of freshwater algae, 300 species of marine algae, 589 species of moss, 7,000–8,000 species of vascular plants, 2,000 species of fungi, 16,000–20,000 species of insects, 407 species of marine fish, 56 species of reptile, 333 species of regularly visiting birds and a high species diversity of mammals are found in Montenegro.<ref name="Convention on Biological Diversity 1970">{{cite web| title=Main Details| website=Home {{pipe}} Convention on Biological Diversity| date=1 January 1970| url=https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/?country=me| access-date=4 July 2021}}</ref>

Montenegro can be divided into two main [[biogeographic]] regions, which include the [[Mediterranean Biogeographic Region]] and the [[Alpine Biogeographic Region]].<ref name="Convention on Biological Diversity 1970"/> It is also home to three terrestrial ecoregions: [[Balkan mixed forests]], [[Dinaric Mountains mixed forests]], and [[Illyrian deciduous forests]].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|display-authors=1|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287|doi-access=free}}</ref> It had a 2019 [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 6.41/10, ranking it 73rd globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=DeGemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|last15=Ervin|first15=J.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first17=E.|last18=Goetz|first18=S.|last19=Hansen|first19=A.|last20=Hofsvang|first20=E.|last21=Jantz|first21=P.|last22=Jupiter|first22=S.|last23=Kang|first23=A.|last24=Langhammer|first24=P.|last25=Laurance|first25=W. F.|last26=Lieberman|first26=S.|last27=Linkie|first27=M.|last28=Malhi|first28=Y.|last29=Maxwell|first29=S.|last30=Mendez|first30=M.|last31=Mittermeier|first31=R.|last32=Murray|first32=N. J.|last33=Possingham|first33=H.|last34=Radachowsky|first34=J.|last35=Saatchi|first35=S.|last36=Samper|first36=C.|last37=Silverman|first37=J.|last38=Shapiro|first38=A.|last39=Strassburg|first39=B.|last40=Stevens|first40=T.|last41=Stokes|first41=E.|last42=Taylor|first42=R.|last43=Tear|first43=T.|last44=Tizard|first44=R.|last45=Venter|first45=O.|last46=Visconti|first46=P.|last47=Wang|first47=S.|last48=Watson|first48=J. E. M.|display-authors=1|title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity – Supplementary Material|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|year=2020|page=5978|issn=2041-1723|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|pmid=33293507|pmc=7723057|bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G|doi-access=free}}</ref>

The total share of protected areas in Montenegro is 9.05% of the country's area, which mainly comes from the five [[national parks of Montenegro]].<ref name="Convention on Biological Diversity 1970"/>

== Politics ==
{{Main|Politics of Montenegro|Elections in Montenegro}}

{{multiple image
| align             = right
| caption_align     = center
| image1            = Jakov Milatović (2024-12-18) (cropped).jpg
| width1            = 128
| alt1              = Jakov Milatović
| caption1          = [[Jakov Milatović]]<br />[[President of Montenegro|President]] <br /><small>since 20 May 2023</small>
| image2            = Milojko Spajić at EU-Montenegro Intergovernmental Conference European Council on 26 June 2024 (cropped).jpg
| width2            = 130
| alt2              = Milojko Spajić
| caption2          = [[Milojko Spajić]]<br /><small>[[Prime Minister of Montenegro|Prime Minister]] <br />since 31 October 2023</small>
}}

Montenegro is a [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[representative democratic]] [[republic]] with a [[Constitution of Montenegro|codified constitution]] established in 2007. The constitution describes Montenegro as a "[[Civic engagement|civic]], democratic, [[environmentalism|ecological]] state of [[social justice]], based on the [[rule of law|reign of Law]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skupstina.me/cms/site_data/ustav/Ustav%20Crne%20Gore.pdf|title=Ustav Crne Gore|access-date=11 September 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326020047/http://www.skupstina.me/cms/site_data/ustav/Ustav%20Crne%20Gore.pdf|archive-date=26 March 2010}}</ref> Montenegro is a [[multi-party system]].

The [[President of Montenegro]] is the representative [[head of state]], elected for a period of five years through [[direct election]]. The President promotes the country internationally through diplomatic engagements, promulgates laws by ordinance, calls elections for the [[Parliament of Montenegro|Parliament]], and ceremonially proposes candidates for [[Prime Minister of Montenegro|Prime Minister]], president and justices of the Constitutional Court to the Parliament. The President also ceremonially proposes the calling of a [[referendum]] to Parliament, grants amnesty for criminal offences proscribed by the national law, confers decoration and awards and performs other constitutional duties and is a member of the Supreme Defence Council. The official residence of the President is in [[Cetinje]]. The incumbent president is [[Jakov Milatović]] who has held the position since May 2023.

The [[Government of Montenegro]] is the [[executive branch]] of government authority of Montenegro and led by the [[Prime Minister of Montenegro|Prime Minister]].<ref>[http://www.me/index.php/cg/ustavno-uredenje2 Ustavno uređenje] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317201547/http://www.me/index.php/cg/ustavno-uredenje2 |date=17 March 2022 }}, [[.me]]</ref> The role of Prime Minister is the most politically powerful office in Montenegro. All of Montenegro's governments since 2006 have been [[Coalition government|coalitions]] comprising a minimum of three [[List of political parties in Montenegro|political parties.]] The government is primarily based in [[Podgorica]].

The [[Parliament of Montenegro]] is the country's [[unicameral]] [[legislature]], located in [[Podgorica]]. The Parliament has power to appoint the government, pass [[legislation]] (parliamentary law) and [[Legislative scrutiny|scrutinise]] [[Bill (law)|bills]] (proposed parliamentary law). It also appoints justices of all courts, approves the budget and performs other duties as established by the country's Constitution. Parliament can pass a [[motion of no confidence]] in the Government by [[simple majority vote]]. One member of the Montenegrin parliament, known as a Deputy, is elected per 6,000 voters.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ME/montenegro-report-on-the-observation-mission-early|title=CG/CP (8) 5 REV Standing Committee Report on the observation of the early parliamentary elections in Montenegro, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 22 April 2001|date=31 May 2001|access-date=27 September 2021}}</ref> There are currently 81 deputies. Elections to the Parliament are conducted by the [[D'Hondt method]], a form of [[proportional representation]].

According to [[International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance|International IDEA]]'s Global State of Democracy (GSoD) Indices and Democracy Tracker, Montenegro performs in the mid-range on overall democratic measures, with particular weaknesses in absence of corruption and judicial independence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Montenegro {{!}} The Global State of Democracy |url=https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/country/montenegro |access-date=6 October 2025 |website=www.idea.int |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Global State of Democracy Indices {{!}} The Global State of Democracy |url=https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/gsod-indices |access-date=6 October 2025 |website=www.idea.int}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Home {{!}} The Global State of Democracy |url=https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/ |access-date=6 October 2025 |website=www.idea.int}}</ref> In 2019, Montenegro was described as a [[hybrid regime]] (a political system which combines [[Democracy|democratic]] and [[authoritarian]] features) according to the [[United States]]–based [[Freedom House]]. The organisation cited [[state capture]], abuse of power, and strongman tactics by Prime Minister [[Milo Đukanović]] (2008–2010 and 2012–2016) as explanations for its description as such. [[Milo Đukanović|Đukanović]] held a number of senior government positions, including the Presidency, before and after the dissolution of the union between Serbia and Montenegro. Similarly the ''[[Economist Democracy Index]]'' (EDI) considers Montenegro to be a "flawed democracy": since it was first published, the EDI ranked Montenegro as a "flawed democracy" from 2006–2015, downgrading it to a "hybrid regime" between 2016–2020, before reinstating it to "flawed democracy" in 2021 where, as of 2024, it remains.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Democracy Index 2024 |url=https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/democracy-index-2024/ |access-date=9 March 2025 |website=Economist Intelligence Unit |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Democracy Index |url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/democracy-index-eiu?tab=chart&region=Europe&country=~MNE |access-date=9 March 2025 |website=Our World in Data}}</ref>

[[Milo Đukanović|Đukanović]]'s [[pro-European]] and [[NATO|pro-NATO]] [[Democratic Party of Socialists]] (DPS) narrowly lost the [[2020 Montenegrin parliamentary election|2020 parliamentary election]] which ended the party's 30-year rule<ref>{{cite news|title=Who is the opposition alliance that won Montenegro's election?|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/09/02/montenegro-election-who-are-the-triumphant-opposition-factions-and-what-do-they-stand-for-|access-date=21 October 2020|work=euronews|date=2 September 2020|language=en}}</ref> and the pro-Serbia "[[For the Future of Montenegro]]" (ZBCG) [[parliamentary group]], composed mainly of Serb nationalist parties, formed a government under Prime Minister [[Zdravko Krivokapić|Zdravko Krivokapic.]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gadzo |first1=Mersiha |title=Bosniaks in Montenegro live in 'fear, anxiety' following election |language=en |work=www.aljazeera.com|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/5/bosniaks-in-montenegro-live-in-fear-anxiety-following-election}}</ref> Prime Minister Krivokapic's government was toppled in a no-confidence vote after just 14 months in power.<ref>{{cite news|title=Montenegro's government toppled in no-confidence vote|date=5 February 2022|url=https://www.dw.com/en/montenegros-government-toppled-in-no-confidence-vote/a-60668961|work=DW.COM}}</ref>

In April 2022, a new [[minority government]], led by Prime Minister [[Dritan Abazović]], brought together [[moderate]] parties that are both pro-European and pro-Serb. However, his government lost a confidence vote after only 113 days. Since Montenegro had been unable to find a government which could command the confidence of the Parliament,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Montenegro holds key snap parliamentary vote |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/11/montenegro-holds-key-snap-parliamentary-vote |access-date=19 July 2023 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref> [[Abazović]] remained in his post until the [[Spajić Cabinet]] had been formed after the [[2023 Montenegrin parliamentary election|Parliamentary election which took place on 11 June 2023]], where the [[Europe Now!]] party led by [[Milojko Spajić]] won the most seats.<ref>{{cite web | title=Montenegro's pro-EU party wins election, initial results show | website=euronews | date=12 June 2023 | url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/06/12/pro-eu-group-projected-to-win-montenegro-snap-parliamentary-election | access-date=12 December 2023}}</ref> In October 2023, a new minority government with [[confidence and supply]] support from [[For the Future of Montenegro|ZBCG]] enabled [[Milojko Spajić]] to become the new prime minister.<ref>{{cite web | last=Starcevic | first=Seb | title=Montenegro finally gets new government and PM | website=Politico| date=31 October 2023 | url=https://www.politico.eu/article/montenegro-finally-gets-a-new-government-and-prime-minister/ | access-date=12 December 2023}}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|Municipalities of Montenegro|List of regions of Montenegro}}

[[File:Statistical regions of Montenegro.svg|thumb|[[Municipalities of Montenegro|Municipalities]] and [[Statistical regions of Montenegro|Statistical regions]] of Montenegro]]

Montenegro is divided into twenty-five municipalities (''[[Municipalities of Montenegro|opština]]'').<ref name="Vlada Crne Gore 2021 q426">{{cite web | title=Lista lokalnih samouprava | website=Vlada Crne Gore | date=14 May 2021 | url=https://www.gov.me/clanak/lista-opstina-crne-gore | language=bs | access-date=20 November 2023}}</ref> Each municipality can contain multiple cities and towns. Historically, the territory of the country was divided into [[nahije]] and during the beginning of [[SR Montenegro]] was divided into counties (''[[srez]]'').

Regions of Montenegro—designed for statistical purposes by the Statistical Office—have no administrative function. Note that other organizations (i.e. [[Football Association of Montenegro]]) use different municipalities as a part of similar regions.

*[[Northern Montenegro|Northern Region]]

{| class="wikitable sortable" 
|- bgcolor=#cccccc
! rowspan=2| Municipality
! colspan=2| Area
! colspan=2| Population 
|-
! Km<sup>2</sup> !! Rank
! Total !! Rank
|-
| [[Andrijevica]]||  align=center| 283|| 12|| align=center| 5,117|| 10 
|-
| [[Berane]]||  align=center| 544|| 6|| align=center| 28,305|| 3 
|- 
| [[Bijelo Polje]]||  align=center| 924|| 2|| align=center| 46,676|| 1 
|-
| [[Gusinje]]||  align=center| 486|| 8|| align=center| 13,108|| 6 
|-
| [[Kolašin]]||  align=center| 897|| 3|| align=center| 8,420|| 8 
|-
| [[Mojkovac]]||  align=center| 367|| 11 || align=center| 8,669|| 7 
|-
| [[Petnjica]]||  align=center| 173|| 13|| align=center| 6,686|| 9 
|-
| [[Plav, Montenegro|Plav]]||  align=center| 486|| 7 || align=center| 13,549|| 5 
|-
| [[Plužine]]||  align=center| 854|| 4|| align=center| 3,286|| 12 
|-
||[[Pljevlja]]||  align=center| 1,346|| 1|| align=center| 31,060|| 2  
|-
| [[Rožaje]]||  align=center| 432||  10|| align=center| 23,312|| 4 
|-
| [[Šavnik]]||  align=center| 553|| 5|| align=center| 2,077|| 13 
|-
| [[Žabljak]]||  align=center| 445|| 9 || align=center| 3,599|| 11 
|}

*Central Region
{| class="wikitable sortable" 
|- bgcolor=#cccccc
! rowspan=2| Municipality
! colspan=2| Area
! colspan=2| Population 
|-
! Km<sup>2</sup> !! Rank
! Total !! Rank
|-
| [[Cetinje]]|| align=center| 899|| 3|| align=center| 16,757|| 4 
|-
|[[Danilovgrad]]||  align=center| 501|| 4 || align=center| 17,678|| 3 
|-
|[[Nikšić]]||  align=center| 2,065|| 1|| align=center| 72,824|| 2 
|-
|[[Podgorica]]||  align=center| 1,399||  2|| align=center| 187,085|| 1 
|-
|[[Tuzi]]||  align=center|  236 || 5|| align=center| 12,096|| 5 
|}

*[[Coastal Montenegro|Coastal Region]]

{| class="wikitable sortable" 
|- bgcolor=#cccccc
! rowspan=2| Municipality
! colspan=2| Area
! colspan=2| Population 
|-
! Km<sup>2</sup> !! Rank
! Total !! Rank
|-
|[[Bar, Montenegro|Bar]]||  align=center| 598|| 1 || align=center| 42,368|| 1 
|-
| [[Budva]]||  align=center| 122|| 5 || align=center| 19,170|| 5 
|-
| [[Herceg Novi]]||  align=center| 235|| 4|| align=center| 30,992|| 2
|-
| [[Kotor]]||  align=center| 335|| 2 || align=center| 22,799|| 3 
|-
| [[Tivat]]||  align=center| 46||  6|| align=center| 14,111|| 6 
|-
| [[Ulcinj]]||  align=center| 255|| 3 || align=center| 20,265|| 4 
|}

=== Foreign relations ===
{{See also|Foreign relations of Montenegro}}

[[File:NATO Summit 2025 (54611755854).jpg|thumb|right|[[President of Montenegro]] [[Jakov Milatović]] at the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] Summit held in The Hague, Netherlands, on 24–25 June 2025. Montenegro became a member of [[NATO]] 5 June 2017.]]

The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Montenegro)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] was given the task of defining the foreign policy priorities and activities needed for their implementation in cooperation with other state administration authorities, the President, the Speaker of the Parliament, and other relevant stakeholders.<ref name="mvpei.gov.me">{{cite web|url=http://www.mvpei.gov.me/en/ministry/Foreign-Policy/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921043856/http://www.mvpei.gov.me/en/ministry/Foreign-Policy|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 September 2013|website=mvpei.gov.me|title=Foreign Policy}}</ref>

The country joined [[NATO]] on 5 June 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Julian E. |date=25 May 2017 |title=Montenegro to Join NATO on June 5 – WSJ |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/montenegro-to-join-nato-on-june-5-1495704211 |access-date=25 May 2017}}</ref> [[Accession of Montenegro to the European Union|Integration into the European Union]] remains a high-priority for Montenegro and has been the focus of Montenegrin foreign policy since its independence from Serbia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Montenegro's new president says country firmly on EU path|url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-04-04/montenegros-new-president-says-country-firmly-on-eu-path.html|date=3 April 2023}}</ref> In June 2023, newly elected President Milatović stated that he expects Montenegro to [[Accession of Montenegro to the European Union|join the European Union]] by 2027 or 2028.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Milatović: Potrebni novi izbori na severu Kosova i uspostavljanje ZSO |trans-title=Milatović: New elections are needed in the north of Kosovo and the establishment of the ZSO |url=https://www.kosovo-online.com/vesti/politika/milatovic-potrebni-novi-izbori-na-severu-kosova-i-uspostavljanje-zso-11-6-2023 |access-date=11 June 2023 |website=Kosovo Online}}</ref>

In April 2026, the EU Ambassadors in Brussels approved the start of preparations for the accession agreement for Montenegro to the Union<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mntimes.me/?p=33148|title=Черногория стала ближе к вступлению в Евросоюз|date=23 April 2026 |access-date=25 April 2026}}</ref>.

=== Law ===
{{Main|Constitution of Montenegro}}

The current [[Constitution of Montenegro]] was ratified and adopted by the [[Parliament of Montenegro|Constitutional Parliament]] of Montenegro on 19 October 2007 in a session by achieving the required two-thirds [[supermajority]] of votes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Montenegro 2007 |url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Montenegro_2007 |access-date=5 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Constitution of Montenegro |url=https://www.skupstina.me/en/the-constitution-of-montenegro |access-date=5 April 2025}}</ref> It was officially proclaimed on 22 October 2007.<ref>{{cite web |title=Constitution of Montenegro |website=Faolex |url=https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC136175/ |access-date=5 April 2025}}</ref>

The Constitution defines Montenegro as a civic, [[democracy|democratic]] and [[environmentally friendly]] country with [[social justice]], established by the [[sovereign rights]] of its government.<ref name="Pobjeda">{{cite news|title=Crna Gora otvorila vrata evropske budućnosti|language=Montenegrin|publisher=[[Pobjeda]]|date=20 October 2007|url=http://www.pobjeda.cg.yu/naslovna.phtml?akcija=vijest&id=128282}}{{dead link|date=April 2010}}</ref><ref name="CafedelMontenegro">{{cite news|title=Crna Gora dobila novi Ustav|language=Montenegrin|publisher=[[Radio Antena M|Antena M]]|date=20 October 2007|url=http://www.cafemontenegro.com/index.php?group=23&news=7498}}</ref>

The judiciary in Montenegro is composed of several courts, with the Supreme Court being the highest judicial authority. It oversees the uniform application of laws. Administrative Courts handle disputes related to public administration. The judiciary also includes Basic Courts (for minor civil and criminal cases), High Courts (for more serious cases and appeals), and the Appellate Court for reviewing lower court decisions.

The [[Constitutional Court of Montenegro]] is a separate body, tasked with safeguarding the constitution by reviewing laws and acts of public authorities to ensure their compliance with the Constitution.

Judges in Montenegro are appointed by the Judicial Council and serve until the age of 67. The [[President of Montenegro]] appoints judges upon the recommendation of the Judicial Council. Additionally, the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms of Montenegro (Ombudsman) is appointed by the Parliament for a six-year term, ensuring the protection of human rights and social justice.

Discrimination on the basis of both [[sexual orientation]] and [[gender identity]] is banned in employment, the provision of goods and services, education and health services. Montenegro also possesses [[hate crime]] and [[hate speech]] laws which include sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds of non-discrimination.
Since 15 July 2021, same-sex couples may register their relationship as a [[Recognition of same-sex unions in Montenegro|Life Partnership]].

=== Law enforcement, security and emergency services ===
{{Main|Police Directorate of Montenegro}}

Law enforcement in Montenegro is carried out by several agencies under the [[Ministry of Interior (Montenegro)|Ministry of Interior]]. 
Civil law enforcement in Montenegro is primarily the responsibility of the Police Directorate, the national police force. [[Municipal police]], known as Communal Police, enforce local laws in their respective municipalities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Communal Police |url=https://podgorica.me/en/stranice/communal-police |website=podgorica.me |access-date=19 July 2023 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001012042/https://podgorica.me/en/stranice/communal-police |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Law enforcement in Montenegro is carried out by several agencies under the [[Ministry of Interior (Montenegro)|Ministry of Interior]]. 
The primary law enforcement body is the Montenegrin Police Directorate, responsible for crime investigation, maintaining public order, and general law enforcement. The Municipal Police assist with local law enforcement tasks, primarily focusing on traffic regulation and minor public order issues.<ref>{{cite web |title=Communal Police |url=https://podgorica.me/en/stranice/communal-police |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225124900/https://podgorica.me/en/stranice/communal-police |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 February 2021 |website=podgorica.me }}</ref>
Private security firms operate in Montenegro but have no legal authority to arrest or detain suspects.

The [[National Security Agency (Montenegro)|National Security Agency (ANB)]] is responsible for counterintelligence and internal security, while Interpol Montenegro collaborates with international agencies to counter transnational crime. Special units within the police, such as the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit (SAJ), handle organized crime, terrorism, and high-risk operations.

An agreement signed with the [[EU]] effective July 2023 permits EU [[Frontex]] border management personnel to operate in Montenegro in support of local border police operating on other, non EU, borders in Montenegro.<ref>{{cite web |title=Border management: EU signs status agreement with Montenegro |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_23_2764 |date=16 May 2023}}</ref>

Emergency services in Montenegro include medical services, firefighters, and search and rescue units, which are coordinated by the Directorate for Emergency Situations. Emergency medical services are operated by local health institutions but are overseen by the [[Ministry of Health (Montenegro)|Ministry of Health]].

=== Military ===
{{Main|Armed Forces of Montenegro}}

[[File:Final formation (7168937179).jpg|thumb|right|[[Armed Forces of Montenegro|Montenegrin army soldiers]] with [[NATO]] allies in [[Slunj]], [[Croatia]]]]

The military of Montenegro consist of three professional service branches: the [[Montenegrin Ground Army]], the [[Montenegrin Navy]] and the [[Montenegrin Air Force]]. The armed forces of Montenegro are managed by the [[Ministry of Defence (Montenegro)|Ministry of Defence]], and controlled by the Chief of the General Staff. The [[President of Montenegro]] is the [[Commander-in-Chief]] of the armed forces, to whom members of the forces swear an oath of allegiance. The Armed Forces are charged with protecting Montenegro, promoting the global security interests and supporting international peacekeeping efforts.

Montenegro is a NATO member and a member of [[Adriatic Charter]].<ref>{{cite news|date=19 May 2016|title=NATO Formally Invites Montenegro as 29th Member|agency=Associated Press|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/nato-ministers-meet-wide-array-security-challenges-39222251|url-status=dead|access-date=20 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520151307/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/nato-ministers-meet-wide-array-security-challenges-39222251|archive-date=20 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/p/eur/rls/fs/112766.htm|title=Adriatic Charter|access-date=7 September 2018 }}</ref> The government planned to have the army participate in [[peacekeeping]] missions through the UN and NATO such as the [[International Security Assistance Force]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vijesti.me/index.php?id=302794|title=Spremaju se za Avganistan|publisher=Vijesti.me|access-date=11 September 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725140231/http://www.vijesti.me/index.php?id=302794|archive-date=25 July 2011}}</ref>

Montenegro is the 35th most peaceful country in the world, according to the 2024 [[Global Peace Index]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Global Peace Index |url=https://www.economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GPI-2024-web.pdf}}</ref>

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Montenegro}}

[[File:Krnovo Wind farm 07.jpg|thumb|right|Krnovo Wind farm]]

The economy of Montenegro is mostly [[Tertiary sector of the economy|service-based]] and is in [[Transition economy|late transition]] to a [[market economy]]. According to the [[International Monetary Fund]], the [[nominal GDP]] of Montenegro was $5.424&nbsp;billion in 2019.<ref name="IMFWEO.ME">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=943,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition. (Montenegro) |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=IMF.org |date=10 October 2023 |access-date=12 October 2023}}</ref> The [[GDP PPP]] for 2019 was $12.516&nbsp;billion, or $20,083 per capita.<ref name="IMFWEO.ME" /> According to [[Eurostat]] data, the Montenegrin GDP per capita stood at 48% of the EU average in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/graph.do?tab=graph&plugin=1&pcode=tec00114&language=en&toolbox=data|title=GDP per capita in PPS|publisher=European Commission|access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref>

Montenegro joined the [[Central European Free Trade Agreement]] in 2007 and has a free trade agreement with the [[European Free Trade Association]] since 2012. The [[Central Bank of Montenegro]] is not part of the euro system but the country is "[[euroisation|euroised]]", using [[Montenegro and the euro|the euro unilaterally]] as its currency. Montenegro was ranked 64th in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2025,<ref>{{Cite web |title=GII Innovation Ecosystems & Data Explorer 2025 |url=https://www.wipo.int/gii-ranking/en/montenegro |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=WIPO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Dutta |first1=Soumitra |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2025/en/index.html |title=Global Innovation Index 2025: Innovation at a Crossroads |last2=Lanvin |first2=Bruno |publisher=[[World Intellectual Property Organization]] |year=2025 |isbn=978-92-805-3797-0 |page=19 |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.58864 |access-date=2025-10-17}}</ref> up from 75th in 2023.<ref>{{Cite book |last=WIPO |title=Global Innovation Index 2023, 15th Edition |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2023/index.html |access-date=29 October 2023 |via=www.wipo.int |date=6 November 2023 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |doi=10.34667/tind.46596 |isbn=9789280534320 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Infrastructure ===
{{Main|Transport in Montenegro}}

[[File:Montenegro motorways.JPG|thumb| Roads of Montenegro in service and planned]]

The Montenegrin road infrastructure is not at Western European standards. No roads meet full motorway standards. Construction of new motorways is considered a national priority, as they are important for uniform economic development and the development of Montenegro as an attractive tourist destination.

The [[European route]]s that pass through Montenegro are [[European route E65|E65]] and [[European route E80|E80]].

The backbone of the Montenegrin rail network is the [[Belgrade–Bar railway]], which provides international connection towards [[Serbia]]. A domestic branch line, the [[Nikšić-Podgorica railway]], operated as a freight-only line for decades, that opened for passenger traffic after reconstruction and electrification in 2012. The other branch line from Podgorica towards the Albanian border, the [[Podgorica–Shkodër railway]], is not in use.

Montenegro has two international airports, [[Podgorica Airport]] and [[Tivat Airport]].

The [[Port of Bar]] is Montenegro's main seaport. Initially built in 1906, the port was almost completely destroyed during World War II. Reconstruction began in 1950. It is equipped to handle over five million tons of cargo annually, but has been operating at a loss and well below capacity. The reconstruction of the [[Belgrade-Bar railway]] and the proposed [[Belgrade-Bar motorway]] are expected to return operating levels to capacity.

In 2023 there is a plan to install an [[LNG]] terminal at Bar to receive gas imports.<ref>{{cite web |title=Montenegro inks MoU with US companies for LNG terminal in port of Bar |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/montenegro-inks-mou-with-us-companies-for-lng-terminal-in-port-of-bar/ |date=12 May 2023}}</ref>

=== Tourism ===
{{main|Tourism in Montenegro}}

{{Multiple image
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| caption1          = The [[Black Lake (Montenegro)|Black Lake]] in [[Durmitor National Park]], a [[World Heritage Site]]
| caption2          = [[Sveti Stefan]]
}}

A total of 2.1&nbsp;million visitors visited Montenegro in 2022 spending 12.4m nights there.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arrivals and overnight stays, total |url=https://www.monstat.org/eng/novosti.php?id=3676#:~:text=Arrivals%20and%20overnight%20stays%2C%20total,and%2012%20428%20787%20overnights. |date=28 February 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023 |archive-date=4 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504060751/http://www.monstat.org/eng/novosti.php?id=3676#:~:text=Arrivals%20and%20overnight%20stays%2C%20total,and%2012%20428%20787%20overnights. |url-status=dead }}</ref> The majority of foreign visitors to Montenegro come from the neighbouring countries of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, as well as Russia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.monstat.org/userfiles/file/turizam/din2018/ukupno2017/Istra%C5%BEivanje%20o%20dolascima%20i%20no%C4%87enjima%20turista,%20ukupno%20-%202017(1).pdf|title=Foreign tourist arrivals and overnight stays by countries, 2017|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=30 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330012643/https://www.monstat.org/userfiles/file/turizam/din2018/ukupno2017/Istra%C5%BEivanje%20o%20dolascima%20i%20no%C4%87enjima%20turista%2C%20ukupno%20-%202017%281%29.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Montenegrin [[Adriatic]] coast is {{convert|295|km|abbr=on}} long, with {{convert|72|km|abbr=on}} of beaches and many well-preserved ancient towns. Some of the most popular beaches include [[Jaz Beach]], [[Budva|Mogren Beach]], [[Bečići|Bečići Beach]], [[Sveti Stefan|Sveti Stefan Beach]] and [[Velika Plaža]].<ref name="My Guide Montenegro">{{cite web| title=Best Beaches| website=My Guide Montenegro| date=18 February 2021| url=https://www.myguidemontenegro.com/usefulinfo/best-beaches| access-date=8 July 2021}}</ref> Meanwhile, some of the most popular ancient towns include [[Herceg Novi]], [[Perast]], [[Kotor]], [[Budva]] and [[Ulcinj]].<ref name="My Guide Montenegro 2020">{{cite web| title=Old Towns in Montenegro| website=My Guide Montenegro| date=3 December 2020| url=https://www.myguidemontenegro.com/lists/old-towns-in-montenegro| access-date=8 July 2021}}</ref>

''[[National Geographic Traveler]]'' (edited once a decade) ranks Montenegro among the "50 Places of a Lifetime". Montenegrin seaside town [[Sveti Stefan]] was once used as the cover for the magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2009/09/50-places-of-a-lifetime-1.html|title=50 Places of a Lifetime|website=National Geographic|date=17 September 2009|access-date=11 September 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329113520/http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2009/09/50-places-of-a-lifetime-1.html|archive-date=29 March 2010}}</ref> The coast region of Montenegro was considered one of the great "discoveries" among world tourists. In January 2010, ''[[The New York Times]]'' ranked the Ulcinj South Coast region of Montenegro, including [[Velika Plaža]], [[Ada Bojana]], and the [[Hotel Mediteran]] of Ulcinj, among the "Top 31 Places to Go in 2010" as part of a worldwide ranking.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/travel/10places.html?pagewanted=2&ref=travel|title=The 31 Places to Go in 2010|work=The New York Times|date=7 January 2010|access-date=7 December 2012}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Montenegro|Demographic history of Montenegro}}

=== Ethnic structure ===

The 2023 census reported 623,633 citizens.<ref name="t819">{{cite web | title=Popis stanovništva, domaćinstava i stanova, 2023. godine | url=https://www.monstat.org/uploads/files/popis%202021/saopstenja/SAOPSTENJE_Popis%20stanovnistva%202023%20II_cg.pdf | access-date=15 October 2024 | archive-date=4 April 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404194901/https://www.monstat.org/uploads/files/popis%202021/saopstenja/SAOPSTENJE_Popis%20stanovnistva%202023%20II_cg.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref> Montenegro is a [[multiethnic state]] with no ethnic majority.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/analysis/external/applicant/montenegro_en.pdf|title=Montenegro, country report|publisher=[[European Commission]]|date=December 2006|access-date=24 January 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830004805/http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/analysis/external/applicant/montenegro_en.pdf|archive-date=30 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xKMtAQAAIAAJ&q=Montenegro+multi+ethnic+country|title=Montenegro: A Modern History|publisher=[[I.B. Tauris]]|date= 2009|isbn=9781845117108 }}</ref> [[Montenegrins]] make up 41.1% of the population, [[Serbs of Montenegro|Serbs]] 32.9%, [[Bosniaks of Montenegro|Bosniaks]] 9.45%, [[Albanians in Montenegro|Albanians]] 4.99%, and [[Russians]] 2.01%.<ref name="g302">{{cite web | title=Crnogoraca 41,12 odsto, Srba 32,93, Bošnjaka 9,45... | website=RTCG – Radio Televizija Crne Gore – Nacionalni javni servis | date=15 October 2024 | url=https://rtcg.me/cir/vijesti/drustvo/612699/crnogoraca-4112-odsto-srba-3293-bosnjaka-945.html | access-date=15 October 2024}}</ref> There is a significant number of other ethnic groups, including [[Romani people in Montenegro|Romani people]], [[Croats in Montenegro|Croats]], [[Ukrainians]], [[Belarusians]], and [[Turkish people|Turks]].

=== Languages ===
{{Main|Languages of Montenegro}}

[[File:Bečko izdanje Gorskog vijenca 1847.png|thumb|right|[[The Mountain Wreath]] is a poetic chronicle documenting the struggle of the Montenegrin people for independence from the Ottoman Empire, and is the most famous literary work in the country.]]

The official language in Montenegro is [[Montenegrin language|Montenegrin]]. [[Serbian language|Serbian]], [[Bosnian language|Bosnian]], [[Albanian language|Albanian]], and [[Croatian language|Croatian]] are recognised in official usage. Montenegrin, Serbian, Bosnian, and Croatian are [[mutually intelligible]] as [[standard varieties]] of the [[Serbo-Croatian language]]. Serbian is the most spoken language in the country, as a plurality of the population at 43.18% consider it as their [[native language]], while 34.52% speaks the Montenegrin language. There is also significant number of people speaking Bosnian (6.98%), Albanian (5.25%), and [[Russian language|Russian]] (2.36%).<ref name="q454">{{cite web | title=Srpskim jezikom govori 43,18 odsto, crnogorskim 34,52 odsto... | website=RTCG – Radio Televizija Crne Gore – Nacionalni javni servis | date=15 October 2024 | url=https://rtcg.me/vijesti/drustvo/612761/srpskim-jezikom-govori-4318-odsto-crnogorskim-3452-odsto.html | access-date=15 October 2024}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Montenegro}}

Montenegro has historically stood at the crossroads of multiculturalism, and over centuries this has shaped its unique co-existence between its Christian and Muslim populations.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Strengthening Religious Tolerance for a Secure Civil Society in Albania and the Southern Balkans|last=Pettifer|first=James|publisher=IOS Press|year=2007|isbn=978-1-58603-779-6 }}</ref> Montenegrins have throughout history been [[Eastern Orthodox Christians]] that are members of the [[Serbian Orthodox Church]], which is governed by the [[Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral]] and the [[Eparchy of Budimlja and Nikšić]].<ref name="Evropa 2021 i808">{{cite news | last=Evropa | first=Radio Slobodna | title=Mitropolija i Eparhija SPC registrovane u Crnoj Gori | website=Radio Slobodna Evropa | date=11 June 2021 | url=https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/crna-gora-crkva-spc/31302405.html | language=sh | access-date=20 November 2023}}</ref> [[Eastern Orthodoxy in Montenegro|Eastern Orthodox Christianity]] is the predominant religion in Montenegro, with 71.1% of the population adhering to the religion.<ref name="p282">{{cite web | title=Najviše pravoslavaca (71,1 odsto), muslimana (19,99), katolika (3,27)... | website=RTCG – Radio Televizija Crne Gore – Nacionalni javni servis | date=15 October 2024 | url=https://rtcg.me/vijesti/drustvo/612745/najvise-pravoslavaca-711-odsto-muslimana-1999-katolika-327.html | access-date=15 October 2024}}</ref> Meanwhile, the Serbian Orthodox Church is the largest and most popular church, with approximately 90% of Orthodox Christians in Montenegro following the church.<ref name="United States Department of State 2021 x826">{{cite web | title=United States Department of State | website=United States Department of State | date=12 May 2021 | url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/montenegro/ | access-date=20 November 2023}}</ref> A [[Schism in Christianity|schismatic]] church called The [[Montenegrin Orthodox Church]], which broke off from the Serbian Orthodox church in 1993, is followed by the remaining 10% of Orthodox Christians in the country. It also has not been officially recognised by the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople]] and is not in communion with any other canonical Orthodox Christian Church.<ref name="vijesti.me 2019 u217">{{cite web | title=Bartholomew wrote to Đukanović: The Ecumenical Patriarchate only recognizes the Montenegrin Littoral Metropolitanate | website=vijesti.me | date=27 June 2019 | url=https://en.vijesti.me/news/society/391381/Bartholomew-wrote-to-Dukanovica%2C-the-Ecumenical-Patriarchate-only-recognizes-the-Montenegrin-Littoral-Metropolitanate | access-date=20 November 2023 | archive-date=20 November 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120185234/https://en.vijesti.me/news/society/391381/Bartholomew-wrote-to-Dukanovica,-the-Ecumenical-Patriarchate-only-recognizes-the-Montenegrin-Littoral-Metropolitanate | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Despite tensions between religious groups during the [[Bosnian War]], Montenegro remained fairly stable, mainly due to its population's perspective on religious tolerance and faith diversity.<ref>{{Cite book|title=International Religious Freedom 2000: Annual Report: Submitted by the U.S. Department Of State|last=Larkin|first=Barbara|publisher=Diane Publishing|year=2001|isbn=978-0-7567-1229-7 }}</ref> Religious institutions have guaranteed rights and are separate from the state. The second largest religion is [[Islam in Montenegro|Islam]], practiced by 19% of the population. Montenegro has one of the highest proportion of Muslims in Europe and the third highest proportion among Slavic countries, behind only Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia. A little more than one-fourth of the country's [[Albanians]] are [[Catholics]] (8,085 in the 2023 census) while the rest (22,520) are mainly [[Sunni Muslims]]; in 2012 a protocol recognised [[Islam]] as an official religion, which ensures that [[halal]] foods are served at military facilities, hospitals, dormitories and social facilities; and that Muslim women are permitted to wear headscarves in schools and at public institutions, as well as ensuring that Muslims have the right to take Fridays off for the [[Jumu'ah]] (Friday)-prayer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=DA2F43BACD1FEFE22CCCDB093D5DA0B3?newsId=274558|title=Rifat Fejzic, the reis (president) of the Islamic community in Montenegro|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055243/http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action;jsessionid=DA2F43BACD1FEFE22CCCDB093D5DA0B3?newsId=274558|archive-date=21 September 2013|work=Today's Zaman}}</ref> Since the time of [[Vojislavljević dynasty]] Catholicism is autochthonous in the Montenegrin area.<ref>{{cite journal|first=Ivan|last=Jovović|date=2013|title=Dvooltarske crkve na crnogorskom primorju|quote=Dio istoričara u tumačenju ovog procesa svjesno izostavlja notornu činjenicu da je katolicizam na crnogorskom prostoru autohton još od vremena dinastije Vojislavljevića|journal=MATICA|url=https://www.maticacrnogorska.me/files/53/06%20ivan%20jovovic.pdf|page=67|archive-date=25 March 2022|access-date=3 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325060610/https://www.maticacrnogorska.me/files/53/06%20ivan%20jovovic.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> A small Roman Catholic population, mostly Albanians with some Croats, is divided between the [[Archdiocese of Antivari]] headed by the Primate of Serbia and the [[Diocese of Kotor]] that is a part of the [[Catholic Church in Croatia]].

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Montenegro}}

{{Multiple image
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| caption1          = [[National Museum of Montenegro]]
| caption2          = Boka Navy, from 2021 part of intangible [[World Heritage]] UNESCO
}}

Montenegrin culture has been shaped most importantly by Orthodox, Ottoman (Turk), Slavic, Central European, and seafaring Adriatic cultures (notably parts of Italy, like the [[Republic of Venice]]).

Montenegro has many significant cultural and historical sites, including heritage sites from the pre-[[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]], [[Gothic art|Gothic]] and [[Baroque]] periods. The Montenegrin coastal region is known for its religious monuments, including the [[Cathedral of Saint Tryphon]] in [[Kotor]]<ref>{{cite web|first=Aleksandar|last=Šestović|url=http://www.kotoronline.com/|title=Kotor|publisher=Kotoronline.com|access-date=11 September 2010|archive-date=13 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100513072155/http://kotoronline.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref> (Cattaro under the Venetians), the basilica of St. Luke (over 800 years), [[Our Lady of the Rocks]] (Škrpjela), the [[Savina monastery (Montenegro)|Savina Monastery]] and others. Medieval monasteries contain many artistically important frescoes.

One cultural dimension is the ethical ideal of ''Čojstvo i Junaštvo'', "Humaneness and Gallantry".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.montenegrina.net/pages/pages1/istorija/petrovici_xviii_vijek/oblikovanje_crnogorske_nacije_u_doba_petrovica_njegosa.ht|title=Oblikovanje crnogorske nacije u doba petrovica njegosa, "Cojstvo je osobeno svojstvo Crnogoraca, koje su uzdigli u najvecu vrlinu i uzor."}}</ref> The traditional folk dance of the Montenegrins is the [[Oro (eagle dance)|Oro]], the "eagle dance" that involves dancing in circles with couples alternating in the centre, and is finished by forming a human pyramid of dancers standing on each other's shoulders.

=== Media ===
{{Main|Media of Montenegro}}

Television, magazines, and newspapers are operated by both state-owned and for-profit corporations that depend on advertising, [[subscription]], and other sales-related revenues. The [[Constitution of Montenegro]] guarantees freedom of speech. Montenegro's media system is under transformation, along with the rest of the country. The privately owned media outlet [[Vijesti]] (''News'') has been the most watched in Montenegro for many years, followed by the state-owned [[Radio and Television of Montenegro]] (''Radio-televizija Crne Gore, RTCG'').[https://www.vijesti.me/tv/emisije/739131/televizija-vijesti-sestu-godinu-zaredom-najgledanija-u-crnoj-gori]  ''RTCG'' also provides radio and television broadcasts of daily news in the Albanian language.

=== Sport ===
{{Main|Sport in Montenegro}}

[[File:Sports Center Moraca.jpg|thumb| Exterior of the [[Morača Sports Center ]]]]
Sport in Montenegro revolves mostly around [[team sport]]s, such as [[water polo]], [[Association football|football]], [[basketball]], [[handball]], and [[volleyball]]. Other sports involved are [[boxing]], [[tennis]], swimming, [[judo]], [[karate]], [[Athletics (sport)|athletics]], [[table tennis]], and [[chess]].

[[Water polo]] is the most popular and is considered the [[national sport]].<ref name="Popular Sports">{{Cite web|url=https://total-waterpolo.com/water-polo-is-the-most-popular-sport-in-montenegro/|title=Water Polo Is The Most Popular Sport in Montenegro|website=total-waterpolo.com|publisher=Total Waterpolo|date=5 November 2018|access-date=21 October 2020 }}</ref> [[Montenegro men's national water polo team]] is one of the world's [[FINA Water Polo World Rankings|top ranked]] teams, winning the gold medal at the [[2008 Men's European Water Polo Championship]] in [[Málaga]], Spain, and winning the gold medal at the [[2009 FINA Men's Water Polo World League]], held in [[Podgorica]]. The Montenegrin team [[PVK Primorac]] from [[Kotor]] became a champion of Europe at the [[LEN Euroleague]] 2009 in [[Rijeka]], Croatia. Montenegro came fourth in the men's water polo in the [[Water polo at the 2016 Summer Olympics|2016 Olympics]].

[[Association football|Football]] is the second most popular sport.<ref name="Popular Sports" /> The [[Montenegro national football team]], founded in 2006, played in playoffs for [[UEFA Euro 2012]], its highest play appearance. The [[Montenegro national basketball team]] is known for good performances and won many medals as part of the [[Yugoslavia national basketball team]]. In 2006, the [[Basketball Federation of Montenegro]] along with this team joined the [[International Basketball Federation]] (FIBA) on its own, following the [[Montenegrin independence referendum, 2006|Independence]]. Montenegro participated in two [[EuroBasket]]s.

Among women sports, [[Montenegro women's national handball team|the national handball team]] is the most successful, winning the country's first Olympic medal, claiming silver at the [[Handball at the 2012 Summer Olympics|2012 Summer Olympics]]. This was followed by the [[2012 European Women's Handball Championship|2012 European Championship]] which Montenegro won, becoming European champions. [[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]] has twice won the EHF Champions League. Montenegro was one of the host countries for the [[2022 European Women's Handball Championship]] and came third.

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Montenegrin cuisine}}

[[File:Foods from Montenegro.jpg|thumb|Foods from Montenegro]]

The first major influences to Montenegrin cuisine came from the [[Levant]] and [[Turkish cuisine|Turkey]]: [[Sarma (food)|sarma]], [[musaka]], [[pilav]], [[Börek#Balkans|pita]], [[gibanica]], [[burek]], [[ćevapi]], [[kebab]], [[đuveč]], and Turkish sweets such as [[baklava]] and [[tulumba]]. [[Hungarian cuisine]] influences [[goulash|stews]] and [[sataraš]]. [[Central European cuisine]] is evident in the prevalence of [[crêpes]], [[doughnuts]], [[jam]]s, many types of [[biscuits]] and [[cakes]], and various kinds of breads. Montenegrin cuisine also varies geographically; with the cuisine in the coastal area differing from that of the northern highland region. The coastal area is traditionally a representative of [[Mediterranean cuisine]], with [[seafood]] being a common dish. The traditional dishes of Montenegro's [[Adriatic coast]], unlike its heartland, have been significantly influenced by [[Italian cuisine|Italian]] cuisine.<ref>[http://www.visit-montenegro.com/montenegro-food.htm Montenegro Food and Drink] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412010205/http://www.visit-montenegro.com/montenegro-food.htm |date=12 April 2015 }}, Visit Montenegro</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Countries|Europe
}}
* [[Outline of Montenegro]]
* [[List of endemic species of Montenegro]]
{{Clear}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{Cite book|last=Fine|first=John Van Antwerp Jr.|author-link=John Van Antwerp Fine Jr.|title=The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest|year=1994|orig-year=1987|location=Ann Arbor, Michigan|publisher=University of Michigan Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LvVbRrH1QBgC|isbn=0472082604}}
* {{cite book|last1=Pope|first1=Stephen|last2=Wheal|first2=Elizabeth-Anne|last3=Robbins|first3=Keith| title = Dictionary of the First World War|year=2003| publisher = Pen & Sword Military Classics| isbn=9780850529791}}

==Further reading==
===Bibliographies of Montenegro===
{{refbegin|30em|indent=yes}}
* {{cite book |last=Giuseppe |first=Valentinelli |author-link=:it:Giuseppe Valentinelli |publisher=[[Ljudevit Gaj]] |date=1855 |title=Bibliografia della Dalmazia e del Montenegro |language=it |trans-title=Bibliography of Dalmatia and of Montenegro |url=https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/001763215 |location=[[Zagreb]]}}
* {{cite book |author-last=Латковић |author-first=Сенка |publisher=[[National Library of Montenegro|Централна народна библиотека Републике Црне Горе 'Ђурђе Црнојевић']] |date=1994 |title=Монографске публикације: 1945–1965 |language=sr |trans-title=Monograph Publications: 1945–1965 |volume=1,5 |isbn=86-7079-050-5 |url=https://digitalnabibliografija.nb-cg.me/bibliografija_cetinje/sken_prikaz.html?tom=1&knjiga=5&sken_indeks=1 |location=[[Cetinje]] |series=Црногорска библиографија: 1494–1994 |issn=1800-7082}}
* {{cite book |author-last1=Латковић |author-first1=Сенка |author-first2=Здравка |author-last2=Радуловић |publisher=[[National Library of Montenegro|Централна народна библиотека Републике Црне Горе 'Ђурђе Црнојевић']] |date=1996 |title=Монографске публикације: 1966–1975 |language=sr |trans-title=Monograph Publications: 1945–1965 |volume=1,6 |isbn=86-7079-056-4 |url=https://digitalnabibliografija.nb-cg.me/bibliografija_cetinje/sken_prikaz.html?tom=1&knjiga=6&sken_indeks=1 |location=[[Cetinje]] |series=Црногорска библиографија: 1494–1994 |issn=1800-7082}}
* {{cite book |last=Marmier |first=Xavier |author-link=Xavier Marmier |publisher=[[Arthus-Bertrand]] |date=1853–1854 |title=Lettres sur l'Adriatique et le Monténégro |language=fr |trans-title=Letters on the Adriatic and Montenegro |url=https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/006033692 |location=[[Paris]]}}
* {{cite book |last=Luketić |first=Miroslav |author-link=:hr:Miroslav Luketić |publisher=Samoupravna interesna zajednica za naučne djelatnosti SR Crne Gore |date=1982 |title=Crnogorska bibliografija naučnih i stručnih radova 1970-1979 |language=sh |trans-title=Montenegrin Bibliography of Scientific and Professional Works 1970-1979 |location=[[Titograd]]}}
* {{cite book |author-last=Рајковић |author-first=Видак |publisher=[[National Library of Montenegro|Централна народна библиотека СР Црне Горе 'Ђурђе Црнојевић']] |date=1989 |title=Монографске публикације: 1834–1918 |language=sr |trans-title=Monograph Publications: 1834–1918 |volume=1,3 |isbn=86-7079-015-7 |url=https://digitalnabibliografija.nb-cg.me/bibliografija_cetinje/sken_prikaz.html?tom=1&knjiga=3&sken_indeks=1 |location=[[Cetinje]] |series=Црногорска библиографија: 1494–1994 |issn=1800-7082}}
* {{cite book |author-last=Рајковић |author-first=Видак |publisher=[[National Library of Montenegro|Централна народна библиотека СР Црне Горе 'Ђурђе Црнојевић']] |date=1990 |title=Монографске публикације: 1919–1944 |language=sr |trans-title=Monograph Publications: 1919–1944 |volume=1,4 |isbn=86-7079-018-1 |url=https://digitalnabibliografija.nb-cg.me/bibliografija_cetinje/sken_prikaz.html?tom=1&knjiga=4&sken_indeks=1 |location=[[Cetinje]] |series=Црногорска библиографија: 1494–1994 |issn=1800-7082}}
* {{cite journal |date=1886-07-08 |orig-date=beginning 1886-06-17 |last=Tondini de Quarenghi |first=Cesare |title=Покушај за библиографију о Црној Гори |language=sr |trans-title=Attempt at a Bibliography of Montenegro |pages= |journal=[[Глас Црногорца]] |volume=15 |url=https://www.dlib.me/me/casopisi-novine-kolekcije/481-URN:DLIB.ME59730P-3 |issue=24–27}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|Montenegro|voy=Montenegro}}
* [https://www.gov.me/en/ Official website of the Government of Montenegro (English)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20260116122206/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/montenegro/ Montenegro] in ''[[The World Factbook]]'' of the [[Central Intelligence Agency]]
* [https://www.britannica.com/place/Montenegro Montenegro]. ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''.
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17667132 Montenegro profile] from the [[BBC News]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120830120309/http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/montenegro.htm Montenegro] from ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''
* [http://www.culture-corner.me/?jezik=ENG Culture Corner] – leading Montenegrin web portal for culture
* [https://www.nparkovi.me/ Official website National Parks Montenegro]
* {{Wikiatlas|Montenegro}}
* {{OSM relation|53296|bullet=no}}

{{Montenegro topics}}
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