Montenegro: Jewel of Balkans on Adriatic coast

The historic Montenegro offers natural beauties, history dating back thousands of years and warm hospitality to its visitors.

Located near the Adriatic Sea, Montenegro is a breathtaking destination known for its beaches, fiords and forests for outdoor adventure lovers.

In this country that has hosted many civilizations over the centuries, visitors will see traces of the Ottoman Empire. Historical mosques, Turkish coffee shops and a Muslim community consisting of 30% of the entire population, attest to the Ottoman culture, which still lingers in the country today.

Montenegro gained independence from the Ottomans in late 19th century before eventually joining Yugoslavia.

It was a part of Yugoslavia until the federal country dissolved in 1992.

After 1992, Montenegro remained part of a smaller Federal Republic of Yugoslavia along with Serbia, which was commonly referred to as "Serbia and Montenegro."

Montenegro regained full independence after a referendum in 2006, seceding from its union with Serbia.

Today the country is one of the smallest in the world with only about 630,000 people.

About 20% of the population is employed in the tourism sector, which contributes to around a quarter of Montenegro's economy.