ABOUT SERBIA

Basic information

The Republic of Serbia is the state of Serbs and other citizens, based on law, social justice, democracy, freedom and human rights, rights of ethnic minorities and European principles and values.

Its history and achievements make it an integral part of modern civilization and international community.

Belgrade , the capital of Serbia, has 1.6 million inhabitants. It is the administrative, economic and cultural centre of Serbia.

GDP in 2005 amounted to EUR 21,107.9 billion.
GDP per capita in 2005 amounted to EUR 2,836.80.
*Source of data: Republic Statistics Bureau: http://webrzs.statserb.sr.gov.yu/axd/index.php

Territorial organization

The Republic of Serbia has 194 municipalities (local self-government) and 29 counties. Belgrade and Nis are separate territorial units. The Republic of Serbia has two autonomous provinces - Vojvodina and Kosovo and Metohija. The Republic of Serbia has 61,671 settlements.

Position and climate

Serbia is situated in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula, at the most important crossroads between Europe and Asia. It has a territory of 88,361 square kilometers. It is in the Western European Time Zone (one hour ahead of Greenwich Time Zone). Moderate continental climate prevails, with the gradual change of the seasons.

The length of border is 2,114.20 km. Serbia borders on the following countries: Bulgaria (in the east), Romania (in the northeast), Hungary (in the north), Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (in the west) and Albania and Macedonia (in the south).

Population, language and religion

Beside Serbs, who represent the majority of population, there are 37 other nationalities in Serbia. All citizens enjoy the same rights and responsibilities, regardless of their nationality.

The rights of ethnic minorities are guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, according to the highest international standards. In 2002, when the last census was taken, Serbia had 7,498,001 inhabitants (without Kosovo and Metohija) - 92,3% of the former Union of Serbia and Montenegro (82.86% - Serbs, 3.91% Hungarians, 1.81% - Bosnians, 1.44% - Roma, 1.08% - Yugoslavs, 0.94% - Croatians, 0.92% - Montenegrins, 0.82% - Albanians, 0.79% - Slovakians, 0.46% - Romanians, 0.34% - Macedonians, 0.27% - Bulgarians, 0.26% - Moslems, 0.21% - Ruthenians, 0.07% - Slovenians, 0.07% - Ukrainian, 0.05% - Germans, 0.03% - Russians, 0.03% - Czechs, etc).

The official language is Serbian and the official alphabet is Cyrillic (Latin alphabet is also in use). National minorities are entitled to officially use their languages and alphabets in the areas where they live.

The population of Serbia is predominantly orthodox. Beside the Serbian Orthodox Church, there are other religious communities: Islamic, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, etc.