Montenegro

Montenegro (Crna Gora) Constituent republic of Serbia and Montenegro; the capital is Podgorica (formerly Titograd). The region was part of the Serbian Empire until the Turkish invasion of 1355. Ottoman Turks decisively defeated Serbia in 1389, while Montenegro successfully resisted the Sultan's rule. By 1500, most of the territory surrendered to the Ottomans. In 1799, Turkey recognized Montenegro's independence. In 1851, a monarchy was established, and in 1878 the sovereignty of the state was formally recognized. In 1910, Nicholas I assumed the title of King and sought to expel the Turks. In 1914, he declared war on Austria, and Austro-German armies quickly overran Montenegro. Nicholas was deposed in 1918, and Montenegro united with Serbia. In 1946, Montenegro became a republic of Yugoslavia. In 1989, the local communist leadership resigned, but they were returned to power in 1990 elections. Montenegro supported Serbia in the establishment of a new, Serb-dominated federation, but four of the six Yugoslav republics voted to secede from the union. In a 1992 referendum, Montenegro voted to remain part of the rump Yugoslav federation with Serbia. In 1999, many ethnic Albanians fled to Montenegro to escape Serb oppression in Kosovo. It is a mountainous region that remains industrially underdeveloped. Much of the land is barren, and agriculture is concentrated in the Zeta Valley. Industries: tobacco, grain, stock raising, bauxite mining. Area: 13,812sq km (5331sq mi). Pop. (1998) 647,000.

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