47 Interesting Facts About Montenegro

Last updated on October 25th, 2022

Some statistics about Montenegro

34. The country was the first in the world to have a national printing house.

35. On June 26, 2006, it became the 192^nd member of the United Nations.

36. A person who shows virtues of: integrity, dignity, humility, self-sacrifice for the just cause, respect for others and rectitude along with bravery is well respected in the country.

37. It is customary for visiting guests to bring a bottle of wine and a box of coffee when invited by someone for a meal or celebration.

38. The majority of the country’s population, almost 47%, is between the ages of 25 and 54.

39. 64% of its total population is urbanized, and the country spends 6.5% of its GDP on health care.

40. There are more than a million mobile subscriptions and 160,000 fixed-line telephone connections in Montenegro.

41. The country has a high literacy rate of almost 99%.

42. Montenegro’s country TLD (“Top Level Domain”) for the internet, .ME, is just eight years old. It was allotted to the country on September 24, 2007. They are also sharing .ME with the rest of the world. Though .ME is used internally within the country, you can also register a domain with a .ME extension. .ME domains are very popular in the U.S. It is a popular extension for personal websites and for people who want to register their site as “name.me.”

43. Despite its small size, there are five airports in this world-famous tourist destination.

44. According to the World Bank, 78% of its population uses the internet.

45. There is 250 km of railway network in the country, and just one heliport.

46. As per the CIA facts sheet about Montenegro, there are 3,296 stateless people living in the country (2014).

47. Montenegro does not mint, issue or print euro coins or notes. It imports them from other countries that are part of the Eurozone.

About the Flag of Montenegro

1. Design and Symbolism

Montenegro is a small European country surrounded by powerful neighbors that influenced its culture. Yet it maintained a distinct identity and re-emerged in the modern era as an independent state. The flag of Montenegro represents a return to its roots and traditions.

A red field with a golden border displays the Montenegrin coat of arms. It has a two-headed imperial eagle with raised wings, holding a scepter and a cross-bearing orb. At the top is a royal crown, while the shield shows a lion on a blue and green background.

The eagle is a Byzantine motif signifying close ties between the church and state. Meanwhile, the beast may refer to the Lion of Judah from the Book of Genesis. The crown, scepter, and orb are classical symbols of authority.

Montenegro used to be a theocracy that weaponized Christianity to defend itself against Turkish invasions. Symbols of church authority were everywhere, including the coat of arms and the flag. The country is now a secular democratic republic, but the design remains popular. Most residents are religious conservatives.

2. Adoption

Montenegro approved the modern coat of arms on July 12, 2004. It immediately went into the flag, which the country adopted the next day.

3. Technical Details

The Montenegrin flag dimensions follow a ratio of 1:2. The width of the gold border is one-twentieth of the flag height. It has a regular horizontal version for outdoor use and an alternative vertical orientation for indoor displays.

4. History

Medieval War Flags

During the Middle Ages, soldiers brought crusader flags to battle. These featured a cross on a plain background. Examples include the gold-purple banner of Dusan the Mighty and the gold-red flag of an Ottoman war. Meanwhile, the prince-bishopric of Montenegro used a white-red flag.

The Principality of Montenegro

In 1852, the territory shifted from theocratic rule to a secular principality under Danilo I. He renounced his position as bishop, married, and became a prince. During his time, the cross gave way to a two-headed eagle with his initials and a lion underneath. His successor retained the design but changed the initials.

The Kingdom of Montenegro

In 1910, the principality became a kingdom with an absolutist monarchy. The flag morphed into a horizontal tricolor of red, blue, and white bands. The two-headed eagle remained, but the lion moved up to a shield.

Unification with Yugoslavia

Montenegro suffered heavy damage during World War I. It joined Yugoslavia and received federal support, allowing it to recover faster. After World War II, Yugoslavia became a socialist republic with a tricolor flag featuring a large red star.

Montenegrin Independence

The breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s and the rise of Montenegrin nationalism in the 2000s resulted in an independence referendum. The majority voted for self-determination. New state symbols emerged for the republic, including a modern coat of arms and national flag.

5. Flag Facts

Widest National Flag in the World

From 1993 to 2004, the Republic of Montenegro used a horizontal tricolor with red, light blue, and white bands. With a proportion of 1:3, it was the widest flag in the world.

Inspiration for the Coat of Arms

The Russian Empire inspired the layout. It had close ties to the ruling house of Montenegro in the 1800s. The Russians used a black two-headed eagle with comparable ornaments.

Montenegro – country at a glance