Serbia
Serbia, officially known as the Republic of Serbia, is a landlocked country situated in Southeast and Central Europe, located in the Balkans. It shares borders with Hungary to the north, Romania to the northeast, Bulgaria to the southeast, North Macedonia to the south, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to the west, and Montenegro to the southwest. The capital and largest city is Belgrade, a major cultural and political center located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers.
Historical Background
Serbia has a rich and complex history that has significantly shaped its cultural and political landscape. From 1166 to 1371, Serbia was ruled by the Nemanjić dynasty, under which the state was elevated to a kingdom in 1217 and later to an empire in 1346 under the leadership of Stefan Dušan. The Serbian Orthodox Church was organized as an autocephalous archbishopric in 1219, largely through the efforts of Saint Sava, considered the country's patron saint.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, Serbia experienced significant political changes. From 1882 to 1918, it was known as the Kingdom of Serbia. Following World War I, Serbia became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which was later renamed Yugoslavia. The post-World War II era saw the establishment of the People's Republic of Serbia within the socialist federation of Yugoslavia, later becoming the Socialist Republic of Serbia until 1990. Since 1990, the official name of the country has been the Republic of Serbia.
Modern Serbia
Today, Serbia is a unitary parliamentary constitutional republic and is recognized as an upper-middle-income economy. It provides universal healthcare and free primary and secondary education to its citizens. Serbia is a member of several international organizations, including the United Nations, Council of Europe, OSCE, Partnership for Peace, Black Sea Economic Cooperation, and Central European Free Trade Agreement. The country is currently negotiating its accession to the European Union, with potential membership anticipated by 2030.
Culture and Society
Serbia is home to a diverse cultural heritage, deeply influenced by its historical ties to the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The country is known for its Serbian cuisine, traditional music, and folklore. The Serbian language, written in both Cyrillic and Latin scripts, is the official language.