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ssdtsaks
14-11-2008, 03:01 PM
Serbia (Serbian: Србија, Srbija), officially the Republic of Serbia (Serbian: Република Србија, Republika Srbija), is a landlocked country in Centra and Southeastern Europe, covering the southern part of the Pannonian Plain and the central part of the Balkans. Serbia is bordered by Hungary to the north; Romania and Bulgaria to the east; the Republic of Macedonia and Albania to the south; and Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro to the west. The country's capital, Belgrade, was titled "City of the Future of South Europe" in 2006.

For centuries, located at, and shaped by, the cultural boundaries between the East and the West, a powerful medieval kingdom – later renamed the Serbian Empire – occupied much of the Balkans. The Serbian state disappeared by the mid-16th century, torn by domestic feuds, Ottoman-, Venetian-, Hungarian- and later, Austrian occupations. The success of the Serbian revolution in 1817 marked the birth of modern Serbia, centered in the Šumadija region. Within a century it reacquired Kosovo and Metohija, Raška region and Vardar Macedonia from the Ottoman Empire. Likewise, in 1918 the former autonomous Habsburg crownland of Vojvodina proclaimed its secession from Austria-Hungary to unite with the Serbia, preceded by the Syrmia region.

The current borders of the country were established after World War II, when Serbia became a federal unit within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Serbia became an independent state again in 2006, after Montenegro left the Serbia and Montenegro union which had been the last fragment of the former Yugoslavia remaining in the 21st century following the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

In February 2008, the parliament of Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia. Serbia's government, as well as the UN Security Council, have not recognized Kosovo's independence. The response from the international community has been mixed. Presently, Kosovo is recognised by 52 out of 192 member states. On October 8, 2008, the majority of the UN states backed Serbia in its judicial move on Kosovo, aimed at determining whether the secession was legal.

Serbia is a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Council of Europe which it presided over in 2007. It is also a potential candidate for membership in the European Union and a militarily neutral country.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c96/whitenicky/8b293ea2.jpg http://www.mapsofworld.com/serbia/maps/serbia-map.jpg

ssdtsaks
14-11-2008, 03:04 PM
Kragujevac (Serbian Cyrillic: Крагујевац, is a city in Serbia, the largest city of the Šumadija region and the administrative centre of Šumadija District. It is situated on the banks of the Lepenica River.

Despite its late foundation (1476), Kragujevac is the city of many firsts. Being the first capital of modern Serbia (1818- 1839), the first constitution in the Balkans was proclaimed in this city in 1835. Further on, the first full- fledged university in the newly independent Serbia was founded in 1838, preceded by the first grammar school (Gimnazija), Printworks (both in 1833), professional National theatre (1835) and the Military academy (1837).

Belgrade took the lead by becoming the seat of throne in 1841. The University of Kragujevac was not reestablished until 1976. Contemporary Kragujevac is known for its weapon, munition and Zastava car factories, which produces the Yugo, Florida, Zastava 10 (Fiat Punto, by licence) , Opel Astra by GM licence and Skala automobiles. It is the fourth largest city in the country after Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2e/Kragujevac_-_V3.jpg/250px-Kragujevac_-_V3.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/77/Kragujevac-_Muzej_21_oktobar.jpg/250px-Kragujevac-_Muzej_21_oktobar.jpg

Prawn_86
16-12-2008, 12:59 PM
I have a good friend who is going to Serbia next year.

Its her first time overseas, any ideas on the must do's of Serbia apart from the above?

traveler
27-06-2009, 01:23 AM
The people of Novi Sad are intensely proud of their city, and with good reason. Often compared to Belgrade, it has a similar charm, culture, and night-life to the capital, but on a smaller, more personal scale. For those who appreciate art, music, food and fun, but prefer a laid back city that is less frenetic than Belgrade (which has been called the city that sleeps less than New York!) Novi Sad is a perfect combination of urban sophistication and bohemian relaxation. Novi Sad draws visitors from all over the world to the EXIT music festival. Arguably the hippest of Eastern European summer music festivals, each year in July, Novi Sad becomes a playground for free spirits and anyone who loves music.

Novi Sad, which has been called "a haven of tranquility and tolerance," is one of the more multi-ethnic cities in Serbia, and is situated on the plains of Vojvodina, in the north. The quaint center of the city sprawls along the banks of The Danube, above which, on volcanic rock, perches the Petrovaradin Fortress. Dating back some 600 years, and challenged by the Tartars, the Turks and the Croats (to name a few), the fortress has a wonderful view of the city. Its labyrinth construction is complete with alleys, bulwarks, trenches, gates, and underground passages and tunnels to explore.

With a burgeoning Fine Arts and Music Academy, Novi Sad is also home to the Vojvodina Museum which houses regional exhibits from the Paleolithic to late 19th century, with an emphasis on relics from WWI and WWII.

After sight-seeing, Novi Sad offers myriad restaurants featuring the unique cuisine of Vojvodina, influenced by Serbian, Hungarian, Romanian and Slovakian spices and tradition. Many restaurants serve these specialties to the accompaniment of a tamburitza orchestra.

traveler
09-01-2011, 12:02 AM
Studenica is one of the most significant Serbian monasteries, the memorial erected by Stefan Nemanja, founder of the Nemanjic dynasty. From 1183 till 1196 he built himself a burial church within the Studenica Monastery, dedicated to the Vergin. When the church was completed, the Great Zupan Nemanja renounced the throne and became a monk. Also Vukan, King Radoslav and King Milutin built their memorial churches within Studenica. In addition to Nemanja, buried there were Vukan, Stefan the First-crowned, King Radoslav and his wife Ana, as well as other members of the Nemanjic's dynasty.