Serbia Facts and Culture

What is Serbia famous for?

• Food and Recipes: People in Serbia and Montenegro eat in continental style, with a fork in the left hand and knife in the... More
• Family: The extended family is still strong, but young people prefer to move into their own apartment. The normal size of... More
• Fashion: Western-style clothing is the norm in urban areas, while in rural areas women tend to wear the traditional plain blouse,... More
• Visiting: Serbians frequently visit one another, and it is an important part of the culture to keep close ties with family... More
• Cultural Attributes: People in Serbia and Montenegro are extremely patriotic, and place a very high value on family and kinship networks. As... More
• Dating: Teenagers may meet at school, church activities, or with family outings. In their late teens, they can go out to... More
• Diet: The Serbian staple diet relies on bread, fruit, meat, and dairy products, including yogurt and cottage cheese. Peppers are also... More

What is the capital of Serbia?

Capital	Belgrade (Beograd)
Government Type	parliamentary republic
Currency	Serbia Dinar (CSD)
Total Area	29,913 Square Miles 77,474 Square Kilometers
Location	Southeastern Europe, between Macedonia and Hungary
Language	Serbian 95%, Albanian 5%
GDP - real growth rate	0.5%
GDP - per capita (PPP)	$13,600.00 (USD)

What is the population of Serbia?

Ethnic Groups	Serb 62.6%, Albanian 16.5%, Montenegrin 5%, Hungarian 3.3%, other 12.6%
Nationality Adjective	Serbian; Montenegrin
Nationality Noun	Serb(s); Montenegrin(s)
Population	7,012,165
Population - note	note: does not include the population of Kosovo
Population Growth Rate	-0.46%
Population in Major Urban Areas	BELGRADE (capital) 1.135 million
Predominant Language	Serbian 95%, Albanian 5%
Urban Population	56.4%

What type of government does Serbia have?

• Executive Branch: chief of state: President Aleksandar VUCIC (since 31 May 2017) head of government: Prime Minister Ana BRNABIC (since 29 June 2017) cabinet:... More
• Suffrage: 18 years of age, 16 if employed; universal More
• Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Serbia dual citizenship recognized: yes residency... More
• National Holiday: National Day, 15 February (1835), the day the first constitution of the country was adopted More
• Constitution: history: many previous; latest adopted 30 September 2006, approved by referendum 28-29 October 2006, effective 8 November 2006 amendments: proposed by... More
• Independence: 5 June 2006 (from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro) More

What environmental issues does Serbia have?

• Overview: Serbia and Montenegro is located in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula and occupies 102,173 square kilometers. Serbia and... More
• Climate: A continental climate predominates in Serbia with cold winters and warm summers. Montenegro is largely the same, but with alpine... More
• Border Countries: Albania 287 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 527 km, Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia (north) 241 km, Croatia (south) 25 km, Hungary... More
• Environment - Current Issues: pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets, especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor; air pollution around Belgrade and other... More
• Environment - International Agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine... More
• Terrain: extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountains... More

How big is the Serbia economy?

• Economic Overview: Serbia has a transitional economy largely dominated by market forces, but the state sector remains significant in certain areas. The... More
• Industries: machine building (aircraft, trucks, and automobiles; tanks and weapons; electrical equipment; agricultural machinery); metallurgy (steel, aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, chromium,... More
• Currency Name and Code: Serbia Dinar (CSD) More
• Export Partners: Italy 31.3%, Germany 19.7%, Greece 6.9%, Austria 5.9%, France 4.5%, Hungary 4.3% More
• Import Partners: Germany 18.9%, Italy 17.1%, Austria 8%, Slovenia 7.6%, Hungary 5.2%, Greece 4.1%, France 4.1%, Bulgaria 4% More

What current events are happening in Serbia?
Source: Google News

What unique things can you discover about Serbia?

• The Ottoman Empire ruled Serbia from 1389-1815.
• If someone requests a song, the musicians are tipped in an amusing way. The person places a bill on the neck of the instrument, or sticks the money onto the perspiring forehead of the musician.
• It is not unusual for friends and family to kiss each other on the cheek when they see each other. Men kiss men and women kiss women. Three kisses in all- first one cheek, then the other, then the first cheek again.
• Serbian Easters include a special ritual with Easter eggs. Children and adults tap their eggs together to see which egg is strongest. One person holds an egg in his fist with only the tip showing while another person taps it with the tip of her own egg. The winner is the one whose egg does not crack.
• When King Uros Nemanja brought his wife to Serbia from France in the 12th century, he planted flowers that would remind her of home. He didn't want her to be homesick. The lilac trees took root along the fertile banks of the Ibar River and grace the countryside to this day.
• When you are introduced to someone in Serbia, you shake hands and both you and the other person say your own first and last names,

What makes Serbia a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

Serbia is strengthening its democratic, economic, and social institutions, but it still faces many challenges. In 2008, Kosovo, which used to be part of Serbia, declared itself an independent country and was recognized as such by the United States. You should be aware that Serbia does not recognize Kosovo’s independence; the dispute will only affect foreign travelers who plan to visit Kosovo.

Serbia has many tourist and travel facilities like hotels, restaurants, campgrounds, and gas stations, but the quality varies significantly from place to place. Some facilities are not up to Western standards.

Crime

Belgrade does not have high levels of street crime, but pick-pocketing and purse snatchings do occasionally occur. People traveling to Serbia should take the same precautions in Belgrade as they would in any large city in the United States. Most crimes happen because people let their guard down. Unlocked cars, items left in plain sight in a car, open gates, and open garage doors make attractive targets for thieves. Car thefts or break-ins can happen any time, day or night, in all sections of Belgrade and other parts of the country. Using security devices such as auto alarms, fuel-line interrupter switches, or steering-wheel locking devices may discourage or frustrate auto theft, but no device can guarantee one hundred percent protection against determined thieves. In Serbia, difficult economic conditions have sparked the growth of an organized criminal class, and violent crime is most often associated with organized crime activities. Tourists are almost never the targets of violent crime, but Mafia-style reprisals have occurred, including in places where tourists gather such as hotels, restaurants, shops, and busy streets. When those kinds of crimes happen, innocent bystanders may become victims of crime. You should be especially vigilant in Serbian city centers, just as you would anywhere else in the world.

When taking taxicabs in Serbia, travelers should pay attention to cab meters and listed fares as taxi drivers sometimes try to charge foreigners higher rates.

Do not buy counterfeit or pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While traveling in Serbia, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you. Also, it may be illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In Belgrade, you are not permitted to take pictures of the old annex of the Ministry of Defense building or the old Ministry of the Interior building. Insome places, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. . There are also some activities that might be legal in Serbia, but still illegal in the United States., You can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

You should try to remain aware of local laws and their implications. If you break local laws in Serbia, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution. .If you are arrested in Serbia, Serbian authorities are required to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest. If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request the police or prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Many doctors and other health care providers in Serbia are highly trained, but the equipment and hygiene in hospitals, clinics, and ambulances are usually not up to Western standards. You can get many medicines and basic medical supplies at private pharmacies, but you should not expect to find the same kinds or brands of medication or medical supplies in Serbia as in the United States. Hospitals usually require payment in cash for all services, and do not accept U.S. health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid as payment.

Safety and Security

Public demonstrations by political parties, unions, and other groups are held in Serbia from time to time. Violent demonstrations have occurred as recently as August 2011. You should know that even demonstrations that start out peacefully can quickly turn violent. U.S. citizens traveling or living in Serbia should avoid demonstrations if possible, and maintain caution if within the area of demonstrations. There is often a heavier than usual police presence in areas where demonstrations are taking place and traffic may slow or stop until well after the demonstration ends.

Anti-U.S. sentiments are strongest in Serbia surrounding the anniversary dates of certain events and on some national holidays. These dates and holidays include March 24 (the beginning of the 1999 NATO bombing campaign), February 17 (the date of the 2008 independence of Kosovo), and ethnic Serb holidays such as St. Vitus’s Day (Vidovdan, celebrated June 28).

Wins or losses in sporting events can also trigger violence. U.S. citizens were not targets of any recent sports-related violence, but in a few isolated cases, soccer hooligans and petty criminals singled out and attacked citizens of other Western countries. We urge U.S. citizens to be vigilant if attending, or in the vicinity of, sporting events in Serbia.

Any Serbian-Kosovo border crossing or area within five kilometers of the border between Serbia and Kosovo, as well as the western Preševo Valley,which include all areas south of Vranje and west of the E75 highway stretching south to the Macedonian border, are still considered Restricted Travel areas by the U.S. Embassy. U.S. government employees are restricted from entering these areas except on official business. If you are traveling near the Kosovo border or in the western Preševo Valley, you should enroll with the U.S. Embassy and check in with the Embassy regularly for the latest security updates.

Belgrade nightclubs are increasingly popular with foreign tourists. If you decide to go to a nightclub, you should know that they can be crowded and may not be up to Western standards for maximum occupancy and fire safety.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

While in Serbia, you may encounter road conditions that significantly differ from those in the United States.

Roads in Serbia are not always well-maintained, especially in rural areas. During winter months, fog can significantly reduce visibility. Winter fog is extremely heavy in the Vojvodina region between Belgrade and the Hungarian border.

You must wear a seat belt while driving or riding in a car in Serbia. According to Serbian law, a driver with a blood alcohol level higher than 0.05% is considered intoxicated. Serbian traffic police do carry portable breathalyzers to test drivers. Roadside assistance is available by dialing 1987. Metered taxi service is safe and reasonably priced; however, travelers should pay attention to cab meters and listed fares as taxi drivers sometimes try to charge foreigners higher rates. Belgrade and some other large cities in Serbia have local public transportation networks, and a nationwide network covers most major cities, but public transportation is often crowded and some lines and vehicles are poorly maintained.

You may use a foreign or U.S. driver’s license in Serbia for up to 180 days after your arrival.