Belgrade

Belgrade
Name	Belgrade
Native name	Београд / Beograd
Settlement type	Capital city
Motto	"The city that never sleeps"
Coordinates	44, 49, N, 20...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Serbia
Established title	First mention
Established date	878 AD (as Singidunum)
Government type	City government
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Aleksandar Šapić
Area total km2	359.96
Area urban km2	1035
Elevation m	117
Population total	1,197,714
Population as of	2022
Population density km2	auto
Population urban	1,681,405
Population metro	1,685,563
Timezone	CET
Utc offset	+1
Timezone DST	CEST
Utc offset DST	+2
Postal code type	Postal code
Postal code	11000
Area code	+381(0)11
Website	beograd.rs
Blank name	GDP (PPP, 2023)
Blank info	$24.5 billion
Blank1 name	GDP per capita (PPP, 2023)
Blank1 info	$20,500

Belgrade. The capital and largest city of Serbia, it is situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. As one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, it serves as the country's principal political, economic, and cultural hub, with a rich history marked by numerous conquests and reconstructions.

History

The city's strategic location has attracted settlers since the Vinča culture, with the Celts establishing Singidunum before it became a key Roman frontier fortification. Throughout the medieval period, it was contested by the Byzantine Empire, the Kingdom of Hungary, and the Bulgarian Empire, eventually becoming the capital of the Serbian Despotate under Stefan Lazarević. A pivotal moment was its capture by the Ottoman Empire in 1521, after which it remained under Ottoman rule for centuries, apart from brief periods of Habsburg control following events like the Great Turkish War. The city was liberated during the First Serbian Uprising and became the capital of the Principality of Serbia in 1841. It suffered heavily during World War I and was bombed by the Axis powers in World War II, later emerging as the capital of Yugoslavia under Josip Broz Tito. Recent history includes its role during the Breakup of Yugoslavia and the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999.

Geography

Located in the Pannonian Basin at the meeting point of the Danube and Sava rivers, the city's core is divided between the plains of Šumadija and the higher terrain of the Balkan Mountains. Key geographical features include the Great War Island at the rivers' confluence and the elevated Avala mountain to the south. The city encompasses 17 municipalities, with major urban areas like Zemun and New Belgrade situated across the rivers. Its climate is classified as humid subtropical, influenced by continental air masses, leading to hot summers and cold winters with notable seasonal precipitation.

Demographics

According to the 2022 census, the city proper has a population of approximately 1.2 million, while its metropolitan area exceeds 1.6 million, making it the largest population center in the region. The majority of residents are ethnic Serbs, with historical minorities including Slovaks, Romani people, and Yugoslavs. Significant waves of migration occurred during the Yugoslav Wars, with an influx of Serbs from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo. The primary language is Serbian, and the dominant religious affiliation is with the Serbian Orthodox Church, evident in landmarks like the St. Sava Temple.

Economy

As Serbia's economic engine, the city contributes over 40% to the national GDP and is a center for finance, information technology, and real estate. It hosts the National Bank of Serbia, the Belgrade Stock Exchange, and regional headquarters for major corporations like Microsoft, Intel, and NCR Corporation. Key industrial sectors include pharmaceuticals, with companies like Hemofarm, and manufacturing. Major infrastructure projects, such as the Belgrade Waterfront development and the expansion of Nikola Tesla Airport, alongside its status as a hub for the Central European Free Trade Agreement, underscore its growing regional importance.

Culture

The city is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, hosting events like the Belgrade International Theatre Festival, the Belgrade Music Festival, and the EXIT festival. It is home to institutions such as the National Museum of Serbia, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Nikola Tesla Museum. The Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts is based here, and its nightlife, centered in the Savamala and Skadarlija districts, is famous. Architectural heritage spans from the Kalemegdan fortress to structures by Emilijan Josimović and Milan Zloković.

Administration and politics

The city functions as a separate territorial unit under the Constitution of Serbia, with its own executive and legislative bodies. The mayor, currently Aleksandar Šapić, heads the City of Belgrade government, while the City Assembly of Belgrade is the legislative authority. It is divided into 17 municipalities, each with its own local council, including Čukarica, Palilula, and Stari Grad. The city government coordinates with national institutions like the National Assembly of Serbia and the Government of Serbia, and hosts numerous foreign embassies and international organizations.

Category:Capitals in Europe Category:Populated places on the Danube