Located in southeastern Europe, Montenegro is a moderate-sized country located northeast of Italy, across the Adriatic Sea. The country derived its name from the Italian word meaning "black mountain."

The Adriatic Sea forms Montenegro's southwestern border, while the remainder of its borders are land-locked by countries including Croatia and Serbia.

The waters of the Adriatic Sea form the southwestern border of the upper middle-income country of Montenegro. Montenegro's location in southeastern Europe situates its eastern border with Kosovo, its southeastern border with Albania, its western border with Croatia, its northwestern border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and its northeastern border with Serbia. Montenegro's moderate land mass covers about 13,812 sq.km. (approximately 5,019 sq.mi.).

Montenegro is a nation with a parliamentary republic comprised of a semi-presidential system. A board of 81 parliamentary government officials, known as the Assembly of Montenegro, serve the nation's citizens in various positions for 4-year terms.

Essential and Interesting Facts about Montenegro

• The nation of Montenegro is surrounded by several countries on all borders except its southwest, where its 293-mile coastline meets the Adriatic Sea.

• The capital of Montenegro is Podgorica, while some still refer to Cetinje as the former "Royal Capital City." Podgorica is also the nation's largest city.

• The official language of Montenegro is Montenegrin, while regional languages include Albanian, Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian.

• Montenegro operates as a parliamentary republic comprised of a semi-presidential system.

• Montenegro heralds "Chivalry and Heroism" as its national motto.

• Manufacturing contributes 6 percent to Montenegro's GDP, while agriculture contributes 10 percent, and other value-added industries contribute 20 percent.

• The value of Montenegro's annual imports average around USD $2.5 billion; exports average around USD $4.9 million.

• Nearly 43 percent, or about 280,000 Montenegrins use the Internet.

Montenegro's Climate
The southeastern European nation of Montenegro has a Mediterranean climate, with summers and falls that remain hot and dry, and winters that are relatively cold, accompanied my heavy snowfall in inland areas of the nation. Montenegro is generally sunny for 240 out of 365 days annually.

Montenegro's capital city of Podgorica typically has these climate stats:

• Best average, comfortable temperatures in May, June, September, and October.

• Warmest months June through August, with August generally the warmest of the three.

• Coolest month is January.

• Driest month is July; wettest month is December.

• Average low to high temperatures range from about 2 to 32 degrees C (about 30 to 89 degrees F).

Montenegro's Currency
The official currency of Montenegro is the euro (EUR), designated by this symbol: € . The country's main monetary authority is the Central Bank of Montenegro.

Montenegro began using the euro on January 1, 2002. Coinage includes 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, as well as 1 and 2 euros. Banknotes range from 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 to 500 euros.

Religion in Montenegro
The predominant religion in Montenegro is Serbian Orthodox Christianity. Other active but lesser denominations and sects include: Roman Catholicism, Muslim, and undeclared religions, as well as atheists.

Study in Montenegro

Higher Education in Montenegro

Montenegro enjoys a 98 percent literacy rate, placing it at number 55 out of 215 countries. The nation also ranks at 0.84 in the Education Index of countries around the world, based on expected years of schooling for children and adult years of schooling. This is better than the average country rank of 0.62.

While higher education was available through the University of Montenegro as early as 1974, the country's entire education system went through a major overhaul as recently as the years between 2000 to 2008.

Foreign Languages.

The vast University of Montenegro has multiple centers all over the country, including locations in the following cities: Bar, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Budva,Cetinje, Herceg, Kotor, Nikšic, Novi, and Pljevlja.

Available degree programs include:

• Undergraduate academic and applied studies (BSc, BA, BApp)

• Postgraduate specialist studies (BSc, BA, BApp plus one academic year)

• Postgraduate master studies (MSc, MA, OR BSC and BA plus two academic years; postgraduate specialist plus one academic year)

• Doctoral studies (MSc plus three academic years)

Tuition and Accommodation Fees

Tuition fees may vary from one school to another. Students who receive educational funding from the country's Republican Budget can receive accommodations at one of six student residence halls and food for under EUR 20 per month.

Foreign students studying abroad in Montenegro can expect these prices for room and board (as of 2013, stated in USD):

• One time charge of $90 for medical insurance

• Housing - $300 to $600/month

• Meals - $250 to $350/month

• Personal Expenses (varies by student) - $400 to $500/month

Eligibility for Study Visas

Students living within the European Union (EU) should have a valid ID card and request a temporary residence permit for study programs over 90 days from the Paraguayan Embassy. They should make sure to renew the permit one week before the end of each 90-day period.

Students studying abroad in Montenegro need visas for stays of over 90 days, which may be acquired through the Paraguayan Embassy. Requirements vary by country of residence.

Why Study in Montenegro?

Who wouldn't want to pursue studies in a Mediterranean climate that combines traditional and modern facilities? Students can also enjoy a multi-cultural experience, as the University of Montenegro has academic agreements with various countries worldwide, including Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Spain, Sweden, and the United States.

In addition, the country's education department has been involved in higher education reform since 2005, eyeing continuous improvement in the excellence of its educational offerings. Its most recent conference was held in October 2013 in collaboration with Finland, emphasizing the motto, "Education as the key to success."