|
Background: |
The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats,
and Slovenes was formed in 1918; its name was changed to Yugoslavia in
1929. Various paramilitary bands resisted Nazi Germany's occupation and
division of Yugoslavia from 1941 to 1945, but fought each other and ethnic
opponents as much as the invaders. The military and political movement
headed by Josip TITO (Partisans) took full control of Yugoslavia when
German and Croatian separatist forces were defeated in 1945. Although
Communist, TITO's new government and his successors (he died in 1980)
managed to steer their own path between the Warsaw Pact nations and the
West for the next four and a half decades. In 1989, Slobodan MILOSEVIC
became president of the Serbian Republic and his ultranationalist calls
for Serbian domination led to the violent breakup of Yugoslavia along
ethnic lines. In 1991, Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia declared
independence, followed by Bosnia in 1992. The remaining republics of
Serbia and Montenegro declared a new Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY)
in April 1992 and under MILOSEVIC's leadership, Serbia led various
military campaigns to unite ethnic Serbs in neighboring republics into a
"Greater Serbia." These actions led to Yugoslavia being ousted from the UN
in 1992, but Serbia continued its - ultimately unsuccessful - campaign
until signing the Dayton Peace Accords in 1995. MILOSEVIC kept tight
control over Serbia and eventually became president of the FRY in 1997. In
1998, a small-scale ethnic Albanian insurgency in the formerly autonomous
Serbian province of Kosovo provoked a Serbian counterinsurgency campaign
that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians
living in Kosovo by FRY forces and Serb paramilitaries. The MILOSEVIC
government's rejection of a proposed international settlement led to
NATO's bombing of Serbia in the spring of 1999 and to the eventual
withdrawal of Serbian military and police forces from Kosovo in June 1999.
UNSC Resolution 1244 in June 1999 authorized the stationing of a NATO-led
force (KFOR) in Kosovo to provide a safe and secure environment for the
region's ethnic communities, created a UN interim Administration Mission
in Kosovo (UNMIK) to foster self-governing institutions, and reserved the
issue of Kosovo's final status for an unspecified date in the future. In
2001, UNMIK promulgated a constitutional framework that allowed Kosovo to
establish institutions of self-government and led to Kosovo's first
parliamentary election. FRY elections in September 2000 led to the ouster
of MILOSEVIC and installed Vojislav KOSTUNICA as president. A broad
coalition of democratic reformist parties known as DOS (the Democratic
Opposition of Serbia) was subsequently elected to parliament in December
2000 and took control of the government. The arrest of MILOSEVIC by DOS in
2001 allowed for his subsequent transfer to the International Criminal
Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague to be tried for crimes
against humanity. (MILOSEVIC died at The Hague in March 2006 before the
completion of his trial.) In 2001, the country's suspension from the UN
was lifted, and it was once more accepted into UN organizations. In 2003,
the FRY became Serbia and Montenegro, a loose federation of the two
republics with a federal level parliament. Widespread violence
predominantly targeting ethnic Serbs in Kosovo in March 2004 caused the
international community to open negotiations on the future status of
Kosovo in January 2006. In May 2006, Montenegro invoked its right under
the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro to hold a referendum
on independence from the state union. The referendum was successful, and
Montenegro declared itself an independent nation on 3 June 2006. Two days
later, Serbia declared that it was the successor state to the union of
Serbia and Montenegro. In October 2006, the Serbian parliament unanimously
approved - and a referendum confirmed - a new constitution for the
country. |
|
Location: |
Southeastern Europe, between
Macedonia and Hungary |
|
Geographic coordinates: |
44 00 N, 21 00 E |
|
Map references: |
Europe |
|
Area: |
total: 88,361 sq km
land: 88,361 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
|
Area - comparative: |
slightly larger than South
Carolina |
|
Land boundaries: |
total: 2,027 km
border countries: Albania 115 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 302
km, Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia 241 km, Hungary 151 km, Macedonia 221 km,
Montenegro 203 km, Romania 476 km |
|
Coastline: |
0 km (landlocked) |
|
Maritime claims: |
none (landlocked) |
|
Climate: |
in the north, continental
climate (cold winters and hot, humid summers with well distributed
rainfall); in other parts, continental and Mediterranean climate
(relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and
autumns) |
|
Terrain: |
extremely varied; to the north,
rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the
southeast, ancient mountains and hills |
|
Elevation extremes: |
lowest point: NA
highest point: Daravica 2,656 m |
|
Natural resources: |
oil, gas, coal, iron ore,
copper, lead, zinc, antimony, chromite, nickel, gold, silver, magnesium,
pyrite, limestone, marble, salt, arable land |
|
Land use: |
arable land: NA
permanent crops: NA
other: NA |
|
Irrigated land: |
NA |
|
Total renewable water resources: |
208.5 cu km (2003) |
|
Natural hazards: |
destructive earthquakes |
|
Environment - current issues: |
air pollution around Belgrade
and other industrial cities; water pollution from industrial wastes dumped
into the Sava which flows into the Danube |
|
Environment - international agreements: |
party to: Air Pollution,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of
the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the
selected agreements |
|
Geography - note: |
controls one of the major land
routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East |
|
Population: |
10,150,265 (July 2007 est.)
|
|
Median age: |
total: 37.3 years
male: 35.9 years
female: 38.8 years (2007 est.)
|
|
Life expectancy at birth: |
total population: 75.06
years
male: 72.49 years
female: 77.86 years (2007
est.) |
|
Total fertility rate: |
1.69 children born/woman (2007
est.) |
|
Nationality: |
noun: Serb(s)
adjective: Serbian |
|
Ethnic groups: |
Serb 82.9%, Hungarian 3.9%,
Romany (Gypsy) 1.4%, Yugoslavs 1.1%, Bosniaks 1.8%, Montenegrin 0.9%,
other 8% (2002 census) |
|
Religions: |
Serbian Orthodox 85%, Catholic
5.5%, Protestant 1.1%, Muslim 3.2%, unspecified 2.6%, other, unknown, or
atheist 2.6% (2002 census) |
|
Languages: |
Serbian 88.3% (official),
Hungarian 3.8%, Bosniak 1.8%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 4.1%, unknown
0.9% (2002 census)
note: Romanian, Hungarian, Slovak,
Ukrainian, and Croatian all official in Vojvodina; Albanian official in
Kosovo |
|
Literacy: |
definition: age 15 and
over can read and write
total population: 96.4%
male: 98.9%
female: 94.1% (2003 census)
note: includes Montenegro but excludes Kosovo |
|
Country name: |
conventional long form:
Republic of Serbia
conventional short form: Serbia
local
long form: Republika Srbija
local short form: Srbija
former: People's Republic of Serbia, Socialist Republic of
Serbia |
|
Government type: |
republic |
|
Capital: |
name: Belgrade
geographic coordinates: 44 50 N, 20 30 E
time
difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March;
ends last Sunday in October |
|
Administrative divisions: |
190 municipalities (opcstine,
singular - opcstina)
Serbia Proper: Beograd: Barajevo,
Cukavica, Grocka, Lazarevac, Mladnovac, Novi Beograd, Obrenovac, Palilula,
Rakovica, Savski Venac, Sopot, Stari Grad, Surcin, Vozdovac, Vracar,
Zemun, Zrezdara; Borski Okrug: Bor, Kladovo, Majdanpek, Negotin;
Branicevski Okrug: Golubac, Kucevo, Malo Crnice, Petrovac, Pozarevac,
Veliko Gradiste, Zabari, Zagubica; Jablanicki Okrug: Bojnik, Crna Trava,
Lebane, Leskovac, Medvedja, Vlasotince; Kolubarski Okrug: Lajkovac, Ljig,
Mionica, Osecina, Ub, Valjevo; Macvanski Okrug: Bogatic, Koceljeva,
Krupanj, Ljubovija, Loznica, Mali Zvornik, Sabac, Vladimirci; Moravicki
Okrug: Cacak, Gornkji Milanovac, Ivanjica, Lucani; Nisavski Okrug:
Aleksinac, Doljevac, Gadzin Han, Merosina, Nis, Razanj, Svrljig; Pcinjski
Okrug: Bosilegrad, Bujanovac, Presevo, Surdulica, Trgoviste, Vladicin Han,
Vranje; Pirotski Okrug: Babusnica, Bela Palanka, Dimitrovgrad, Pirot;
Podunavski Okrug: Smederevo, Smederevskia Palanka, Velika Plana;
Pomoravski Okrug: Cuprija, Despotovac, Jagodina, Paracin, Rckovac,
Svilajnac; Rasinski Okrug: Aleksandrovac, Brus, Cicevac, Krusevac,
Trstenik, Varvarin; Raski Okrug: Kraljevo, Novi Pazar, Raska, Tutin,
Vrnjacka Banja; Sumadijski Okrug: Arandjelovac, Batocina, Knic,
Kragujevac, Lapovo, Raca, Topola; Toplicki Okrug: Blace, Kursumlija,
Prokuplje, Zitoradja; Zajecarski Okrug: Boljevac, Knjazevac, Sokobanja,
Zalecar; Zlatiborski Okrug: Arilje, Bajina Basta, Cajetina, Kosjeric, Nova
Varos, Pozega, Priboj, Prijepolje, Sjenica, Uzice;
Vojvodina
Autonomous Province: Juzno-Backi Okrug: Backi Petrovac, Beocin, Novi
Sad, Sremski Karlovci, Temerin, Titel, Zabalj; Juzno Banatski Okrug:
Alibunar, Bela Crkva, Kovacica, Kovin, Opovo, Pancevo, Plandiste, Vrsac;
Severno-Backi Okrug: Backa Topola, Mali Idjos, Subotica; Severno-Banatski
Okrug: Ada, Coka, Kanjiza, Kikinda, Novi Knezevac, Senta; Srednje-Banatski
Okrug: Nova Crnja, Novi Becej, Secanj, Zitiste, Zrenjanin; Sremski Okrug:
Indjija, Irig, Pecinci, Ruma, Sid, Sremska Mitrovica, Stara Pazova;
Zapadno-Backi Okrug: Apatin, Kula, Odzaci, Sombor;
Kosovo and
Metojia Autonomous Province: Kosovski Okrug: Glogovac, Kacanik, Kosovo
Polje, Lipljan, Obilic, Podujevo, Pristina, Stimlje, Strpce, Urosevac;
Kosovsko-Mitrovacki Okrug: Kosovska Mitrovica, Leposavic, Srbica, Vucitrn,
Zubin Potok, Zvecan; Kosovsko-Pomoravski Okrug: Gnjilane, Kosovska
Kamenica, Novo Brdo, Vitina; Pecki Okrug: Decani, Djakovica, Istok, Klina,
Pec; Prizrenski Okrug: Dragas, Orahovac, Prizren, Suva Reka |
|
Independence: |
5 June 2006 (from Serbia and
Montenegro) |
|
National holiday: |
National Day, 15 February
|
|
Constitution: |
adopted 8 November 2006;
effective 10 November 2006 |
|
Legal system: |
based on civil law system; has
not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
|
Suffrage: |
18 years of age; universal
|
|
Executive branch: |
chief of state:
President Boris TADIC (since 11 July 2004); Kosovo - President Fatmir
SEJDIU (since 10 February 2006)
head of government: Prime
Minister Vojislav KOSTUNICA (since 3 March 2004); Kosovo - Prime Minister
designate Hasim THACI (since 12 December 2007)
cabinet: Federal
Ministries act as cabinet; Kosovo - ministers act as cabinet; some
ministry functions are controlled by the UNMIK
elections:
president elected by direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a
second term); election last held 27 June 2004 (next to be held in 2008 due
to constitutional changes); prime minister elected by the Assembly; Kosovo
- president is elected by the Assembly for a three-year term; prime
minister and proposed cabinet are elected by the Assembly; elections last
held 17 November 2007
election results: Boris TADIC elected
president in the second round of voting; Boris TADIC received 53% of the
vote |
|
Legislative branch: |
unicameral National Assembly
(250 seats; deputies elected by direct vote to serve four-year terms);
Kosovo - unicameral Assembly (120 seats; 100 deputies elected by direct
vote and 20 deputies from minority community members; to serve three-year
terms)
elections: last held on 21 January 2007 (next to be held
in 2011); Kosovo - last held on 17 November 2007(next to be held in 2010)
election results: Serbia National Assembly: percent of vote by
party - NA; seats by party - SRS 81, DS 64, DSS-NS 47, G17 Plus 19, SPS
16, LDP Coalition 15, SVM 3, KZS 2, URS 1, KAPD 1, RP 1; Kosovo Assembly:
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDK 37, LDK 25, AKR 13,
LDD 11, AAK 10, KDTP 3, SLS 3, Vakat 3, SDSKiM 3, PDAK 3, SDA 2, SNS 1, ND
1, PREBK 1, SNSDKiM 1, IRDK 1, SKMS 1, GIG 1 |
|
Judicial branch: |
Constitutional Court, Supreme
Court (to become court of cassation under new constitution), appellate
courts, district courts, municipal courts; Kosovo: Supreme Court, district
courts, municipal courts, minor offense courts; note - Ministry of Justice
was created on 20 December 2004; UNMIK appoints all judges and
prosecutors; UNMIK is working on transferring competencies
note: Ministry of Justice was created on 20 December 2004;
UNMIK appoints all judges and prosecutors; UNMIK is working on
transferring competencies |
|
Political parties and leaders: |
Coalition for Sandzak or KZS
[Sulejman UGLJANIN]; Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSh [Ragmi
MUSTAFA]; Democratic Party of Serbia or DSS [Vojislav KOSTUNICA];
Democratic Party or DS [Boris TADIC]; Democratic Union of the Valley or
BDL [Skender DESTANI]; Force of Serbia Movement or PSS [Bogoljub KARIC];
G17 Plus [Mladjan DINKIC]; League of Vojvodina Hungarians or SVM [Istvan
PASTOR]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Cedomir JOVANOVIC]; Movement for
Democratic Progress of LPD [Jonuz MUSLIU]; New Serbia or NS [Velimir
ILIC]; Party of Democratic Action or PVD [Riza HALIMI]; Roma Party or RP
[Srdjan SAJN]; Serbian Radical Party or SRS [Vojislav SESELJ (currently on
trial at The Hague), but Tomislav NIKOLIC is acting leader]; Socialist
Party of Serbia or SPS [Ivica DACIC]; Union of Roma of Serbia or URS
[Rajko DJURIC]; Kosovo Albanian Christian Democatic Party of Kosovo or
PShDK [Mark KRASNIQI]; Alliance for the Future of Kosovo or AAK [Rmuch
HARADINAJ]; Alliance for a New Kosovo or AKR [Behgjet PACOLLI]; Autonomous
Liberal party or SLS [Slobodan PETROVIC]; Citizens' Initiative of Gora or
GIG [Mursel HALILI]; Coalition Vakat [Dzezair MURATI]; Council of
Independent Social Democrats of Kosovo and Metohija or SNSDKiM [Dragan
DIMIC]; Democratic Alternative of Kosovo or ADK [Edita TAHIRI]; Democratic
Ashkali Party of Kosovo or PDAK [Sabit RRAHMANI]; Democratic League of
Dardania or LDD [Mexjat DACI]; Democratic League of Kosovo or LDK [Fatmir
SEJDIU]; Democratic Party of Kosovo or PDK [Hashim THACI]; Justice Party
or PD [Sylejman CERKEZI]; Kosovo Democratic Turkish Party of KDTP [Mahir
YAGCILAR]; Liberal Party of Kosovo or PLK [Gjergi DEDAJ]; New Democratic
Initiative of Kosovo or IRDK [Xhevdet NEZIRAJ]; New Democratic Party or ND
[Branislav GRBIC]; Ora Citizens' List (Reformist Party) or Ora [Veton
SURROI]; Party of Democratic Action or SDA [Numan BALIC]; Popular Movement
of Kosovo or LPK [Emrush XHEMAJLI]; Serb Democratic Party or SDS KiM
[Slavisa PETKOVIC]; Serb National Party or SNS [Mihajlo SCEPANOVIC];
Serbian Kosovo and Metohija Party or SKMS [Dragisa MIRIC]; United Roma
Party of Kosovo or PREBK [Haxhi Zylfi MERXHA] |
|
International organization participation: |
ABEDA, BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC,
EBRD, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD (suspended),
IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO,
ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF (observer),
OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL,
UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) |
|
Diplomatic representation in the US: |
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ivan VUJACIC
chancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW,
Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-0333
FAX: [1] (202) 332-3933
consulate(s) general:
Chicago, New York |
|
Diplomatic representation from the US: |
chief of mission:
Ambassador Cameron MUNTER
embassy: Kneza Milosa 50, 11000
Belgrade
mailing address: 5070 Belgrade Place, Washington, DC
20521-5070
telephone: [381] (11) 361-9344
FAX: [381]
(11) 361-8230
note: there is a branch office in Pristina at 30
Nazim Hikmet 38000 Prstina, Kososvo; telephone: [381] (38) 5959-3000;
FAX:[381] (38) 549-890 |
|
Flag description: |
three equal horizontal stripes
of red (top), blue, and white; charged with the coat of arms of Serbia
shifted slightly to the hoist side |
|
Economy - overview: |
MILOSEVIC-era mismanagement of
the economy, an extended period of economic sanctions, and the damage to
Yugoslavia's infrastructure and industry during the NATO airstrikes in
1999 left the economy only half the size it was in 1990. After the ousting
of former Federal Yugoslav President MILOSEVIC in October 2000, the
Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) coalition government implemented
stabilization measures and embarked on a market reform program. After
renewing its membership in the IMF in December 2000, a down-sized
Yugoslavia continued to reintegrate into the international community by
rejoining the World Bank (IBRD) and the European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (EBRD). A World Bank-European Commission sponsored Donors'
Conference held in June 2001 raised $1.3 billion for economic
restructuring. In November 2001, the Paris Club agreed to reschedule the
country's $4.5 billion public debt and wrote off 66% of the debt. In July
2004, the London Club of private creditors forgave $1.7 billion of debt
just over half the total owed. Belgrade has made only minimal progress in
restructuring and privatizing its holdings in major sectors of the
economy, including energy and telecommunications. It has made halting
progress towards EU membership and is currently pursuing a Stabilization
and Association Agreement with Brussels. Serbia is also pursuing
membership in the World Trade Organization. Unemployment remains an
ongoing political and economic problem. The Republic of Montenegro severed
its economy from Serbia during the MILOSEVIC era; therefore, the formal
separation of Serbia and Montenegro in June 2006 had little real impact on
either economy. Kosovo's economy continues to transition to a market-based
system and is largely dependent on the international community and the
diaspora for financial and technical assistance. The euro and the Serbian
dinar are both accepted currencies in Kosovo. While maintaining ultimate
oversight, UNMIK continues to work with the EU and Kosovo's local
provisional government to accelerate economic growth, lower unemployment,
and attract foreign investment to help Kosovo integrate into regional
economic structures. The complexity of Serbia and Kosovo's political and
legal relationships has created uncertainty over property rights and
hindered the privatization of state-owned assets in Kosovo. Most of
Kosovo's population lives in rural towns outside of the largest city,
Pristina. Inefficient, near-subsistence farming is common.
note: economic data for Serbia currently reflects information
for the former Serbia and Montenegro, unless otherwise noted; data for
Serbia alone will be added when available |
|
GDP (purchasing power parity): |
$56.89 billion
note:
data for Serbia includes Kosovo (2007 est.) |
|
GDP (official exchange rate): |
$41 billion for Serbia alone
(excluding Kosovo) (2007 est.) |
|
GDP - real growth rate: |
5.9% for Serbia alone
(excluding Kosovo) (2005 est.) |
|
GDP - per capita (PPP): |
$7,700 for Serbia (including
Kosovo) (2007 est.) |
|
GDP - composition by sector: |
agriculture: 12.3%
industry: 24.2%
services: 63.5% (2007 est.) |
|
Labor force: |
2.961 million for Serbia
(including Kosovo) (2002 est.) |
|
Labor force - by occupation: |
agriculture: 30%
industry: 46%
services: 24%
note:
excluding Kosovo and Montenegro (2002) |
|
Unemployment rate: |
18.8%
note:
unemployment is approximately 50% in Kosovo (2007 est.) |
|
Population below poverty line: |
30%
note: data
covers the former Serbia and Montenegro (1999 est.) |
|
Distribution of family income - Gini index: |
30 (2003) |
|
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |
8.9% (2007 est.) |
|
Investment (gross fixed): |
20.1% of GDP (2007 est.) |
|
Budget: |
revenues: $17.34 billion
expenditures: $17.54 billion
note: figures are for
Serbia and Montenegro; Serbian Statistical Office indicates that for 2006
budget, Serbia will have revenues of $7.08 billion (2007 est.) |
|
Public debt: |
40% of GDP (2007 est.) |
|
Agriculture - products: |
wheat, maize, sugar beets,
sunflower, beef, pork, milk |
|
Industries: |
sugar, agricultural machinery,
electrical and communication equipment, paper and pulp, lead,
transportation equipment |
|
Industrial production growth rate: |
1.4% (2006 est.) |
|
Electricity - production: |
33.87 billion kWh (excludes
Kosovo and Montenegro) (2004) |
|
Electricity - consumption: |
NA |
|
Electricity - exports: |
12.05 billion kWh (excludes
Kosovo; exported to Montenegro) (2004) |
|
Electricity - imports: |
11.23 billion kWh (excluding
Kosovo; imports from Montenegro) (2004) |
|
Oil - production: |
14,660 bbl/day (2003) |
|
Oil - consumption: |
85,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
|
|
Oil - exports: |
NA bbl/day |
|
Oil - imports: |
NA bbl/day |
|
Oil - proved reserves: |
77.5 million bbl (1 January
2006 est.) |
|
Natural gas - production: |
650 million cu m (2005 est.)
|
|
Natural gas - consumption: |
2.55 billion cu m (2005 est.)
|
|
Natural gas - exports: |
0 cu m (2005 est.) |
|
Natural gas - imports: |
2.1 billion cu m
note: includes Montenegro (2004 est.) |
|
Natural gas - proved reserves: |
46.17 billion cu m (1 January
2006) |
|
Current account balance: |
$-2.451 billion (2005 est.)
|
|
Exports: |
$3.49 billion (excluding Kosovo
and Montenegro) (2007 est.) |
|
Exports - commodities: |
manufactured goods, food and
live animals, machinery and transport equipment |
|
Imports: |
$10.58 billion (excluding
Kosovo and Montenegro) (2005 est.) |
|
Economic aid - recipient: |
$2 billion pledged in 2001 to
Serbia and Montenegro (disbursements to follow over several years; aid
pledged by EU and US has been placed on hold because of lack of
cooperation by Serbia in handing over General Ratko MLADIC to the criminal
court in The Hague) |
|
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: |
$14 billion (2007 est.) |
|
Debt - external: |
$28.24 billion (including
Montenegro) (2007 est.) |
|
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: |
$11.95 billion (2006 est.)
|
|
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: |
$NA |
|
Market value of publicly traded shares: |
$5.409 billion (2005) |
|
Currency (code): |
Serbian Dinar (RSD) |
|
Exchange rates: |
Serbian dinars per US dollar -
54.5 (2007), 59.98 (2006) |
|
Telephones - main lines in use: |
2.719 million (2006) |
|
Telephones - mobile cellular: |
6.644 million (2006) |
|
Telephone system: |
general assessment:
modernization of the telecommunications network has been slow as a result
of damage stemming from the 1999 war and transition to a competitive
market-based system; network was only 65% digitalized in 2005
domestic: teledensity remains below the average for neighboring
states; GSM wireless service, available through multiple providers with
national coverage, is growing very rapidly; best telecommunications
service limited to urban centers
international: country code -
381 |
|
Radio broadcast stations: |
153 (station types NA) (2001)
|
|
Internet country code: |
.rs; note - former ccTLD .yu
will remain in service until the end of 2006 |
|
Internet hosts: |
NA |
|
Internet users: |
1.4 million (2006)
|
|
Airports: |
39 (2007) |
|
Airports - with paved runways: |
total: 16
over
3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m:
4
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 4 (2007) |
|
Airports - with unpaved runways: |
total: 23
1,524
to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 12
(2007) |
|
Heliports: |
2 (2007) |
|
Pipelines: |
gas 1,921 km; oil 393 km (2007)
|
|
Railways: |
total: 3,800 km
standard gauge: 3,800 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 1,195 km)
(2006) |
|
Roadways: |
total: 37,887 km
paved: 23,937 km
unpaved: 13,950 km (2002) |
|
Waterways: |
587 km (primarily on Danube and
Sava rivers) (2005) |
|
Military branches: |
Serbian Armed Forces (Vojska
Srbije, VS): Land Forces Command (includes Serbian naval force, consisting
of a river flotilla on the Danube), Joint Operations Command, Air and Air
Defense Forces Command (2007) |
|
Military service age and obligation: |
19-35 years of age for
compulsory military service; under a state of war or impending war,
conscription can begin at age 16; conscription is to be abolished in 2010;
9-month service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 60 for men
and 50 for women (2007) |
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Disputes - international: |
as the final status of the
Serbian province of Kosovo approaches resolution through the six-nation
contact group, the several thousand peacekeepers from UNMIK since 1999,
continue to keep the peace between Kosovar Albanians overwhelmingly
supporting Kosovo independence and the Serb minority in Kosovo and Serbian
officials in Belgrade, who oppose independence for the province; ethnic
Albanians in Kosovo oppose demarcation of the boundary with Macedonia
based on the 2000 Macedonia-Serbia and Montenegro delimitation agreement;
Serbia delimited about half of the boundary with Bosnia and Herzegovina,
but sections along the Drina River remain in dispute |
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Refugees and internally displaced persons: |
refugees (country of
origin): 100,651 (Croatia), 46,951 (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
IDPs: 228,000 (mostly ethnic Serbs and Roma who fled Kosovo in
1999) (2006) |
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Illicit drugs: |
transshipment point for
Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western Europe on the Balkan route;
economy vulnerable to money laundering |
This page was last updated on 12 February, 2008
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