Montenegro is a small country located in the Balkan region. The name Montenegro means "Black Mountain" in Italian, and its history is full of tales of conquest and independence. Montenegro was part of the Eastern Roman Empire, then under the control of the Ottoman Empire, and finally became part of Yugoslavia before gaining independence in 2006. With its rich history, Montenegro offers many fascinating historical sites to explore. Montenegro covers an area of about 13,812 km², making it one of the smallest countries in Europe. The country borders Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and Albania. Montenegro has a beautiful coastline along the Adriatic Sea, with a coastline reaching about 293 km. The country is also famous for its towering mountains, deep river valleys, and stunning lakes. Montenegro has a population of approximately 617,213 (estimated 2022). The majority of its residents are Montenegrin (45%), followed by Serbian (28%), Bosniak (8.6%), and Albanian (4.9%). The official language of Montenegro is Montenegrin, a South Slavic language closely related to Serbian and Croatian. The capital city of Montenegro is Podgorica, but the cities of Budva and Kotor are better known as major tourist destinations. The official language is Montenegrin, but many of its residents are also fluent in Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, and Albanian. The majority of the population in Montenegro is Eastern Orthodox, but there are also Catholic and Muslim communities. Montenegro is one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in Europe. This is largely thanks to its incredible natural beauty, historic architecture, and rich culture. Montenegro is also a member of NATO and a candidate to join the European Union. Additionally, Montenegro has become a popular destination for celebrities and the wealthy, who often dock at the luxurious ports along its coast.