Basic information about Serbia

BASIC INFORMATION

Official name:............ Republic of Serbia
Capital: ............ Belgrade (Beograd)
Political system: ........... Parliamentary republic
Area: ........... 88.361 km2. The Republic of Serbia contains two autonomous provinces: Vojvodina and Kosovo-Metohija.
Population: ……….. Serbia 7.498,001 (2002) / Belgrade 1,7 million
Official language: .......... Serbian
Alphabet: ............ Cyrillic and Latin
Currency: ............ Dinar (RSD)
Visa information: ... Beginning from June 12, 2010, citizens of European Union countries, the Swiss Confederation, Kingdom of Norway and Republic of Iceland may enter the Republic of Serbia using their identity cards and stay up to 90 days.
For others please check at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia www.mfa.rs .

Borders: Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ethnic origin of population: ............ Serbs (82,86%), Hungarian (3,91%), Bosnians (1,81%), Gipsys (1,44%), Montenegrins (0,92%), Albanians (0,82%), Muslims (0,26%), others (7,98%)
Religion: ............. Christian Ortodox (85%), Roman Catholic (5,5%), Muslim (3,2%)
Time zone: ......... Central European Time GMT+1
Forests: ........... 31%
Vineyards: .......... 7000 km2
Longest river: ..... Danube (588 km in Serbia)
Highest mountain peak: ..... Deravica (2,656 m) - on mountain Prokletije
Climate: ............. Continental
Average temperatures July: 21°C  January: 0°C
Electricity: ……… 220 volts AC, 50 Hz, European two-pin plugs

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OFF IN SERBIA

1, 2 January ……… New Year (non-working holiday)
7 January ……… Orthodox Christmas (non-working holiday)
27 January ……… Saint Sava's Day (working holiday)
15 February ……… Candlemas – Statehood day  (non-working holiday)
Easter – as of Good Friday including the 2nd day of Easter (non-working holiday)
1 & 2 May ……… Labour Day (non-working holiday)
9 May ……… Victory Day (working holiday)
28 June ……… Saint Vitus Day – Vidovdan (working holiday)

TIPPING

It's not traditional to tip in Serbia, though a reward of about 10% for good service in a restaurant or bar is always appreciated.

STANDARD COMPARISON

A bottle of Coca Cola – 1 l  (in a supermarket): ……… 0,70 EUR
A bottle of beer - 0.33L in can (in a supermarket): ……… 0,60EUR
A bottle of beer - 0.5L in bottle (in a supermarket): ……… 0,70 EUR
A bottle of coca cola - 0.33L (in a bar): ……… 1,50 EUR
A bottle of beer - 0.5L (in a bar): ……… 1.80 EUR
Lunch at local restaurant (standard 3-course menu without drinks): ……… 10 – 15 EUR
Bus price: ……… 0.50 EUR per entry (public buses in Belgrade)
Taxi price: ……… Fixed rate: 1,30 EUR / km, Starting rate: 1,30 EUR / km (please note that prices depend on different taxi companies)

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN SERBIA

- Gamzigrad-Romuliana, Palace of Galerius (2007)
- Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (2004)
- Stari Ras and Sopocani (1979)
- Studenica Monastery (1986)