Facts about Serbia
Basic FactsThe  Republic of Serbia is a democratic state of all of its citizens. Its    history and achievements make it an integral part of modern    civilisation and the international community.

Apart from Serbia   proper, the Republic of Serbia comprises two  autonomous provinces:   Vojvodina and Kosovo-Metohija. Belgrade is the  capital of Serbia. With a   population of 1,576,124 million, it is the  country's administrative,   economic and cultural centre.

Belgrade
Situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, Belgrade is an    ancient settlement, whose oldest archaeological findings date back to    the 5th millennium BC. It was founded as Singidunum by a Celtic tribe  in   the 3rd century BC, while the first mention of Belgrade dates back  to   989. Throughout its long and turbulent history, Belgrade has been    captured by 40 armies and has risen 38 times from the ashes.

Today, Belgrade is the political and administrative capital of Serbia.    With its 1,576,124 million inhabitants according to the 2002 census,  the   city is of major importance in traffic and communications. Besides  its   significance as a road and rail junction, Belgrade is an  important   international river-to-sea, airport and telecommunications  centre. It   possesses important agricultural and industrial capacities,  particularly   in the metal, ferrous metal and electronic industries,  followed by   trade and banking. The greater Belgrade area, with the  cities of   Smederevo and Pancevo, encompasses 2000 square metres of a  free trade   zone located on the banks of the Danube. Belgrade earns 30  percent of   Serbia's total GDP.

Belgrade is also the capital of Serbian   culture. It has the greatest  concentration of science and art   institutions of national importance.  It is the seat of the Serbian   Academy of Science and Arts, founded in  1886 as the Serbian Royal   Academy; the Serbian National Library,  founded in 1832; the National   Museum, founded in 1841 and the National  Theatre, founded in 1869. The   city is also the seat of Belgrade  University, founded in 1808 as the   Great School, and the University of  Arts.

Belgrade enjoys the   status of a special district in Serbia, with its  autonomous authorities   of the City Assembly, Belgrade mayor and the  City Government. Its   territory is divided into 17 municipalities which  have their local government bodies.