About Belgrade
Geographical Position
Belgrade is situated in South-Eastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It lies at the point where the river Sava merges into the Danube. Belgrade is the intersection of the roads of Eastern and Western Europe which lead to the shores of the Aegean Sea, to Asia Minor and to the Middle East. At Knez Mihailova Street, the coordinates of Belgrade are marked: 44°49'14" of northern latitude 20°27'44" of eastern longitude Altitude 116,75 m.
Natural Features
The highest relief forms in Šumadija hillside are Kosmaj (628 m) and Avala (511 m). Starting from south, the terrain gradually descends to the north, in shapes of wide plateaus, sectioned by stream and river valleys. The city is spread over many hills (Banovo, Lekino, Topèidersko, Kanarevo, Julino, Petlovo, Zvezdara, Vračar, Dedinje). There are many woods in the city area, and the best preserved are the woods of Kosmaj, Avala, Trešnja, Lipovica, Topèider, Obrenovaèki zabran and Bojèin Climate Belgrade has a moderate continental climate, with four seasons. The average annual air temperature is 11.70C. The hottest month is July (22.10C).
The characteristic of Belgrade climate is also Košava - the southeast-east wind, which brings clear and dry weather. Košava is the largest air cleaner of Belgrade. History of Belgrade Belgrade, a city of very tumultuous history, is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Its history lasts full 7,000 years. The area around two great rivers, the Sava and the Danube has been inhabited as early as palaeolithic period. Remains of human bones and skulls of Neanderthals, found in the stone-pit near Leštane, in a cave in Èukarica and near the Bajloni market, date back to the early Stone Age. Vinèa near Belgrade comes among the most important settlements and cultural sites of the prehistoric period.
The presence of Illyrians is characteristic for the Bronze Age. The archaeological excavations at Rospi Æuprija, Upper Town, Karaburma, Zemun and Vinèa confirm hypotheses that the Belgrade area has been intensively inhabited and that its population has been engaged in plough agriculture and other supporting economic activities. Necropolises of the Bronze and Metal Ages as well as the evidence of different cultural influences have been discovered at these locations.
The Capital of Serbia and Yugoslavia Belgrade was a border city and an obstacle to Austrian expansionistic policy against Balkan. Assassination of the Austro-Hungarian crown-prince Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo was the reason for beginning of World War I whichstarted with the attack on Serbia. The Austrian army entered Belgrade on December 2, 1914. After the breach of the Thessalonica (former Salonica) Front the Serbian army and parts of the Allies' army liberated Belgrade on November 1, 1918. During World War I, Serbia lost 28% of its whole population, while Belgrade was the most destroyed town in Serbia. Immediately after the liberation, Belgrade became the capital of the newly-created Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. After the assassination of King Aleksandar I Karađorđević, the political groups which showed more and more sympathies for the leaders of the new world order - Hitler and Mussolini, grew stronger. This resulted in joining the country to the Axis on March 25, 1941, but it only caused a coup d'etat, bringing the Government down and mass protests of the people. Only a few days later, Belgrade became the target of a terrible bombing and destruction. In the attack of German air force on April 6 and 7, 1941 on this free city, 2,274 people were killed, while the number of the wounded was several times larger. The German troops entered Belgrade on April 12, 1941, facing no resistance. During World War II Belgrade lost about 50,000 citizens and suffered inestimable damage and destruction. Belgrade was liberated by the units of the National Liberation Army of Yugoslavia and the Red Army on October 20, 1944. In the political sphere, the monarchy was abolished in November 29, 1945, by the Declaration which proclaimed the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia a federal state with republican system of government, which was the official start of the communist rule of Josip Broz Tito.
By adoption of the FNRJ Constitution on January 31, 1946, a socialist federal community of the Yugoslav peoples was established and the nationalization of the property of prewar industrialists began. Thanks to a specific policy of Yugoslavia led by Josip Broz, Belgrade became and important international, political, cultural European, sports, and economic center. It was the place where important international meetings took place: the First Conference of the Heads and Governments of the Non-aligned Countries in 1961, then the Conference of Security and Cooperation of Europe (CSCE), the UNESCO Conference, annual meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, the 6th UNCTAD, as well as a number of cultural, sport, and other events. By adopting the 1974 Constitution, the state moved towards confederal system. Many unsolved national, ethnical, political, economic and other problems in the country led to disintegration of Yugoslavia in 1991, which marked the end of the longest period of peace in Balkan in the XX century. Since 1992 Belgrade has been the capital of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, consisting of the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Montenegro. As of February 2003, Belgrade has been the capital of the newly formed State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.
