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The town Podgorica...

Podgorica is the capital and largest city of Montenegro . It is located at 42°28'12N, 19°16'48E , 44 m above sea level. A census in 2003 put city's population at 136,473.

The favorable geographical position of Podgorica, at the confluence of the Ribnica and Moraca rivers, on the meeting point of fertile Zeta plain and Bjelopavlici Valley has made the city an attractive location for settlement. The city is situated only a few dozen kilometers from both winter ski centers in the north and seaside resorts on Adriatic Sea .

The municipality of Podgorica accounts for 10.4% of Montenegro's territory and 27.3% of its population. Besides being an administrative center of Montenegro, Podgorica is also its economic, cultural and educational focal point.

The name Podgorica...

The name literally means "under the Gorica" in the Serbian language; Gorica (meaning "little mountain") is the name of the hill that overlooks center of the city. A former town (now ruins) named Doclea, existed in pre-Roman and Roman times and was located about 3 km northwest from Podgorica. The Roman Emperor Diocletian hailed from this region. In later centuries, Romans "hyper-corrected" the name to Dioclea, wrongly guessing that an "I" had been lost due to vulgar speech patterns. "Duklja" is the later Slavic version of that word. When Podgorica was founded before the 11th century, it was called Birziminium. In the Middle Ages, the town was known as Ribnica before 1326, and between 1946 and 1992 it was called Titograd.

History of Podgorica...

Podgorica is located at the crossroads of several important routes that lead down to the city along the valleys of the rivers Zeta, Moraca, Cijevna, Ribnica, and Sitnica, in the ravine of Skadar lake and in the vicinity of the Adriatic Sea, in the fertile lowland with favorable climate conditions. The area has been suitable for human habitation since ancient times, with the earliest human settlements being founded in prehistory. The oldest remains of material culture on this area belong to the late Stone Age. During the Illyrian age, the area of Zeta and Bjelopavlici ravine was inhabited by members of two Illyrian tribes, Labeates and Docleats, that directly influenced the genesis of local settlements. Labeati inhabited the area from Skadar to today's Podgorica. They had their own fortress Meteon (now Medun), and developed organization of life, especially military. Dokleats also inhabited the valley of the Zeta River, and thanks to the fertile plain and favorable geographical and road position, experienced fast economic growth. Their biggest settlement was Doclea. The city was situated about three kilometers northwest from today’s Podgorica. From the urban point of view, Doclea was adapted to the terrain configuration. At that time it was a big city, with 8 – 10 thousand inhabitants, in which all core urban issues were resolved. A relatively high population density in an area with a radius of just over ten kilometers was conditioned by geographical position, a favorable climate, positive economic conditions and defensive positions that were of great importance at that time. Beginning in the 5th century, since the arrival of the first Slavic and Avar tribes and the beginning of the break up of the Roman Empire, the area bore witness to many noteworthy events. Eventually, the existing fortifications ceased their function, and new towns were created. Slavic groups that inhabited the area were in constant fights with Byzantium and tended to establish a new state. The result of the turmoil was establishment of a new settlement that was probably named after the river Ribnica on the banks of which it was erected. The first mention of Ribnica is related to the period of rule of Nemanjici. Geographical position conditioned route importance of Ribnica, as the crossroads of main road directions enabled connection of these areas with the West. When they finally inhabited these areas, the Slavs, by creating a new state, started developing their own culture and art. That culture was acceptable to the medieval church and feudal class. The name of Podgorica is mentioned for the first time in 1326 in one court document of the Kotor archive. Podgorica was economically strong. Merchant connections between Dubrovnik and the State of Nemanjici, well developed at that time, were maintained over the road that led through Trebinje and Nikšic to Podgorica. As it was sited on the busiest crossroads, Podgorica was the center of very vivid flow of goods, merchants, messengers and other passengers that augmented to its development, economic power, military strength and strategic importance. The Turkish occupation of Podgorica in 1474 interrupted the economic, cultural and artistic rise of the city. The Turks built up a huge fortress in Podgorica and the existing settlement, with highly developed merchant connections, turned into the main defensive and attacking bastion against the rebellious tribes. The fortified city, with towers, gates and defensive ramparts, enabled the Turks to resist all attacks. In 1864, Podgorica became a township (kaza) of Iskodra vilayet as Burguriçe. Pursuant to the decision of the Berlin Congress in 1878, Podgorica was integrated into Montenegro. That marked the end of four centuries of Turkish occupation and the beginning of new era in the development of Podgorica and Montenegro. The city has developed relatively fast and grew into a strong market. The first forms of capital concentration started to show up. In 1904 the first significant financial institution was formed – Zetska savings bank, which would soon grow into Podgoricka bank. Roads to all neighboring towns were constructed, and in 1902 Podgorica got its first significant commercial company - a tobacco plant. In the period between the two wars Podgorica counted around 13,000 residents. In World War II it was bombarded over 70 times and was devastated to the ground, with the deaths of over 4,100 victims. It was liberated on December 19, 1944. Under the name of Titograd, on July 13, 1946, it became the capital of the Republic. That marked the beginning of new life. In the period that followed a general transformation of the town was realized. Material, personnel and scientific – technical potential was increased, education experienced strong growth, many new cultural and health institutions were founded, and by modern roads and air connections the city became connected to the rest of the state and foreign countries. Titograd thus became the commercial, socioeconomic and cultural center of Montenegro. The name of Podgorica was reinstated on April 2, 1992. Nazi and allied bombing during World War II destroyed most of the old architecture, so Podgorica is mostly modern city. In the last decade it has been emerging as a modern pro-western city.

Economy of Podgorica...

Besides being an administrative centre of Montenegro, Podgorica is also its main economic engine. The majority of Montenegro's industrial, financial and commercial base is situated in Podgorica. Before the World Wars, the majority of Podgorica's economy was based on trade and small-scale manufacture, an economic model established during the long rule of the Ottoman Empire. After World War II, Podgorica became Montenegro's capital, and the focus of the rapid urbanization and industrialization process that took place during the Yugoslav era. Industries such as aluminium and tobacco processing, textile industry, engineering and vehicle production, and industrialized wine production, were established in and around Podgorica. The Yugoslav wars, and the dissolution of Yugoslavia, left Podgorica's industries without markets, suppliers or funds to invest and modernize equipment. This led to a decline of many factories and finally, to some of them closing down. Those which survived were privatized, and have by today more or less recovered. Podgorica aluminium smelter (Kombinat aluminijuma Podgorica - KAP), owned by Rusal, and AD Plantaže, wine and brandy making company, are still among the biggest companies in Podgorica. In the 2000s, Podgorica witnessed a rapid expansion of its financial and service sector, and its economy transformed into a more service-oriented one. The two stock markets situated in Podgorica (Montenegro and NEX) today have a daily turnover bigger than stock exchanges in much larger cities. Today, economic activities in Podgorica had mostly shifted from heavy industries towards telecommunications, construction and banking. The increasing number of investors and foreign companies that are opening outlets in Podgorica add significantly to the growth and diversification of Podgorica's economy. As a side effect, this has skyrocketed the prices of real estate and development land in the center of Podgorica. This is expected to continue, as Podgorica became the capital of a sovereign state in 2006.

Geography of Podgorica...

Podgorica is located in central Montenegro, in northern part of Zeta plain. The entire area in which Podgorica is located is intersected with rivers, and the city itself is located only 15 km north of Lake Skadar. Moraca and Ribnica rivers flow through the city, while Zeta, Cijevna, Sitnica, Mareza rivers flow in the vicinity of the city. One of the main features of the city is richness in bodies of water. The city itself, in contrast to most of Montenegro, is lying on predominantly flat area of northern Zeta plain. Only exceptions are hills that overlook the city. The most significant is the Gorica Hill, 107 m tall hill that rises above the very city center, and after which the city got its name. Some of other hills are named Malo brdo(Little hill), Velje brdo(Big hill), Ljubovic, Cardak, etc. These are mostly steep hills that rise abruptly from the surface, and thus are not suitable for urbanisation. They rather limit the city's expansion, especially to the north, shaping the city's development.

Climate of Podgorica...

Podgorica has typical Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers, and mild winters. Snow is almost unknown phenomena in Podgorica. It has a mean annual rainfall of 1544 mm, and median daily temperature of 16,4°C. It has around 135 days with temperature higher than 25°C per annum. Podgorica is particularily known for extremely hot summers, as temperatures over 40° C are a common occurrence in July and August. Absolute maximum recorded in Podgorica is 44.8 °C, on 16th August 2007.

Culture of Podgorica...

Podgorica is home to many Montenegrin cultural institutions and events. It hosts the Montenegrin National Theatre and a number of museums and galleries. The Montenegrin National Theatre is the most famous theatre not only in Podgorica, but in all of Montenegro. Podgorica is also host to the City's Theatre, the Children’s Theatre and the Puppet Theatre, as well as to many smaller enthusiastic theatre troupes. Although not as rich in museums and galleries as the historic royal capital Cetinje, there are several noteworthy museums, among which are the Podgorica City Museum, the Museum of Marko Miljanov and the Natural History Museum. Notable art galleries of Podgorica are Dvorac Petrovica (Petrovic's Castle) and Perjanicki dom (House of the Honor Guard).

Education

Most of the Montenegrin high education establishment are located in Podgorica. It is the home of University of Montenegro, the most significant institution for high education in Montenegro. Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts is also located in Podgorica, as well as DANU cultural organization. In recent years, the number of private institutions for higher education have emerged, further expanding the educational possibilities in Podgorica. Podgorica municipality has 34 elementary schools and 10 secondary education schools, including one gymnasium. The Radosav Ljumovic national library is considered to be the most comprehensive library in Montenegro.

Transport to and in Podgorica...

Urban transport

Public transportation used to be provided solely by Gradsko saobracajno preduzece, a city-owned public transportation company which operated all urban bus lines within Podgorica. After dealing with many problems, it went bankrupt in the early 2000s, and public transportation was entirely provided by two private carriers. The re-introduction of city-owned public transportation took place recently, but with smaller minibuses rather than with buses. Public transportation has had a hard time dealing with competition. Unlicensed taxis mostly threatened the bus service carriers, but increasingly today, cheaper dispatched taxicab service is becoming the favourite transportation service of Podgorica citizens.

Intercity transport

Road

Podgorica's location in central Montenegro made it a natural rail and road hub of the state. Roads in Montenegro generally are not up to European standard, especially the road connecting Podgorica with northern Montenegro and Serbia. Efforts are being made to construct a modern highway, to connect the north with Podgorica, and on to the Adriatic sea. The newly built tunnel Sozina, 4.2 km long and a very modern tunnel, even by European standards, shortens the journey from Podgorica to Bar, Montenegro's main seaport, to under half an hour. The main transit connections of Podgorica are: north (E65, E80), towards Belgrade, and on to Central Europe west (E762), towards Nikšic, Bosnia, and on to Western Europe south (E65, E80), towards Adriatic coast east (E762), towards Albania The planned Belgrade-Bar expressway is going to pass near Podgorica, making travel from Podgorica to northern and coastal Montenegro faster. [edit]

Rail

Podgorica railway station is located near the city center. The station is an obsolete building that lags both behind Europeans standards and Podgorica's needs. However, the building's owner, Railways of Montenegro, is lacking the funds for reconstruction. Podgorica's main railway link is Belgrade - Bar railway, both in passenger and freight traffic. The railway link to Nikšic is currently being reconstructed and electrified, and passenger service is expected to start in 2009. Podgorica is also connected by rail with Shkodër and Tirana in Albania, but the railway has been unused for some time.

Air transport

Podgorica Airport is situated 12 km south of the city, and is the main international airport in Montenegro. On July 13th, 2006, an entirely new passenger terminal was opened. There are regular flights from Podgorica to Belgrade, Bari, Budapest, Zurich, Frankfurt, Ljubljana, Paris, Rome, Skopje, and Vienna.

Architecture in Podgorica

In accordance with city's and country's turbulent history, Podgorica is mixture of various architectural styles. Whenever the rule and regime changed, which in Podgorica occurred frequently, the architectural style typical for that regime was applied. As Podgorica was incorporated into Ottoman Empire until 1878, there are many remnants of Turkish architecture. Oldest parts of modern Podgorica, Stara Varoš (Old town) and Drac, are typical representatives of this, with two mosques, Turkish clock tower and narrow, curvy streets throughout the neighbourhoods. With Podgorica being incorporated in Montenegro, the urban core shifted to the other bank of Ribnica River, where the town developed in European-oriented way, with wider streets intersecting at right angles. During World War II, Podgorica was almost razed to the ground, being bombed over 70 times. After the liberation, the rebuilding began in a similar way to other cities in communist-ruled SFRY. Mass residential blocks were erected, with basic design typical for countries of Eastern bloc. The entire part of the city on the right bank of Moraca River was built in this way. Even the empty spaces in the city center were filled with near-brutalist structures, resulting in an unfortunate fusion of old and the new. The residential and business blocks erected during the existence of SFRY provided the more-than-necessary housing for Podgorica citizens after the war, but they are heavily criticized for the uninventive and grey looks they incorporate. The major advance in architecture of Podgorica began in late 1990s and since then the city's face changed rapidly. Apartment buildings and business blocks are erected rapidly, and they incorporate the modern all-glass-and-steel looks. Public spaces in Podgorica are heavily invested in, so the city got many entirely new squares, parks and monuments. Some of the new landmarks have been emerging, such as Hristovog Vaskrsenja orthodox temple and the premium feature of Podgorica skyline, The Millennium Bridge. Podgorica is today in process of rapid transformation from featureless town to modern European capital.

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