The statistical regions of Montenegro () are defined, as of 2011, by the Montenegrin Regional Development Law (). - Montenegrin only The regions, as defined by law, roughly correspond to the informal and colloquial division of Montenegro, often used by the Montenegrin media and citizens.
Regions are not administrative divisions per se; they are used for statistical and analytical purposes, to help create the outline for more uniform economic development of Montenegro. This official definition of the regions of Montenegro is one of many definitions that are in everyday use in the country. However, this division into three regions is most widespread:
List Name Area(km2) Population Density (pop./km2) No. ofmunicipalities Map 4,917 279,419 56.83 6 Coastal Region 1,591 146,784 92.26 6 Northern Region 8,399 195,991 23.34 13
Central Region
This region consists of six municipalities. It is the most populous of the regions, and contains the capital of Podgorica, the historical capital of Cetinje, and the industrial center of Nikšić. Most of the Montenegrin economic, cultural, educational and administration base is located within the region.
Prominent tribal, historical and geographical subregions in the central region are: Nikšići (Župa, Rudine), Golija, Banjani, Grahovo, Krivošije, Brda (Piperi, Rovca, Bratonožići, Kuči, Bjelopavlići, Lijeva rijeka), Zeta (Upper and Lower), Skenderija, Malesija, Old Montenegro (Pješivci, Čevo, Cuce, Bjelice, Njeguši, Cetinje field, Ceklin, Komani, Zagarač, Lješani and Rijeka).
Municipality Area Population (2023) Ethnic majority Predominant language Predominant religion km2 Rank Total Rank Cetinje 899 3 14,494 4 Montenegrin Montenegrin Eastern OrthodoxDanilovgrad 501 4 18,617 3 Montenegrin Serbian Eastern OrthodoxNikšić 2,065 1 65,705 2 Montenegrin Serbian Eastern OrthodoxPodgorica 1,399 2 179,505 1 Montenegrin Serbian Eastern OrthodoxTuzi 236 5 12,979 6 Albanian Albanian Sunni IslamZeta 153 6 16,071 5 Montenegrin Serbian Eastern Orthodox
Coastal Region
This southernmost region consists of municipalities with access to the Adriatic Sea. This region is mainly oriented towards tourism, and has a population of 146,784 (2003). Following municipalities make up the region:
Prominent tribal, historical and geographical subregions of the coastal statistical region are: Bay of Kotor, Grbalj, Budva riviera, Pobori, Brajići, Maine, Paštrovići, Spič, Crmnica, Bar, Mrkojevići, Ulcinj riviera and Skadarska Krajina.
Municipality Area Population Ethnic majority Predominant language Predominant religion km2 Rank Total RankBar 598 1 42,368 1 Montenegrin Montenegrin Eastern Orthodox Budva 122 5 19,170 5 Serb Serbian Eastern Orthodox Herceg Novi 235 4 30,992 2 Serb Serbian Eastern Orthodox Kotor 335 2 22,799 3 Montenegrin Serbian Eastern Orthodox Tivat 46 6 14,111 6 Serb Serbian Eastern Orthodox Ulcinj 255 3 20,265 4 Albanian Albanian Sunni Islam
Northern Region
Northern region comprises eleven municipalities and is the largest by area. It encompasses the sparsely populated mountainous part of Montenegro. With the decline of the heavy industries in the 1990s, the region has seen perpetual economic hardship and migration of the population to the two southern regions.
Prominent tribal, historical and geographical subregions of the northern statistical region are: Drobnjak (Uskoci, Jezera, Šaranci), Zatarje, Pljevlja, Piva, Brda (Morača (Upper and Lower), Vasojevići), Polja, Kolašin (Upper and Lower), Southern Sanjak, Plav and Gusinje, Bihor (Upper and Lower), Polimlje and Potarje.
Municipality Area Population (2023) km2 Rank Total Rank Andrijevica 283 12 3,978 10 Berane 544 6 25,162 3 Bijelo Polje 924 2 39,710 1 Gusinje 486 8 4,662 9 Kolašin 897 3 6,765 7 Mojkovac 367 11 6,824 6 Petnjica 173 13 5,552 8 Plav 486 7 10,378 5 Plužine 854 4 2,232 12 Pljevlja 1,346 1 24,542 4 Rožaje 432 10 25,247 2 Šavnik 553 5 1,588 13 Žabljak 445 9 3,002 11
See also Northern Montenegro Coastal Montenegro Geography of Montenegro Tourism in Montenegro List of national parks of Montenegro Municipalities of Montenegro
References