The regions of Serbia include geographical and, to a lesser extent, traditional and historical areas. Geographical regions have no official status, though some of them serve as a basis for the second-level administrative divisions of Serbia, okrugs (districts of Serbia). Not being administratively defined, the boundaries of the regions are in many cases vague: they may overlap, and various geographers and publications may delineate them differently, not just in the sense of regions' extents, but also in the sense as to whether they form separate geographical entities or subsist as parts of other super-regions, etc.
For the most part, regions correspond to the valleys or to the watershed-areas of rivers and were simply named after them (some even a millennium ago), while mountain ridges and peaks often mark boundaries. In some cases, a defined region may refer only to the inhabited parts of the valleys (see župa).
Valleys and plains along the largest rivers are special cases. The Serbian language usually forms their names with the prefix po- (SavaPosavina, Danube (Dunav)Podunavlje, TisaPotisje, etc.). Considered geographical regions per se, they usually have very elongated shapes and cover large areas (Pomoravlje), sometimes spreading through several countries (Posavina, Potisje, Podrinje, etc.). For the most part they overlap with other, smaller regions established during history along their course, in most cases named after the tributaries of the main river (most notably, in the case of all three sections of Pomoravlje).
For the purpose of easier presentation in the tables, the territory of Serbia is roughly divisible into six geographical sections: northern, western, central, eastern, south-western and south. Thus the tables do not follow the political divisions. Kosovo declared independence in February 2008. Serbia and a number of UN member states have not recognised its independence, and the territory is disputed.
Major river basin regions
Morava Valley (Pomoravlje), includes Morava rivers basin in Serbia. Podunavlje, includes Danube river basin in Serbia and Croatia. Posavina, includes Sava river basin in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia. Podrinje, includes Drina river basin in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Northern Serbia The northern part of Serbia, administratively organized into the Vojvodina autonomous province, is traditionally divided into the historical regions of Srem, Bačka and Banat, and these are also found in the administrative districts.
NameTypePopulation centersNotes Srem Srem political-historical Sremska Mitrovica a political-historical region, in the wider sense (as Syrmia), also partially in Croatia (Srijem) Fruška Gora geographical (mountain) a geographical region in Srem, a designated national park (267 km²), including many Orthodox monasteries for which it is dubbed the "Serbian Mount Athos". Podlužje geographical Kupinovo a geographical area in southeastern Srem. Bačka Bačka political-historicalNovi Sad, Subotica a political-historical region, in the wider sense, also partially in Hungary (Bácska) geographical a geographical region, a loess flatland (lesni zaravan), between Subotica, Sombor and Vrbas. geographical a geographical area, inland dune (peščara), of 250 km². Protected natural resource.Potisje geographical (river)Bečej, Senta a geographical area, including the valley of the Tisa river, and also historical district.Šajkaška historicalTemerin, Žabalj a historical area, Military Frontier district. Banat Banat political-historical Zrenjanin, Pančevo a political-historical region, in the wider sense, also partially in Romania and Hungary (Bánság) Deliblatska Peščara geographical Kovin a geographical area, inland dune (peščara), of 300 km². Protected natural resource.Ilandžanski Rit geographicalIlandža, Lokve a geographical area, wetlands.Pančevački Rit geographicalBorča, Krnjača a geographical area, wetlands.Veliki Rit geographicalnorth-west of Vršac a geographical area, wetlands. or "Bela Crkva basin" geographical (basin) Bela Crkva a geographical area, basin (kotlina) of the Nera river.
Western Serbia
RegionPopulation centersNotesKolubaraValjevo, Lazarevacpartially in VojvodinaPodgorinaValjevo, Mionicasub-region of Kolubara ("Upper Kolubara")MačvaŠabac, Bogatićpartially in VojvodinaPocerinaPetkovica, TekerišPodrinjeLoznica, Bajina Baštapartially in Bosnia and HerzegovinaAzbukovicaLjubovija, Ljuboviđa sub-region of PodrinjeJadarLoznica, Osečinasub-region of PodrinjeLešnicaLešnica, Lipnički Šorsub-region of PodrinjePosavinaObrenovac, Zvečkageographically, part of a much larger area stretching through Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and HerzegovinaRađevinaKrupanj, PeckaTamnavaUb, KoceljevaPodgorinaUžička Crna GoraKolubaraPosava-Tamnava
Central Serbia
RegionPopulation centersNotesŠumadijaBelgrade (parts), KragujevacGeographical region in the center of the country, of hills and forests.BelicaJagodina, Majursub-region of ŠumadijaGružaKnić, Gružasub-region of ŠumadijaJasenicaAranđelovac, Smederevska Palankasub-region of Šumadija; formerly a knežina and srez.KačerLjig, Belanovicasub-region of Šumadija; formerly a knežina and srez.KosmajMladenovac, Sopotsub-region of ŠumadijaLepenicaKragujevac, Batočinasub-region of Šumadija; formerly a knežina and srez.LevačRekovac, Velike Pčelicesub-region of Šumadija; formerly called LevčeLugomirminor settlementssub-region of ŠumadijaSmederevsko PodunavljeGrockasub-region of Šumadija and PodunavljeŠumadijska KolubaraLazarevacsub-region of ŠumadijaTakovoGornji Milanovacsub-region of ŠumadijaTemnićVarvarin, Velika Drenovasub-region of ŠumadijaPodunavljeSmederevo, GrockaGeographical region in the center of the country, Danube basin.Veliko (Great) PomoravljeVelika Plana, Ćuprijapart of PomoravljePožarevačka MoravaPožarevacmicroregion of Veliko PomoravljeRudnička MoravaČačakmicroregion of Veliko Pomoravlje, includes 31 villages in Moravica District and 4 in Raška District.Zapadno (West) PomoravljeČačak, Kraljevopart of PomoravljeCrna GoraKosjerić, Ježevicasub-region of Zapadno Pomoravlje; not to be confused with MontenegroRasinaKruševac, ParunovacAleksandrovac, Gornje Rataje Dubravnica (Stalać)a medieval župa on the right banks of Velika Morava, between Ćuprija and Stalać.
Eastern Serbia
RegionPopulation centersNotesBanjaSokobanja, MozgovoBraničevoVeliko Gradište, CarevacHomoljeŽagubica, KrepoljinStigKostolac, Malo CrnićeCrna RekaPodgorac, GamzigradKljučKladovo, Brza PalankaKučajsparsely populatedMlavaPetrovac na Mlavi, Veliko LaoleDonji Milanovac, Rudna Glavanot to be confused with Poreč in CroatiaSvrljigSvrljigŠoplukKrajišteVlasinaVlasotinceResavaSvilajnac, DespotovacTimok ValleyZaječar, Knjaževac Negotin Valley Negotin, Jabukovac also called "Krajina" in SerbianVisoknorth of Dimitrovgradpartially in Bulgaria (Висок)Zaglavakeast of KnjaževacZviždKučevo, Neresnica
Southwestern Serbia
RegionPopulation centersNotesRaškapartially in Montenegro; parts of it is called SandžakDragačevoLučani, Gučasub-region of RaškaIbarski KolašinTutin, Zubin Potoksub-region of Raška; also called Stari Kolašin; partially in KosovoKomaraniBrodarevo, Gostunsub-region of Polimlje; partially in MontenegroMoravacSuvi Do, Đerekaresub-region of Raška and Sandžak and Pešter; partially in MontenegroMoravicaIvanjica, Ariljesub-region of RaškaPešterSjenica, Štavaljsub-region of Raška and Sandžak; partially in MontenegroPolimljePriboj, Prijepoljesub-region of Raška; partially in MontenegroSjeničko PoljeSjenicasub-region of Raška and Sandžak; west of PešterStari VlahPriboj, Prijepoljesub-region of Raška; partially in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro; formerly called Dabar (western) and Jelci (eastern part)Rujnosub-region of Raška; north of Stari VlahTaraZaovine, Perućacsub-region of Raška and PodrinjeZlatiborZlatibor, Čajetinasub-region of Raška
Southern Serbia
NameTypePopulation centersNotes South Morava river basin (Južno Pomoravlje) geographical (basin) Bujanovac, Vladičin Han a geographical area, basin (kotlina), part of the composite valley (kompozitna dolina) of South Pomoravlje.Трифуноски, Јован Ф. Врањска котлина - антропогеографска испитивања (12 изд.). Природно-математички факултет на универзитетот Скопје. geographical (river) Vranje a geographical area, including the valley of the Morava river which flows through the Vranje basin. geographical Vranje the mountainous-hilly part of the city of Vranje, in the upper source part of Veternica river. geographical (basin) Niš a geographical area, basin (kotlina), of 620 km², part of the composite valley (kompozitna dolina) of South Pomoravlje.Ршумовић, Р. (1967). Нишко–Алексиначки део удолине Јужне Мораве. Зборник радова Географског института „Јован Цвијић“, књ. 21, 101-193. Golak north-west of Svrljig Zaplanje geographical Gadžin Han Goljak geographical (mountain) Tulare, Medveđapartially in Kosovo (east of Pristina) geographical (basin) Leskovac a geographical area, basin (kotlina), of 2250 km², part of the composite valley (kompozitna dolina) of South Pomoravlje. geographical the eastern sector of the Leskovac basin. geographical (river) Area around Toplica and Jablanica rivers, including also Pusta reka, Kosanica and Veternica, sub-region of South Pomoravlje geographical Leskovac, Lebane a mountainous-hilly region between the Leskovac basin and Kosovo basin, part of the Jablanica river basin. sub-region of South Pomoravlje.Милорад Васовић, Горња Јабланица - географска својства. Народно дело, Завичајно удружење „Горња Јабланица“, Београд 1998 geographical a lowland connected to the Leskovac basin.Leskovačka Morava geographical (river)Leskovac a geographical area, including the valley of the Morava river which flows through the Leskovac basin.Д. Ђорђевић, Лесковачка Морава geographical (basin) Aleksinac a geographical area, basin (kotlina), part of the composite valley (kompozitna dolina) of South Pomoravlje.Михајло Костић, Алексиначка котлина – Друштвеногеографска проучавања, Зборник радова Географског института „Јован Цвијић”, књ. 22 (1969) Aleksinac Pomoravlje geographical (river) Aleksinac a geographical area, including the valley of the Morava river which flows through the Aleksinac basin (kotlina). Dubočica historical (župa) Leskovaca historical region (medieval župa and Ottoman nahiya) around the Veternica and Jablanica rivers.Zagrlata historical (župa)Aleksinac, Kruševac, Aleksandrovaca historical region (medieval župa and Ottoman nahiya) on the left banks of South MoravaUška historical (župa) a medieval župa north of the Toplica valley, between South Morava in the east and Mali Jastrebac in the west Reke/Dubravnica historical (župa) (Bojnik)a medieval župa in the Pusta river areaDobrič field geographicalProkupljefield south-east of Prokuplje, around Toplica river.Binačko Pomoravlje geographical (river)Gjilan, Bujanovacsub-region of Južno Pomoravlje; also called Gornja Morava; partially in KosovoInogošte historical (župa)west of Vranjesub-region of Južno Pomoravlje Lužnica geographical (river)Babušnica Poljanicasouth of Lebane geographical (river) Niš, Pirot Nišava river basin, partially in Bulgaria. Includes sub-regions Gornje Ponišavlje, Srednje Ponišavlje (, ), Donje Ponišavlje Pusta RekaBojnik, Pukovac Toplica geographical (river) Prokuplje, Kuršumlija Kosanica geographical (river) Kuršumlija, Rača, Prolom Banja sub-region of Toplica Vlasina geographical (river)Crna Trava Other Preševo Valley politicalPreševo, Miratovac, Oraovicasub-region of Žegligovo; politically coined and non-geographical term coined in the early 2000s; correct name is "Vranje-Preševo depression" Krajište historical Bosilegrad partially in Bulgaria (Kraishte) Znepolje Strezimirovci partially in Bulgaria (Znepole) Gornja Pčinja geographical (river) Trgovište upper course of Pčinja river (Vardar river).
Kosovo