- From the 16th to 19th centuries, Montenegro became a theocracy ruled by a series of bishop princes; in 1852, it was transformed into a secular principality.

 

- Orthodox Christianity is the largest religion in Montenegro followed by Roman Catholicism. There is a large community of Sunni Muslims as well.

 

- The official currency is the Euro, even though they are not part of the EU. (in the 1990's Montenegro adopted the DeutschMark to combat inflation and when Germany switched to the Euro, Montenegro followed suit).

 

- The use of the name Montenegro began in the 15th century when the Crnojevic dynasty began to rule the Serbian principality of Zeta; over subsequent centuries Montenegro was able to maintain its independence from the Ottoman Empire.

 

- n May 2006, Montenegro invoked its right under the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro to hold a referendum on independence from the state union. The vote for severing ties with Serbia exceeded 55% - the threshold set by the EU - allowing Montenegro to formally declare its independence on 3 June 2006.