Zdravo! Welcome to the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe—Serbia, a landlocked nation in the heart of the Balkans with a history that stretches back to the Roman Empire. There are around 7 million people living here, and the capital is Belgrade, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. The official language is Serbian, which is unique for being written in both Cyrillic and Latin scripts.

Serbia covers about 88,499 square kilometers (34,169 square miles). The country is roughly the same size as the state of South Carolina in the U.S., or about the same size as Austria. The landscape is a mix of the flat Pannonian Plain in the north and rugged mountains and deep river canyons in the south.

The most popular sports are Football, Basketball, and Tennis, with the nation famously producing Novak Djokovic, one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Their national animal is the Gray Wolf, representing independence and resilience, though the White Eagle is the historic symbol of the state.

The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of red, blue, and white with the national coat of arms placed left of center, where the red represents the blood shed for freedom, the blue symbolizes the sky, and the white stands for the bright light of a new day.

The food is a hearty, flavorful mix of Balkan, Middle Eastern, and Central European influences. You must try Ćevapi, small grilled sausages made of minced meat, usually served with flatbread and Ajvar, a savory spread made from roasted red peppers. Another favorite is Sarma, pickled cabbage leaves stuffed with meat and rice. For a sweet treat, look for Baklava or Krofne (jam-filled doughnuts). To drink, you will likely be offered Rakija, a potent fruit brandy that is a staple of Serbian hospitality.

Serbia is home to Belgrade Fortress, a massive historic complex that has survived dozens of battles and offers incredible sunset views over the rivers. The country features Đavolja Varoš (Devil’s Town), a strange and beautiful geological formation of 202 earth pyramids topped with stone “caps.” You can visit the Studenica Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of medieval Serbian architecture. For music lovers, the city of Novi Sad hosts EXIT Festival, one of the most famous music festivals in Europe, held inside an 18th-century fortress. Interestingly, Serbia is one of the world’s largest exporters of raspberries, accounting for a huge portion of the global supply!

From the vibrant “splavovi” (floating clubs) of Belgrade to the quiet vineyards of Vojvodina, Serbia is a land of high energy and deep-rooted traditions. Hvala! That means “Thank you!”