<p>Montenegro is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It is situated on a coast on the Adriatic Sea (that sea shore is on the south-west of the country) and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast, Kosovo to the east, and Albania to the south-east along with the disputed territory of Kosovo.</p>
<p>Montenegro's capital and largest city is Podgorica, while Cetinje is designated as the Old Royal Capital. The country's territory covers 13,812 square kilometers (5,344 sq mi), making it one of the smallest sovereign states in Europe.</p>
<p>The people of Montenegro are called Montenegrins or Crnogorci (singular: "Crnogorac") (Montenegrin Cyrillic: Црногорци / Crnogorci).</p>
<p>Historically and culturally, Montenegrins identify themselves as a South Slavic people who have been ruled by many different empires throughout history up until they gained independence in 2006.</p>
<p>In 1991, after the breakup of Yugoslavia, Montenegro joined Serbia as one of its two constituent republics; however, in 2006 it became an independent nation following a referendum. It is recognized as a potential candidate for membership in NATO and has been invited to join the European Union by its executive body, but as of 2015 has yet to apply for either membership.</p>