Belgrade is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Besides Athens, it is the largest urban area in the Balkans. Located at the confluence of the Sava and the Danube, our city bears many millennia old symbols. The oldest traces of human settlements in the area of today’s Belgrade date back to the Paleolithic Age. Members of the Celtic tribe founded Singidunum in the 3rd century B.C. while Belgrade was first mentioned in 878 A.D. During its long and turbulent history, Belgrade was conquered by 40 armies and has been risen from the ashes 38 times.
The City of Belgrade is the capital city of the Republic of Serbia and its biggest urban, economic and educational centre. Around 1.6 million people live in Belgrade. Belgrade has first-class traffic importance as a significant road and railway centre, as well as an international river port and airport and a telecommunication centre. It covers an area of 3.6% of the territory of Serbia. 15.8% of the Serbian population lives in Belgrade and 31.2% of all employees in Serbia work in Belgrade.
Significant economic and agricultural capacities have been developed in Belgrade, especially the metal industry, the metal-processing and electronic industry, as well as trade and banking. In the wider area of Belgrade, Smederevo and Pančevo, on the banks of the Danube, there is 2,000 m² free trade zone. 30% of the national products of Serbia are developed in Belgrade.
Belgrade is the capital city of the Serbian culture, education and science. It has the highest number of institutions in the field of science and art of national importance. The Serbian Academy of Science and Art founded in 1886 as the Serbian Royal Academy, the National Library of Serbia founded in 1832, the National Museum founded in 1841 and the National Theatre founded in 1869 are located in Belgrade. The University of Belgrade founded in 1808 as the Great School, as well as the University of Art are located in Belgrade.
Belgrade has the status of a separate territorial unit in Serbia with its autonomous city administration. Its territory is divided into 17 municipalities that have their own local authorities.