Podgorica is the capital and largest city of Montenegro. It is at 42°28′12″N, 19°16′48″E, 44m above sea level.
A census in 2003 put the city's population at 136,473. Its favourable position, at the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers and the meeting point of the fertile Zeta plain and Bjelopavlići Valley has encouraged settlement. The city is close to winter ski centres in the north and seaside resorts on the Adriatic Sea.
The municipality of Podgorica contains 10.4% of Montenegro's territory and 27.3% of its population. It is the administrative centre of Montenegro and its economic, cultural and educational focus.
Podgorica is in central Montenegro. The area is crossed with rivers and the city itself is only 15km north of Lake Skadar. The Morača and Ribnica rivers flow through the city, while the Zeta, Cijevna, Sitnica and Mareza flow nearby. This richness in bodies of water is a major feature of the city.
In contrast to most of Montenegro, Podgorica lies in a mainly flat area at the northern end of the Zeta plain. The only exceptions are hills which overlook the city. The most significant is Gorica Hill (107m), which rises above the city centre. The other hills include Malo brdo (Little hill), Velje brdo (Big hill), Ljubović and Čardak. In the main, these are too steep for development and thus limit the city's expansion, especially to the north. |
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