# Belgrade

> capital of Serbia

**Wikidata**: [Q3711](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3711)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgrade)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/belgrade

## Summary

Belgrade is a city where Serbian serves as the official language. The head of its government is Aleksandar Šapić. In 2022, Belgrade had a population of 1.2 million[1].The city covers an area of 360 square kilometers and sits at an elevation of 117 meters.

## Summary
Belgrade (officially Beograd) is the capital and largest city of Serbia, classified as a national capital and a big city. Located in Europe at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, it serves as the administrative center of the City of Belgrade. With a population of approximately 1.19 million people as of 2022, it has a deep history spanning multiple empires and political entities, including the Ottoman Empire, Habsburg Monarchy, and various iterations of Yugoslavia.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Instance of a city, big city, and national capital.
- **Location:** Situated in Europe, within the City of Belgrade (since 1992), at coordinates 44.817°N, 20.456°E.
- **Elevation:** 117 meters above sea level.
- **Area:** 359.96 square kilometres.
- **Population:** 1,197,714 (as of October 1, 2022, census); 1,378,682 (2018 estimation).
- **Time Zone:** UTC+01:00.
- **Demonym:** Belgrader (English); Београђанин (Serbian masculine singular); Belgradois (French masculine singular).
- **Government:** Mayor (Head of Government) is Aleksandar Šapić (Serbian Progressive Party), starting June 24, 2024.
- **Postal Code:** 11000.
- **License Plate Code:** BG.
- **Local Dialing Code:** 011.
- **UN/LOCODE:** RSBEG.
- **Water Bodies:** Located on the Sava and Danube rivers.
- **Earliest Written Record:** Approximately year 20 (-020).

## FAQs
**What countries and empires has Belgrade belonged to throughout history?**
Belgrade has a complex political history, having been part of the Kingdom of Hungary (1025–1521), the Ottoman Empire (1521–1718, 1739–1804, 1813–1815), and the Habsburg Monarchy (1718–1739). In the modern era, it served as the capital of various Serbian and Yugoslav states, including the Principality and Kingdom of Serbia, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), before becoming the capital of the Republic of Serbia in 2006.

**What are the demographic trends for Belgrade?**
The city has grown significantly over the last century, from a population of 82,498 in 1900 to over 1.1 million by 1991. The 2022 census recorded a population of 1,197,714, showing a slight decrease from the 2018 estimation of 1,378,682 but a slight increase from the 2011 census figure of 1,166,763.

**What official names and identifiers does the city use?**
The city is officially named "Beograd" (Београд), though historically it was known as "Nándorfehérvár" (until 1830). It uses the internet domain `.rs` (specifically `beograd.rs`), has a GeoNames ID of 792680, and a VIAF ID of 148847800.

**What sister cities does Belgrade have?**
Belgrade is twinned with numerous cities globally, including Chicago (since 2005), Kyiv (since 2002), Ljubljana (since 2010), Coventry (since 1957), Vienna, Beijing, New Delhi, and Buenos Aires.

**Where is Belgrade located geographically?**
Belgrade is located in the Balkans in southeastern Europe. It sits at the junction of the Sava and Danube rivers and has an elevation of 117 meters.

## Why It Matters
Belgrade holds strategic and historical significance as a gateway between Central Europe and the Balkans, sitting at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Its history as a frontier between the Ottoman and Habsburg empires has made it a focal point for centuries of conflict, evidenced by the numerous sieges it has endured (including events in 1787, 1521, and the Avar sieges of Singidunum). As the capital of successive Yugoslav states and now independent Serbia, it functions as the political, cultural, and economic heart of the region, hosting key national institutions like the National Assembly and serving as a hub for international diplomacy and tourism.

## Notable For
- **Strategic Confluence:** Being one of the few major cities located at the meeting point of two large navigable rivers, the Sava and the Danube.
- **Turbulent History:** Having changed hands between empires multiple times, with significant periods of Ottoman and Habsburg rule.
- **Capital Status:** Serving as the capital for a diverse range of political entities, from the Serbian Despotate to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
- **Cultural Landmarks:** Housing the Belgrade Arena, the National Assembly, and the Atelje 212 theatre.
- **Digital Presence:** Maintaining an active digital footprint with official social media handles on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Belgrade is located in the northern part of Serbia, characterized by its coordinates 44.817°N, 20.456°E. The city covers an area of 359.96 square kilometres and sits at an elevation of 117 meters. It operates within the UTC+01:00 time zone. Administratively, the city is subdivided into several municipalities, detailed in the "subdivisions of Belgrade." The city owns significant infrastructure, including the Belgrade Bus Station, Belgrade Arena, Pionir Ice Hall, Zemun Stadium, and cultural venues like the Boško Buha Theatre and Atelje 212.

### Historical Timeline of Sovereignty
Belgrade's political affiliation has shifted frequently over the last millennium:
- **Medieval & Early Modern Periods:** Part of the Kingdom of Hungary (1025–1521).
- **Ottoman Era:** Came under Ottoman rule in 1521, lasting until 1718, and again from 1739 to 1804, with a brief return in 1813–1815.
- **Habsburg Interlude:** Controlled by the Habsburg Monarchy from 1718 to 1739.
- **Serbian Statehood:** Became part of Revolutionary Serbia (1804–1813), the Principality of Serbia (1815–1882), and the Kingdom of Serbia (1882–1918).
- **Yugoslav Era:** Integrated into the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1918–1941), the Territory of the Military Commander in Serbia (1941–1944), Democratic Federal Yugoslavia, and subsequently the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1963–1992).
- **Modern Period:** Part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1992–2003) and the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro (2003–2006). Since June 5, 2006, it has been the capital of the sovereign state of Serbia.

### Demographics
The city's population has fluctuated significantly over the 20th and 21st centuries:
- **20th Century:** Population grew from 68,481 in 1900 to 111,739 in 1921, jumping to 397,911 by 1948. By 1981, the population exceeded one million (1,087,915).
- **21st Century:** The population reached 1,166,763 in the 2011 census. A projection in 2018 estimated 1,378,682, while the 2022 census recorded 1,197,714 residents.

### Governance
The city is led by a Head of Government (Mayor). As of June 24, 2024, the mayor is Aleksandar Šapić, a member of the Serbian Progressive Party. The official website is `beograd.rs` (Serbian language), and the city maintains a presence on social media platforms, including YouTube (`grad_beograd`), Instagram (`grad_beograd`), and Facebook (`GradBeograd`).

### Culture and Symbols
Belgrade has several official symbols and cultural identifiers:
- **Symbols:** A flag, a coat of arms (small coat of arms), and a montage image representing the city.
- **Events:** The city has been the site of the Siege of Belgrade (multiple occurrences) and the Capture of Belgrade.
- **Works:** The city is referenced in *Civilization V* as a city-state.
- **Demonyms:** Residents are known as "Belgraders" in English, "Beograjčan" in some dialects, and "Београђанин" (masculine singular) in Serbian.

### International Relations and Identifiers
Belgrade is a member of the World Tourism Cities Federation. It maintains sister city agreements with over a dozen cities, including Chicago, Kyiv, Coventry, Ljubljana, and Vienna.
The city is cataloged in numerous international databases and encyclopedias:
- **Library Codes:** Library of Congress Authority ID (n80017896), National Library of France ID (12085206x), National Library of Israel ID (987007559494905171).
- **Encyclopedic Entries:** Encyclopædia Britannica (place/Belgrade), Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Jewish Encyclopedia, Orthodox Encyclopedia (ID 77876).
- **Technical IDs:** GeoNames ID (792680), VIAF ID (148847800), GND ID (4005411-1).

## References

1. Constitution of Serbia
2. [Source](https://starportal.skopje.gov.mk/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=172)
3. [Source](http://www.beograd.rs/cms/view.php?id=1225698)
4. [Source](https://old.kyivcity.gov.ua/files/2018/2/15/Mista-pobratymy.pdf)
5. [Source](https://www.beograd.rs/index.php?lang=cir&kat=beoinfo&sub=1225698%3f)
6. [Source](https://kyivcity.gov.ua/kyiv_ta_miska_vlada/pro_kyiv/mista-pobratimi_z_yakimi_kiyevom_pidpisani_dokumenti_pro_poridnennya_druzhbu_spivrobitnitstvo_partnerstvo/)
7. [Source](http://www.beograd.rs/index.php?lang=cir&kat=beoinfo&sub=1225698%3f)
8. [Source](https://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/222/twin_towns_and_cities)
9. [Source](https://vilnius.lt/lt/tarptautinis-bendradarbiavimas/)
10. BnF authorities
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. [Source](https://cn.wtcf.org.cn/citys/3687-2.html)
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. MusicBrainz
15. [UNdata | record view | City population by sex, city and city type. United Nations Statistics Division](http://data.un.org/Data.aspx?d=POP&f=tableCode%3a240%3bcountryCode%3a688&c=2,3,6,8,10,12,14,16,17,18&s=_countryEnglishNameOrderBy:asc,refYear:desc,areaCode:asc&v=1)
16. [Source](https://publikacije.stat.gov.rs/G2023/Pdf/G20234001.pdf)
17. French order of 4 Nov. 1993 about names of states and capitals
18. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
19. GeoNames
20. BBC Things
21. Quora
22. YouTube API
23. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
24. [Source](https://www.bbc.com/things/)
25. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
26. museum-digital
27. [Internet Domains Wikibase](https://domains.wikibase.cloud/entity/Q44326)