People: More than six million people live in Serbia.
Land: The north has flat plains. Many rivers weave through hills across the central landscape. The south has lofty mountains. The whole nation is about the size of South Carolina.
Weather: January days average a chilly 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Most days in July are around 72 degrees. The Dinaric Alps and other mountains are cooler.
Animals: The national animal is the gray wolf. Lynx, bears, foxes, and deer roam the land. The largest long-eared owl roost in the world is near the city of Kikinda.
Agriculture: Serbia is one of the world’s top suppliers of plums and raspberries. Farmers also grow maize and wheat. Other top products are sunflowers, apples, beef, and poultry.
Menu: A classic Serbian welcome is to offer bread and salt to guests. Pull up a chair to sample ajvar (roasted red bell pepper paste). It’s pronounced EYE-var. Try a bite of gibanica (egg and cheese pie). Nibble some sarma (cabbage rolls with minced meat). Savor vanilice
(little vanilla cookies) for dessert. Still hungry? Splurge on pule, a cheese made of donkey and goat’s milk. It’s about $600 per pound—the priciest cheese in the world.
Music: Traditional Serbian music includes bagpipes, flutes, horns, lutes, drums, and cymbals. People in the highlands sing long epic poems and play a one-string fiddle called a gusle (GOOSE-lay). Newer turbofolk combines the electric sounds of rock with old folk rhythms.
Sports: Football (think soccer) is the most popular sport. Basketball is also a hit.
Religion: Most people are Orthodox Christians. Serbia is home to many Orthodox monasteries.
