It is no Rome or Paris, and therein lies its appeal -- no matter that it is battered, ragged and faded, Belgrade's charm is simply irrepressible. ... It [Belgrade] is a city where you can dance until sunrise seven nights a week, where hospitality crackles in the air, and where looking good is a birthright and a religion in one."

"24 hours in Belgrade" by Tom Owen, CNN Traveller
Belgrade (Beograd) is the capital city of Serbia (Srbija).

It is located in the south-eastern part of Europe, near Greece, Italy, and Hungary and it lays on the confluence of two big rivers

Danube (Dunav) and Sava, and nine hills (117m above see level).

The river waters surround Belgrade from three sides, and that is why since ancient times it has been the guardian of river passages. Because of its position it was properly called "the gate" of the Balkans,and "the door" to Central Europe.

If you want to find Belgrade on the map here are the coordinates:

44 49' 14" North latitude / 20 27' 44" East longitude

Belgrade is the only city, beside Constantinople,dedicated to the Mother of God.

The Belgrade climate is moderate continental, with four seasons. The average annual air temperature is 11,90C. Autumn is longer than spring, with lengthy sunny and warm periods (Indian summer). Winter is not particularly harsh, and averages 21 one days with below zero temperatures. January is the coldest month of the year with an average temperature of 0,40C. Spring is rather short and rainy. Summer starts abruptly. The hottest months are July (21,70C) and August (21,30C).

Belgrade has a characteristic south-eastern and eastern wind called "košava", which brings fair and dry weather.

Belgrade is the capital of Serbian culture, education and science. It has the highest concentration of nationally important science and art institutions. Among them are the Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences, established in 1886 as the Serbian Royal Academy; the National Library of Serbia, founded in 1832; the National Museum, founded in 1841 and the National Theater, founded in 1869. Belgrade is also the seat of the Belgrade University, founded in 1808, and of the University of Arts.

Orthodox Christian is the dominant religion in Serbia and Montenegro. The Serbian Orthodox Church has been autocephalous since 1219. The Church is separated from the state.

Belgrade has precious cultural monuments churches, monasteries, and temples of various denominations. According to the 1991 census, 87% of Belgraders are Christian Orthodox, 2% belong to the Islamic or Catholic religion, Protestants are about 0,2%, Jews are 0,03%, 6% belong to unspecified religions and 3% have stated that they are not believers.