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Politics & World • Cities

Belgrade

Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It lies at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, at the crossroads of the Pannonian Plain and the Balkan Peninsula. The city serves as a major political, economic, and cultural centre in Southeast Europe.

Geography

Belgrade is located in north-central Serbia, at the meeting point of the Sava and Danube rivers. Its position places the city at an important transport and strategic crossroads between Central and Southeast Europe.

Population

Modern census figures place Belgrade among the most populous cities in the Balkans. The 2022 census recorded 1,197,114 people in the city proper and 1,682,720 in the administrative area.

History

Belgrade is described as one of the oldest cities in Europe, with a long and turbulent history spanning thousands of years. It has served at various times as the capital of Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro, and independent Serbia.

Economy and culture

Belgrade is Serbia’s largest commercial centre and an important cultural and educational hub. Its long urban history and river location have helped make it a major regional city.

Key facts

  • Belgrade is Serbia’s capital and its largest city.
  • The city sits where the Sava and Danube rivers meet.
  • Belgrade’s name comes from the Serbian Beograd, commonly translated as 'White City'.
  • According to the 2022 census, the city proper had 1,197,114 residents and the administrative area had 1,682,720 residents.
  • Belgrade is one of the major cities of Southeast Europe.
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Canadian context

Belgrade is relevant to Canadian readers as the capital of Serbia and a major Southeast European city with diplomatic, trade, and cultural connections to Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Belgrade?
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia.
Where is Belgrade located?
It is located in north-central Serbia at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers.
What does the name Belgrade mean?
The Serbian name Beograd is commonly translated as 'White City'.
How many people live in Belgrade?
According to the 2022 census, 1,197,114 people lived in the city proper and 1,682,720 in the administrative area.
Has Belgrade been the capital of other states?
Yes. It served as the capital of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, and later independent Serbia.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgrade
    Supports: Capital status, location, name meaning, and 2022 population figures.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Belgrade
    Supports: Capital status, location at the Danube and Sava rivers, and commercial importance.
  3. City of Belgrade — https://www.beograd.rs/en/discover-belgrade/a2014/History.html
    Supports: Historical role as capital of Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro, and independent Serbia.
  4. ScienceDirect — https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264275109000468
    Supports: Historical overview and Belgrade's political significance.