Montenegro, a small yet historically rich country in the Balkans, has a diverse and storied past. Its history dates back to ancient times when it was inhabited by Illyrians and later came under Roman rule. Following the fall of the Roman Empire, the region experienced various invasions and the emergence of Slavic tribes. During the medieval period, Montenegro was part of the Serbian state and later developed its own identity under the rule of the Vojislavljević and Balšić dynasties. The Ottoman Empire dominated much of the Balkans for centuries, but Montenegro remained a bastion of resistance, maintaining its independence through mountainous terrain and fierce determination. In the 19th century, Montenegro was officially recognized as an independent state. After World War I, it became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Montenegro's modern history includes its union with Serbia after World War II, forming the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Montenegro declared independence from Serbia in 2006, becoming one of the world's newest sovereign states. Since then, it has focused on economic development and integration into European institutions.