Žabljak Municipality (Montenegrin: Opština Žabljak / Општина Жабљак) is one of the 24 municipalities of Montenegro. It is situated in the northern part of the country and encompasses the town of Žabljak, which serves as the municipal seat.
Geography
- Area: 445 km² (172 sq mi).
- Location: The municipality lies within the Durmitor mountain region, a protected national park that forms a major part of its territory.
- Climate: Classified as Dfb (humid continental with warm summer) under the Köppen system.
- Time zone: UTC +1.
- Postal code: 84220.
- Area code: +382 52.
- ISO 3166‑2 code: ME‑21.
- Vehicle registration: ŽB.
Settlements
The municipality comprises 28 settlements, the largest of which is the town of Žabljak.
Population
According to the 2023 census, Žabljak Municipality has a total population of 2 941. The town of Žabljak itself houses 1 937 residents. Ethnic composition is primarily Serbian (52.64 %) and Montenegrin (42.43 %), with the remainder identified as other or undeclared. The dominant languages are Serbian (67.19 %) and Montenegrin (27.20 %). Eastern Orthodoxy is the predominant religion, adhered to by 96.63 % of the population.
Economy and Tourism
Žabljak is recognized as the centre of Montenegro’s mountain tourism. The Durmitor National Park, encompassing the municipality, offers extensive opportunities for winter sports (skiing, snowboarding) and summer activities (hiking, lake tourism). Notable natural attractions include the Black Lake (Crno jezero) and a series of glacial lakes. Infrastructure challenges, particularly road quality, have historically limited tourism development, though recent improvements—such as the reconstruction of the Risan‑Žabljak road—have reduced travel times to the Adriatic coast to approximately two hours. The municipality is served by Žabljak Airport; the nearest international gateway is Podgorica Airport, about 170 km away.
Government
The municipal assembly (City Assembly) for the 2022–2026 term consists of 31 seats. The party distribution is as follows:
| Party / Coalition | Seats | Alignment |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro (DPS) | 9 | Opposition |
| Democratic Montenegro (DCG) | 5 | Government |
| For the Future of Montenegro (ZBCG, NSD–DNP) | 4 | Government |
| Socialist People’s Party (SNP) | 3 | Government |
| Movement for Changes (PzP) | 1 | Government |
| Democratic Serb Party (DSS) | 1 | Government |
| Social Democrats (SD) | 1 | Opposition |
| Democratic Initiative (DI) | 6 | Government |
Official Resources
- Municipal website: www.zabljak.me
Žabljak Municipality’s combination of high-altitude terrain, protected natural environments, and cultural heritage makes it a distinctive administrative region within Montenegro, particularly noted for its role in promoting mountain tourism.
