Belgrade

the capital of Servia. It is situated on the Danube, midway between Vienna and the Black Sea. It occupies a position strongly fortified by nature. The citadel is built on a lofty promontory and is a sort of Gibraltar, commanding the pass through which travel up or down the river must go. For that reason it is the key to the upper Danube. Originally garrisoned by a Roman legion, it has been fortified, stormed, surrendered, and ceded a score of times. Greeks, Turks, Austrians, and Hungarians have fought desperately for its possession. One of the most memorable sieges was conducted by Prince Eugene in 1717, when he took the citadel after he had defeated an army of 200,000 Turks "under the walls of high Belgrade." Since 1878 it has been the capital of an independent state. Its position has made it the center of communication between the Upper Danube and the Black Sea region. Lines of steamers ply in both directions. The main railway of the Danube Valley passes through Belgrade on the way to Constantinople. The population in 1902 was reported at 69,097. The city has a large wholesale and shipping business. The exports are chiefly grain, fruits, especially fresh plums, marmalade, meats, and live stock. Street railways, telephones, electric lights, waterworks, new public buildings, and fine shops give the city quite a modern appearance. See Servia