Serbia is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, in the southern Pannonian Plain and the central Balkans. Its capital, Belgrade, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe and sits at the strategic confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. The country's geography is diverse: the north consists of fertile plains, while the south is dominated by mountain ranges like the Balkans, Carpathians, and Dinaric Alps. Serbia is a key transit corridor in Europe, connecting the West with the Middle East and Africa. One of its most striking natural features is the Iron Gates, a gorge on the Danube River that forms part of the boundary between Serbia and Romania. The climate is moderately continental, with cold winters and hot summers. Historically, it was a core part of the former Yugoslavia. Today, Serbia is a major producer of raspberries and plums and is known for its rich medieval monasteries, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.