Serbia is situated in 2 geographic and cultural parts of Europe: Central Europe - Pannonian plain, and Southeastern Europe - Balkan peninsula. This boundary splits Serbia roughly in ratio 1:3 alongside Danube and Sava rivers. The northern part of the Republic are Central-European lowlands while the southern parts are hilly and mountainous. There are more than 15 mountain peaks rising to over 2,000 metres above sea level. The navigable rivers are the Danube, Sava and Tisa. A moderate continental climate predominates, with more Mediterranean climate in the south.

For nearly a century, Serbia was part of various South Slavic states, including the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes from 1918 to 1941 (re-named the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929), the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from 1945 to 1992, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from 1992 to 2003, and the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro from 2003 to 2006. After Montenegro voted to leave the State Union, Serbia officially proclaimed its independence on June 5, 2006, as the successor state to the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.

The great variety of beautiful scenery and cultural and historical monuments, curative spas, hunting grounds and fishing areas give the basis for Serbia's tourism. The Serbian lands were the crossroads of various civilizations in the past, with different spiritual, architectural, artistic and cultural influences.