.mportant country for international transit. This importance however does not only 
apply to the neighbouring states, but also to the transit traffic between west and 
sast. Over Jugoslav territory pass the chief land connections between the rest 
of Europe and Constantinople. Then there is the waterway of the Danube, 522 kilo- 
metres of whose course are in the country. Finally, more than 1000 kms of 
Adriatic coast with its many excellent natural harbours promise that the King- 
dom’s part in international communications is likely to be even greater in the 
future. 
By the extent of its territory and the number of its inhabitants the SHS 
kingdom counts among the largest states of south-eastern Europe. Its area is 
250.000 sq. kms or 25,000.000 hectares of which 19,000.000 hectares are produc- 
tive land of the following kinds: 
forests 
ploughed land 
pasture 
meadow land 
srchards 
vineyards 
rardens eto 
marshes 
about 7,600.000 hectares 
6,000.000 
2,800.000 
',600.000 
250.000 
180.000 
125.000 
70.000 
In both the north-west and southern parts of the Kingdom (Slovenia, 
South Serbia and Montenegro) there are great mountain complexes. The highest 
peaks are Triglav (2.864 m.) and Durmitor (2.518 m.) which are always snow 
sovered. The central belt is occupied by smaller ranges, while the northern section. 
Voivodina, is one of the most fertile plains of Europe. 
The Kingdom numbers about 13,000.000 inhabitants, of whom 309, live 
in centres of over 5.000 inhabitants, while the remaining 709, live in villages. 
75%, of the population are peasants. 
The SHS Kingdom therefore is primarily an agrarian country. But in addi- 
sion to its agriculture it has great forest and mineral wealth. Finally, there are 
‘airly well developed industries, partly pre-war and partly post-war creations. 
The difficulties from which the Kingdom suffered in the years immediately 
‘ollowing the war, in obtaining industrial goods, either because they could not 
be had, or because of currency and transport difficulties, caused new industries 
to grow up and the old ones to extend in order to satisfy as quickly and as easily 
as possible the enormous needs of the ravaged and plundered lands and people. 
A more detailed survey follows of the various branches of the economic 
ife of the country.