Millions of years ago, a vast inland sea covered large parts of Central Europe: the Pannonian Sea. Half of what is now Serbia lay beneath this prehistoric sea. Even today, water continues to shape the landscape of the Balkans. The Danube and other major rivers carry water from across half of Europe into the country. It shapes the landscape and provides food, shelter and life. The result is a unique habitat with diverse ecosystems – a true hotspot of biodiversity in Europe.