Serbia is known for its rich history and cultural heritage. It was once part of the Byzantine Empire and later became an independent kingdom in the Middle Ages. Serbia played a significant role in the Balkan Wars and World War I, forming the Kingdom of Yugoslavia afterwards. During World War II, it was occupied by Nazi Germany before becoming a socialist state as part of Yugoslavia under Josip Broz Tito. In the 1990s, Serbia went through a period of conflict and instability during the breakup of Yugoslavia, leading to the Kosovo War and eventually its independence from the union in 2006. Today, Serbia is a parliamentary republic and a candidate for European Union membership, with a diverse population and a blend of Eastern and Western influences in its culture and traditions.