Where is Montenegro?

Relatively small in size, Montenegro is striking in its geographical diversity. It accommodates any natural landscapes, not counting desert zones and glaciers. In this article we will tell you where Montenegro is located, and also list its key geographical features.

Location and area

Montenegro is located in the south-west of the Balkan Peninsula. The area of ​​its territory is equal to 13812 km ². This country occupies the 155th place in the world in size.

Montenegro is a European country, however, for its visit in high season a visa is not required. On the map Montenegro looks like this:

Neighboring countries

Montenegro has land borders with Bosnia, Herzegovina, Serbia, the Republic of Kosovo, Albania and Croatia. A visa is not required for visiting Bosnia, Herzegovina and Albania. Excursions to Serbia are not usually offered. To travel to Croatia you need a Schengen visa, which can be obtained at the Montenegrin resort of Kotor.

Through the Adriatic Sea, Montenegro borders on Italy. It can be reached from the city of Bar on a sea-ship. For such a trip you need to have a Schengen visa.

Geographical features

Forests

Forests occupy 41% of the total area of ​​the country. Most of them are reserved for pastures and forest lands. Montenegro is remarkable for its rich plant world, which includes more than 2800 plant species.

Thick pine forests occupy a huge area of ​​the country. The height of most of the trees is more than 50 m, diameter - over 120 cm. In Montenegro, black pines predominate.

Sea and coastal zone

The total length of the Montenegrin coast is 293.5 km. The country includes 14 islands open to visitors.

The north-west of the country is notable for Kotor Bay. It stretches for 40 km and is considered the most southern fjord in the Northern Hemisphere. Kotor Bay is under the protection of UNESCO.

In the south of the country you can see many beautiful bays, lagoons and bays. Almost all resorts of the country are on the territory of the famous Budva Riviera.

The total length of the beaches of Montenegro is 70 km. They are diverse: there are pebble, sand and concrete beaches, urban and hotel beach areas, etc.

Rivers

Many rivers flow across the country. Among the largest of them are Tara, Beer, Lim, Ibar and Zetu. Almost all small and large rivers are located in the west of the country, in the highlands.

The most famous river of Montenegro is Tara, which is a part of the Durmitor reserve zone. It forms the deepest canyon in the whole of Europe. Its depth is 1300 m, and the length exceeds the mark of 80 km.

Lakes

Montenegro can boast more than 40 lakes of different sizes. 29 of them are located in the mountains and are of glacial origin. Many were created by artificial means.

Skadar Lake is an amazing natural phenomenon in Montenegro and, in combination, the largest freshwater body of the whole Balkan Peninsula.

Black, Pivsky and Biogradskoe lakes are among the largest in the country. All of them are in a picturesque area and surrounded by mountains.

The mountains

An impressive part of the territory of Montenegro is on the Dinaric Plateau. Its highest point is the Bobot Cook. The height of the peak is 2500 m. Prior to it, there are transitional routes of different levels of complexity.

The North Albanian Alps stretch along the border with Albania. In the south of the country there is the Montenegrin karst plateau. In the highland part of the state there are Durmitor and Biograd mountain.

Their territories are part of national parks. There are numerous routes along the protected areas.

The slopes of the Montenegrin mountains are covered with vegetation, age-old pines and olive trees. They fill the already fresh air with wonderful fragrances.

Some mountain areas in winter are assigned to ski resorts. The largest number of tourists comes to Zabljak and Kolasin.