Durmitor, northern region of MontenegroLovćen, southern region of Montenegro
Terrain in Montenegro ranges from high mountains in the northern part of the country, through karst segment in central and western part, to almost 300km (190mi) of a narrow coastal plain. The coastal plain disappears completely in the north, where Mount Lovćen and other mountain ranges plunge abruptly into the inlet of the Gulf of Kotor. The coastal region is noted for active seismicity.[2]
Montenegro's section of the karst lies generally at elevations of 1,000m (3,281ft) above sea level-although some areas rise to 1,800m (5,906ft). The lowest segment is in the valley of the Zeta River, which flows at an elevation ranging from 650m (2,133ft) to 45m (148ft). The river occupies the centre of Nikšić field, a flat-floored, elongated depression typical of karstic regions. The underlying rock is predominantly limestone, which dissolves to form sinkholes and caves. The longest cave in Montenegro is Vražji firovi – 10,5km long cave north-east from Berane, and the deepest sinkhole is Željezna jama −1027 m on mount Maganik.[3]
The Zeta River Valley, or Bjelopavlići plain, merges in the southeast with the second significant flat lowland in Montenegro, the Zeta plain. Zeta plain stretches north of the Lake Scutari at elevation of 40m (131ft). The two plains are today the most densely populated areas of Montenegro, housing the two biggest Montenegrin cities, Podgorica and Nikšić.[4]
The high mountains of Montenegro include some of the most rugged terrain in Europe. They average more than 2,000m (6,562ft) in elevation. Among notable peaks is Bobotov Kuk in the Durmitor mountain, which reaches 2,523m (8,278ft). The Montenegrin mountains were the most ice-eroded section of the Balkan Peninsula during the last glacial period.[2]
The coast of Montenegro is 294km (183mi) long. Unlike its northern neighbour Croatia, Montenegro has no large inhabited islands along the coast. A notable feature of the Montenegrin coast is Bay of Kotor, a fjord-like gulf, which is in fact a submerged river canyon. The Bay of Kotor is surrounded by mountains up to 1,000m (3,281ft) high, which plunge almost vertically into the sea.[2]
To the south of the Bay of Kotor, there is a narrow coastal plain, no more than 4km wide, which is guarded from the north by high mountains. The plain provided space for numerous small coastal settlements.[5]
Montenegro's surface runoff in the north is carried away by the Ibar, Lim and Tara river systems, which enter the Danube via the Drina River of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In southern Montenegro, streams flow toward the Adriatic Sea. Much of the drainage of the karstic region is not on the surface but travels in underground channels.[6]
The largest lake in Montenegro and the Balkans is Lake Scutari. Known in Montenegro as Skadarsko Jezero, it lies near the coast and extends across the international border into northern Albania. It is 50km (31mi) long and 16km (9.9mi) wide, with a total surface area of 370km2 (142.9sqmi). Some 60 percent lies within Montenegrin territory. The water body occupies a karstic polje depression that has a floor lying below sea level.[6]
Montenegro's mountainous regions are noted for their numerous lakes.[6]
The climate of Montenegro is varied. On the coast, the climate is primarily a Mediterranean climate (Köppen classification: Csa), with hot to warm dry summers and mild winters with more humidity. In inland southern regions, the climate is subtropical/temperate (KöppenCfa/Cfb), with similar temperature patters but no dry season. In the north, the climate is a continental climate (KöppenDfb/Dfc), which experiences cold winters. The climate on the coast allows for the growth of olive and grape plants, as well as several different types of palm trees.[7][8][9]
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