Physical geographic characteristics and sustainable development of the mountain area in Montenegro

Abstract

Montenegro is located in the Balkan Penninsula, which is extremely mountainous country. More than two thirds of the total area is mountainous. There are four macro relief units in the mountain area: mountain plains, valleys (canyons and gorges), basins, and mountains. A very dynamic physical geographic basis (geology, geomorphology, climate, hydrology) enabled the diversity and rich natural potential resorts to be formed in the mountain area in Montenegro. In the past 50 years, new industries have appeared: mining, metallurgy, energy production, traffic, and tourism, and their development has led to endangered, devastated, and polluted environments in the mountain area of Montenegro.