Physical-Geographical Characteristics of the Coast of Montenegro

Abstract

The Montenegrin coast is a separate entity with very specific characteristics. Bound by the chain Orjen–Lovcen–Sutorman–Rumija, it has formed a special area that has characteristics that no other relief unit has. Similarities exist, but the zone at the contact of land and sea has developed special characteristics. The relief shape, which dominates the space with its appearance, certainly represents the mentioned mountain range, which has relatively similar geological-geomorphological characteristics. An important feature of the area is the extensions that were formed due to the specific lithological-geological composition of both the southern and southwestern slopes of the mountain range. Sutorina, Grbaljsko, Mrkovsko, and Ulcinjsko fields are the largest extensions belonging to this relief unit, while between them there are a number of smaller extensions Buljarica, Spicansko field, Barsko field, and Goransko field which complement this very interesting relief unit with their appearance. The entire area of the Montenegrin coast is dominated by the Bay of Kotor, one of the most beautiful bays of the fjord type, not only on the Adriatic coast but also in the entire Mediterranean. It consists of four parts: Herceg Novi Bay, Tivat Bay, Morinj-Risan Bay, and Kotor Bay with very characteristic straits that separate them. Certainly, the strait of Verige stands out among them with numerous legends about the origin of its name. Apart from Boka Kotorska, there is a very characteristic Bay of Traste, which is located on the southern slopes of the Lustica Peninsula but is of incomparably lower importance and smaller dimensions. The Montenegrin coast, as a whole, was formed in very specific climatic conditions with a lithological-geological basis which conditioned the formation of characteristic relief characteristics which are described in detail in this chapter.