home Citizenship Geography of Montenegro. Geographical location of Montenegro Ecology and protected areas

Geography of Montenegro. Geographical location of Montenegro Ecology and protected areas

Montenegro is a state in southeastern Europe, on the Adriatic coast of the Balkan Peninsula.

Geographical coordinates: 42 30 N, 19 18 E

The territory of the country has the shape of an irregular trapezoid, with its apex facing the sea. The length from north to south and from west to east is about 200 km, the Adriatic coast is about 100 km (not counting coastline winding Bay of Kotor).

It is washed by the Adriatic Sea and has land borders with Croatia in the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina in the northwest, Serbia in the northeast, the partially recognized Republic of Kosovo in the east, and Albania in the southeast.

The territory of the country can be divided into three parts: the coast of the Adriatic Sea, the relatively flat central part of the country, on which two of its largest cities: Podgorica and Niksic, and the mountain systems of the east of the country.

Length land borders the state is 614 km: in the west with the Republic of Croatia - 14 km; in the northwest with Bosnia and Herzegovina - 225 km; in the northeast with the Republic of Serbia and Kosovo 203 km; in the southeast with the Republic of Albania - 172 km.

The continental coastline of Montenegro is about 300 km long. Montenegro has 14 sea islands, the total length of the coastline of which is 15.6 km. In the north-west of the country there is a large bay of Boka Kotorska, which has a water surface area of 87.3 km² and cuts into the land at 29.6 km.

The length of the beaches of Montenegro is 73 km. The temperature of sea water for seven months ranges from + 12 to +26 ° C, the transparency of sea water in some places exceeds 35 m.

Relief of the country

The Republic of Montenegro occupies the highest edge of the Dinaric Highlands, consisting of individual mountain ranges, ridges and intermountain basins. Here, many peaks rise above 2000 m above sea level; in the south, on the border with Albania, is the most high point countries - Mount Djaravitsa (2656 m). The marginal ridges of the highlands have a steep fall towards the Adriatic Sea.

Some of the mountain ranges are a bare karst plateau, while others, and most of them, are covered with dense coniferous forests, which gave some philologists the right to derive the name of the country from the blackness of the mountain dark coniferous forests.

The rocky plateaus are a picturesque region of Montenegro, which literally adjoins the coast. Mountain and sea air currents meet here. This region is sparsely populated. In the area above Kotor, precipitation levels reach about 4800 mm per year: this is the highest in Europe. Heavy downpours can be observed here for many days.

Central Plain. Lake Skadar, the Zeta River valley and the plains in the area largest cities Montenegro Niksic, Danilovgrad and Podgorica. Its average height is 40 m (in the north. The fertile lowlands and river valleys are an ideal place for settlements, so there is a concentration of greatest number population of the country. Here are the three largest cities in the country - Niksic and Podgorica and Danilovgrad, as well as national park Skadar Lake. The plains do not occupy too large areas. The region of Lake Skadar, the valley of the Zeta River and the Niksic field are well suited for farming. Essentially, all the fertile lands of the country are limited to this, so Montenegro is by no means an agricultural country. The plain has a very warm climate, summers are warmer than in the subtropics of the seaside. Warm air masses they walk from the sea along the valley and reach Podgorica, which is why it is the warmest city in all of Montenegro.

Highlands. The north of Montenegro is occupied by high mountains. These mountains are rich in pastures, forests and lakes. The rivers Moratsa, Piva, Tara and their tributaries cut canyons into the rocks - narrow channels with steep banks. There are two national parks in this region - Biograd and Durmitor. The highlands occupy the largest area of the country and are its important attraction. Here there are mountain plateaus surrounded on all sides at an altitude of 1400-1700 meters. They are separated by mountain peaks over 2000 meters high, including the most high mountain Bobotov Kuk is located on the Durmitor massif - 2522 meters. Except majestic mountains The area is extremely attractive for its ponds. In total, there are 29 alpine lakes of rare beauty in Montenegro. Mountain rivers such as Piva, Tara, Moraca, Zeta also flow here. Over the millions of years of their existence, these rivers, as well as their tributaries, have carved narrow channels with steep banks in the rocks - canyons, whose beauty and size are unique. The Tara River canyon is the largest in Europe, its depth reaches 1300 meters. Only the Grand Canyon in Colorado is larger. The Tara River, the purest European river, protected by UNESCO, is suitable for active tourism, for example, rafting.

Climate of Montenegro

Montenegro has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by dry and hot summers and cool winters with heavy rainfall. Despite the fact that the country's territory is small, 4 climatic regions can be distinguished here: coast, rocky plateau, plain and highlands.

A narrow strip, 2 - 10 km wide, along the coast of Montenegro, bears the most pronounced features of the Mediterranean climate. Summer there is hot (the average daily temperature in July is 28..30 o C), and there is little precipitation (25 - 50 mm per month). The rainy period lasts from November to January, during which time 170 - 260 mm falls per month; in the north of the coast 1.5 times more precipitation falls than in the south. The average monthly temperature at night in January does not fall below 4..5 o C, and during the day 11..13 o C. Negative temperatures are not observed every year. The swimming season lasts 5 months from the end of May to October, the water temperature is 20..25 o C.

A rocky plateau separates the coast from the interior of the country. It receives the most rainfall in Europe, as its southwestern slopes trap moist air coming from the sea. Thus, in the village of Krivosie, located above the Bay of Kotor, 480 mm of precipitation per day was recorded. The town of Crkvica received the maximum annual rainfall - 5155 mm, and in the town of Crkvice, located on a plateau near Mount Lovcen cultural capital countries Cetinje - maximum annual average (3927 mm/year). Just like on the coast, in summer there is noticeably less precipitation (60 - 80 mm in July), and the rainiest month is November (500 - 700 mm). The difference in altitude between the coast and the plateau is on average 1000 m, and the height of some peaks reaches 1700 m. Therefore, in summer it is cooler here than on the coast, the average daytime temperature July varies from 23 to 27 o C depending on altitude. in winter average temperature at night -3..-5 o C, and during the day 5..8 o C. Snow usually falls in December and persists until mid-March.

The plain is protected by a rocky plateau from the direct influence of the Adriatic Sea, so in summer it is hotter than on the coast (average daytime temperature in July 30..32 o C), and in winter it is cooler: on average 0..3 o C at night and 9..11 o Happy day. Precipitation occurs mainly in autumn and winter. In July, 30-60 mm of precipitation falls, and in November 250-300 mm.

The climate of the highlands has subalpine features. In winter, the average temperature at night is -6..-9 o C, and during the day 0..3 o C, but it decreases with altitude. Snow usually falls at the end of November and persists until the end of March. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year, with a maximum in November (can fall from 100 to 300 mm per month depending on the orientation of the slope). Summer is cool, the average temperature during the day is 19..23 o C (high in the mountains it can be colder!), and at night 8..10 o C.

Rivers and lakes

The longest rivers in Montenegro: Tara (144 km), Lim (123 km), Ceotina (100 km), Moraca (99 km), Zeta (65 km) and Boyana (30 km). About 52.2% of Montenegrin rivers belong to the Black Sea basin, the remaining 47.8% to the Adriatic Sea basin. Three Montenegrin rivers (Moraca, Zeta and Piva) flow throughout their entire length through the territory of Montenegro. The Boyana River was previously the only navigable river in Montenegro; At the moment it is not navigable. Most Montenegrin rivers are mountainous and form deep canyons. The Tara River Canyon, about 1200 m deep, is the deepest in Europe and the second deepest in the world. The rivers of Montenegro have an energy potential of 115 kW per 1 km² of territory, which is a very high figure. However, for various reasons (including environmental ones), hydropower is not developed in the country.

The largest lake in Montenegro and the entire Balkan Peninsula is Skadar. total area its water surface is 369.7 km². Two thirds of the lake (by area) are located on the territory of Montenegro, one third - on the territory of Albania. 40 mountainous islands rise above the surface of the lake. The second largest lake in Montenegro is Shasskoe (3.64 km²), located near Ulcinj. There are also 29 small mountain lakes on the territory of Montenegro glacial origin(the so-called “mountain eyes”), the total area of which is 3.89 km². They are called “mountain eyes” because the water in them is unusually clean and calm. Not only do they resemble the eyes of nature in their shape and purity. Mountain peaks are reflected in them, like in eyes drooping with the “eyelashes” of pine needles. The most beautiful of the lakes is Black Lake. Its area is 516,000 sq. meters, it is located at an altitude of 1,418 meters above sea level. Its clear water can be seen to a depth of 9 meters. Black Lake consists of two lakes – Big and Small. During a flood, the water of a large lake goes underground in the vicinity of Zabljak, traveling a long way in the depths, under the canyon of the Tara River, coming to the surface and becoming its right tributary. In the same way, the water leaving through the bottom of the Small Lake comes to the surface in the Komarnica canyon, and together with it flows into the Piva River. The Tara and Piva rivers merge to form the Drina River. Snake Lake is located in a dense forest at an altitude of 1,495 meters, and Small Lake is 1,788 meters above sea level. Many legends are associated with each of the lakes, the names of which are translated as Rybnoe, Goluboe, Wavy, Vrazhe, Zeleny.

Vegetable world

Thanks to the mountainous terrain and southern latitudes, the vegetation of this small republic is very diverse. On the territory of Montenegro, 1.2% of the world’s flora, approximately 3,500 plant species, grows. The country ranks 1st in Europe in terms of the number of plant species per unit area. These are mainly rare, endemic and relict species, among which there are medicinal, aromatic and melliferous plants. Most of the territory (about 80%) is occupied by forests in which spruce, fir, beech, elm, oak, maple, rowan, and lime trees grow. Meadows are also common. On the Adriatic coast and islands there are thickets of hard-leaved evergreen shrubs (maquis) and areas of subtropical forests (holm oak, laurel, myrtle, etc.); large areas are covered with tough grasses.

Due to the fact that the average altitude of Montenegro above sea level is 1500 m, a lot of light and ultraviolet rays fall on plants, which is very important for the appearance of medicinal properties. Among the climatic factors, a significant amount of precipitation should be noted. Most of them fall in spring and autumn.

Mountain plants receive moisture from night dew. On the other hand, summer dryness also has its effect, because... promotes the formation of a large amount of oily substance. Soil composition also affects vegetation diversity.

Animal world

Thanks to the forests, a rich natural fauna has been preserved in Montenegro. Large animals live in mountainous areas: brown bears, lynxes, wild boars, wolves, deer, fallow deer, chamois, wild goats. There are jackals on the coast, and turtles, snakes, and lizards in the karst areas. Lizards and snakes live on rocky slopes. The world of birds is also rich; woodpeckers, turtle doves, cuckoos, partridges, and thrushes live here. Numerous predators are also common (golden eagle, vulture, etc.). Fish stocks, both marine and freshwater, are also significant. The rivers and lakes are home to carp, pike, perch, trout, and eel. In the Adriatic Sea, sardine, mackerel, tuna, palamid, and mullet are of commercial importance.

Montenegro is a small country located in the southwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula on the Adriatic Sea coast. Its area is only 13.8 thousand km2. However, 4 different natural and climatic regions can be distinguished on the territory of the country: coastal, plateau, highland and flat, leading to Lake Skadar.

In the west, Montenegro borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the coast with Croatia, in the north and northeast with Serbia, and in the east with Albania. It is limited from the south Adriatic Sea, the length of the coastline is about 300 km. The length of the beaches is 73 km, of which 56 km are sandy beaches.

The coast of Montenegro, only 2-10 km wide, is sandwiched between the sea and a rocky plateau that falls steeply towards it. Montenegro is home to one of the best harbors in Europe - the Bay of Kotor (protrudes into the coast for more than 20 km), consisting of several spacious bays connected by narrow canals. For a long time there was a belief that the bay was a fjord, but now it is believed that the Bay of Kotor is the remains of a river canyon that once existed here. Strong tectonic and karst processes led to its gradual destruction.

A karst plateau rises above the coast; the terrain here is harsh, but beautiful in its own way. The rocks dry out quickly: even the heaviest annual rainfalls cannot significantly moisten the soil, so there are few plants and animals here. Rare areas of fertile land are found only on small plains and crater-shaped depressions. The Lovcen National Park is located here.

The basin of Lake Skadar, the fertile plain of the Zeta River, the Bjelopavlica plain and the Nikšić field make up a flat region with an elevation difference of 350 m. The bulk of the population of Montenegro lives in the flat region. Here are the two largest cities of the country - Podgorica and Niksic, as well as the Skadar Lake national park.

In the north of the country, northeast of the Piva, Komarnica and Moraca rivers, there is a highland region. In the highlands, 4 large mountain ranges can be distinguished: Visitor, Durmitor and Komovi (they form the Dinaric Highlands) and Prokletiye (Cursed Mountains). The height of the peaks reaches more than 2000 m above sea level. The highest point of Montenegro - Mount Bobotov Kuk (2522 m) is located in the Durmitor massif. In the highlands there are pastures and forests, and numerous mountain lakes. The rivers Piva, Tara, Moraca and their tributaries have carved narrow canyons with steep banks in the rocks. The Tara River canyon is the largest in Europe and the second in the world, its depth reaches 1300 m. There are also two national parks in this region - Biogradska Gora and Durmitor.

Montenegro is one of the most popular tourist destinations Europe. Montenegro is mountains and plains, dense forests, crystal clear waters of the Adriatic, mountain rivers and picturesque lakes, piercingly clean air, as well as beautiful ancient cities, where different styles and cultures are so harmoniously combined, thereby creating a unique flavor and atmosphere of comfort. Amazing natural resources this beautiful country, wonderful climate, abundance of historical, architectural and cultural attractions, combined with affordable prices, attract an increasing number of tourists to this little paradise.

Lord George Byron wrote about Montenegro:

“At the moment of the birth of our planet, the most beautiful meeting of land and sea took place in Montenegro... When the pearls of nature were sown, a whole handful fell on this land...”

The Republic of Montenegro covers the southwestern, coastal part of the Balkan Peninsula. In the west, Montenegro borders with Croatia, in the northwest with Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the north, northeast and east with Serbia, and in the southeast with Albania. The population of Montenegro is about 650,000 people. The Montenegrin coast has a coastal part with a length of 293 km, along the coast there are 14 islands with 15.6 km. coastline.
Budva is a city in Montenegro, located in the central part of the Adriatic coast of the country. The city is the center of the municipal district of the same name. Budva was founded 2500 years ago and is one of the most ancient settlements on the shores of the Adriatic Sea.
Budva and its surroundings form the Budva Riviera - the largest tourist center in Montenegro, famous for its sandy beaches, nightlife and beautiful examples of Mediterranean architecture.
Most historical monuments are concentrated in the Old Town of Budva. Situated on a peninsula that juts out into the sea, it is a corner of typically Venetian and Mediterranean architecture. Despite the devastating consequences of the 1979 earthquake, by 1987 the Old City had been completely restored. The old town is surrounded by a powerful fortress wall and pierced by narrow winding streets that lead to the city citadel, where the museum is now located. Near the citadel there are three ancient churches.
The beautiful and graceful sculpture of a dancer, located on a rocky stone near Mogren Beach, has become an unofficial symbol of the city. This is the most famous and photographed landmark of Budva. This monument, according to legend, is associated with a romantic legend, and has become a symbol of true love, near which romantically minded people love to take pictures and make wishes. Fortress walls
The fortress walls of Budva from the sea Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (founded in the 7th century), with a bell tower - the architectural dominant of the old city.
Church of the Holy Trinity (built in 1804) is an Orthodox church built in a typically Byzantine style. Characteristic feature is a bell tower “on a spinning wheel” with three bells. The façade of the church above the western gate is decorated with a rosette. A Greek icon painter painted the iconostasis partition of this church in the 19th century, and it is of exceptional artistic value. The Budva Citadel (city fortress Kastel), built on a hill on the southern side of the city. The city walls begin and end here. The fortress was first mentioned in 1425. Old town Budva
Not far from Budva, within direct visibility, is the island of St. Nicholas, one of the few islands off the coast of Montenegro.
Marina for yachts and boats near the Old Town of Budva Budva is surrounded by beaches, most of which are either coarse sand or small pebbles.
Ostrog Monastery is one of the most amazing and wonderful places in Montenegro. This is recognized by everyone who has visited it at least once. Carved into sheer cliff at an altitude of 900 meters above sea level, the monastery is the embodiment of purity, fortitude and true faith, for which nothing is impossible. Thanks to its unique architecture and location, Ostrog, like a guiding star in the dark sky, is always clearly visible from afar, both day and night. Looking at it, sometimes it begins to seem that the construction of such a temple cannot be the work of human hands, but is the result of divine providence.
Today Ostrog is a functioning Serbian Orthodox monastery in Montenegro, located in the mountains 15 km from the city of Danilovgrad, at an altitude of about 900 m above sea level. Founded in the 17th century. The monastery houses the relics of its founder, St. Basil of Ostrog, one of the most revered saints of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The incorrupt relics of St. Basil of Ostrog are still kept in one of the monastery churches, having become one of the main Montenegrin relics. These relics are believed to have miraculous healing powers. It is believed to be the third most visited Orthodox pilgrimage site in the world, after the tomb of Christ and the holy mountain in Jerusalem. Ostrog is the only functioning Orthodox monastery, where not only Christians, but also followers of other religions come for pilgrimage purposes.
Old Austrian fortress Kosmach. This fortress is perfectly visible from the Budva - Cetinje highway. The Kosmac Fortress was built by the Austrians as a defensive structure on the border with Montenegro, then a semi-autonomous province of the Ottoman Empire, in 1841-50. It is located on the top of Kosmach Hill (where its name comes from). The fortress was a key one in the chain of border fortresses of Austria-Hungary.
Sveti Stefan is a resort in Montenegro, located on the Adriatic coast, on the Budva Riviera, 5 kilometers southeast of Budva. Located on a small island, the isthmus between the land and the island is natural, resulting from the accumulation of gravel in layers. Very rare a natural phenomenon. The island is closed to non-hotel guests. The village of the same name adjacent to the island has a tourist infrastructure, and prices for apartments, although higher than the average in Montenegro, are much more affordable than in a hotel on the island.
The fortress was first mentioned in chronicles in 1442, when residents of the local village of Petrovichi met the Ottomans who were trying to capture Kotor. After the victory, it was decided to erect a church and fortress in honor of St. Stephen. Sveti Stefan was an important trade center and transport hub during the Venetian Republic. Sveti Stefan was inhabited in the 15th century and for a long time represented a simple fishing village. Due to the economic crisis, the city began to decline. In the 1950s, 20 residents were relocated to the mainland and Sveti Stefan became a luxury hotel town. During the reconstruction, the appearance of the buildings, of which there are about 80, was not damaged. Holidays in Sveti Stefan were popular among many celebrities: at one time, guests of the resort were Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Claudia Schiffer, Carlo Ponti, Kirk Douglas, Bobby Fischer, Sylvester Stallone and others.
The island of Sveti Stefan is one of the most expensive resorts in Montenegro. There are 58 luxury apartments here, including 8 in the world famous Villa Milocer. The beaches on the island have a total length of about 2 kilometers and consist of beautiful pink sand. The island is connected to the land by a small isthmus made of layered gravel, which in itself is a unique phenomenon - the isthmus is of natural and not artificial origin.
Here is the cleanest sea in all of Europe and beaches with dark gray sand or tiny pebbles.
The Bay of Kotor is considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world and confidently ranks first among the most beautiful bays in Europe. Previously, it was even believed that the Bay of Kotor was the southernmost fjord in Europe. This is not actually the case, but the landscapes are indeed very similar.
Kotor is a city in Montenegro, administrative center Kotor municipality. Located on the shores of the Bay of Kotor on the Adriatic Sea. Historically, Kotor and its surrounding lands belong to the Dalmatia region. The old part of the city is under UNESCO protection. Kotor is the administrative, cultural, religious, educational and economic center of Boka Kotorska. Throughout the history of Kotor and the Bay of Kotor, the main occupation of local residents has been navigation and overseas trade. Therefore, Kotor has become one of the most important shopping centers this part of the Adriatic coast.
Cathedral of St. Tryphon in Kotor - Cathedral Kotor Catholic Diocese. The Cathedral of St. Tryphon has become the center of the spiritual life of local Croats, who historically constitute a significant part of the population of Kotor. This is one of the two Catholic cathedrals in Montenegro, along with the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, located in the city of Bar. The Cathedral of St. Tryphon, despite numerous reconstructions, is an outstanding example of Romanesque architecture. The cathedral building was consecrated on July 19, 1166 in the name of Saint Tryphon, who is considered the patron saint of Kotor. The building has faced many challenges; One of the most difficult moments in the history of the temple was the catastrophic earthquake of 1667. Its consequences were the destruction of part of the building, as a result of which both bell towers of the cathedral had to be rebuilt. Built from stone from the now Croatian island of Korcula, they acquired some baroque features. They were connected to each other by a wide arch dividing the façade of the building horizontally. On the upper part of the facade there is a fairly large rose window; the arch forms a portico located directly above the entrance to the cathedral. The Cathedral of St. Tryphon is part of the site World Heritage"Natural and cultural-historical region of Kotor."
In the northern part of old Kotor there is another building that attracts attention not only ordinary tourists, but also for those who are interested in the history of Orthodoxy, this is the Church of St. Nicholas. Construction of the church began in 1902 on the foundation of a burnt building, construction was completed in 1909 - the date of completion of construction is imprinted on the facade of the building. The famous architect Corill Ivekovic worked on the temple project. Built in the Byzantine style, with one nave, with two bell towers on the main facade, the church is clearly visible from the city wall, which is adjacent to it. Church of St. Nicholas is the only one Orthodox Church Kotor, where religious services are held daily.
The old town of Kotor is rightfully considered one of the best preserved medieval urban centers on the Adriatic, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. cultural heritage. From 1420 to 1797 Kotor and its surroundings were under the control of the Venetian Republic and Venetian influence remained dominant in the city's architecture. The city fortress walls were continuously built and rebuilt from the 9th to the 19th centuries. Walls surround Old city and climb a rocky hill, on the slope of which Kotor is located. Their length is 4.5 kilometers, their height reaches 20 meters, and their thickness is 16 meters. On the top of a hill at an altitude of 260 meters above sea level is the Fortress of St. John The Kotor Fortress is one of the unique attractions. The Romans began construction of the citadel, destroying the foundation and walls that the Illyrians had previously built here. The next to capture this strategically important bay were the Byzantines: they destroyed the already dilapidated citadel and built a new one in its place. Further, the Kotor citadel experienced the influence of many different invaders. The Byzantines were replaced by Arabs in the middle of the 9th century, followed by Bulgarians, Venetians and Serbs. During the period of Venetian rule (15-17 centuries), the Ottomans tried to besiege the fortress. In the 18th century the fortifications went to the Habsburgs, and at the beginning of the 19th century. - French Empire. True, France did not have time to add anything of its own to the appearance of the fortress: in 1814 the fortress was occupied by the British. By decision of the Vienna Congress, Kotor returned to the fold of the Austrian Empire. In 1979, the fortress was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Fortress walls protect the old city from the north and southwest. Their length is 4.5 km, thickness - from 2 to 16 m, and height - 20 m. Amazing power! But the main reason why most of tourists are trying to get here, that’s 1460! steps (someone counted). To climb to the top of the mountain, directly to the fortress itself, you need to overcome them. And the path is thorny and long: the first part is the green path (simple), the second is yellow (medium difficulty), the third is red (the most difficult and dangerous). Some steps are destroyed, in some places the road goes right over the cliff.
View of the city walls from the river.
Perast — old City in Montenegro. Located on the shores of the Bay of Kotor on the Adriatic Sea, a few kilometers northwest of Kotor. Perast lies at the foot of St. Elias Hill (873 m), on the cape that separates the Bay of Risan from the Bay of Kotor (which, in turn, are constituent parts of the Bay of Kotor), directly opposite the Verige Strait, the narrowest part of Boka.
The name of the city is believed to come from the name of the Illyrian tribe of Pyrusts. Traces of a Neolithic culture (circa 3500 BC) were found in the Spila cave above Perast. Various archaeological evidence from the Illyrian, Roman and early Christian periods has also been discovered here. Founded by the Illyrians. Despite its small size, Perast is very popular among tourists - after all, it is one of the most beautiful examples of Baroque architecture on the shores of the Adriatic. Every house in the city, and there are quite a few of them, is like a real museum, and the surrounding beauty of the bay gives Perast even more charm. According to the 2003 census, the city has 349 inhabitants
There are two small islands near Perast: St. George Island and Gospa od Shkrpela Island.
One of the islands is called the island of St. George, on which rises a picturesque Benedictine abbey, which was first mentioned in 1166 as the property of the city of Kotor. The study of the few surviving fragments of the original architectural decoration led to the conclusion that the abbey existed at least as early as the 9th century. The island remained a Kotor possession until 1634, when patronage over it passed to the Venetian Senate. The island was constantly under threat of invasion and earthquakes. In 1535, the townspeople of Perast killed Abbot Pascal, who was elected by the city council of Kotor (as a sign of repentance, the Perast residents rebuilt and expanded the church on the neighboring island). In 1571, the Turkish pirate Karadoz burned both the abbey and the whole of Perast (restoration began only in 1603). During the Great Earthquake of April 6, 1667, the abbey on St. George's Island was again destroyed. In 1812, the abbey was captured by the French, who were later expelled by the townspeople of Perast. In 1814, the abbey was captured by the Austrians. The abbey contains works from the 15th century by Lovro Marinov Dobrichevich, a famous artist from Kotor.
Another island is called "Gospa od Skrpela" (Italian: Madonna dello Scarpello, which means "Madonna of the Reef" or "Our Lady of the Rock" (from the Latin "scropulus" - "reef"). Gospa od Skrpela is perhaps the only man-made island of the Adriatic and is located 115 meters northwest of the island of St. George.It was built on top of a reef after in 1452 two sailors from Perast, the Mortešić brothers, found on it an icon of the Mother of God, which cured one of them from an illness After this, the icon immediately became revered. Initially, the reef was only slightly above the surface of the water, but for 200 years the townspeople sank captured pirate ships and their old ships next to it (in addition, a law was passed according to which every ship passing by the reef had to throw a stone to the bottom here) This is how a plateau was created, the area of which is 3030 m².
The Church of the Mother of God was built on the island ( modern look it took over after reconstruction undertaken after the Great Earthquake of April 6, 1667). The church was built in the Byzantine style and reaches 11 meters in height. It is believed that the inhabitants of Perast built the church not only because they wanted to see the Virgin Mary as the patroness of their sailors, but also to secure their authority over the man-made island as opposed to the authority of Kotor over the island of St. George. At the end of the 17th century, Perast reached the pinnacle of economic and cultural development, which helped decorate the Church of Our Lady of the Rocks with many works of art. So, Andria Zmaevich invited Tripo Kokol to decorate it, who spent about 10 years to complete the painting of the church. Over the centuries, the church has received gifts from wealthy citizens and ship captains and is now not only a temple, but also a treasury and art gallery. There are 68 oil paintings here. On the walls of the church you can see 2,500 gold and silver “vow” plates, which the residents of Boka Kotorska donated to the church “in fulfillment of this vow” for deliverance from various disasters.
The canyons of the Tara and Moraca rivers are the most amazing corner of Montenegro. In our opinion, this excursion is considered the most interesting in Montenegro. For almost fourteen hours we traveled by bus along the winding Montenegrin serpentines. Flying to Montenegro and not going to see the canyons is almost the same as never going to the beach. In the photo - Canyon of the Moraca River.
Around every turn, truly amazing mountain landscapes and fantastic views of rivers running somewhere far below opened up. Well, what can we say - the nature in Montenegro is simply amazing.

Lake Biograd is often called the heart national park Biogradska Gora - it really is its central part and the most attractive destination for tourists visiting this region. This unique natural reserve, one of the most beautiful lakes of the entire Balkan Peninsula, can give many pleasant impressions from the dense forests surrounding it, clean mountain air and clear blue water, which have remained unchanged for several centuries.
Lake Biograd is located in an intermountain basin of glacial origin at an altitude of 1,094 m above sea level. This is the largest of the 6 lakes scattered throughout the Biogradska Gora National Park. The surface area is 228,500 m², the average depth is 4.5 m, and the maximum is 12.1 m. The Lavel stream and the Biogradska river flow into the lake. The Jezerstica River, which is a tributary of the Tara, flows out of Lake Biograd.
Montenegro is famous for many beautiful places. One of them is the Tara River Canyon, the deepest in Europe and the second in the world after the Grand Canyon! Around - beautiful mountains, gorges and waterfalls. The length of this miracle of nature is 82 km, in some places the height of the walls reaches more than 1300 meters.
Huge massive mountains seem to hang overhead.
One of the most beautiful places Tara Canyon - a bend in the river. At this point it bends in the form of a huge horseshoe. The canyon is located between the mountains of Sinyaevina and Durmitor on one side, and Ljubišnja and Zlatni Bor on the other, being part of the Durmitor National Park. The territory of the canyon with the Durmitor park is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
It is simply impossible to talk about the number of amazing landscapes that we were able to see. Not a single photo in any way conveys the fantastic beauty of this place; any description seems faded in comparison with reality. Djurjevic Bridge is a concrete arch bridge over the Tara River in the northern part of Montenegro. Located at the crossroads between the cities of Mojkovac, Zabljak and Pljevlja. The Djurdzhevich Bridge got its name from the owner of the farm located nearby. The Djurdjevic Bridge was designed by Mijat Trojanovic. It was built between 1937 and 1940 in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The chief engineer of the project is Isaac Russo. The 5-arch bridge has a length of 365 meters, the length of the largest span is 116 meters. The height of the roadway of the bridge from the Tara River is 172 meters. At the time of completion, it was the largest vehicular concrete arch bridge in Europe. The bridge has become the hallmark of the country. In 1942, Yugoslav partisans, with the help of one of the bridge construction engineers, Lazar Jaukovic, blew up the central arch, but preserved the remaining spans. The explosion of the longest span destroyed the only crossing of the Tara River canyon in the area, which led to a halt in the advance of Italian troops into this part of Montenegro. The Italians became so angry that they specifically looked for Lazar Jaukovic, and he was eventually captured and shot. A monument to the engineer stands at the entrance to the bridge. These events were depicted in the 1969 Yugoslav film The Bridge and the British film Hurricane of Navarone. The bridge was restored in 1946. People come to see it all the time sightseeing buses. For everyone, there is a campsite with a parking lot, a shop, a hostel and a gas station on the Djurdzhevich Bridge. The Djurdjevic Bridge offers a magnificent view. It feels like you're floating in the air. There is a huge abyss underfoot and somewhere far below the waves of Tara are seething.
There are mountains around, cliffs, forests, clean air... the joy in my soul from this beauty is extraordinary!
Durmitor National Park is a real miracle of nature in Montenegro. Ancient forests, mountains, lakes, rivers and alpine meadows stretch across a vast expanse. Somewhere here are small villages lost, people in which live almost the same as many hundreds of years ago, without changing the centuries-old way of life. Durmitor is confidently included in the list of the most interesting attractions in Montenegro. Durmitor National Park, created in 1952, includes the Durmitor mountain range, the canyons of the Tara, Susica and Draga rivers, as well as the upper part of the Komarnica plateau. The total area is 390 km². In 1980 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Some believe that the word “durmitor” comes from the Celtic language and means “mountains in which there is a lot of water,” others believe that from Latin this word means “sleeping, immersed in eternal sleep.” During the Ice Age, everything here was covered with ice, and with the advent of the thaw, many beautiful mountain lakes formed. There are about 18 of them; the most famous of them is the Black Lake (“Crno Jezero”), which local residents nicknamed “dark eyes” because big lake through the isthmus it flows into a small lake and forms a semblance of eyes. In addition to lakes, Durmitor is famous for its mountain peaks, some of which are covered with snow even in summer. The highest point of the mountain range is Bobotov Kuk; its height is 2523 m. This Peak has a strange but euphonious name and is said to represent the highest mountain peak in the Republic of Montenegro. This is one of 48 peaks with heights of more than 2000 meters located on the territory of the Durmitor mountain range. Black Lake is comfortably located at the foot of Mount Bobotov Kuk at an altitude of 1416 m. Its area is 516 m². The water in the lake is highly clean and transparent; it can be drunk without fear. The water in the lake is so clear that it can be seen to a depth of 9 meters. In fact, it consists of two small reservoirs - Big and Small, connected by a narrow strait. Among other things, Black Lake is also very beautiful - its calm waters reflect a dense coniferous forest, which gives the reservoir a rich blue-green color.
Durmitor is the embodiment of a real fairy tale. There are icy lakes and spacious meadows strewn with the most different colors, and the thicket of a dense coniferous forest, where you can always hear birds singing and see squirrels jumping along the branches.

The terrain of Montenegro is not conducive to the appearance of wide, smooth highways - most of the country is covered with mountains and hills, along which narrow serpentines and mountain roads are laid. These very roads in Montenegro, in the mountains, are a real test for the driver and passengers - a lot of extreme impressions from the trip are guaranteed!
Lake Skadar is one of the main attractions of Montenegro. Lake Skadar or Shkodra is the largest lake on the Balkan Peninsula. Located on the territory of two states Montenegro and Albania, 2/3 of the lake belongs to Montenegro. In 1983, Lake Skadar became a national park. This place is very beautiful, rich in fish and a huge number of birds, and there are numerous small villages on the coast. This is the largest natural freshwater body of water on the entire Balkan Peninsula - its average area is 475 square kilometers!
Lake reed, southern reed and angustifolia cattail, white water lily, yellow water lily and chilim grow on the lake. The lake is rich in fish and waterfowl. Common species include bleaks, carp, pods, freshwater eels, red salmon, roach, alose, pachychylon, mullet and rudd. Birds are represented by no less than 26 species. In winter, more than 200 thousand birds live on the lake.
The lake's water surface area is about 390 km², but can increase to 530 km² during winter floods. The average area is 475 km². The total length of the coast is 168 km: 110.5 km in Montenegro and 57.5 km in Albania. The maximum depth of the lake is more than 60 meters, the average is 6 m.
The climate in the lake area is Mediterranean, with mild and rainy winters. The average January temperature is 7.3 °C. Summer is dry and hot, the air heats up above 40 °C, water - above 27 °C
Lake Skadar has a rich history and culture, as evidenced by numerous archaeological finds, medieval monasteries and churches, fortresses and local architecture (fishing villages, bridges, mills and wells). On the lake islands, of which there are 55 in total, and on the shore near the lake, there are many interesting historical sights and monuments, including ancient churches and active monasteries (Vranina, Starchevo, Beshka, Morachnik and others).

The lake has been a protected National Park since 1983 and was included in the 1971 Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance in 1996.
Cetinje Monastery - Orthodox Monastery of the Nativity Holy Mother of God in the historical and spiritual capital of Montenegro, the city of Cetinje. The monastery was built in 1484. The main shrine kept in the monastery is the incorruptible right hand of St. John the Baptist. This is one of the most revered shrines in the Christian world, since according to the Bible, John the Baptist laid his right hand on the head of Jesus Christ during Baptism. Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary on Chipura.
The village of Njegusi is a quiet, peaceful place, which is located on the slope of Mount Lovcen at an altitude of 900 m above sea level in the municipality of Cetinje. Now the village has turned into a real tourist town, in which there are no more than 50 houses and about 200 people live. This settlement is famous for the fact that it produces the famous Njegushski prosciutto (cured pork ham), famous throughout Montenegro, as well as famous homemade cheeses and natural mountain honey. Here you can also see how this meat is produced, buy it as a souvenir, or try prosciutto in local konobas. The fact is that it is here that nature itself has created ideal conditions for making prosciutto - a cool climate and mountain air that mixes with sea air. This is what gives the prosciutto from Njeguši its unique aroma.
Montenegro is very rich in the most amazing sights. Here you can see not only magnificent natural landscapes, but also ancient churches, temples, and fortresses. Even the most successful photographs in no way convey the beauty that we will remember for the rest of our lives. No wonder Vladimir Semyonovich Vysotsky wrote: “One birth is not enough for me, I wish I could grow from two roots, It’s a pity that Montenegro did not become my second homeland...”

Montenegro is famous for its varied natural landscapes, especially inland. However, tourists are most interested in the main coast of Montenegro. We will talk about it in this article.
The length of the coast of Montenegro is 293 km. It consists of two individual parts: Boka Kotorska in the north (the Bay of Kotor, a series of four basins connected by straits and surrounded by hills) and the "regular" coast in the south.
On the northern and eastern edge of the Bay of Kotor, the mountains rise almost vertically from the sea to the peaks Orijen (1895 m) and Lovcen (1749 m). Warm air from the sea rises over the rocks, quickly cools and causes rain. Due to the high rainfall, the entire bay coast remains very green even during the warmest summer months. The area around the Bay of Kotor is one of the regions in Europe with the highest rainfall.

The rest of the coastline is open to the sea. There are many long and relatively wide beaches. The predominant vegetation in this region is Mediterranean vegetation with dense evergreen bushes and a variety of aromatic plants. Tall cypress trees, maritime pines and olive groves are also common on south coast Montenegro.
As for the weather on this coast, summers are long and hot, and winters are mild and rainy.

Montenegro coast map

Unfortunately we couldn't find good map coast of Montenegro in Russian, but found several detailed maps, which indicate all the important cities and resorts of Montenegro on the Adriatic coast. We recommend that you enlarge the map to see it in more detail. To enlarge, click on the map itself, and then on the “Enlarge” icon.

Cities and resorts of Montenegro on the coast

Almost all the cities of Montenegro on the sea coast are resorts. Only some of the most famous cities in Montenegro are not on the coastline (Podgorica, Cetinje, Zabljak). Which cities and resorts of Montenegro are located on the seashore? These are like this famous cities as (from north to south): Herceg Novi, Kotor, Tivat, Budva, Becici, Petrovac, Sutomore, Bar and Ulcinj. Of course, these are not all resorts. We talked about all these cities in separate articles, and even dedicated entire sections on our website to some of them.

- state in Southern Europe, located on the Balkan Peninsula. In the southeast it borders with Albania, in the south it is separated from Italy by the Adriatic Sea, in the west it has borders with Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Length sea coast Montenegro (including the Malente Islands) is 293.5 km.

The name comes from the toponym Black Mountain.

Official name: Montenegro (Crna Gora).

Capital: Podgorica

The area of the land: 13,812 sq. km

Total Population: 620 thousand people

Administrative division: Montenegro is divided into 21 communities.

Form of government: Republic.

Head of State: The president.

Population composition: 57% are Montenegrins, 30.% are Serbs, 7.77% are Bosnians, 3% are Albanians, 1% are Russians, 0.42% are Roma.

Official language: Montenegrin. Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian and Albanian are also recognized as official languages.

Religion: 74.24% are Orthodox, 17.74% are Muslim, 3.54% are Catholic.

Internet domain: .me

Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz

Country dialing code: +382

Country barcode: 389

Climate

A narrow strip, 2 - 10 km wide, along the coast of Montenegro, bears the most pronounced features of the Mediterranean climate. Summer there is hot (average daily temperature in July is 28..30 C), and there is little precipitation (25 - 50 mm per month). The rainy period lasts from November to January, during which time 170 - 260 mm falls per month; in the north of the coast 1.5 times more precipitation falls than in the south. The average monthly temperature at night in January does not fall below 4..5 C, and during the day 11..13 C. Negative temperatures are not observed every year. The swimming season lasts 5 months from the end of May to October, the water temperature is 20..25 C.

The difference in altitude between the coast and the plateau is on average 1000 m, and the height of some peaks reaches 1700 m. Therefore, in the summer it is cooler here than on the coast; the average daily temperature in July varies from 23 to 27 C depending on the altitude. In winter, the average temperature at night is -3..-5 C, and during the day 5..8 C. Snow usually falls in December and persists until mid-March.

The plain is protected by a rocky plateau from the direct influence of the Adriatic Sea, so in summer it is hotter than on the coast (average daytime temperature in July 30..32oC), and in winter it is cooler: on average 0..3oC at night and 9..11oC during the day. Precipitation occurs mainly in autumn and winter. In July, 30 - 60 mm of precipitation falls, and in November 250 - 300 mm.

The climate of the highlands has subalpine features. In winter, the average temperature at night is -6..-9 C, and during the day 0..3oC, but it decreases with altitude. Snow usually falls at the end of November and persists until the end of March. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year, with a maximum in November (can fall from 100 to 300 mm per month depending on the orientation of the slope). Summer is cool, the average temperature during the day is 19..23 C (high in the mountains it can be colder!), and at night 8..10 C.

Best time to visit:

For beach holiday July and August are the best months - the hottest, driest and sunny months. In September, when the sea is still warm and the main wave of tourists has already subsided, you can also have a great holiday at sea. Diving, windsurfing, paragliding and other sports, as well as sightseeing, can be practiced almost all year round, except November-December. You can safely travel to mountainous regions from April to October. Ski season lasts from December to March.

Geography

Montenegro is a small country located in the southwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula on the Adriatic Sea coast. Its area is only 13.8 thousand km2. However, 4 different natural and climatic regions can be distinguished on the territory of the country: coastal, plateau, highland and flat, leading to Lake Skadar.

In the west, Montenegro borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the coast with Croatia, in the north and northeast with Serbia, and in the east with Albania. From the south it is limited by the Adriatic Sea, the length of the coastline is about 300 km. The length of the beaches is 73 km, of which 56 km are sandy beaches.

In the highlands there are pastures and forests, and numerous mountain lakes. The rivers Piva, Tara, Moraca and their tributaries have carved narrow canyons with steep banks in the rocks. The Tara River canyon is the largest in Europe and the second in the world, its depth reaches 1300 m. There are also two national parks in this region - Biogradska Gora and Durmitor.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

The flora of Montenegro is very rich, despite the harsh conditions in the mountainous regions that occupy most of the country. Here, on just 0.14% of Europe's territory, 2,833 plant species grow, accounting for almost a quarter of the species of European flora. On the coast you can find olive and fruit groves, cypress trees, palm trees and grapes. However, most of the coastal cliffs are covered with maquis - dense thickets of evergreen shrubs characteristic of the Mediterranean.

Higher in the mountains there are oak and coniferous forests. mountain range Bjelasica, where the Biogradska Gora National Park is located, is covered with mixed forest. There are 86 tree species here, including spruce, fir, beech, elm, oak, maple and even rowan. Alpine edelweiss, which has become rare, as well as mountain cornflowers and violets grow in the mountains; such vegetation is typical for the belt of alpine meadows.

In the area of another national park, Lake Skadar, the terrain is completely different. The main part of its coast is marshy, overgrown with reeds, and the surface of the lake is covered with a carpet of yellow and white water lilies. Many types of vegetation are endemic, i.e. found only in this area.

Animal world

The fauna of Montenegro is also rich. Predators in mountainous areas include wolves, bears, and foxes. Their prey includes deer, fallow deer, chamois, wild goats, hares and gophers. There are wild boars in the valleys. The Adriatic Sea is home to several hundred species of fish, including sea bass, mullet, red mullet, as well as shrimp, lobster, and octopus.

The rivers are rich in trout, perch, carp, catfish, carp and pike. Lake Skadar is home to 50 species of fish; the local population hunts mainly for bleak and carp. In addition, Lake Skadar is a permanent or temporary habitat for 270 bird species. Here you can see colonies of pelicans, cormorants, herons and black ibises. The lake attracts bird watchers from all over the world.

Attractions

On the territory of Montenegro, many historical and cultural monuments, and most of them, despite the numerous wars that have swept through this land, are in excellent condition. Hundreds of medieval monasteries and ancient cities, dozens balneological resorts, unique natural complexes of the southern Balkans, tens of kilometers of beaches of the Montenegrin Riviera, good-natured and friendly people - these are far from full list the merits of this country.

Montenegro, even during the unified Yugoslavia, was the main tourist area countries. Thanks to the varied terrain, clean mountain rivers, warm sea(considered, by the way, the cleanest in Europe), a luxurious coastline (length is 290 km, beaches - 73 km, 56 km of which are sandy, which is quite rare for this region), excellent climate and the status of a European ecological park, this tiny the country is one of the recognized centers of tourism in Europe.

Banks and currency

The monetary unit is the euro (coins 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 euro cents, 1 and 2 euros; banknotes 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 euros).

The National Bank of Montenegro is open from Monday to Friday (10:30-14:00). Commercial banks are open from 08:00 to 19:00, on Saturdays - from 08:00 to 13:00, Sunday - closed. On weekends you can use exchange offices. There are many ATMs in Montenegro, through which you can make transactions with foreign currency. ATMs are installed in banks, airports and some hotels. Some shops and hotels accept credit cards. In the bank you can always find several employees who speak English or Russian.

Useful information for tourists

Montenegrins are extremely tolerant of manifestations of interethnic differences, even the issue of interethnic conflicts in the Balkans. But it is not recommended to talk about politics or the collapse of the SFRY.

The crime rate is low. The police strictly suppress any manifestations of deception foreign tourists, but at the everyday level there are frequent cases of petty fraud or an allegedly suddenly appeared language barrier, so you should be especially careful when discussing financial issues and never give money in advance before the service is provided.

Tips in restaurants usually amount to 5% of the bill.

For drinking, it is better to use mineral or bottled water.

The price level in the country is quite low, but varies markedly depending on location. In coastal areas everything is about 25% more expensive.