High Alpine peaks on the roof of Balkan Europe
Montenegro is the epitome of a landlocked state that is difficult to penetrate. Mostly mountainous (more than half of the territory is above 1,000 m), it has some of the most rugged terrain in Europe. The whole country is part of the Dinarides, a mountainous area of medium altitude comprising the main part of the Balkan Peninsula (Albania, Greece and former Yugoslavia). From a geological point of view, the Dinarides are divided into two parts: in the north the Dinaric Alps, in the south the Hellenides, which cover the rest of Albania, Macedonia and Greece (hence their name). These Dinaric Alps present curious karst landscapes. This erosion of rocks by water leads to the formation of caves, avens and dolines (small closed and circular depressions), among others. Another characteristic of the Dinaric Alps in Montenegro is the presence of underground waterways: many rivers disappear for part of their course and reappear further on. This underground water circulation is the major mark of the karst system. The main mountain ranges of the country are :
The Komovi massif. Located in the north-east of the country, this massif is 40 km long and about 30 km wide. Its highest peaks are Mount Kucki Kom (2 484 m), Ljevorecki Kom (2 483 m) and Vasojevicki Kom (2 460 m). It is composed of vast plateaus located at an average altitude of 1,900 m. Another peculiarity is the presence of numerous "rivers" of rock (scree) due to erosion. The longest of them, located on the northeast face of Vasojevicki Kom, extends for almost 3 km.
The Bjelasica massif. The Bjelasica mountain range is a square with a side length of about 30 km and is located near the small town of Kolašin. It is known for its harsh winters. The mountains are of volcanic origin and have gentle, wooded slopes. The highest peak of the mountain range, Crna Glava (literally "the black head"), rises to 2,139 meters. The other two important peaks of the massif, Mount Strmenica and Mount Zekova Glava, are situated at 2 122 m and 2 117 m respectively.
The Prokletije massif. With a total length of 70 km, this massif extends along the border between Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo. Its main peaks are Mount Deravica (2 656 m), located in Kosovo, Zla kolata (2 528 m) and Mount Maja Jezerces (2 694 m), located in Albania.
The Durmitor massif. This massif, mainly made up of limestone rocks, has 22 peaks located above 2,200 m. In addition to these peaks, it shelters numerous dolines and caves as well as about twenty glacial lakes. The highest point of the massif, Mount Bobotov kuk, rises to 2,522 m. Durmitor is considered as the summer residence of the Olympian gods.
Between sky and sea: the largest fjord in the Mediterranean Sea
Montenegro can be roughly divided into three types of environments: a Mediterranean area, dry and maritime, high mountains interspersed with plateaus, and finally deep valleys in the hinterland.
Mediterranean area. It consists of a thin coastal strip. It is about 290 km long and consists of beaches, coves and what is invariably described as the only fjord in the Mediterranean, the mouth of Kotor. A mountain range isolates from the sea the poljes (closed depressions) of Cetinje, the alluvial plain and the lake of Skadar. It bears two important limestone peaks: the Lovćen (1,700 m) and the Orjen (1,900 m), their alpine-like high meadows contrast with the Mediterranean vegetation that covers their feet. The coastline has a very irregular coastline overall.
Fertile plains. In the center and east, Lake Skadar, the fertile plains of Zeta (with the capital Podgorica) and the Nikšić Plateau constitute the largest and most suitable plain in Montenegro.
High mountains. They occupy the entire northern part of the country, beyond Podgorica and Nikšić. The orientation of the folds makes it difficult to cross these mountains, which also have harsh winters. There are only three types of terrain: bare and fragmented rocks, huge forests and alpine meadows.
An abundant hydrographic network
Montenegro is crossed by many rivers, mostly located in the interior of the country. The main ones are the Lim (123 km), Morača (98 km), Tara (141 km), Čehotina (100 km), and Zeta (54 km). The Lim and Tara river basins are connected to the Danube by the Drina River (in Bosnia and Herzegovina). The rivers and streams in the south of the country, such as the Bojana, flow into the Adriatic Sea. Most of the rivers and streams in the karst region also flow into the Adriatic Sea, but through underground tunnels. This underground water circulation is the important mark of the karst system. Another characteristic of the country is the presence of numerous glacial lakes, mostly located in the north of the country (Durmitor, Bjelašica, Prokletije). Finally, the country shares with Albania the largest lake of the Balkan Peninsula, Lake Skadar. This one extends on a surface varying from 391 to 530 km², according to the season. Its basin rests on a polje (or karst depression) whose bottom is below sea level, while the banks of the lake are bordered by a high plateau.
