Map of Adriatic Sea - World Seas, Adriatic Sea Map Location Facts - World Atlas Map of Adriatic Sea - World Seas, Adriatic Sea Map Location Facts Adriatic Sea The Adriatic Sea is a part of the Mediterranean Sea positioned between the eastern coastline of Italy, and countries of the Balkan Peninsula, from Slovenia, south through Croatia. Montenegro, and to Albania. The southern boundary of the sea ends in the Strait of Otranto between Albania and Italy's Salento Peninsula. Immediately south of that strait the Ionian Sea begins. The distance from Brindisi to Venice is 685 km (426 mi), and from Ancona to Split is 228 km (142 mi). The sea is about 805 km (500 mi) in length, with an estimated area of 135,250 sq km (52,220 sq mi). Ancona, Bari, Brindisi, Dubrovnik, Rijeka, Split and Venice are its chief ports and the sea is well served by regional ferries.

Italian Peninsula | peninsula, Europe | Britannica.com Italian Peninsula Balkans Italian Peninsula, one of the three great peninsulas of southern Europe , the other two being the Balkan (to the east) and the Iberian (to the west). The Italian Peninsula extends from the region of the Po River southward for some 600 miles (960 km); it has a maximum width of 150 miles (240 km). To the east lies the Adriatic Sea , to the south the Ionian Sea , and to the west the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian seas. The Apennines , a volcanic mountain chain subject to frequent earthquakes, extends the length of the peninsula; lowlands are mostly along the coasts. The peninsula comprises much of Italy and includes the independent republic of San Marino as well as Vatican City . Satellite photograph of the Italian Peninsula. Jacques Descloitres—MODIS Rapid Response Team/NASA/GSFC Learn More in these related articles: Apennine Range series of mountain ranges bordered by narrow coastlands that form the physical backbone of peninsular Italy.

From Cadibona Pass in the northwest, close to the Maritime Alps, they form a great arc, which extends as far as the Egadi Islands to the west of Sicily. Their total length is approximately... in mountain: The western segment of the system ...(the Pindus), the Yugoslav region (the Dinaric Alps), Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia (the Carpathians), and Austria, Switzerland, France, and Italy (the Alps) all formed as the Italian peninsula—a promontory on the African continent—moved first north-northeast toward Europe at 20 to 30 millimetres per year and later northwest at a slower rate of about 10... 1 Reference found in Britannica Articles Assorted Reference Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email. Try again later. Edit Mode Submit Tips For Editing We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind. Encyclopædia Britannica articles are written in a neutral objective tone for a general audience.

You may find it helpful to search within the site to see how similar or related subjects are covered. Any text you add should be original, not copied from other sources. At the bottom of the article, feel free to list any sources that support your changes, so that we can fully understand their context. (Internet URLs are the best.) Your contribution may be further edited by our staff, and its publication is subject to our final approval. Unfortunately, our editorial approach may not be able to accommodate all contributions. Submit Thank You for Your Contribution! Our editors will review what you've submitted, and if it meets our criteria, we'll add it to the article. Please note that our editors may make some formatting changes or correct spelling or grammatical errors, and may also contact you if any clarifications are needed. Uh Oh There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later. Close Date Published: April 21, 2008 URL: Access Date: January 19, 2017 Share Balkan Peninsula - Credo Reference Topic Page: Balkan Peninsula Definition: Balkan Peninsula from Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary Peninsula in SE Europe bet.

the Adriatic and Ionian seas on the W, the Mediterranean Sea on the S, and the Aegean and Black seas on the E. Summary Article: Balkan Peninsula from The Columbia Encyclopedia Image from: ROMANIAN in Dictionary of Languages southeasternmost peninsula of Europe, c.200,000 sq mi (518,000 sq km), bounded by the Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Ionian Sea, and Adriatic Sea. Although there is no sharp physiographic separation between the peninsula and Central Europe, the line of the Sava and Danube rivers is commonly considered as the region's northern limit. The Balkan Peninsula therefore includes most of Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, continental Greece (including the Peloponnesus), Bulgaria, European Turkey, and SE Romania. These countries, successors to the Ottoman Empire, are called the Balkan States. Historically and politically the region extends north of this line to include all of Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Romania.

The peninsula is very mountainous; the main ranges are the Dinaric Alps, the Balkans, the Rhodope Mts., and the Pindus. Except for the barren Karst plateau in the northwest and the eroded highlands of Greece, the mountains are densely forested. The Morava, Vardar, Strimón, Mesta, and Maritsa are the largest rivers. The Morava and Vardar river valleys form the chief corridor across the peninsula. The mild Mediterranean-type climate, with its dry summer period, is limited to the southern and coastal areas. Covering a greater area are the humid subtropical climate in the northwest and the harsher humid continental climate in the northeast. The region as a whole is largely agricultural; fruits, grains, and grazing are important. A variety of mineral deposits are found there, including iron ore, coal, manganese, copper, lead, and zinc. The peoples of the Balkan Peninsula make up several racial groups. However, linguistic and religious differences are more distinct than the racial divisions. The peninsula, at the crossroads of European and Asian civilizations, has a long history; Ancient Greece, the Byzantine Empire, and the Ottoman Empire flourished there. See R. D.

Kaplan, Balkan Ghosts (1994);. M. Tedorov, Imagining the Balkans (1997);. M. Mazower, The Balkans: A Short History (2000). The Columbia Encyclopedia, © Columbia University Press 2016 Countries of the World - 2 | Britannica.com Countries of the World This general category includes a selection of more specific topics. Browse Subcategories: (240) Displaying 1 - 100 of 195 results Afghanistan landlocked multiethnic country located in the heart of south-central Asia. Lying along important trade routes connecting southern and eastern Asia to Europe and the Middle East, Afghanistan has long been a prize sought by empire builders, and for millennia... Albania country in southern Europe, located in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula on the Strait of Otranto, the southern entrance to the Adriatic Sea. The capital city is Tirana (Tiranë). Albanians refer to themselves as shqiptarë —often taken to mean... Algeria large, predominantly Muslim country of North Africa.

From the Mediterranean coast, along which most of its people live, Algeria extends southward deep into the heart of the Sahara, a forbidding desert where the Earth’s hottest surface temperatures have... Andorra small independent European coprincipality situated among the southern peaks of the Pyrenees Mountains and bounded by France to the north and east and by Spain to the south and west. It is one of the smallest states in Europe. The capital is Andorra la... Angola country located in southwestern Africa. A large country, Angola takes in a broad variety of landscapes, including the semidesert Atlantic littoral bordering Namibia ’s “Skeleton Coast,” the sparsely populated rainforest interior, the rugged highlands... Antigua and Barbuda islands that form an independent state in the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean Sea, at the southern end of the Leeward Islands chain. There is one dependency, the small island of Redonda. The capital is St. John’s, on Antigua. Land Antigua’s... Argentina country of South America, covering most of the southern portion of the continent. The world’s eighth largest country, Argentina occupies an area more extensive than Mexico and the U.S. state of Texas combined.

It encompasses immense plains, deserts,... Armenia country of Transcaucasia, lying just south of the great mountain range of the Caucasus and fronting the northwestern extremity of Asia. To the north and east Armenia is bounded by Georgia and Azerbaijan, while its neighbours to the southeast and west... Australia the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth, lying between the Pacific and Indian oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia’s capital is Canberra, located in the southeast between the larger and more important economic and cultural... Austria largely mountainous landlocked country of south-central Europe. Together with Switzerland, it forms what has been characterized as the neutral core of Europe, notwithstanding Austria’s full membership since 1995 in the supranational European Union (EU).... Azerbaijan country of eastern Transcaucasia. Occupying an area that fringes the southern flanks of the Caucasus Mountains, it is bounded on the north by Russia, on the east by the Caspian Sea, on the south by Iran, on the west by Armenia, and on the northwest by... Bahamas, The archipelago and state on the northwestern edge of the West Indies.

Formerly a British colony, The Bahamas became an independent country within the Commonwealth in 1973. The name Bahamas is of Lucayan Taino (Arawakan) derivation, although some historians... Bahrain small Arab state situated in a bay on the southwestern coast of the Persian Gulf. It is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and some 30 smaller islands. Its name is from the Arabic term al-bahrayn, meaning “two seas.” Located in one of the world’s... Bangladesh country of south-central Asia, located in the delta of the Padma (Ganges [Ganga]) and Jamuna (Brahmaputra) rivers in the northeastern part of the Indian subcontinent. The riverine country of Bangladesh (“Land of the Bengals”) is one of the most densely... Barbados island country in the southeastern Caribbean Sea, situated about 100 miles (160 km) east of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Roughly triangular in shape, the island measures some 20 miles (32 km) from northwest to southeast and about 15 miles (25 km)... Belarus country of eastern Europe.

Until it became independent in 1991, Belarus, formerly known as Belorussia or White Russia, was the smallest of the three Slavic republics included in the Soviet Union (the larger two being Russia and Ukraine). While Belarusians... Belgium country of northwestern Europe. It is one of the smallest and most densely populated European countries, and it has been, since its independence in 1830, a representative democracy headed by a hereditary constitutional monarch. Initially, Belgium had... Belize country located on the northeast coast of Central America. Belize, which was known as British Honduras until 1973, was the last British colony on the American mainland. Its prolonged path to independence was marked by a unique international campaign... Benin country of western Africa. It consists of a narrow wedge of territory extending northward for about 420 miles (675 kilometres) from the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean, on which it has a 75-mile seacoast, to the Niger River, which forms part of... Bhutan country of south-central Asia, located on the eastern ridges of the Himalayas.

Historically a remote kingdom, Bhutan became less isolated in the second half of the 20th century, and consequently the pace of change began to accelerate. With improvements... Bolivia country of west-central South America. Extending some 950 miles (1,500 km) north-south and 800 miles (1,300 km) east-west, Bolivia is bordered to the north and east by Brazil, to the southeast by Paraguay, to the south by Argentina, to the southwest... Bosnia and Herzegovina country situated in the western Balkan Peninsula of Europe. The larger region of Bosnia occupies the northern and central parts of the country, and Herzegovina occupies the south and southwest. These historical regions do not correspond with the two... Botswana country in the centre of Southern Africa. The territory is roughly triangular—approximately 600 miles (965 km) from north to south and 600 miles from east to west—with its eastern side protruding into a sharp point. Its eastern and southern borders are... Brazil country of South America that occupies half the continent’s landmass.

It is the fifth largest country in the world, exceeded in size only by Russia, Canada, China, and the United States, though its area is greater than that of the 48 conterminous U.S.... Brunei independent Islamic sultanate on the northern coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is bounded to the north by the South China Sea and on all other sides by the East Malaysian state of Sarawak, which also divides the state into two disconnected... Bulgaria country occupying the eastern portion of the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe. Founded in the 7th century, Bulgaria is one of the oldest states on the European continent. It is intersected by historically important routes from northern and eastern... Burkina Faso landlocked country in western Africa. The country occupies an extensive plateau, and its geography is characterized by a savanna that is grassy in the north and gradually gives way to sparse forests in the south. A former French colony, it gained independence... Burundi country in east-central Africa, south of the Equator. The landlocked country, a historic kingdom, is one of the few countries in Africa whose borders were not determined by colonial rulers.

The vast majority of Burundi’s population is Hutu, traditionally... Cabo Verde country comprising a group of islands that lie 385 miles (620 km) off the west coast of Africa. Praia, on Santiago, is the capital. Cabo Verde is named for the westernmost cape of Africa, Cape Verde (French: Cap Vert), which is located in nearby Senegal... Cambodia country on the Indochinese mainland of Southeast Asia. Cambodia is largely a land of plains and great rivers and lies amid important overland and river trade routes linking China to India and Southeast Asia. The influences of many Asian cultures, alongside... Cameroon country lying at the junction of western and central Africa. Its ethnically diverse population is among the most urban in western Africa. The capital is Yaoundé, located in the south-centre of the country. The country’s name is derived from Rio dos Camarões... Canada second largest country in the world in area (after Russia), occupying roughly the northern two-fifths of the continent of North America. Despite Canada’s great size, it is one of the world’s most sparsely populated countries. This fact, coupled with...

Central African Republic landlocked country located in the centre of Africa. The area that is now the Central African Republic has been settled for at least 8,000 years; the earliest inhabitants were the probable ancestors of today’s Aka (Pygmy) peoples, who live in the western... Chad landlocked state in north-central Africa. The country’s terrain is that of a shallow basin that rises gradually from the Lake Chad area in the west and is rimmed by mountains to the north, east, and south. Natural irrigation is limited to the Chari and... Chile country situated along the western seaboard of South America. It extends approximately 2,700 miles (4,300 km) from its boundary with Peru, at latitude 17°30′ S, to the tip of South America at Cape Horn, latitude 56° S, a point only about 400 miles north... China country of East Asia. It is the largest of all Asian countries and has the largest population of any country in the world. Occupying nearly the entire East Asian landmass, it occupies approximately one-fourteenth of the land area of Earth. Among the... Colombia country of northwestern South America.

Its 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of coast to the north are bathed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea, and its 800 miles (1,300 km) of coast to the west are washed by the Pacific Ocean. The country is bordered by Panama,... Comoros an independent state comprising three of the islands of the Comorian archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of East Africa. A fourth island of the Comorian archipelago, Mayotte, is claimed by the country of Comoros but administered by France.... Congo, Democratic Republic of the DRC country located in central Africa. Officially known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the country has a 25-mile (40-km) coastline on the Atlantic Ocean but is otherwise landlocked. It is the second largest country on the continent; only Algeria... Congo, Republic of the country situated astride the Equator in west-central Africa. Officially known as the Republic of the Congo, the country is often called Congo (Brazzaville), with its capital added parenthetically, to distinguish it from neighbouring Democratic Republic... Costa Rica country of Central America.

Its capital is San José. Of all the Central American countries, Costa Rica is generally regarded as having the most stable and most democratic government. Its constitution of 1949 provides for a unicameral legislature, a fair... Côte d’Ivoire country located on the coast of western Africa. The de facto capital is Abidjan; the administrative capital designate (since 1983) is Yamoussoukro. Land Côte d’Ivoire is bounded to the north by Mali and Burkina Faso, to the east by Ghana, to the south... Croatia country located in the northwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula. It is a small yet highly geographically diverse crescent-shaped country. Its capital is Zagreb, located in the north. The present-day republic is composed of the historically Croatian... Cuba country of the West Indies, the largest single island of the archipelago, and one of the more-influential states of the Caribbean region. The domain of the Arawakan-speaking Taino, who had displaced even earlier inhabitants, Cuba was claimed by Christopher...

Cyprus an island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea renowned since ancient times for its mineral wealth, superb wines and produce, and natural beauty. A “golden-green leaf thrown into the Sea” and a land of “wild weather and volcanoes,” in the words of the Greek... Czech Republic country located in central Europe. It comprises the historical provinces of Bohemia and Moravia along with the southern tip of Silesia, collectively often called the Czech Lands. In 2016 the country adopted the name “Czechia” as a shortened, informal... Denmark country occupying the peninsula of Jutland (Jylland), which extends northward from the centre of continental western Europe, and an archipelago of more than 400 islands to the east of the peninsula. Jutland makes up more than two-thirds of the country’s... Djibouti small strategically located country on the northeast coast of the Horn of Africa. It is situated on the Bab el Mandeb Strait, which lies to the east and separates the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden. Formerly known as French Somaliland (1896–1967) and...

Dominica island country of the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It lies between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Marie-Galante to the north and Martinique to the south. The country has been a member of the Commonwealth since independence in 1978.... Dominican Republic country of the West Indies that occupies the eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola, the second largest island of the Greater Antilles chain in the Caribbean Sea. Haiti, also an independent republic, occupies the western third of the island. The Dominican... East Timor island country in the eastern Lesser Sunda Islands, at the southern extreme of the Malay Archipelago. It occupies the eastern half of the island of Timor, the small nearby islands of Atauro (Kambing) and Jaco, and the enclave of Ambeno surrounding the... Ecuador country of northwestern South America. Ecuador is one of the most environmentally diverse countries in the world, and it has contributed notably to the environmental sciences. The first scientific expedition to measure the circumference of the Earth,... Egypt country located in the northeastern corner of Africa.

Egypt’s heartland, the Nile River valley and delta, was the home of one of the principal civilizations of the ancient Middle East and, like Mesopotamia farther east, was the site of one of the world’s... El Salvador country of Central America. El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated of the seven Central American countries. Despite having little level land, it traditionally was an agricultural country, heavily dependent upon coffee exports. By the... Equatorial Guinea country located on the west coast of Africa. It consists of Río Muni (also known as Continental), on the continent, and five islands (known collectively as insular Equatorial Guinea): Bioko (formerly Fernando Po), Corisco, Great Elobey (Elobey Grande),... Eritrea country of the Horn of Africa, located on the Red Sea. Eritrea’s coastal location has long been important in its history and culture—a fact reflected in its name, which is an Italianized version of Mare Erythraeum, Latin for “Red Sea.” The Red Sea was... Estonia country in northeastern Europe, the northernmost of the three Baltic states.

Estonia’s area includes some 1,500 islands and islets; the two largest of these islands, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, are off mainland Estonia’s west coast. Estonia has been dominated... Ethiopia country on the Horn of Africa. The country lies completely within the tropical latitudes and is relatively compact, with similar north-south and east-west dimensions. The capital is Addis Ababa (“New Flower”), located almost at the centre of the country.... Fiji country and archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. It surrounds the Koro Sea about 1,300 miles (2,100 km) north of Auckland, New Zealand. The archipelago consists of some 300 islands and 540 islets scattered over about 1,000,000 square miles (3,000,000... Finland country located in northern Europe. Finland is one of the world’s most northern and geographically remote countries and is subject to a severe climate. Nearly two-thirds of Finland is blanketed by thick woodlands, making it the most densely forested... France country of northwestern Europe.

Historically and culturally among the most important nations in the Western world, France has also played a highly significant role in international affairs, with former colonies in every corner of the globe. Bounded by... Gabon country lying on the west coast of Africa, astride the Equator. A former French colony, Gabon retains strong ties to France and to the French language and culture. The capital is Libreville. Land Gabon is bordered by Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon to... Gambia, The country in western Africa situated on the Atlantic coast and surrounded by the neighbouring country of Senegal. It occupies a long narrow strip of land that surrounds the Gambia River. The land is flat and is dominated by the river, which is navigable... Georgia country of Transcaucasia located at the eastern end of the Black Sea on the southern flanks of the main crest of the Greater Caucasus Mountains. It is bounded on the north and northeast by Russia, on the east and southeast by Azerbaijan, on the south... Germany country of north-central Europe, traversing the continent’s main physical divisions, from the outer ranges of the Alps northward across the varied landscape of the Central German Uplands and then across the North German Plain.

One of Europe ’s largest... Ghana country of western Africa, situated on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. Although relatively small in area and population, Ghana is one of the leading countries of Africa, partly because of its considerable natural wealth and partly because it was the... Greece the southernmost of the countries of the Balkan Peninsula. Geography has greatly influenced the country’s development. Mountains have historically restricted internal communications, but the sea has opened up wider horizons. The total land area of Greece... Grenada island country of the West Indies. It is the southernmost island of the north-south arc of the Lesser Antilles, lying in the eastern Caribbean Sea about 100 miles (160 km) north of the coast of Venezuela. Oval in shape, the island is approximately 21... Guatemala country of Central America. The dominance of an Indian culture within its interior uplands distinguishes Guatemala from its Central American neighbours. The origin of the name Guatemala is Indian, but its derivation and meaning are undetermined. Some... Guinea country of western Africa, located on the Atlantic coast. Three of western Africa’s major rivers—the Gambia, the Niger, and the Sénégal —rise in Guinea.

Natural resources are plentiful: in addition to its hydroelectric potential, Guinea possesses a large... Guinea-Bissau country of western Africa. Situated on the Atlantic coast, the predominantly low-lying country is slightly hilly farther inland. The name Guinea remains a source of debate; it is perhaps a corruption of an Amazigh (Berber) word meaning “land of the blacks.”... Guyana country located in the northeastern corner of South America. Indigenous peoples inhabited Guyana prior to European settlement, and their name for the land, guiana (“land of water”), gave the country its name. Present-day Guyana reflects its British and... Haiti country in the Caribbean Sea that includes the western third of the island of Hispaniola and such smaller islands as Gonâve, Tortue (Tortuga), Grande Caye, and Vache. The capital is Port-au-Prince. Haiti, whose population is almost entirely descended... Honduras country of Central America situated between Guatemala and El Salvador to the west and Nicaragua to the south and east. The Caribbean Sea washes its northern coast, the Pacific Ocean its narrow coast to the south. Its area includes the offshore Caribbean... Hungary landlocked country of central Europe.

The capital is Budapest. At the end of World War I, defeated Hungary lost 71 percent of its territory as a result of the Treaty of Trianon (1920). Since then, grappling with the loss of more than two-thirds of their... Iceland island country located in the North Atlantic Ocean. Lying on the constantly active geologic border between North America and Europe, Iceland is a land of vivid contrasts of climate, geography, and culture. Sparkling glaciers, such as Vatna Glacier (Vatnajökull),... India country that occupies the greater part of South Asia. It is a constitutional republic consisting of 29 states, each with a substantial degree of control over its own affairs; 6 less fully empowered union territories; and the Delhi national capital territory,... Indonesia country located off the coast of mainland Southeast Asia in the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is an archipelago that lies across the Equator and spans a distance equivalent to one-eighth of Earth’s circumference. Its islands can be grouped into the Greater... Iran a mountainous, arid, ethnically diverse country of southwestern Asia.

Much of Iran consists of a central desert plateau, which is ringed on all sides by lofty mountain ranges that afford access to the interior through high passes. Most of the population... Iraq country of southwestern Asia. During ancient times the lands now comprising Iraq were known as Mesopotamia (“Land Between the Rivers”), a region whose extensive alluvial plains gave rise to some of the world’s earliest civilizations, including those... Ireland country of western Europe occupying five-sixths of the westernmost major island of the British Isles. The magnificent scenery of Ireland’s Atlantic coastline faces a 2,000-mile- (3,200-km-) wide expanse of ocean, and its geographic isolation has helped... Israel country in the Middle East, located at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bounded to the north by Lebanon, to the northeast by Syria, to the east and southeast by Jordan, to the southwest by Egypt, and to the west by the Mediterranean Sea.... Italy country of south-central Europe, occupying a peninsula that juts deep into the Mediterranean Sea. Italy comprises some of the most varied and scenic landscapes on Earth and is often described as a country shaped like a boot. At its broad top stand the...

Jamaica island country of the West Indies. It is the third largest island in the Caribbean Sea, after Cuba and Hispaniola. Jamaica is about 146 miles (235 km) long and varies from 22 to 51 miles (35 to 82 km) wide. It is situated some 100 miles (160 km) west... Japan island country lying off the east coast of Asia. It consists of a great string of islands in a northeast-southwest arc that stretches for approximately 1,500 miles (2,400 km) through the western North Pacific Ocean. Nearly the entire land area is taken... Jordan Arab country of Southwest Asia, in the rocky desert of the northern Arabian Peninsula. Jordan is a young state that occupies an ancient land, one that bears the traces of many civilizations. Separated from ancient Palestine by the Jordan River, the region... Kazakhstan country of Central Asia. It is bounded on the northwest and north by Russia, on the east by China, and on the south by Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and the Aral Sea; the Caspian Sea bounds Kazakhstan to the southwest.

Kazakhstan is the largest... Kenya country in East Africa famed for its scenic landscapes and vast wildlife preserves. Its Indian Ocean coast provided historically important ports by which goods from Arabian and Asian traders have entered the continent for many centuries. Along that coast,... Kiribati island country in the central Pacific Ocean. The 33 islands of Kiribati, of which only 20 are inhabited, are scattered over a vast area of ocean. Kiribati extends 1,800 miles (2,900 km) eastward from the 16 Gilbert Islands, where the population is concentrated,... Korea, North country in East Asia. It occupies the northern portion of the Korean peninsula, which juts out from the Asian mainland between the East Sea (Sea of Japan) and the Yellow Sea; North Korea covers about 55 percent of the peninsula’s land area. The country... Korea, South country in East Asia. It occupies the southern portion of the Korean peninsula. The country is bordered by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) to the north, the East Sea (Sea of Japan) to the east, the East China Sea to the south,...

Kuwait country of the Arabian Peninsula located in the northwestern corner of the Persian Gulf. A small emirate nestled between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Kuwait is situated in a section of one of the driest, least-hospitable deserts on earth. Its shore, however,... Kyrgyzstan country of Central Asia. It is bounded by Kazakhstan on the northwest and north, by China on the east and south, and by Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on the south and west. Most of Kyrgyzstan’s borders run along mountain crests. The capital is Bishkek (known... Laos landlocked country of northeast-central mainland Southeast Asia. It consists of an irregularly round portion in the north that narrows into a peninsula-like region stretching to the southeast. Overall, the country extends about 650 miles (1,050 km) from... Latvia country of northeastern Europe and the middle of the three Baltic states. Latvia, which was occupied and annexed by the U.S.S.R. in June 1940, declared its independence on August 21, 1991. The U.S.S.R. recognized its sovereignty on September 6, and United...

Lebanon country located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea; it consists of a narrow strip of territory and is one of the world’s smaller sovereign states. The capital is Beirut. Though Lebanon, particularly its coastal region, was the site of some... Lesotho country in Southern Africa. A scenic land of tall mountains and narrow valleys, Lesotho owes a long history of political autonomy to the mountains that surround it and protect it from encroachment. Since the Neolithic Period, the mountain kingdom was... Liberia country along the coast of western Africa. Liberia’s terrain ranges from the low and sandy coastal plains to rolling hills and dissected plateau further inland. The country is home to a lush rainforest containing a rich diversity of flora and fauna.... Libya country located in North Africa. Most of the country lies in the Sahara desert, and much of its population is concentrated along the coast and its immediate hinterland, where Tripoli (Ṭarābulus), the de facto capital, and Banghāzī, another major city,... Liechtenstein western European principality located between Switzerland and Austria. It is one of the smallest countries of Europe; its capital is Vaduz.

Geography The eastern two-thirds of the country is composed of the rugged foothills of the Rhätikon Mountains,... The Mediterranean Sea | Geography, History, Economy and Environmental Problems Contact The Mediterranean Sea The Mediterranean Sea is a body of water that is almost completely surrounded by land. It lies between three continents: Europe to the north, Asia to the east and Africa to the south. Africa. It stretches over 2,500 miles (4000 km) from Gibraltar to Israel. The Mediterranean is connected to the Atlantic through a 14 km wide strait, where Europe and Africa meet. The Suez Canal links it to the Red Sea and the Bosporus to the Black Sea. The Mediterranean Sea covers an area of over 2.5 million square kilometers (950 000 square miles). It is divided into different parts by islands and peninsulas. The Aegean is the sea between Greece and Turkey, the Adriatic Sea lies between Italy and the Balkan Peninsula and the Tyrrhenian Sea is between Italy and its western islands. The coastline of the Mediterranean is made up of many bays and inlets.

Three large peninsulas, the Iberian, the Italian and the Balkans reach out into the Mediterranean Sea. Among the largest islands in the Mediterranean are Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia and Crete . The Mediterranean region is often called the cradle of civilization because many early cultures and civilizations developed along its shores. Map of the Mediterranean Sea Geology The Mediterranean Sea was formed through movements of the Earth’s plates . When the ancient landmass of Pangaea broke apart about 250 million years ago a huge ocean, the Tethys, evolved around its middle. This ocean extended to the north of today’s Alps and to the east as far as the Ural Mountains. When Africa and Europe started moving towards each other this ocean became smaller. The Mediterranean Sea is what is left of this large ancient ocean. Geologists think that the Mediterranean dried up several times in the last few million years because the Strait of Gibraltar closed and reopened, allowing water from the Atlantic to flow in. Today the whole Mediterranean region is still very active. Earthquakes hit the Balkans, Italy and Turkey regularly. The region’s volcanoes , for example Mt. Etna and Stromboli, are among the most active in Europe.

Mount Vesuvius became known for its famous eruption in 79 A.D. which wiped out the Roman town of Pompeii. Climate The Mediterranean region has a special climate that can be found in other parts of the world, like South Africa or southeastern Australia . The summers are very hot and dry with almost no rain at all, while winters are mild and rainy. Water of the Mediterranean The Mediterranean Sea has an average depth of 1 500 meters or over 5,000 feet. The Po, Nile , Rhone and Ebro are the largest rivers that flow into the sea. They all create deltas because there are no currents that carry the water away. Tides are not as strong as they are in the Atlantic Ocean . The difference between high and low tide is only about 0.5 meters. Because of its hot climate much water evaporates and the sea has a higher concentration of salt than other oceans, especially in the eastern part where the water temperature is also higher. Catania , Sicily with Mount Etna in the background - BenAveling Economy The Mediterranean attracts millions of tourists every year. About one third of global tourism takes place here.

Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey rely on tourism for a large part of their yearly income. Although it is very dry during the summer months, farming plays an important role in the region. Olives, oranges and grapes are grown. The Mediterranean is the world’s most important wine-growing region. Apart from that farmers grow other crops, especially wheat and barley. A small part of the coastal population earns their money by fishing. Recently, natural gas and oil have been discovered in the Aegean Sea, causing a conflict between Greece and Turkey. History Ancient cultures in Greece , Egypt and Rome and Phoenicia developed along the shores of the Mediterranean region. The people of these civilizations not only traded with others but sailed over the calm seas to enlarge their territories through warfare. For hundreds of years the Mediterranean Sea was the main water route. Muslims controlled a large part of the Mediterranean throughout the early part of the Middle Ages . Some centuries later Venice and Florence became the world’s main trading centers. However , when Vasco da Gama sailed around Africa during the Age of Exploration the trade route across the Mediterranean to Asia became less important. This changed when the Suez Canal opened in 1869.

The Europeans had a new trade route through the Red Sea to their colonies Asia. Environmental Problems in the Mediterranean Region Environmental problems are a big challenge to the future of the Mediterranean region. Climate change and global warming could raise the sea level of the Mediterranean as much as 60 cm and, thus, flood parts of the Nile Delta or the city of Venice. Pollution has become widespread along the coasts of the Mediterranean as tourism dumps thousands of tons of sewage into the sea each year. Although many coastal areas and small islands of the Mediterranean depend on tourism as a main source of income it has also driven animal life away from the shores. Sea turtles are in danger of becoming extinct because tourists take away their nesting places. The Mediterranean is one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. Oil is carried through tankers from the Middle East to ports in Italy and France. Leaky tankers and washing containers at sea contribute to water pollution of the Mediterranean. Some ships carry heavy metals and other poisonous material. Overfishing has also become a problem in the Mediterranean region. Over 60% of all fish species are in danger of dying out. Recently, the countries surrounding the Mediterranean region have been moving closer together in an attempt to protect the region.

Pollution of a Mediterranean coastline - Courtesy Algalita.org barley = a plant that produces grain which is used for food and alcohol bay = a part of the sea that is enclosed by a curve of the land busy = here: a lot of traffic calm = quiet coastline = where water meets land colony = country that not free but controlled by another country completely = wholly, all of it connect = link cover = to lie over cradle = here: the place where something begins crop = plant, like wheat, corn or rice that is grown by farmers and sold as food current = the movement of water in an ocean, lake or river delta = area of low land where a river spreads into many smaller rivers and flows into the ocean depth = how deep something is develop = grow discover = to find for the first time divide = separate dump = unload earthquake = a sudden shaking of the Earth’s surface that causes a lot of damage and kills people enlarge = expand, make larger eruption = the outbreak of a volcano especially = above all evaporate = water changes into gas evolve = grow flood = to cover with water flow = pour, rush global = worldwide heavy metal = metal that has a high density, like gold or lead; many of them are poisonous high tide = the time when the

 sea reaches its highest level however = but income = money you get for something you do inlet = narrow area of water that reaches from the sea into the land leaky = with a hole in it so that oil or gas can pass through location = where something is low tide = the time when the sea reaches its lowest level main = most important movement = when something moves nesting place = here: where they come to lay their eggs peninsula = piece of land with water all around it connected to a large area of land plate = one of the many large sheets of rock that form the Earth’s surface poisonous = deadly pollution = the process of making air, water , soil etc..

dirty and unusable port = harbor ; where ships load and unload their goods recently = shortly, in the last few years regularly =all the time, often reopen = open again sea level = the average height of the sea several = many sewage = used water and the waste of the human body that is carried away from pipes in houses shore = coast source = where something comes from species = group of animals or plants that are similar and can have babies together strait = a narrow passage of water between two areas of land stretch = reach from one place to another surrounded = to be around something throughout = in all of tide = the regular rising and falling of the sea towards = in the direction of trade = to buy and sell things trade route = road, path or sea passage used to transport goods warfare = the activity of fighting a war widespread = common

Question: What sea lies between Italy and the Balkans?
Answer: Adriatic