Mediterranean

With a unique combination of pleasant climate, beautiful coastline, rich history and diverse culture, the Mediterranean region is the most popular tourist destination in the world, attracting about one third of the world’s international tourists.

The term Mediterranean derives from the Latin word mediterraneus, meaning ‘in the middle of the earth’ or ‘between lands’, as it is between three continents: Asia, Africa and Europe. The Strait of Gibraltar is a narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. It was an important route for merchants and travelers of ancient times, allowing trade and cultural exchange in the region. Several ancient civilizations located around its shores and has had a major influence on those cultures. The history of the Mediterranean region is crucial to understanding the origins and development of many modern societies.

The Adriatic Sea lies between Italy on the north and west and the Balkan Peninsula on the east. The Strait of Otranto, located in the south between Albania and Italy, is the only entrance to the sea and connects the Adriatic Sea with Ionian Sea. The countries with coasts on the Adriatic are Italy, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Adriatic Sea is about 800 km long, northwest-southeast, and up to 225 km wide. It covers an area of approximately 132,000 km 2, slightly less than that of Lakes Superior and Michigan combined. The Adriatic is one of the shallowest parts of the Mediterranean, with an average depth of about 240 m. The deepest spot, 1,230 m, is about midway between Bari, Italy, and the coast of Montenegro.

The Adriatic contains over 1300 islands, mostly located along Croatian coast. In contrast to the northern part of Italy’s Adriatic coast, where marshes and lagoons abound, the central and southern portions consist of sandy lowlands and beaches in many places backed by foothills of the Apennines. In Croatia and Montenegro, where the Dinaric Alps descend abruptly to the sea, the coast is mountainous and studded with islands.

Fisheries and tourism are significant sources of income and maritime transport also a significant branch of area’s economy. Mediterranean region is also known for its cuisine. The mutual relationship between natural resources and human needs and skills, is reflected in the diet of the inhabitants of Adriatic part of Croatia and it has been enlisted on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage.

The Adriatic’s balmy climate and excellent seaside and island resorts attract many tourists. Major cities and ports on the sea include Trieste, Venice, and Bari in Italy, Rijeka also Split in Croatia and Durrës, the port city of Tiranë, capital of Albania.

Check out our pick of classic and most popular adventure travel tours that you can do with us in area of Adriatic sea – “The hidden gem of Mediterranean”.