Editing Adriatic Sea (section)

== Geography ==

The Adriatic extends northwest from the Strait of Otranto to the [[Gulf of Venice]]. Its northern section is comparatively shallow and is bordered by the low coastal plains of northeastern Italy. The western coast is generally less indented than the eastern coast and contains broad beaches, lagoons, river mouths, and low-lying coastal land.

The eastern shoreline is narrower and more irregular. Islands, channels, bays, and rocky headlands are concentrated along the Croatian coast. Slovenia reaches the northern Adriatic through a short coastline containing [[Koper]], [[Izola]], and [[Piran]]. Koper contains Slovenia's main commercial port.<ref name="slovenia-geography"/>

Albania's Adriatic coastline extends south from the border with Montenegro to the area around [[Vlorë]]. South of Vlorë, the Albanian coast faces the Ionian Sea. [[Durres|Durrës]], located on the Bay of Durrës, is Albania's principal port and one of the main ports on the southeastern Adriatic.<ref name="albania-geography"/>

Rivers flowing from the Italian plain and the Balkans carry freshwater and sediment into the sea. The [[Po River]] is the largest river entering the Adriatic and has formed an extensive delta on the Italian coast. Marine and coastal environments include lagoons, wetlands, seagrass areas, rocky shores, sandy beaches, islands, and open-water habitats. Shipping, fishing, coastal construction, pollution, and tourism affect several parts of the basin.