Editing Balkans (section)

== Geography ==

Much of the Balkans is mountainous. The Dinaric Alps extend along the western part of the peninsula, while the Šar Mountains and [[Pindus Mountains]] cross the central and southern interior. The Balkan Mountains run across central Bulgaria, with the Rila, Pirin, and Rhodope ranges farther south.<ref name="bulgaria-geography"/><ref name="north-macedonia-geography"/><ref name="greece-geography"/>

Lower land is concentrated around river valleys, inland basins, and coastal plains. The Danube forms an important northern route and receives rivers draining large parts of the peninsula. The Morava and Vardar valleys provide an overland corridor between Serbia, North Macedonia, and the Aegean coast. The Maritsa valley connects inland Bulgaria with the northern Aegean region.

The western coastline faces the Adriatic Sea from Slovenia to Albania. Southern Albania and western Greece face the Ionian Sea, while the Greek mainland and islands extend into the Aegean Sea. Bulgaria and European Turkey reach the western coast of the Black Sea. These coastlines contain ports, islands, bays, and narrow coastal plains that connect inland districts with Mediterranean and Black Sea shipping routes.

The interior has mainly continental conditions, with colder winters in higher and northern areas. Mediterranean conditions affect Greece, the Adriatic and Ionian coasts, southern Albania, and parts of the lower valleys. Mountain districts have lower temperatures and heavier snowfall.