Which Countries Border the Adriatic Sea?

The Adriatic Sea, a northern arm of the Mediterranean, separates the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan Peninsula. Six sovereign nations share its coastline:

1. Italy – West coast (Trieste to Otranto); major ports: Venice, Trieste, Ancona, Bari, Brindisi.
2. Slovenia – Tiny 47 km coastline; port of Koper.
3. Croatia – Long, indented east coast (1,800 km + 1,200 islands); ports: Rijeka, Split, Dubrovnik.
4. Bosnia and Herzegovina – Only 20 km at Neum; no major port.
5. Montenegro – Bay of Kotor (fjord-like), open coast; port of Bar.
6. Albania – Southern Adriatic coast; ports: Durrës, Vlorë.

Key Features

• Otranto Strait (72 km wide) connects Adriatic to Ionian Sea/Mediterranean.
• Counterclockwise gyre circulates nutrients, supporting rich fisheries.
• Shared challenges: overfishing, pollution, maritime delimitation disputes, climate-driven sea-level rise.

The Adriatic is a semi-enclosed sea where history, trade, and ecology intertwine across six distinct national jurisdictions.