Geography and Environment

Geography and Environment of Montenegro

Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Montenegro.

Speed

Overview

strategic location along the Adriatic coast

Terrain: highly indented coastline with narrow coastal plain backed by rugged high limestone mountains and plateaus
Climate: Mediterranean climate, hot dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfalls inland
Highest Point: 2522 — Bobotov Kuk
Lowest Point: Adriatic Sea

Area (Comparative): slightly smaller than Connecticut
Border Countries: Albania 172 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 225 km, Croatia 25 km, Serbia 203 km

Natural Resources: Bauxite, hydroelectricity, timber, arable land Montenegro possesses a modest but notable range of natural resources. Bauxite has historically been a key mineral resource, supporting aluminum production and export, though the industry has experienced significant decline in recent decades. The country holds considerable hydroelectric potential, with its mountainous terrain and river systems — particularly the Morača and Tara rivers — making it well suited for power generation. Forests cover a substantial portion of Montenegro's territory, making timber an important natural asset. Arable land, while limited by the rugged landscape, supports small-scale agriculture, particularly in the coastal and river valley regions.
Natural Hazards: destructive earthquakes

Current Environmental Issues: pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets, especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor
International Agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements