Adriatic << `ay` dree AT ihk >> Sea is an extension of the Mediterranean Sea. It lies east of Italy and separates Italy from Croatia, Montenegro, and Albania. The Strait of Otranto joins the Adriatic to the Ionian Sea, another arm of the Mediterranean. The Adriatic is about 480 miles (772 kilometers) long. It has an average width of 100 miles (160 kilometers) and an area of about 60,000 square miles (160,000 square kilometers). The Po and Adige rivers empty into the Adriatic. The Dalmatian coast, in Croatia, and the Albanian coast are rocky and dotted with islands. The Italian coast is low and flat.
Both the Italian and Croatian coasts are popular tourist regions. They are noted for their scenery and mild climate. Major port and resort cities on the Adriatic include Trieste, Venice, Ancona, Pescara, and Bari in Italy; and Rijeka, Split, and Dubrovnik in Croatia. Ferry services connect Italian ports on the western coast of the Adriatic Sea with ports on the eastern coast. Industry and other factors have polluted many areas of the Adriatic. Navigation in the Adriatic is hazardous in winter due to sudden storms. The sea was named for the city of Adria in Italy, once an important Roman port.
