Adriatic Sea

The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan Peninsula, extending from the Strait of Otranto to the northwest and the Po Valley. The sea is divided into three basins, with a maximum depth of 1,233 meters, and contains over 1,300 islands. Its salinity is lower than the Mediterranean's due to the collection of fresh water from nearby rivers. The Adriatic Sea sits on the Apulian Microplate, which formed in the Mesozoic era, and has a unique climate due to its surface water temperature range. The sea is abundant in flora and fauna, with over 7,000 native species identified. The Adriatic's shores are populated by over 3.5 million people, with early settlements dating back to the Etruscan, Illyrian, and Greek periods. The region has been controlled by various states throughout history, including the Roman Empire, the Republic of Venice, and the Kingdom of Italy. Today, the sea's coasts are bordered by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, and Slovenia, with disputes remaining over some maritime boundaries.learn more on wikipedia