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{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
[[File:Croatia topo.jpg|thumb|right|Topographic map of Croatia]]
[[File:Croatia topo.jpg|thumb|right|Topographic map of Croatia]]
'''Topography of [[Croatia]]''' is defined through three major [[Geomorphology|geomorphological]] parts of the country. Those are the [[Pannonian Basin]], the [[Dinaric Alps]], and the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic Basin]]. The largest part of Croatia consists of lowlands, with elevations of less than {{convert|200|m|abbr=off}} above sea level recorded in 53.42% of the country. Bulk of the lowlands are found in the northern regions of the country, especially in [[Slavonia]], itself a part of the Pannonian Basin plain. The plains are interspersed by the [[Horst (geology)|horst]] and [[graben]] structures, believed to break the Pannonian Sea surface as [[Pannonian island mountains|islands]]. The greatest concentration of ground at relatively high elevations is found in [[Lika]] and [[Gorski Kotar]] areas in the Dinaric Alps, but such areas are found in all regions of Croatia to some extent. The Dinaric Alps contain the highest mountain in Croatia—{{convert|1831|m|adj=on}} [[Dinara]], as well as all other mountains in Croatia higher than {{convert|1500|m|abbr=off}}. Croatia's [[Adriatic Sea]] mainland coast is {{convert|1777.3|km|abbr=off}} long, while its [[List of islands of Croatia|1,246 islands]] and islets encompass further {{convert|4058|km|abbr=off}} of coastline—the most indented coastline in the Mediterranean. [[Karst topography]] makes up about half of Croatia and is especially prominent in the Dinaric Alps, as well as throughout the coastal areas and the islands.
'''Topography of [[Croatia]]''' is defined through three major [[Geomorphology|geomorphological]] parts of the country. Those are the [[Pannonian Basin]], the [[Dinaric Alps]], and the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic Basin]]. The largest part of Croatia consists of lowlands, with elevations of less than {{convert|200|m|abbr=off}} above sea level recorded in 53.42% of the country. Bulk of the lowlands are found in the northern regions of the country, especially in [[Slavonia]], itself a part of the Pannonian Basin plain. The plains are interspersed by the [[Horst (geology)|horst]] and [[graben]] structures, believed to break the Pannonian Sea surface as [[Pannonian island mountains|islands]]. The greatest concentration of ground at relatively high elevations is found in [[Lika]] and [[Gorski Kotar]] areas in the Dinaric Alps, but such areas are found in all regions of Croatia to some extent. The Dinaric Alps contain the highest mountain in Croatia—{{convert|1831|m|adj=on}} [[Dinara]], as well as all other mountains in Croatia higher than {{convert|1500|m|abbr=off}}. Croatia's [[Adriatic Sea]] mainland coast is {{convert|1777.3|km|abbr=off}} long, while its [[List of islands of Croatia|1,246 islands]] and islets encompass further {{convert|4058|km|abbr=off}} of coastline—the most indented coastline in the Mediterranean. [[Karst topography]] makes up about half of Croatia and is especially prominent in the Dinaric Alps, as well as throughout the coastal areas and the islands.


==Geomorphological units==
==Geomorphological units==
The largest part of Croatia consists of lowlands, with elevations of less than {{convert|200|m|abbr=off}} above sea level recorded in 53.42% of the country. Bulk of the lowlands are found in the northern regions of the country, especially in [[Slavonia]], representing a part of the [[Pannonian Basin]]. Territory with elevations of {{convert|200|to|500|m|abbr=off}} above sea level encompasses 25.61% of Croatia's territory, and the areas between {{convert|500|and|1000|m|abbr=off}} above sea level cover the 17.11% of the country. Further 3.71% of the land is situated at {{convert|1000|to|1500|m|abbr=off}} above sea level, and only 0.15% of Croatia's territory lies at elevations greater than {{convert|1500|m|abbr=off}} above sea level.<ref name="Yearbook-2011"/> The greatest concentration of ground at relatively high elevations is found in [[Lika]] and [[Gorski Kotar]] areas in the [[Dinaric Alps]], but such areas are found in all regions of Croatia to some extent.<ref name="EEA-Land-Use">{{cite web|publisher=[[European Environment Agency]]|url=http://www.eea.europa.eu/soer/countries/hr/land-use-state-and-impacts-croatia|title=Land use - State and impacts (Croatia)|accessdate=2 March 2012}}</ref> The Pannonian Basin and the Dinaric Alps, along with the Adriatic Basin represent major [[Geomorphology|geomorphological]] parts of Croatia.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Ministry of Construction and Spatial Planning (Croatia)]]|url=http://klima.mzopu.hr/UserDocsImages/Nacionalno_izv_KLIMA_23022007.pdf|format=PDF|title=Drugo, trece i cetvrto nacionalno izvješće Republike Hrvatske prema Okvirnoj konvenciji Ujedinjenih naroda o promjeni klime (UNFCCC)|trans_title=The second, third and fourth national report of the Republic of Croatia pursuant to the United Nations Framework Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC)|language=Croatian|year=2006|month=November|accessdate=2 March 2012}}</ref>
The largest part of Croatia consists of lowlands, with elevations of less than {{convert|200|m|abbr=off}} above sea level recorded in 53.42% of the country. Bulk of the lowlands are found in the northern regions of the country, especially in [[Slavonia]], representing a part of the [[Pannonian Basin]]. Territory with elevations of {{convert|200|to|500|m|abbr=off}} above sea level encompasses 25.61% of Croatia's territory, and the areas between {{convert|500|and|1000|m|abbr=off}} above sea level cover the 17.11% of the country. Further 3.71% of the land is situated at {{convert|1000|to|1500|m|abbr=off}} above sea level, and only 0.15% of Croatia's territory lies at elevations greater than {{convert|1500|m|abbr=off}} above sea level.<ref name="Yearbook-2011"/> The greatest concentration of ground at relatively high elevations is found in [[Lika]] and [[Gorski Kotar]] areas in the [[Dinaric Alps]], but such areas are found in all regions of Croatia to some extent.<ref name="EEA-Land-Use">{{cite web|publisher=[[European Environment Agency]]|url=http://www.eea.europa.eu/soer/countries/hr/land-use-state-and-impacts-croatia|title=Land use - State and impacts (Croatia)|access-date=2 March 2012}}</ref> The Pannonian Basin and the Dinaric Alps, along with the Adriatic Basin represent major [[Geomorphology|geomorphological]] parts of Croatia.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Ministry of Construction and Spatial Planning (Croatia)]]|url=http://klima.mzopu.hr/UserDocsImages/Nacionalno_izv_KLIMA_23022007.pdf|title=Drugo, trece i cetvrto nacionalno izvješće Republike Hrvatske prema Okvirnoj konvenciji Ujedinjenih naroda o promjeni klime (UNFCCC)|trans-title=The second, third and fourth national report of the Republic of Croatia pursuant to the United Nations Framework Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC)|language=Croatian|date=November 2006|access-date=2 March 2012}}</ref>


===Adriatic Basin===
===Adriatic Basin===
{{See also|Adriatic Sea|List of islands of Croatia}}
{{See also|Adriatic Sea|List of islands of Croatia}}
[[File:Kornati islands.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kornati]] national park]]
[[File:Kornati islands.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kornati]] national park]]
Croatia's [[Adriatic Sea]] mainland coast is {{convert|1777.3|km|abbr=off}} long, while its [[List of islands of Croatia|1,246 islands]] and islets encompass further {{convert|4058|km|abbr=off}} of coastline. The distance between the extreme points of Croatia's coastline is {{convert|526|km|abbr=off}}.<ref name="BTS-Adriatic">{{cite book|pages=1–5|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=lLVFW0an7NUC|title=The maritime boundaries of the Adriatic Sea|author1=Gerald Henry Blake|author2=Duško Topalović|author3=Clive H. Schofield|isbn=978-1-897643-22-8|year=1996|publisher=IBRU|accessdate=26 January 2012}}</ref> The number of islands includes all islands, islets, and rocks of all sizes, including ones emerging at ebb tide only.<ref>{{cite journal|publisher=[[University of Zadar]]|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=84063|author1=Josip Faričić|author2=Vera Graovac|author3=Anica Čuka|pages=145–185|title=Croatian small islands – residential and/or leisure area|journal=Geoadria|volume=15|issue=1|year=2010|month=June|accessdate=28 January 2012}}</ref> The islands include the largest ones in the Adriatic&mdash;[[Cres]] and [[Krk]], each covering {{convert|405.78|km2|abbr=off}}, and the tallest&mdash;[[Brač]], whose peak reaches {{convert|780|m|abbr=off}} above sea level. The islands include 48 [[List of inhabited islands of Croatia|permanently inhabited ones]], the most populous among them being Krk and [[Korčula]].<ref name="Yearbook-2011">{{cite journal|publisher=[[Croatian Bureau of Statistics]]|format=PDF|url=http://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/ljetopis/2011/SLJH2011.pdf|journal=2011 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|issn=1333-3305|month=December|year=2011|volume=43|title=Geographical and Meteorological Data|page=41|accessdate=28 January 2012}}</ref>
Croatia's [[Adriatic Sea]] mainland coast is {{convert|1777.3|km|abbr=off}} long, while its [[List of islands of Croatia|1,246 islands]] and islets encompass further {{convert|4058|km|abbr=off}} of coastline. The distance between the extreme points of Croatia's coastline is {{convert|526|km|abbr=off}}.<ref name="BTS-Adriatic">{{cite book|pages=1–5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lLVFW0an7NUC|title=The maritime boundaries of the Adriatic Sea|author1=Gerald Henry Blake|author2=Duško Topalović|author3=Clive H. Schofield|isbn=978-1-897643-22-8|year=1996|publisher=IBRU|access-date=26 January 2012}}</ref> The number of islands includes all islands, islets, and rocks of all sizes, including ones emerging at ebb tide only.<ref>{{cite journal|publisher=[[University of Zadar]]|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=84063|author1=Josip Faričić|author2=Vera Graovac|author3=Anica Čuka|pages=145–185|title=Croatian small islands – residential and/or leisure area|journal=Geoadria|volume=15|issue=1|date=June 2010|access-date=28 January 2012}}</ref> The islands include the largest ones in the Adriatic—[[Cres]] and [[Krk]], each covering {{convert|405.78|km2|abbr=off}}, and the tallest—[[Brač]], whose peak reaches {{convert|780|m|abbr=off}} above sea level. The islands include 48 [[List of inhabited islands of Croatia|permanently inhabited ones]], the most populous among them being Krk and [[Korčula]].<ref name="Yearbook-2011">{{cite journal|publisher=[[Croatian Bureau of Statistics]]|url=http://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/ljetopis/2011/SLJH2011.pdf|journal=2011 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia|issn=1333-3305|date=December 2011|volume=43|title=Geographical and Meteorological Data|page=41|access-date=28 January 2012}}</ref>


The shore is the most indented coastline in the Mediterranean.<ref>{{cite book|pages=155–156|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=kqblCH0ciSQC|title=Sustainable coastal management: a transatlantic and Euro-Mediterranean perspective|authors=Biliana Cicin-Sain, Igor Pavlin, Stefano Belfiore|publisher=Springer|year=2002|isbn=978-1-4020-0888-7|accessdate=5 February 2012}}</ref> The majority of the coast is characterised by a karst topography, developed from the [[Adriatic Carbonate Platform]]. Karstification there largely began after the final uplift of the [[Dinarides]] in the [[Oligocene]] and the [[Miocene]], when carbonate deposits were exposed to atmospheric effects, extending to the level of {{convert|120|m|abbr=off}} below present sea level, exposed during the [[Last Glacial Maximum]]. It is estimated that some karst formations are related to earlier immersions, most notably the [[Messinian salinity crisis]].<ref name="Surić">{{cite journal|publisher=[[University of Zadar]]|issn=1331-2294|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/9653|journal=Geoadria|title=Submerged Karst – Dead or Alive? Examples from the Eastern Adriatic Coast (Croatia)|author=Maša Surić|pages=5–19|volume=10|issue=1|month=June|year=2005|accessdate=28 January 2012}}</ref> The largest part of the eastern coast consists of [[carbonate rock]]s, while [[flysch]] is significantly represented in the Gulf of Trieste coast, on the [[Kvarner Gulf]] coast opposite Krk, and in Dalmatia north of Split.<ref>{{cite book|pages=146–149|title=Tectonic aspects of the Alpine-Dinaride-Carpathian system|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=864MOs0qeuEC|author=Siegfried Siegesmund|publisher=Geological Society|year=2008|isbn=978-1-86239-252-6|accessdate=3 February 2012}}</ref> There are comparably small alluvial areas of the Adriatic coast in Croatia&mdash;most notably the [[Neretva]] river delta.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[National Center for Biotechnology Information]]|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2121601/|title=The Neretva Delta: Green Pearl of Coastal Croatia|author=Jasmina Mužinić|accessdate=3 February 2012}}</ref> The western [[Istria]] is gradually subsiding, having sunk about {{convert|1.5|m|abbr=off}} in the past two thousand years.<ref>{{cite journal|issn=0277-3791|publisher=[[Elsevier]]|url=http://people.rses.anu.edu.au/lambeck_k/pdf/265.pdf|format=PDF|title=Sea-level change during the Holocene in Sardinia and in the northeastern Adriatic (central Mediterranean Sea) from archaeological and geomorphological data|author=F. Antonioli et al.|pages=2463–2486|year=2007|issue=26|accessdate=4 February 2012}}</ref> In the Middle Adriatic Basin, there is evidence of [[Permian]] volcanism observed in area of [[Komiža]] on the island of [[Vis (island)|Vis]] and as volcanic islands of [[Jabuka (island)|Jabuka]] and [[Brusnik (island)|Brusnik]].<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Zadarski List|url=http://www.zadarskilist.hr/clanci/30042011/ostaci-prastarog-vulkana-u-jadranu|language=Croatian|title=Ostaci prastarog vulkana u Jadranu|trans_title=Remains of an ancient volcano in the Adriatic Sea|author=Branimir Vukosav|date=30 April 2011|accessdate=24 February 2012}}</ref>
The shore is the most indented coastline in the Mediterranean.<ref>{{cite book|pages=155–156|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kqblCH0ciSQC|title=Sustainable coastal management: a transatlantic and Euro-Mediterranean perspective|author=Biliana Cicin-Sain |author2=Igor Pavlin |author3=Stefano Belfiore |publisher=Springer|year=2002|isbn=978-1-4020-0888-7}}</ref> The majority of the coast is characterised by a karst topography, developed from the [[Adriatic Carbonate Platform]]. Karstification there largely began after the final uplift of the [[Dinarides]] in the [[Oligocene]] and the [[Miocene]], when carbonate deposits were exposed to atmospheric effects, extending to the level of {{convert|120|m|abbr=off}} below present sea level, exposed during the [[Last Glacial Maximum]]. It is estimated that some karst formations are related to earlier immersions, most notably the [[Messinian salinity crisis]].<ref name="Surić">{{cite journal|publisher=[[University of Zadar]]|issn=1331-2294|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=14808|journal=Geoadria|title=Submerged Karst – Dead or Alive? Examples from the Eastern Adriatic Coast (Croatia)|author=Maša Surić|pages=5–19|volume=10|issue=1|date=June 2005|access-date=28 January 2012}}</ref> The largest part of the eastern coast consists of [[carbonate rock]]s, while [[flysch]] is significantly represented in the Gulf of Trieste coast, on the [[Kvarner Gulf]] coast opposite Krk, and in Dalmatia north of Split.<ref>{{cite book|pages=146–149|title=Tectonic aspects of the Alpine-Dinaride-Carpathian system|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=864MOs0qeuEC|author=Siegfried Siegesmund|publisher=Geological Society|year=2008|isbn=978-1-86239-252-6}}</ref> There are comparably small alluvial areas of the Adriatic coast in Croatia—most notably the [[Neretva Delta]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Neretva Delta: Green Pearl of Coastal Croatia|author=Jasmina Mužinić|journal=[[Croatian Medical Journal]]|volume=48|issue=2|year=2007|pages=127–129|pmc=2121601}}</ref> The western [[Istria]] is gradually subsiding, having sunk about {{convert|1.5|m|abbr=off}} in the past two thousand years.<ref>{{cite journal|issn=0277-3791|publisher=[[Elsevier]]|url=http://people.rses.anu.edu.au/lambeck_k/pdf/265.pdf|title=Sea-level change during the Holocene in Sardinia and in the northeastern Adriatic (central Mediterranean Sea) from archaeological and geomorphological data|author=F. Antonioli|pages=2463–2486|journal=[[Quaternary Science Reviews]]|year=2007|volume=26|issue=19–21|doi=10.1016/j.quascirev.2007.06.022|bibcode=2007QSRv...26.2463A|display-authors=etal}}</ref> In the Middle Adriatic Basin, there is evidence of [[Permian]] volcanism observed in area of [[Komiža]] on the island of [[Vis (island)|Vis]] and as volcanic islands of [[Jabuka (island)|Jabuka]] and [[Brusnik (island)|Brusnik]].<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[Zadarski list]]|url=http://www.zadarskilist.hr/clanci/30042011/ostaci-prastarog-vulkana-u-jadranu|language=Croatian|title=Ostaci prastarog vulkana u Jadranu|trans-title=Remains of an ancient volcano in the Adriatic Sea|author=Branimir Vukosav|date=30 April 2011|access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref>


===Dinaric Alps===
===Dinaric Alps===
{{main|Dinaric Alps|List of mountains in Croatia}}
{{main|Dinaric Alps|List of mountains in Croatia}}
[[File:Dinara Knin Croatia.jpg|thumb|right|[[Dinara]] seen from [[Knin]]]]
[[File:Dinara Knin Croatia.jpg|thumb|right|[[Dinara]] seen from [[Knin]]]]
Formation of the [[Dinaric Alps]] is linked to a Late [[Jurassic]] to recent [[fold and thrust belt]], itself a part of [[Alpine orogeny]], extending southeast from the southern [[Alps]].<ref name="EGU">{{cite journal|journal=EGU Stephan Mueller Special Publication Series|publisher=[[Copernicus Publications]]|title=Evolution of the northern and western Dinarides: a tectonostratigraphic approach|author=Vlasta Tari-Kovačić|year=2002|pages=223–236|issn=1868-4556|accessdate=3 March 2012|url=http://www.stephan-mueller-spec-publ-ser.net/1/223/2002/smsps-1-223-2002.pdf|format=PDF|issue=1}}</ref> The Dinaric Alps in Croatia encompass the entire [[Gorski Kotar]] and [[Lika]] regions, as well as considerable parts of [[Dalmatia]], with their norteastern edge running from {{convert|1181|m|adj=on}} [[Žumberak]] to [[Banovina (region)|Banovina]] region, along the Sava River,<ref>{{cite book|page=195|url=http://books.google.hr/books?id=aH3ymyEURHoC|title=Encyclopedia of Caves|editor1=William B. White|editor2=David C. Culver|isbn=978-0-12-383833-9|publisher=Academic Press|year=2012|accessdate=3 March 2012}}</ref> and their westernmost landforms being {{convert|1272|m|adj=on}} [[Ćićarija]] and {{convert|1396|m|adj=on}} [[Učka]] mountains in [[Istria]]. The Dinaric Alps contain the highest mountain in Croatia&mdash;{{convert|1831|m|adj=on}} [[Dinara]], as well as all other mountains in Croatia higher than {{convert|1500|m|abbr=off}}&mdash;[[Biokovo]], [[Velebit]], [[Plješivica]], [[Velika Kapela]], [[Risnjak]], [[Svilaja]] and [[Snježnik]].<ref name="Yearbook-2011"/>
Formation of the [[Dinaric Alps]] is linked to a Late [[Jurassic]] to recent [[fold and thrust belt]], itself a part of [[Alpine orogeny]], extending southeast from the southern [[Alps]].<ref name="EGU">{{cite journal|journal=EGU Stephan Mueller Special Publication Series|publisher=[[Copernicus Publications]]|title=Evolution of the northern and western Dinarides: a tectonostratigraphic approach|author=Vlasta Tari-Kovačić|year=2002|volume=1|pages=223–236|issn=1868-4556|url=http://www.stephan-mueller-spec-publ-ser.net/1/223/2002/smsps-1-223-2002.pdf|issue=1|doi=10.5194/smsps-1-223-2002|bibcode=2002SMSPS...1..223T|doi-access=free}}</ref> The Dinaric Alps in Croatia encompass the entire [[Gorski Kotar]] and [[Lika]] regions, as well as considerable parts of [[Dalmatia]], with their northeastern edge running from {{convert|1181|m|adj=on}} [[Žumberak]] to [[Banovina (region)|Banovina]] region, along the Sava River,<ref>{{cite book|page=195|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aH3ymyEURHoC|title=Encyclopedia of Caves|editor1=William B. White|editor2=David C. Culver|isbn=978-0-12-383833-9|publisher=Academic Press|year=2012|access-date=3 March 2012}}</ref> and their westernmost landforms being {{convert|1272|m|adj=on}} [[Ćićarija]] and {{convert|1396|m|adj=on}} [[Učka]] mountains in [[Istria]]. The Dinaric Alps contain the highest mountain in Croatia—{{convert|1831|m|adj=on}} [[Dinara]], as well as all other mountains in Croatia higher than {{convert|1500|m|abbr=off}}—[[Biokovo]], [[Velebit]], [[Plješivica]], [[Velika Kapela]], [[Risnjak]], [[Svilaja]] and [[Snježnik]].<ref name="Yearbook-2011"/>


[[Karst topography]] makes up about half of Croatia and is especially prominent in the Dinaric Alps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geografija.hr/clanci/1011/rasirenost-krsa-u-hrvatskoj|title=Raširenost krša u Hrvatskoj|trans_title=Presence of Karst in Croatia|language=Croatian|publisher=Croatian Geographic Society|date=18 December 2006|author=Mate Matas|accessdate=18 October 2011|work=geografija.hr}}</ref> There are [[list of caves in Croatia|numerous caves in Croatia]], 49 of which deeper than {{convert|250|m|2|abbr=off}}, 14 deeper than {{convert|500|m|2|abbr=off}} and three deeper than {{convert|1000|m|2|abbr=off}}.<ref name="BBC-Plitvice">{{cite web|publisher=[[BBC News]]|url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20110617-the-best-national-parks-of-europe|title=The best national parks of Europe|date=28 June 2011|accessdate=11 October 2011}}</ref> The longest cave in Croatia, [[Kita Gaćešina]], is at the same time the longest cave in the Dinaric Alps at {{convert|20656|m|abbr=off}}.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=index.hr|url=http://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/postojna-vise-nije-najdulja-u-dinaridima-nego-je-hrvatska-kita-gacesina/581211.aspx|title=Postojna više nije najdulja jama u Dinaridima: Rekord drži hrvatska Kita Gaćešina|language=Croatian|trans_title=Postojna is no longer the longest cave in the Dinarides: The record is held by Croatia's Kita Gaćešina|date=5 November 2011|accessdate=3 March 2012}}</ref>
[[Karst topography]] makes up about half of Croatia and is especially prominent in the Dinaric Alps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geografija.hr/clanci/1011/rasirenost-krsa-u-hrvatskoj|title=Raširenost krša u Hrvatskoj|trans-title=Presence of Karst in Croatia|language=Croatian|publisher=Croatian Geographic Society|date=18 December 2006|author=Mate Matas|access-date=18 October 2011|work=geografija.hr|archive-date=9 June 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609163634/http://www.geografija.hr/clanci/1011/rasirenost-krsa-u-hrvatskoj}}</ref> There are [[list of caves in Croatia|numerous caves in Croatia]], 49 of which deeper than {{convert|250|m|2|abbr=off}}, 14 deeper than {{convert|500|m|2|abbr=off}} and three deeper than {{convert|1000|m|2|abbr=off}}.<ref name="BBC-Plitvice">{{cite web|publisher=[[BBC]]|url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20110617-the-best-national-parks-of-europe|title=The best national parks of Europe|date=28 June 2011|access-date=11 October 2011|archive-date=16 December 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121216042125/http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20110617-the-best-national-parks-of-europe}}</ref> The longest cave in Croatia, [[Kita Gaćešina]], is at the same time the longest cave in the Dinaric Alps at {{convert|37389|m|abbr=off}}.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=index.hr|url=http://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/postojna-vise-nije-najdulja-u-dinaridima-nego-je-hrvatska-kita-gacesina/581211.aspx|title=Postojna više nije najdulja jama u Dinaridima: Rekord drži hrvatska Kita Gaćešina|language=Croatian|trans-title=Postojna is no longer the longest cave in the Dinarides: The record is held by Croatia's Kita Gaćešina|date=5 November 2011|access-date=3 March 2012}}</ref>


{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
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{{main|Pannonian Basin}}
{{main|Pannonian Basin}}
[[File:Tree in the sun.jpg|thumb|right|A plain in [[Slavonia]]]]
[[File:Tree in the sun.jpg|thumb|right|A plain in [[Slavonia]]]]
The [[Pannonian Basin]] took shape through [[Miocene|Miocenian]] thinning and [[subsidence]] of crust structures formed during Late [[Paleozoic]] [[Variscan orogeny]]. The Paleozoic and [[Mesozoic]] structures are visible in [[Papuk]] and other Slavonian mountains. The processes also led to formation of a [[Stratovolcano|stratovolcanic]] chain in the basin 17&nbsp;&ndash; 12&nbsp;[[Mya (unit)|Mya]] and intensified subsidence observed until 5&nbsp;Mya as well as [[flood basalt]]s about 7.5&nbsp;Mya. Contemporary uplift of the [[Carpathian Mountains]] severed water flow to the [[Black Sea]] and [[Pannonian Sea]] formed in the basin. Sediment were transported to the basin from uplifting Carpathian and Dinaric mountains, with particularly deep fluvial sediments being deposited in the [[Pleistocene]] during uplift of the [[Transdanubian Mountains]].<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.hr/books?id=GClF-4rtvoIC|title=Recent Landform Evolution: The Carpatho-Balkan-Dinaric Region|isbn=978-9400724471{{Please check ISBN|reason=does not match hyphenation rules and is probably invalid}}|authors=Milos Stankoviansky, Adam Kotarba|publisher=Springer|year=2012|accessdate=2 March 2012|pages=14–18}}</ref> Ultimately, up to {{convert|3000|m|abbr=off}} of the sediment was deposited in the basin, and the sea eventually drained through the [[Iron Gate (Danube)|Iron Gate]] gorge.<ref>{{cite book|page=16|url=http://books.google.hr/books?id=NJNODA_0IOgC|title=The Nature Guide to the Hortobagy and Tisza River Floodplain, Hungary|author=Dirk Hilbers|publisher=Crossbill Guides Foundation|year=2008|isbn=978-90-5011-276-5|accessdate=2 March 2012}}</ref>
The [[Pannonian Basin]] took shape through [[Miocene|Miocenian]] thinning and [[subsidence]] of crust structures formed during Late [[Paleozoic]] [[Variscan orogeny]]. The Paleozoic and [[Mesozoic]] structures are visible in [[Papuk]] and other Slavonian mountains. The processes also led to formation of a [[Stratovolcano|stratovolcanic]] chain in the basin 17&nbsp;&ndash; 12&nbsp;[[Mya (unit)|Mya]] and intensified subsidence observed until 5&nbsp;Mya as well as [[flood basalt]]s about 7.5&nbsp;Mya. Contemporary uplift of the [[Carpathian Mountains]] severed water flow to the [[Black Sea]] and [[Pannonian Sea]] formed in the basin. Sediment were transported to the basin from uplifting Carpathian and Dinaric mountains, with particularly deep fluvial sediments being deposited in the [[Pleistocene]] during uplift of the [[Transdanubian Mountains]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GClF-4rtvoIC|title=Recent Landform Evolution: The Carpatho-Balkan-Dinaric Region|isbn=978-94-007-2447-1|author=Milos Stankoviansky |author2=Adam Kotarba |publisher=Springer|year=2012|access-date=2 March 2012|pages=14–18}}</ref> Ultimately, up to {{convert|3000|m|abbr=off}} of the sediment was deposited in the basin, and the sea eventually drained through the [[Iron Gate (Danube)|Iron Gate]] gorge.<ref>{{cite book|page=16|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NJNODA_0IOgC|title=The Nature Guide to the Hortobagy and Tisza River Floodplain, Hungary|author=Dirk Hilbers|publisher=[[Crossbill Guides Foundation]]|year=2008|isbn=978-90-5011-276-5}}</ref>


The results of those processes are large plains in the eastern Slavonia, [[Baranya (region)|Baranya]] and [[Syrmia]], as well as in river valleys, especially along [[Sava]], [[Drava]] and [[Kupa]]. The plains are interspersed by the [[Horst (geology)|horst]] and [[graben]] structures, believed to break the Pannonian Sea surface as [[Pannonian island mountains|islands]].<ref>{{cite book|title=New Frontiers in Tectonic Research : At the Midst of Plate Convergence|chapter=Neogene Tectonics in Croatian Part of the Pannonian Basin and Reflectance in Hydrocarbon Accumulations|editor=Uri Schattner|publisher=InTech|author1=Tomislav Malvić|author2=Josipa Velić|year=2011|pages=215–238|isbn=978-953-307-594-5|format=PDF|url=http://www.intechopen.com/source/pdfs/17665/InTech-Neogene_tectonics_in_croatian_part_of_the_pannonian_basin_and_reflectance_in_hydrocarbon_accumulations.pdf|accessdate=2 March 2012}}</ref> The tallest among such landforms are {{convert|1059|m|adj=on}} [[Ivanšćica]] and {{convert|1035|m|adj=on}} [[Medvednica]] north of [[Zagreb]] and in [[Hrvatsko Zagorje]] as well as {{convert|984|m|adj=on}} [[Psunj]] and {{convert|953|m|adj=on}} Papuk which are the tallest among the Slavonian mountains surrounding [[Požega, Croatia|Požega]].<ref name="Yearbook-2011"/> Psunj, Papuk and adjacent [[Krndija]] consist mostly of Paleozoic rocks which are 350&nbsp;&ndash; 300&nbsp;million years old. [[Požeška gora]], adjacent to Psunj, consists of much more recent [[Neogene]] rocks, but there are also Upper [[Cretaceous]] sediments and [[igneous rocks]] forming the main, {{convert|30|km|adj=on}} [[ridge]] of the hill and representing the largest igneous landform in Croatia. A smaller igneous landform is also present on Papuk, near [[Voćin]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Papuk Geopark]]|url=http://www.papukgeopark.com/publikacije/geo_vodic1_30.pdf|format=PDF|title=Geološki vodič kroz park prirode Papuk|author=Jakob Pamić, Goran Radonić, Goran Pavić|language=Croatian|trans_title=Geological guide to the Papuk Nature Park|accessdate=2 March 2012}}</ref> The two, as well as [[Moslavačka gora]] are possible remnants of a volcanic arc related to uplifting of the Dinaric Alps.<ref name="EGU"/>
The results of those processes are large plains in the eastern Slavonia, [[Baranya (region)|Baranya]] and [[Syrmia]], as well as in river valleys, especially along [[Sava]], [[Drava]] and [[Kupa]]. The plains are interspersed by the [[Horst (geology)|horst]] and [[graben]] structures, believed to break the Pannonian Sea surface as [[Pannonian island mountains|islands]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2019|reason=removed citation to predatory publisher content}} The tallest among such landforms are {{convert|1059|m|adj=on}} [[Ivanšćica]] and {{convert|1035|m|adj=on}} [[Medvednica]] north of [[Zagreb]] and in [[Hrvatsko Zagorje]] as well as {{convert|984|m|adj=on}} [[Psunj]] and {{convert|953|m|adj=on}} Papuk which are the tallest among the Slavonian mountains surrounding [[Požega, Croatia|Požega]].<ref name="Yearbook-2011"/> Psunj, Papuk and adjacent [[Krndija]] consist mostly of Paleozoic rocks which are 350&nbsp;&ndash; 300&nbsp;million years old. [[Požeška gora]], adjacent to Psunj, consists of much more recent [[Neogene]] rocks, but there are also Upper [[Cretaceous]] sediments and [[igneous rocks]] forming the main, {{convert|30|km|adj=on}} [[ridge]] of the hill and representing the largest igneous landform in Croatia. A smaller igneous landform is also present on Papuk, near [[Voćin]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Papuk Geopark]]|url=http://www.papukgeopark.com/publikacije/geo_vodic1_30.pdf|title=Geološki vodič kroz park prirode Papuk|author1=Jakob Pamić |author2=Goran Radonić |author3=Goran Pavić |language=Croatian|trans-title=Geological guide to the Papuk Nature Park|access-date=2 March 2012}}</ref> The two, as well as [[Moslavačka gora]] are possible remnants of a volcanic arc related to uplifting of the Dinaric Alps.<ref name="EGU"/>


==See also==
==See also==
{{satop|Croatia|Geography}}
{{portal|Croatia|Geography}}
* [[Geography of Croatia]]
* [[Geography of Croatia]]
{{clear}}
{{clear}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}

{{Croatia topics}}


[[Category:Geography of Croatia]]
[[Category:Geography of Croatia]]
[[Category:Topography by country|Croatia]]

Latest revision as of 04:33, 13 May 2024

Topographic map of Croatia

Topography of Croatia is defined through three major geomorphological parts of the country. Those are the Pannonian Basin, the Dinaric Alps, and the Adriatic Basin. The largest part of Croatia consists of lowlands, with elevations of less than 200 metres (660 feet) above sea level recorded in 53.42% of the country. Bulk of the lowlands are found in the northern regions of the country, especially in Slavonia, itself a part of the Pannonian Basin plain. The plains are interspersed by the horst and graben structures, believed to break the Pannonian Sea surface as islands. The greatest concentration of ground at relatively high elevations is found in Lika and Gorski Kotar areas in the Dinaric Alps, but such areas are found in all regions of Croatia to some extent. The Dinaric Alps contain the highest mountain in Croatia—1,831-metre (6,007 ft) Dinara, as well as all other mountains in Croatia higher than 1,500 metres (4,900 feet). Croatia's Adriatic Sea mainland coast is 1,777.3 kilometres (1,104.4 miles) long, while its 1,246 islands and islets encompass further 4,058 kilometres (2,522 miles) of coastline—the most indented coastline in the Mediterranean. Karst topography makes up about half of Croatia and is especially prominent in the Dinaric Alps, as well as throughout the coastal areas and the islands.

Geomorphological units

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The largest part of Croatia consists of lowlands, with elevations of less than 200 metres (660 feet) above sea level recorded in 53.42% of the country. Bulk of the lowlands are found in the northern regions of the country, especially in Slavonia, representing a part of the Pannonian Basin. Territory with elevations of 200 to 500 metres (660 to 1,640 feet) above sea level encompasses 25.61% of Croatia's territory, and the areas between 500 and 1,000 metres (1,600 and 3,300 feet) above sea level cover the 17.11% of the country. Further 3.71% of the land is situated at 1,000 to 1,500 metres (3,300 to 4,900 feet) above sea level, and only 0.15% of Croatia's territory lies at elevations greater than 1,500 metres (4,900 feet) above sea level.[1] The greatest concentration of ground at relatively high elevations is found in Lika and Gorski Kotar areas in the Dinaric Alps, but such areas are found in all regions of Croatia to some extent.[2] The Pannonian Basin and the Dinaric Alps, along with the Adriatic Basin represent major geomorphological parts of Croatia.[3]

Adriatic Basin

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See also: Adriatic Sea and List of islands of Croatia
Kornati national park

Croatia's Adriatic Sea mainland coast is 1,777.3 kilometres (1,104.4 miles) long, while its 1,246 islands and islets encompass further 4,058 kilometres (2,522 miles) of coastline. The distance between the extreme points of Croatia's coastline is 526 kilometres (327 miles).[4] The number of islands includes all islands, islets, and rocks of all sizes, including ones emerging at ebb tide only.[5] The islands include the largest ones in the Adriatic—Cres and Krk, each covering 405.78 square kilometres (156.67 square miles), and the tallest—Brač, whose peak reaches 780 metres (2,560 feet) above sea level. The islands include 48 permanently inhabited ones, the most populous among them being Krk and Korčula.[1]

The shore is the most indented coastline in the Mediterranean.[6] The majority of the coast is characterised by a karst topography, developed from the Adriatic Carbonate Platform. Karstification there largely began after the final uplift of the Dinarides in the Oligocene and the Miocene, when carbonate deposits were exposed to atmospheric effects, extending to the level of 120 metres (390 feet) below present sea level, exposed during the Last Glacial Maximum. It is estimated that some karst formations are related to earlier immersions, most notably the Messinian salinity crisis.[7] The largest part of the eastern coast consists of carbonate rocks, while flysch is significantly represented in the Gulf of Trieste coast, on the Kvarner Gulf coast opposite Krk, and in Dalmatia north of Split.[8] There are comparably small alluvial areas of the Adriatic coast in Croatia—most notably the Neretva Delta.[9] The western Istria is gradually subsiding, having sunk about 1.5 metres (4 feet 11 inches) in the past two thousand years.[10] In the Middle Adriatic Basin, there is evidence of Permian volcanism observed in area of Komiža on the island of Vis and as volcanic islands of Jabuka and Brusnik.[11]

Dinaric Alps

[edit]
Main articles: Dinaric Alps and List of mountains in Croatia
Dinara seen from Knin

Formation of the Dinaric Alps is linked to a Late Jurassic to recent fold and thrust belt, itself a part of Alpine orogeny, extending southeast from the southern Alps.[12] The Dinaric Alps in Croatia encompass the entire Gorski Kotar and Lika regions, as well as considerable parts of Dalmatia, with their northeastern edge running from 1,181-metre (3,875 ft) Žumberak to Banovina region, along the Sava River,[13] and their westernmost landforms being 1,272-metre (4,173 ft) Ćićarija and 1,396-metre (4,580 ft) Učka mountains in Istria. The Dinaric Alps contain the highest mountain in Croatia—1,831-metre (6,007 ft) Dinara, as well as all other mountains in Croatia higher than 1,500 metres (4,900 feet)—Biokovo, Velebit, Plješivica, Velika Kapela, Risnjak, Svilaja and Snježnik.[1]

Karst topography makes up about half of Croatia and is especially prominent in the Dinaric Alps.[14] There are numerous caves in Croatia, 49 of which deeper than 250 metres (820.21 feet), 14 deeper than 500 metres (1,640.42 feet) and three deeper than 1,000 metres (3,280.84 feet).[15] The longest cave in Croatia, Kita Gaćešina, is at the same time the longest cave in the Dinaric Alps at 37,389 metres (122,667 feet).[16]

Highest mountain peaks of Croatia[1]
Mountain Peak Elevation Coordinates
Dinara Dinara 1,831 m (6,007 ft) 44°3′N 16°23′E / 44.050°N 16.383°E / 44.050; 16.383
Biokovo Sveti Jure 1,762 m (5,781 ft) 43°20′N 17°03′E / 43.333°N 17.050°E / 43.333; 17.050
Velebit Vaganski vrh 1,757 m (5,764 ft) 44°32′N 15°14′E / 44.533°N 15.233°E / 44.533; 15.233
Plješivica Ozeblin 1,657 m (5,436 ft) 44°47′N 15°45′E / 44.783°N 15.750°E / 44.783; 15.750
Velika Kapela Bjelolasica – Kula 1,533 m (5,030 ft) 45°16′N 14°58′E / 45.267°N 14.967°E / 45.267; 14.967
Risnjak Risnjak 1,528 m (5,013 ft) 45°25′N 14°45′E / 45.417°N 14.750°E / 45.417; 14.750
Svilaja Svilaja 1,508 m (4,948 ft) 43°49′N 16°27′E / 43.817°N 16.450°E / 43.817; 16.450
Snježnik Snježnik 1,506 m (4,941 ft) 45°26′N 14°35′E / 45.433°N 14.583°E / 45.433; 14.583

Pannonian Basin

[edit]
Main article: Pannonian Basin
A plain in Slavonia

The Pannonian Basin took shape through Miocenian thinning and subsidence of crust structures formed during Late Paleozoic Variscan orogeny. The Paleozoic and Mesozoic structures are visible in Papuk and other Slavonian mountains. The processes also led to formation of a stratovolcanic chain in the basin 17 – 12 Mya and intensified subsidence observed until 5 Mya as well as flood basalts about 7.5 Mya. Contemporary uplift of the Carpathian Mountains severed water flow to the Black Sea and Pannonian Sea formed in the basin. Sediment were transported to the basin from uplifting Carpathian and Dinaric mountains, with particularly deep fluvial sediments being deposited in the Pleistocene during uplift of the Transdanubian Mountains.[17] Ultimately, up to 3,000 metres (9,800 feet) of the sediment was deposited in the basin, and the sea eventually drained through the Iron Gate gorge.[18]

The results of those processes are large plains in the eastern Slavonia, Baranya and Syrmia, as well as in river valleys, especially along Sava, Drava and Kupa. The plains are interspersed by the horst and graben structures, believed to break the Pannonian Sea surface as islands.[citation needed] The tallest among such landforms are 1,059-metre (3,474 ft) Ivanšćica and 1,035-metre (3,396 ft) Medvednica north of Zagreb and in Hrvatsko Zagorje as well as 984-metre (3,228 ft) Psunj and 953-metre (3,127 ft) Papuk which are the tallest among the Slavonian mountains surrounding Požega.[1] Psunj, Papuk and adjacent Krndija consist mostly of Paleozoic rocks which are 350 – 300 million years old. Požeška gora, adjacent to Psunj, consists of much more recent Neogene rocks, but there are also Upper Cretaceous sediments and igneous rocks forming the main, 30-kilometre (19 mi) ridge of the hill and representing the largest igneous landform in Croatia. A smaller igneous landform is also present on Papuk, near Voćin.[19] The two, as well as Moslavačka gora are possible remnants of a volcanic arc related to uplifting of the Dinaric Alps.[12]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "Geographical and Meteorological Data" (PDF). 2011 Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia. 43. Croatian Bureau of Statistics: 41. December 2011. ISSN 1333-3305. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  2. ^ "Land use - State and impacts (Croatia)". European Environment Agency. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  3. ^ "Drugo, trece i cetvrto nacionalno izvješće Republike Hrvatske prema Okvirnoj konvenciji Ujedinjenih naroda o promjeni klime (UNFCCC)" [The second, third and fourth national report of the Republic of Croatia pursuant to the United Nations Framework Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC)] (PDF) (in Croatian). Ministry of Construction and Spatial Planning (Croatia). November 2006. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  4. ^ Gerald Henry Blake; Duško Topalović; Clive H. Schofield (1996). The maritime boundaries of the Adriatic Sea. IBRU. pp. 1–5. ISBN 978-1-897643-22-8. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  5. ^ Josip Faričić; Vera Graovac; Anica Čuka (June 2010). "Croatian small islands – residential and/or leisure area". Geoadria. 15 (1). University of Zadar: 145–185. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  6. ^ Biliana Cicin-Sain; Igor Pavlin; Stefano Belfiore (2002). Sustainable coastal management: a transatlantic and Euro-Mediterranean perspective. Springer. pp. 155–156. ISBN 978-1-4020-0888-7.
  7. ^ Maša Surić (June 2005). "Submerged Karst – Dead or Alive? Examples from the Eastern Adriatic Coast (Croatia)". Geoadria. 10 (1). University of Zadar: 5–19. ISSN 1331-2294. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  8. ^ Siegfried Siegesmund (2008). Tectonic aspects of the Alpine-Dinaride-Carpathian system. Geological Society. pp. 146–149. ISBN 978-1-86239-252-6.
  9. ^ Jasmina Mužinić (2007). "The Neretva Delta: Green Pearl of Coastal Croatia". Croatian Medical Journal. 48 (2): 127–129. PMC 2121601.
  10. ^ F. Antonioli; et al. (2007). "Sea-level change during the Holocene in Sardinia and in the northeastern Adriatic (central Mediterranean Sea) from archaeological and geomorphological data" (PDF). Quaternary Science Reviews. 26 (19–21). Elsevier: 2463–2486. Bibcode:2007QSRv...26.2463A. doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2007.06.022. ISSN 0277-3791.
  11. ^ Branimir Vukosav (30 April 2011). "Ostaci prastarog vulkana u Jadranu" [Remains of an ancient volcano in the Adriatic Sea]. Zadarski list (in Croatian). Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  12. ^ a b Vlasta Tari-Kovačić (2002). "Evolution of the northern and western Dinarides: a tectonostratigraphic approach" (PDF). EGU Stephan Mueller Special Publication Series. 1 (1). Copernicus Publications: 223–236. Bibcode:2002SMSPS...1..223T. doi:10.5194/smsps-1-223-2002. ISSN 1868-4556.
  13. ^ William B. White; David C. Culver, eds. (2012). Encyclopedia of Caves. Academic Press. p. 195. ISBN 978-0-12-383833-9. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  14. ^ Mate Matas (18 December 2006). "Raširenost krša u Hrvatskoj" [Presence of Karst in Croatia]. geografija.hr (in Croatian). Croatian Geographic Society. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  15. ^ "The best national parks of Europe". BBC. 28 June 2011. Archived from the original on 16 December 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
  16. ^ "Postojna više nije najdulja jama u Dinaridima: Rekord drži hrvatska Kita Gaćešina" [Postojna is no longer the longest cave in the Dinarides: The record is held by Croatia's Kita Gaćešina] (in Croatian). index.hr. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  17. ^ Milos Stankoviansky; Adam Kotarba (2012). Recent Landform Evolution: The Carpatho-Balkan-Dinaric Region. Springer. pp. 14–18. ISBN 978-94-007-2447-1. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  18. ^ Dirk Hilbers (2008). The Nature Guide to the Hortobagy and Tisza River Floodplain, Hungary. Crossbill Guides Foundation. p. 16. ISBN 978-90-5011-276-5.
  19. ^ Jakob Pamić; Goran Radonić; Goran Pavić. "Geološki vodič kroz park prirode Papuk" [Geological guide to the Papuk Nature Park] (PDF) (in Croatian). Papuk Geopark. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
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