Dinaric Alps

Dinaric Alps, southeastern division of the Eastern Alps, running parallel to the Dalmatian (Adriatic) coast from roughly Trieste (Italy) and Slovenia south to Albania. The Dinaric Alps are bounded approximately by the Soča (Isonzo) and Sava rivers (north), the Drina River (south), the Kolubara, Ibar, and Sitnica rivers (east), and the Adriatic Sea (west). The Dinaric Alps rise to 8,839 feet (2,694 meters) at Mount Jezercës (Maja e Jezercës) in the North Albanian Alps (Prokletije). The coast is indented with numerous natural harbors, but the limestone ranges prohibit any natural access to the agricultural hinterland. Interior basins of the range, though isolated, have both fertile soils and dense population.