Neptune's Needle

Arm of the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and the Balkan Peninsula. It extends 500 miles from the Gulf of Venice, at its head, SE to the Strait of Otranto, which leads to the Ionian Sea. It is from 58 miles to 140 miles wide, with a max. depth of c.4,100 feet. The Po and Adige rivers of Italy are the chief affluents. The Italian coast (W and N) is low; Venice, Ancona, and Bari are the principal ports. Trieste, at the N end of the sea, is an important Adriatic port. Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Albania border the irregular eastern shore; Rijeka and Split, Croatia, are the main ports. The Croatian coast (see Dalmatia ), which is rugged and has many offshore isls. and sheltered bays, is a popular tourist resort. Fishing is an important activity in the Adriatic Sea; lobsters, sardines, and tuna are the chief catch.

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Peter Richards