Morača

The Morača (Serbian Cyrillic: Морача, pronounced [mǒrat͡ʃa]; Latin: Oriundus) is a major river in Montenegro that rises in the north, under mount Rzača. It meanders southwards for 99.5 km (61.8 mi), emptying into Lake Skadar. Its drainage basin covers 3,257 km2 (1,258 sq mi).[1]

For the monastery, see Morača (monastery). For the epomynous clan and region, see Morača (tribe).
Morača
Morača valley north of Podgorica.
Native nameМорача
Location
CountryMontenegro
Physical characteristics
SourceRzača mountains
 • coordinates42.8654°N 19.2481°E / 42.8654; 19.2481
 • elevation1,374 metres (4,508 ft)
MouthLake Skadar
 • location
Lake Skadar
 • coordinates
42°16′35″N 19°07′16″E
 • elevation
1 metre (3 ft 3 in)
Length99.5 km (61.8 mi)
Basin size3,257 km2 (1,258 sq mi)
Basin features
ProgressionLake Skadar→ Bojana→ Adriatic Sea
Tributaries 
 • leftRibnica, Cijevna
 • rightZeta, Sitnica
Morača River Canyon.

In its north, the Morača is a fast mountain river. Just north of Podgorica it merges with its largest tributary, Zeta, around which it cuts a rocky canyon, then enters the Zeta plain. It flows through the surrounding flatland until it empties into Lake Skadar on the border with Albania. A shorter, much broader, meandering, approximately sea-level river Buna (Montenegrin: Bojana) flows through the northwest corner of that country, draining the lake into the Adriatic Sea.

Relative to other rivers of its length, the Morača is weak in volume. It is rarely more than 50 m (160 ft) wide and mostly shallow, so it is generally not navigable. Its canyon is a corridor for the main road leading from Montenegro's coast and Podgorica to northern Montenegro and Serbia. This road is considered impassable on foot.

It is one of the symbols, attractions and main notable physical geography features of Podgorica, as the city's principal river; it is featured on some flags and country symbols.

The Morača monastery, founded in 1252 by Stefan, son of Vukan Nemanjić, king of Zeta, is located just north of the river's canyon.

See also

References
  1. Statistical Yearbook of Montenegro 2017, Geography, Statistical Office of Montenegro
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