Neretva, River and Ramsar site from Dinaric Alps to Adriatic Sea, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia
The Neretva is a river and Ramsar site extending from the Dinaric Alps to the Adriatic Sea, flowing through deep mountain canyons and open valley plains while crossing the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. The waterway is interrupted by several dams that serve for electricity generation and flood control, while maintaining agricultural water supplies throughout its course.
The river valley was home to the Illyrian tribe of Ardiaei in ancient times, who were known as skilled sailors and fishermen along these waters. The name Narenta from that period shows how long human settlement and trading have shaped this region.
The river has shaped life in its valleys for millennia, connecting two countries through shared dependence on its waters for survival and livelihood. Local communities still fish along the banks and grow fruit and vegetables in the fertile plains today.
The area can be explored from several viewpoints along the canyon edges and from the open valleys, with the best views possible during spring and autumn months. Access is available through roads and walking paths that begin in local communities and approach the river.
The river valley supports about a quarter of all European fish species, including the endangered soft-mouth trout that spawns in the river's clear rapids. This remarkable fish diversity makes it one of Europe's most important freshwater habitats for maintaining fish populations.
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