Lim River
Encyclopedia
The Lim is a river
flowing through Montenegro
, Albania
, Serbia
and Bosnia and Herzegovina
. 220 km (137 mi) long, it's the right and the longest tributary of the Drina
.
The Lim rises below Maglić peak in the Kuči
area of eastern Montenegro, very close to the Albanian border, under the name of Vrmoša. Its source is only few kilometers away from the source of the Tara river, but the two rivers go in opposite directions: the Tara to the north-west and the Vrmoša to the east, and after only few kilometers it crosses over to Albania . Passing through Prokletije
mountains and the village of Vermosh
, it re-enters Montenegro under the name of Grnčar. Receiving stream Vruje from the right at Gusinje
, it continues as Ljuča for a few more kilometers where it empties into the Lake Plav
, creating small delta. It flows out of the lake to the north, next to the high mountain Visitor
, under the name Lim for the remaining 197 km (122 mi). It passes through Murino, continuing generally to the north through areas of Vasojevići
, Gornji Kolašin
, Donji Kolašin and Komarani, the Tivran gorge and the cities of Andrijevica
, Berane
, Bijelo Polje
, Resnik and Nedakusi
, entering Serbia
between villages of Dobrakovo and Gostun. It receives the right tributaries of Lješnica (between the villages of Poda and Skakavac) and Bistrica (near the border) and left tributary of Ljuboviđa, near Bijelo Polje.
In the border area, the Lim carved a long gorge Kumanička klisura, between the mountains of Lisa (in Montenegro) and Ozren
(in Serbia). Lim continues between the mountains of Jadovnik
, Pobijenik
and Zlatar, and runs through the northern part of the Sandžak
area (or Raška oblast). Upstream of Priboj
, the river is dammed by the hydro power plant "Potpeć", creating artificial Lake Potpeć. the villages of Garčanica and Lučice and the towns of Brodarevo
, Prijepolje
, Pribojska Banja and Priboj
. After Priboj it turns north-west and enters Bosnia and Herzegovina, but only for a few kilometers when it flows back to Serbia and then again to Bosnia at Rudo
. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lim flows between the mountains of Bič
, Javorje
and Vučevica
from the south, and the Varda
mountain from the north, before it empties into the Drina near the village of Međeđa. The lowest section of the river is flooded by the artificial Višegrad lake, created by the Višegrad hydroelectrical power plant on the Drina.
drainage basin through Drina, Sava and Danube
. Its drainage basin covers 5963 km² (2,302 sq mi) and the river is not navigable.
It receives many smaller streams in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, however, two most important being two of its right tributaries in Serbia, Uvac
and Mileševska reka.
Though today is generally considered that the river's name is derived from Latin word limes
, which means border, it might originated from the Celt
ic root llyn or llym, meaning drink or water.
and Bosnian.
It is important agricultural region, especially for cultivating fruits and stockbreeding. It is also important route for the both road and railways from Serbia to Montenegro and Adriatic coast, most notably, Belgrade-Bar railway. Industry is not much developed (smaller industrial centers are Berane, Bijelo Polje and Prijepolje), except for heavily industrialized Priboj. Most use of the river has Serbian electricity production, with power station Potpeć being constructed and several more stations on the Lim's major tributary, the Uvac.
Despite the potentials, the entire area the Lim flows through is undeveloped and for decades highly depopulating.
n tourists (34 students and 16 adults) back to their native Svishtov
from a trip to Dubrovnik
in Croatia
fell and sank in the river near the Serbian village of Gostun close to the border with Montenegro as the driver lost control over it during a turn on a mountain road. Twelve children died, the other 38 people being saved with the aid of the locals.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
flowing through Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
, Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
, Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
. 220 km (137 mi) long, it's the right and the longest tributary of the Drina
Drina
The Drina is a 346 kilometer long river, which forms most of the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. It is the longest tributary of the Sava River and the longest karst river in the Dinaric Alps which belongs to the Danube river watershed...
.
Montenegro and Serbia
KUCI
KUCI is a college radio station broadcasting a Variety format. Licensed to Irvine, California, USA, the station serves the Orange County area...
area of eastern Montenegro, very close to the Albanian border, under the name of Vrmoša. Its source is only few kilometers away from the source of the Tara river, but the two rivers go in opposite directions: the Tara to the north-west and the Vrmoša to the east, and after only few kilometers it crosses over to Albania . Passing through Prokletije
Prokletije
Prokletije or Albanian Alps is a mountain range in the Balkans that extends from northern Albania, to southwestern Serbia and eastern Montenegro. Its highest point, Jezercë in Albania at , is the tallest peak in the entire Dinaric Alps...
mountains and the village of Vermosh
Vermosh
Vërmosh is the northernmost village of Albania, a rural part of the Kelmend municipality, District of Malësi e Madhe.-Geography:...
, it re-enters Montenegro under the name of Grnčar. Receiving stream Vruje from the right at Gusinje
Gusinje
Gusinje is a small town in Montenegro. According to the 2003 census, the town has a population of 1,704.-History:The history and origins of Gusinje are unknown prior to the Ottoman conquests. Before the Ottoman Turks took control of the region, Plav-Gusinje was under the control of various...
, it continues as Ljuča for a few more kilometers where it empties into the Lake Plav
Lake Plav
Lake Plav is a lake in Plav municipality, in northeastern Montenegro.It is a glacial lake located between the Prokletije and Visitor mountain ranges at an altitude of 906 m above sea level, and extends north-south for some 2,160 m...
, creating small delta. It flows out of the lake to the north, next to the high mountain Visitor
Visitor
A Visitor, in United Kingdom law and history, is an overseer of an autonomous ecclesiastical or eleemosynary institution , who can intervene in the internal affairs of that institution...
, under the name Lim for the remaining 197 km (122 mi). It passes through Murino, continuing generally to the north through areas of Vasojevići
Vasojevici
The Vasojevići tribe is the largest Serb clan in Montenegro. It occupies the area between Vjetarnih Lijeva Rijeka in the South and Bihor under Bijelo Polje in the North, Mateševo in the West to Plav in the East. The clan is one of seven "highland clans"...
, Gornji Kolašin
Gornji Kolašin
Upper Kolasin , is a historic region in the present-day municipality of Kolasin in Montenegro. It is situated around the picturesque Tara River.-Demographics:...
, Donji Kolašin and Komarani, the Tivran gorge and the cities of Andrijevica
Andrijevica
Andrijevica is a town in north-eastern Montenegro. It has a population of 1,073 . Its territory is outspread on 340 km2 and it is surrounded by massives of mountains Komovi, Bjelasica and Prokletije....
, Berane
Berane
Berane , formerly Ivangrad, is a town in north-eastern Montenegro. It has a population of 11,776 .Berane is the centre of municipality and one of the centres of Polimlje area, named after the Lim River, on which Berane is situated.-History:During the medieval period the Montenegrin land of Berane...
, Bijelo Polje
Bijelo Polje
Bijelo Polje is a town in northern Montenegro. It has a population of 15,883 .Bijelo Polje is the center of municipality . It is unofficial center of north-eastern region of Montenegro...
, Resnik and Nedakusi
Nedakusi
Nedakusi is a small town in Montenegro. According to the 2003 census, the town has a population of 2308 people.-References:...
, entering Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
between villages of Dobrakovo and Gostun. It receives the right tributaries of Lješnica (between the villages of Poda and Skakavac) and Bistrica (near the border) and left tributary of Ljuboviđa, near Bijelo Polje.
Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ozren (Pešter)
Ozren is a mountain in southwestern Serbia, near the town of Sjenica. Its highest peak Orlovača has an altitude of 1693 meters above sea level. It is one of the mountains which surround the Pešter plateau. Spring of the Uvac river is located at the foothills of Ozren....
(in Serbia). Lim continues between the mountains of Jadovnik
Jadovnik
Jadovnik is a mountain in southwestern Serbia, on the western edge of Pešter plateau, near the town of Sjenica. Its highest peak Katunić has an altitude of 1734 meters above sea level....
, Pobijenik
Pobijenik
Pobijenik is a mountain in western Serbia, near the town of Prijepolje. Its highest peak Borak has an altitude of 1423 meters above sea level....
and Zlatar, and runs through the northern part of the Sandžak
Sandžak
Sandžak also known as Raška is a historical region lying along the border between Serbia and Montenegro...
area (or Raška oblast). Upstream of Priboj
Priboj
Priboj is a town and municipality located in the Zlatibor District of Serbia at 43.59° North, 19.54° East. In 2011, the town has a total population of 14,015, while population of the municipality is 27,127.- History :...
, the river is dammed by the hydro power plant "Potpeć", creating artificial Lake Potpeć. the villages of Garčanica and Lučice and the towns of Brodarevo
Brodarevo
Brodarevo is a village in the municipality of Prijepolje, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 1780 people.-References:...
, Prijepolje
Prijepolje
Prijepolje is a town and municipality in the Zlatibor District of Serbia. According to the 2011 census, the municipality of Prijepolje has a population of 36,713 people, while the town itself has a population of 13,068...
, Pribojska Banja and Priboj
Priboj
Priboj is a town and municipality located in the Zlatibor District of Serbia at 43.59° North, 19.54° East. In 2011, the town has a total population of 14,015, while population of the municipality is 27,127.- History :...
. After Priboj it turns north-west and enters Bosnia and Herzegovina, but only for a few kilometers when it flows back to Serbia and then again to Bosnia at Rudo
Rudo
Rudo is a town and municipality in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina near the border with Serbia. It appears in Ivo Andrić's story "The Beys of Rudo."-1971:15,982 total* Serbs – 10.155...
. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lim flows between the mountains of Bič
BIC
-Places:* Le bic, Rimouski, Quebec, Canada** Bic National Park, Quebec nationa located near the village of Le bic. See List of Quebec national parks* Bîc River, Moldova* Bic, a village administered by Şimleu Silvaniei town, Sălaj County, Romania...
, Javorje
Javorje
-Croatia:*Javorje , village near Brdovec*Javorje , village near Novi Vinodolski-Slovenia:*Javorje, Velike Lašče, village*Javorje, Črna na Koroškem, village*Javorje, Hrpelje – Kozina, village*Javorje pri Gabrovki, village...
and Vučevica
Vučevica
Vučevica is a village in the Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia. The settlement is administered as a part of Klis municipality.According to national census of 2001, population of the settlement is 64....
from the south, and the Varda
Varda
Varda Elentári is a deity in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium to whom the hymn A Elbereth Gilthoniel is directed..-Character overview:Varda is one of the Valar, a group of semi-divine beings similar to archangels. Also known as "Queen of the stars", she is said to be too beautiful for words; within...
mountain from the north, before it empties into the Drina near the village of Međeđa. The lowest section of the river is flooded by the artificial Višegrad lake, created by the Višegrad hydroelectrical power plant on the Drina.
Characteristics
Lim belongs to the Black SeaBlack Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
drainage basin through Drina, Sava and Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
. Its drainage basin covers 5963 km² (2,302 sq mi) and the river is not navigable.
It receives many smaller streams in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, however, two most important being two of its right tributaries in Serbia, Uvac
Uvac
The Uvac is the river in southwestern Serbia and Republika Srpska, 119 km long right and major tributary of the Lim, loosely making the northern border of the Sandžak/Raška region...
and Mileševska reka.
Though today is generally considered that the river's name is derived from Latin word limes
Limes
A limes was a border defense or delimiting system of Ancient Rome. It marked the boundaries of the Roman Empire.The Latin noun limes had a number of different meanings: a path or balk delimiting fields, a boundary line or marker, any road or path, any channel, such as a stream channel, or any...
, which means border, it might originated from the Celt
Celt
The Celts were a diverse group of tribal societies in Iron Age and Roman-era Europe who spoke Celtic languages.The earliest archaeological culture commonly accepted as Celtic, or rather Proto-Celtic, was the central European Hallstatt culture , named for the rich grave finds in Hallstatt, Austria....
ic root llyn or llym, meaning drink or water.
Polimlje
The fertile valley of the river is called Polimlje (Полимље), meaning "Lim valley". It represents area around composite river valley, made of several gorges and depressions. The valley is divided in three large parts, Montenegrin, Stari VlahStari Vlah
Stari Vlah is a historic and geographical region in Southwestern Serbia.-Geography:Stari Vlah contains 7 municipalities of Serbia: Priboj, Nova Varoš, Prijepolje, Užice, Ivanjica, Čajetina, and Arilje...
and Bosnian.
It is important agricultural region, especially for cultivating fruits and stockbreeding. It is also important route for the both road and railways from Serbia to Montenegro and Adriatic coast, most notably, Belgrade-Bar railway. Industry is not much developed (smaller industrial centers are Berane, Bijelo Polje and Prijepolje), except for heavily industrialized Priboj. Most use of the river has Serbian electricity production, with power station Potpeć being constructed and several more stations on the Lim's major tributary, the Uvac.
Despite the potentials, the entire area the Lim flows through is undeveloped and for decades highly depopulating.
Border dispute
After breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991/92, on the part of Lim's course entering and re-entering Serbia and Bosnia, several villages of Serbia remained physically cut off from the rest of the republic's territory. The governments of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia proposed an exchange of territories to Bosnia and Herzegovina, but so far, no agreement was reached.Lim River tragedy
On 4 April 2004, around 10 PM, a bus carrying BulgariaBulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
n tourists (34 students and 16 adults) back to their native Svishtov
Svishtov
Svishtov is a town in northern Bulgaria, located in Veliko Tarnovo Province on the right bank of the Danube river opposite the Romanian town of Zimnicea. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous Svishtov Municipality...
from a trip to Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its total population is 42,641...
in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
fell and sank in the river near the Serbian village of Gostun close to the border with Montenegro as the driver lost control over it during a turn on a mountain road. Twelve children died, the other 38 people being saved with the aid of the locals.