ADRIATIC SEA, a large arm of the Mediterranean Sea, extending, in a N. W. direction, between the E. coast of Italy and the W. coast of the Balkan penin sula, being terminated to the S. by the Strait of Otranto, 45 miles wide. In the N. it forms the Gulf of Venice, and in the N. E. the Gulf of Trieste. The W. coast is comparatively low and has few inlets, and the N. is marshy and edged with lagoons. On the other side, the coasts of Illyria, Croatia, Dalmatia, and and the immense bazaar of Ali Pasha, may be named as its principal features. It has a silk factory, and a considerable trade in attar of roses and wine. Founded or greatly improved by the Emperor Hadrian, Adrianople was the seat of the Ottoman sultanate from 1366 to 1453. In the Balkan War of 1912-1913, Adri anople, after a stubborn defense of five months, was surrendered to the Balkan allies, March 26, 1913. By the Treaty of
London, May 30, 1913, it was ceded to Bulgaria, but in the war that ensued be tween the former allies, the Turks reoc cupied the city, July 20, 1913. By the Treaty of Constantinople, Sept. 29, 1913, Bulgaria formally restored Adrianople to Turkey. During the World War the city was _ raided many times by enemy Albania are steep, rocky, and barren, with many inlets, and begirt with a chain of almost innumerable, small, rocky islands.
The total area of the sea, including islands, is calculated at 52,220 square miles—the area of the islands being 1,290; the mean depth is 110 fathoms, the greatest depth, 565 fathoms. The most considerable rivers flowing into the sea are the Adige and the Po. Venice, Trieste, Ancona, Bari, and Brindisi are the chief ports, Brindisi having special importance.