morje

Morje is the Slovenian word for sea. It refers to the large body of saltwater that covers much of the Earth's surface and, in everyday use, to seas that lie next to land as well as to the ocean in general. In Slovenian geography, morje can denote either the world’s oceans or a specific sea; for example, Jadransko morje is the Adriatic Sea.

The word morje is cognate with related terms in other Slavic languages, such as Russian more, Polish morze, and Czech more. It derives from Proto-Slavic roots meaning sea or large body of water.

Slovenia has a short coastline on the Adriatic Sea, bordered by the Gulf of Trieste and Istria. The sea along the Slovenian coast is called Jadransko morje in Slovenian. The coastal towns include Koper, Izola, and Piran, with Portorož as a tourist destination. The sea influences climate, ecosystems, and the local economy, including fishing and tourism.

Morje features in Slovenian culture and literature as a symbol of vastness and travel. Environmentally, it faces pressures such as pollution, overfishing, and warming waters, which affect marine life and coastal communities. International cooperation and local coastal management aim to protect Adriatic ecosystems and ensure sustainable use of marine resources.