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The Soča (in Slovenian) or Isonzo (in Italian) is a river in West Slovenia and North-East Italy. An Alpine river in character, Soča/Isonzo has its source 1,100 m high in the Julian Alps, west from the mountain Triglav (2864 m) in the Trenta valley. Flowing south 140 km past Bovec, Kobarid (Caporetto), Tolmin, Nova Gorica and Gorizia, it enters the Adriatic Sea near Monfalcone in Italy.

Famous and unique is the Soča Trout (Slovenian soška postrv), Salmo trutta marmoratus, also named the Marble Trout, which lives in the upper stream of the crystal-clear river. It is the endemic fish species of the river basin of the Adriatic Sea and endangered due to introduction of non-autochthonous trouts between the World Wars.

Some people in Slovenia call the river "the Emerald Beauty" because of its emerald green color of water and is said to be the only river in the world which retains such a colour throughout its length.

The Soča inspired the Slovenian poet Simon Gregorčič to write the poem Soči (To the Soča), one of the masterpieces of Slovenian poetry.

The Soča/Isonzo Valley was the stage of major military operations including 12 battles on The Italian Front in World War I between May 1915 and November 1917. Over 300,000 Austrian- Hungarian and Italian soldiers lost their lives.

Gallery

Image:Slovenija-reke-soca.png|The course of the Soča/Isonzo
Image:Sočariverslovenia.jpg|The Soča River near Bovec
Image:Soca Kobarid.jpg|Soča (Isonzo) river near Kobarid (Caporetto)
Image:Soca.jpg| The Soča near Kobarid (Caporetto)
Image:Foce Isonzo dal satellite.jpg|Satellite picture of the river’s mouth
Image:geabios_alps.gif|framed|Trenta valley

See also

* Battle of the Isonzo

External links

*http://www.bfro.uni-lj.si/zoo/publikacije/avtohtone_pasme/eng/The%20Marble%20trout.html

Isonzo River
Soca River
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