forms a distinct geomorphological formation that crosses into Ćemovsko polje just before the village of Dinosha. Geology The geomorphological features of the Cem basin have their origin in the tectonic activity of the Alpine orogeny, which has been forming the Dinaric Alps and its southern range, the Accursed Mountains since the Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic era. The Cem basin is in the High Karst Unit. In this sub-unit, tectonic activity lifts the landmasses vertically and carbonate rocks form a large part of the landscape, which is defined by fluvial processes like the deposition of carbonate sediments by the river caused by the flow of the river. As the Accursed Mountains have had glacial features, thus a high accumulation of water, the end of the Ice Age saw a general increase of the Cem's discharge, which in turn increased fluvial processes in the basin. An abundance of limestone has enabled the formation of uvalas, caves and other karst formations. However, water is retained in limestone, and so the denudation of geological formations is decreasing. The result of these interconnected processes is that the Cem flows mostly through elevated, vertical and steep terrain, which forms canyons and crosses into small valleys. In these places, such as in the valley of Tamara, non-carbonate rocks have caused horizontal erosion to occur. Then, the river exits high elevation areas and flows towards the Morača as the relief flattens and a polje is formed by karst processes. Drainage basin The drainage basin of the Cem is a part of the Adriatic river basin, along with other rivers that empty into Lake Skadar, a total area of . The river and its tributaries originate within the of the basin that are within the borders of Albania; are in Montenegro. To the north, it borders the basin of the Vermosh and to the east that of the Lëpushë. To the south, the Cem's basin ends near Bogë. The river flows from above to no more than . In Montenegro, waterfalls more than high are formed. Annual precipitation is about . The month with highest precipitation is November () and the driest month is July (). Snowfall can be observed as late as May. There is on average a 40-day period of annual snowfall and an accumulation average of . The Cem has a continental climate in its upper part and a Mediterranean one as it reaches the Morača.