Prespa National Park

Prespa National Park
IUCN category II (national park)

Sign at the entrance
Map showing the location of Prespa National Park
Location Korçë County
Nearest city Korçë and Pustec
Coordinates 40°45′0″N 20°55′0″E / 40.75000°N 20.91667°E / 40.75000; 20.91667Coordinates: 40°45′0″N 20°55′0″E / 40.75000°N 20.91667°E / 40.75000; 20.91667
Area 27,750 hectares (277.5 km2)
Established 18 February 1999
Governing body Ministry of Environment

The Prespa National Park (Albanian: Parku Kombëtar i Prespës) is a national park that encompasses the entire Albanian part of the Prespa Lake and Small Prespa Lake in southeast Albania, at the border triangle with Greece and the Republic of Macedonia, spanning an area of 277.5 km2 (107.1 sq mi).[1][2] It was established in 1999 to protect several ecosystems of national importance.[3]

The park falls within the Pindus Mountains mixed forests terrestrial ecoregion of the Palearctic Temperate broadleaf and mixed forest. Forests occupy 148 km2 (57 sq mi) or 55.33% of the total territory.[4] Geologically, the area is dominated by the mesozoic limestone mountain range Mali i Thatë. Its highest summit is Pllaja e Pusit with an elevation of 2,288 m (7,507 ft). The Mali i Thate continues form the Albanian-Macedonian border to the south extending the Galicica Mountains.

Due to its climatic, hydrological and geological conditions, the national park is characterized by its high vegetation and biodiversity.[5] There are approximately 1130 species of vascular plants and 174 fungus. The area is also home to an extremely wide variety of mammals, such as the brown bear, gray wolf, lynx, bat and the otter. The fauna is represented by 60 species of mammals, 270 species of birds, 23 species of reptiles, 11 species of amphibia and 23 species of fish. 21 of them are endemic.[6]

Human activity in the area can be traced back to the Prehistoric period; it has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. During the antiquity, the ancient trade route of Via Egnatia passed close to the region. Today, many prehistoric dwellings and Byzantine churches can be found within the area. These include the Cavity of Zaver (Zgavra e Zaverit),[7] the Oaks of the Monastery (Dushqet e Manastirit), the Stones Mummies of Tren (Gurët Mumjet e Trenit) and so on.[8]

The Island of Maligrad within the Prespa Lake
View from Mali i Thatë
Village of Liqenas

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Management Plan Prespa National Park in Albania" (PDF). mjedisi.gov.al. p. 13. The National Park includes the whole aquatic area of the two Prespa Lakes on the Albanian side, which have to be considered as a connected biological, hydrological and geological unit with a total surface area of 277.5 km².
  2. ↑ "Management Plan Prespa National Park in Albania" (PDF). mjedisi.gov.al. p. 13. The Prespa National Park is 27,750.47531 ha large. The National Park was gazetted 18.2.1999 and officially inaugurated in February 2000.
  3. ↑ "GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY" (PDF). ais.unwater.org. p. 15. Prespa National Park was established in 1999 for the rehabilitation and sustainable protection of critical terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of the Macro and Micro Prespa Lake area.
  4. ↑ "Management Plan Prespa National Park in Albania" (PDF). mjedisi.gov.al. p. 15. Forest/Pyll 14,800.06421 ha 53.33 %
  5. ↑ "Management Plan Prespa National Park in Albania" (PDF). mjedisi.gov.al. p. 10. The park’s area can be characterized as a biodiversity hotspot.
  6. ↑ "BIODIVERSITY OF THE PRESPA REGION AND THE NATIONAL PARK" (PDF). mcpa.iwlearn.org. p. 34. : Overview of species composition and their endemic and endangerment status.
  7. ↑ "Zgavra e Zaverit". akzm.gov.al (in Albanian).
  8. ↑ "Management Plan National Park Prespa in Albania" (PDF). mjedisi.gov.al. p. 36. The Prespa region is rich in cultural values, which date back to the Neolithic and the Bronze Age.
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