List of rock formations in Albania

Albania is a small predominantly mountainous country between Southern and Southeastern Europe, facing the Adriatic and Ionian seas within the Mediterranean sea. The diverse morphological, climatic and hydrological conditions of Albania favour the formation of a large number of geological features. According to the Ministry of Environment, 25 canyons are part of the national list of Nature Landmark.[1]

List of rock formations in Albania

Name Image Description Location
Gjipe Canyon The Gjipe Canyon is located between the vilages of Dhërmi and Vuno in southwestern Albania, forming the border between the Adriatic and Ionian sea. The canyon has a length of 800 metres (2,600 ft) and a width that can varies between 10 metres (33 ft) and 20 metres (66 ft). It represents a narrow strait, created by the activity of the brook flowing through its narrow pass. There are numerous rock formations along the gorge, including a number of stones arches and caves. It was declared a natural monument in 2002.[2] It is also one of the main attractions in the Albanian Riviera.
Grunas Canyon The Grunas Canyon has vast carbon formations, having a length of 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) with a width varies from 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) to 40 metres (130 ft) and a height of about 60 metres (200 ft). It located in a karst region within the Theth National Park in northern Albania. The main attractions are the Gruna falls and Theth river. The canyon was declared a natural monument in 2002.[3][4]
Osum Gorge Osum Gorge is situated along the course of the Osum river in southern Albania near the town of Çorovodë. Along the wooded gorge are located a number of rock formations, caves and waterfalls. There are many underground passages and unexplored caves throughout the length of the gorge. Its walls are almost vertical reaching a height of 450 metres (1,480 ft). In 2002, it was declared as a natural monument by the Government of Albania.[5]
Lëngarica Canyon The Lengarica Canyon is an extremely narrow gorge, with a length of 3.7 kilometres (2.3 mi) and up to 100 metres (330 ft) deep.[6] It is located near Petran and Fir of Hotova National Park, where the Vjosë river flow. However, several caves are located within the gorge. Human activity in the area can be traced back to the prehistoric inhabitants from the Copper Age but also the ancient Illyrians. It was declared a natural landmark in 2002.[7]
Martanesh Canyon The Martanesh Canyon is karst canyon located on the western side of the Maja e Dhoksit 2,020 metres (6,630 ft) near Krastë in eastern Albania. It was declared as a National Heritage Area in 2007.[8]
Bicaj Canyon The wooded canyon of Bicaj (Grykës së Shejes) is a limestone canyon at an altitude of 2,100 metres (6,900 ft) above the sea level. It located in the southern part of Gjallica near Bicaj in northeastern Albania. It is part of the Korab-Koritnik nature park.[9] The canyon has a length of 2.5 km (1.6 mi) and a width of 6 m (0.0037 mi), and a altitude of about 150 m (0.093 mi).[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Thesaret e Biodiversitetit" (PDF). mjedisi.gov.al. p. 14.
  2. ↑ "INTEGRATED COASTA ZONE MANAGEMENT AND CLEAN UP PROGRAM" (PDF). siteresources.worldbank.org. p. 1. In 2002 Albania embarked on an integrated coastal zone management initiative to protect the coastal area for current and future generation and formally adopted the principle recommendations of the Barcelona Convention for Protecting the Mediterranean Sea.
  3. ↑ "The mountain village of Theth". thethiguesthouse.com. In 2002, this waterfall has been declared a natural monument and is under state protection.
  4. ↑ "The Blessing of the Accursed Albanian Mountains". agroweb.org. 13 July 2015. One of the most exceptional natural beauties in the Albanian Alps is the Grunas waterfalls, which by the Government Decision Nr. 676, dated 20.12.2002 has been declared as a natural monument under state protection.
  5. ↑ "PER SHPALLJEN ZONE E MBROJTUR TE MONUMENTEVE TE NATYRES SHQIPTARE" (PDF). mjedisi.gov.al. p. 11.
  6. ↑ "Banjat e Benjës: Lengarice-Canyon". malenki.ch (in German). Teils etwa 180m tiefe Lengarice-Canyon
  7. ↑ "PER SHPALLJEN ZONE E MBROJTUR TE MONUMENTEVE TE NATYRES SHQIPTARE" (PDF). mjedisi.gov.al. p. 7.
  8. ↑ "Mali me Gropa-Bize-Martanesh in Albania". protectedplanet.net.
  9. ↑ "Kanioni i “Grykës së Shejës”, një mundësi turistike". ata.gov.al (in Albanian). 2 July 2015. Kanioni është pjesë e Parkut Natyror Korab-Koritnik. Është një kanion madhështor me një pamje befesuese.
  10. ↑ "Kukesi General Info". blue-albania.com. The canyon of Bicaj, near of Bicaj village. It is formed from calcareous, 2,5 km long, 4-6 m wide and 150-200 m deep. It has geomorphologic, didactic and tourist interest. Can be visited following the itinerary Kukës-Bicaj.
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