Central Mountain Region (Albania)

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Central Mountain Range, Albania
)
See also: Geography of Albania
Topographical map of Albania

The Central Mountain Region (

Pindus close to the border between the country and Greece.[2]

The central mountain range can be conventionally divided into a number of subregions. The north encompasses the mountainous districts of

Kolonjë
.

The relief of the central mountain range is varied and supplied with high

gorges, dense forests and alpine landscapes dotted with glacial lakes, which in turn provide excellent conditions for a great biodiversity. Most of the terrain was formed by ultramafic rocks, originating from the Earth's mantle, which has become largely serpentinite.[3]

The

Shebenik-Jabllanicë National Park
.

Geology

Korab Mountains

Further informations: Korab; See also: Korab Mountains at Wikimedia Commons
Mali i Bardhë, typical karstic landscape inside the Korab mountains.

The

gorges and depressions. It extend some 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the north to the south between the lower section of the Black Drin and its tributary Radika. The mountain range are largely composed Paleozoic sedimentary rocks of dolomite, limestone, sand and conglomerates.[6][7]

The Korab massif is the fourth

Mali i Gramës 2,345 m (7,694 ft) Korab II 2,756 m (9,042 ft), Korab III 2,724 m (8,937 ft), Korab Gates 2,727 m (8,947 ft), Maja e Moravës 2,718 m (8,917 ft), Shulani i Radomirës 2,716 m (8,911 ft) and Small Korab 2,683 m (8,802 ft). Korab encompasses 562 square kilometres (217 sq mi), 63.5% within the Albanian territory.[10] The Albanian part of the mountain range is a protected nature park
.

The Eurasian lynx[11] can be found in the central range.

Korab is renowned for its 39

macedonian pine, and black alder. The fauna is represented of numerous species of large mammals such as brown bears, wolves, lynxes, golden eagles, goshawks
, and many others.

Jabllanicë and Shebenik Mountains

Further informations:
Jabllanicë & Shebenik; See also: Jabllanicë Mountains & Shebenik Mountains at Wikimedia Commons
Jabllanicë mountain in Albania near Qarrishte.

The

Ohrid Lake on the border between Albania and North Macedonia in north–south direction through the boundary of both countries to the city of Debar next to the Debar Lake. In the east, the mountains falls down into the valleys of the Black Drin and the Ohrid Lake. In the west, the Shebenik mountains are located, which reaches nearly an equal height as the Jabllanica mountain range. Within the Shebenik mountains, there are around nine small glacial lakes with Rajca Lake being the largest with a length of 220 metres (720 ft) and a width of 160 kilometres (99 mi). It is located on the eastern slopes and the most southern lake on Shebenik. Maja e Shebenikut is the highest peak at 2,251 metres (7,385 ft) above the Adriatic
.

The mountains are the source of the name of the

boar, chamois and deer. Furthermore, the endangered Balkan lynx
still survives in the mountains.

Valamara Mountains

Further informations: Valamara; See also: Valamara Mountain at Wikimedia Commons
Panoramic view from the Maja e Valamarës (Mount Valamara).

The Valamara Mountains lies between the Shkumbin valley in the north and Devoll valley in the south. Moreover, the Shkumbin river originates in the mountains.[14] The mountains are situated on the territory of three districts such as Gramsh, Pogradec and Korçë. The summit of the Valamara range in southwestern Albania, Maja e Valamarës is the highest peak with an elevation 2,373 metres (7,785 ft).[citation needed] They are formed of Mesozoic and Paleozoic sedimentary rocks of dolomite, limestone, sand and conglomerates formed by seas and lakes that had once covered the area. In addition to that, several glacial lakes can be found on the eastern part. The total length of the Valamarians is over 13 km (8 mi) and the mountain chain's width varies between 10 and 15 km (6 and 9 mi). The highest altitudes occur where they are widest.

Skanderbeg Mountains

Shkopet Gorge, the Mat river flowing through the gorge.

The Skanderbeg Mountains (

Western Lowlands in the west.[15] Although the range curves a lot, its main direction is from the north to south, extending about 80 kilometres (50 mi) in north–south direction from Vau i Dejës in the north to the city of Elbasan in the south. In the west, the mountains fall steeply into the coastal plain, running along the Adriatic Sea. In the east, it is characterized by highlands and the Mat river basin; to the north the Mirditë and to the south the mountains of Martanesh.[16] It was formed by strong tectonic uplifts and folds during the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The peaks are composed of limestone, while the slopes of flysch
.

The northern section south of

Dajti Mountains with deep canyons and gorges, which cuts the mountains into a long series of blocks. The highest peak is Dajti with 1,613 metres (5,292 ft). Afterwards, the Mali i Priskës 1,365 metres (4,478 ft) and a series of mountains under 900 metres (3,000 ft) above the Adriatic
follows.

Hydrology

Shkumbin river
on the Valamara peak.

The hydrography of the central mountain range is dominated by glacial lakes and a dense network of streams that temporary flow in periods of snow or rain melt. With a total length of 285 km (177 mi), the Drin river is the longest and largest in the region. As the river flows through the karstic regions of the mountains and hills, its banks are steep with cliffs and precipices. The region belongs mainly to the

Jabllanica and Korab mountains towards to the outskirts of Kukës in the northeast of Albania, where the Black Drin merges with the White Drin (Drini i Bardhë). In addition to that, the Drin river starts at the confluence of its two headwaters until the river discharges the Adriatic Sea. Most of these streams falls swiftly from the mountains in the east towards the Adriatic coast and have cut deep, scenic gorges. The White Drin drains 4,964 square kilometres (1,917 sq mi) of the karstic landscapes of eastern Albania, while the Black Drin drains 5,885 square kilometres (2,272 sq mi).[21]

In the southeast, the

Prespa and Small Prespa
.

Biology

A typical habitat in the Korab mountains.

Flora

The central mountain range contains extraordinary biological diversity and a vast array of

temperate broadleaf and mixed forest and Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biomes
, respectively.

The

european oak). Outstanding is the black pine which grows mainly in the northern region of the central mountain range such as in Mali i Bardhë.[25]

Fauna

The

grey wolf, balkan lynx,[26] roe deer, wild boar, weasel, pine marten, and red squirrel
.

The central mountain range provide exceptional watching opportunities for

freshwater marshes and permanent streams.[29]

The area of

Shebenik and Jabllanicë is home to the endangered Balkan lynx that lives at the deciduous and mixed forests of the mountains.[30]
It is also the southernmost point of their European habitat.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Udhezimi nr.2 date 20.07.2016" (PDF). mjedisi.gov.al (in Albanian). p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-07. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  2. ISBN 9789995610326
    .
  3. ^ University of Tirana. "TURIZMI NË RRETHIN E DIBRËS" (PDF). doktoratura.unitir.edu.al. p. 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-10-08. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
  4. ^ European Green Belt. "Brezi i Gjelbër Evropian" (PDF). europeangreenbelt.org (in Albanian). p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-18. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
  5. ^ Ramsar Convention (3 July 2013). "Albania adds its parts of the Prespa Lakes to the Ramsar List". ramsar.org.
  6. ^ "The King of the Mountains" (PDF). dmwcorg.tk. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-04-02. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  7. ^ "Natural and anthropogenic hazards in karst areas of Albania" (PDF). nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net. p. 6.
  8. ^ "The King of the Mountains" (PDF). dmwcorg.tk. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-04-02. Retrieved 2017-09-07. At 2764 meters Korab peak is one of only two summits in Europe which are the highest point for more than one country.
  9. ^ "EUROPE ULTRA-PROMINENCES 99 Peaks with Prominence of 1,500 meters or greater". peaklist.org.
  10. ^ "FEASIBILITY STUDY ON ESTABLISHING A TRANSBOUNDARY PROTECTED AREA SHARR/ŠAR PLANINA – KORAB – DEŠAT/DESHAT" (PDF). envsec.org. p. 54. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-07. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  11. ^ European Green Belt. "Balkan Green Belt as Ecological Corridor for Wolf, Bear and Lynx". europeangreenbelt.org. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
  12. ^ "FEASIBILITY STUDY ON ESTABLISHING A TRANSBOUNDARY PROTECTED AREA SHARR/ŠAR PLANINA – KORAB – DEŠAT/DESHAT" (PDF). envsec.org. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-07. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  13. ^ "Vendim Nr. 640 (21. Mai 2008): Për shpalljen "Park kombëtar" të ekosistemit natyror Shebenik-Jabllanicë" (PDF). mjedisi.gov.al (in Albanian). p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-12-10. Retrieved 2017-09-08.
  14. ^ "GIS Technology on Natural Disasters Management in Albania" (PDF). ijsr.net. p. 3.
  15. ^ Vergmalet e Skënderbeut (Academy of Sciences of Albania ed.). Tirana. 1991. pp. 171–191.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  16. ^ Albanien. Eine Landeskunde vornehmlich auf grund eigener Reisen (Herbert Louis ed.). Berlin. 1927.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  17. ^ "ANALIZA E THELLUAR DHE VLERËSIMI I GJENDJES EKZISTUESE TË TERRITORIT" (PDF). vaudejes.gov.al. p. 55.
  18. ^ "Përmirësimi i aksesit rrugor Lezhë - Velë për gjenerimin e aktiviteteve turistike të një spektri të gjerë" (PDF). km.dldp.al (in Albanian). p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-13. Retrieved 2017-09-13.
  19. ISBN 9783319477329
    .
  20. ^ "HYDROLOGY OF THE TRANSBOUNDARY DRIN RIVER BASIN" (PDF). ce.utexas.edu. p. 3.
  21. ^ "Internationally Shared Surface Water Bodies in the Balkan Region". inweb.gr.
  22. ^ "Analysis of bridge foundation damage in Albania" (PDF). ac.els-cdn.com. p. 3.[permanent dead link]
  23. ^ "SILVER FIR (ABIES ALBA) RESOURCES IN ALBANIA AND THEIR CONSERVATION". fao.org.
  24. ^ "State of Forest Tree Genetic Resources in Albania" (PDF). fao.org. p. 7.
  25. ^ "Black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) resources in Albania[35] (M.Dida[36], F. Ducci[37] and G. Zeneli2)". fao.org.
  26. ^ "Balkan Lynx Conservation". fightingforhope.wordpress.com. 9 August 2013. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  27. ^ "Korab - Koritnik Natural Park Management Plan" (PDF). researchgate.net. p. 41.
  28. ^ SLOTTA-BACHMAYR L., BÖGEL R. & CAMINA CARDENAL, A. (2005). "The Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Europe and the Mediterranean" (PDF). researchgate.net. p. 23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ Ramsar Convention. "The Annotated Ramsar List: Albania". archive.ramsar.org. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2017-09-14. Retrieved 2018-09-10.
  30. ^ Euronatur. "Balkan lynx verified in Shebenik-Jablanica National Park". euronatur.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-09-20. Retrieved 2017-09-11.
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