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93-452: The Valbona Valley and its surrounding mountains were protected as Valbona Valley National Park in 1996. In 2022, the park was amalgamated with Theth National Park to form Alps of Albania National Park . The park covered an area of 80 km (31 sq mi), encompassing Valbona River and its surrounding areas with mountainous terrain, alpine landscapes , glacial springs, deep depressions , various rock formations , waterfalls and

186-529: A complete disregard of the fact that the development is occurring in a protected area. Even though issuing of permits for such activity is illegal on protected areas, the government has backed down from revoking licenses citing expensive legal recourses which it can’t afford to pay to developers. On the other side, local activists are organizing various awareness campaigns called Don’t Touch My Valbona' ( Mos ma prek Valbonen in Albanian) to pressure authorities to stop

279-479: A very bitter relief. Insoluble flysch deposits have formed a very harsh terrain. In the region, the carbonatite rocks are dominant and only in the villages of Valbona and Dragobia the schist nucleus of the Alps appear. The region is characterized by a highly developed hydrographic network represented by the water basins of the lake of Shkodër and of that of the rivers of Drin , Buna , Shala and Valbona . The park

372-607: Is a calque of the Latin name, from μέσος ( mésos , "in the middle") and γήινος ( gḗinos , "of the earth"), from γῆ ( gê , "land, earth"). The original meaning may have been 'the sea in the middle of the earth', rather than 'the sea enclosed by land'. Ancient Iranians called it the "Roman Sea", and in Classical Persian texts , it was called Daryāy-e Rōm (دریای روم), which may be from Middle Persian form, Zrēh ī Hrōm (𐭦𐭫𐭩𐭤 𐭩 𐭤𐭫𐭥𐭬). The Carthaginians called it

465-742: Is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean , surrounded by the Mediterranean Basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the east by the Levant in West Asia , on the north by Anatolia in West Asia and Southern Europe , on the south by North Africa , and on the west almost by the Morocco–Spain border . The Mediterranean has played a central role in the history of Western civilization . Geological evidence indicates that around 5.9 million years ago,

558-443: Is a natural basis, which is supplied by the water that steams inside this base from the depth of rocks and reaches up to 3 m depth in winter. It has an area about 500m. Lake has an altitude of 770 m above sea level. There is the main road close to it that goes from Dragobia to Valbona, exactly in "Quku i Dunishes", in the left of pedestrian road which arrives in the forest. Xhema lake has very cold clear water, rugged limestone cliffs and

651-408: Is being built a tourism complex which should accommodate around 500 people, on a surface of 4200 m2. Valbona National Park is expected to be one of the most important oases of the country. Clean air, high mountain peaks, lakes, numerous water resources, forests, mountains, flora and fauna of Valbona Valley National Park provide conditions for eco-tourism experiences. The future of tourism in the valley

744-664: Is being seriously challenged by the construction of hydroelectric power plants on Valbona River. In January 2016, local people in Valbona Valley National Park learned of the plans to build as many as 14 hydropower plants along 30 km of Valbona River, 8 of them wholly within the National Park. The procedure and content of the projects’ environmental impact assessments demonstrate non-transparent decision making, disregard for local communities’ well-being and indifference towards high conservation value ecosystems, including

837-440: Is characterized by its very remote areas which have a large preserved ecosystem all of which is primarily untouched with pristine quality. The park was established to protect various ecosystems and biodiversity and the cultural and historical heritage of the region. The region has been also identified as an important Bird and Plant Area . The park borders Montenegro in the north and Nikaj-Mërtur Regional Nature Park in

930-406: Is generally fresh and home made, but sometimes it can be even canned and processed by the inhabitants of the village. Their way of cooking is entirely traditional. Besides agriculture, inhabitants deal with breeding of livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats, horses, poultry, beekeeping etc. Locals produce products such as meat, milk, wool and skins. Considering the benefits that tourism can provide,

1023-489: Is generally scarce and located on the slopes and some small valleys. Land users care for both, the preservation and cultivation. The land is divided into portions, according to family property. A particular thing of the area is that the possibilities of irrigation of agricultural land are numerous and unlimited. Agricultural land is mainly used to cultivate corn, potato, rye, beans, vegetables and fodder. Agricultural and livestock products are completely natural ( organic ). Food

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1116-570: Is known as al-Baḥr [al-Abyaḍ] al-Mutawassiṭ ( البحر [الأبيض] المتوسط ) 'the [White] Middle Sea'. In Islamic and older Arabic literature, it was Baḥr al-Rūm ( بحر الروم ) or al- Baḥr al-Rūmī ( بحر الرومي ) 'the Sea of the Romans' or 'the Roman Sea' or Baḥr al-šām ( بحر الشام ) or al-Baḥr al-šāmī ( البحر الشامي ) ("the Sea of Syria"). At first, that name referred only to the eastern Mediterranean, but

1209-506: Is mainly covered with common beech , silver fir and sycamore , between 900 metres and 1,900 metres. The alpine floor, lying at an altitude which ranges between 1,900 metres to 2,300 metres, is characterized by herbaceous plants and shrubs most notable amongst them is the juniper and willow . Moreover, the most important plants of this floor include the alpine bluegrass , alpine aster , trefoil and common bird's-foot trefoil . Only 20 species of mammals has been recorded within

1302-576: Is manifested in verbal and musical folklore, especially in the legendary epic. Among the traditional festivals of the area are Saint George (Shën Gjergji), which is celebrated at 6 May as "The summer’s day", "Saint Nikol" (Shënkolli) a religious holiday celebrated at 5 December and 26 December or Dukagjini's. Popular folk dances of the area are 'Men's Dance', 'Dance of the Bride', 'The Sword Dance' and 'Dance of Flowers'. Legendary songs associated with two-stringed lute, flute, zumara (double clarinet), leaf sheet with

1395-611: Is one of few regions in Albania where this type can be found. Valbona Valley National Park was established in accordance with Decision of Council of Ministers number 102, dated 15 January 1996 in order to preserve the natural ecosystems and landscapes along with their vegetation and biodiversity communities and habitats. Located within the park, the Gashi River is included into the UNESCO Primeval Beech Forests of

1488-847: Is pleasantly fresh even in summer. Due to the close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea located in the west, the climate is also exposed to the influences of the Mediterranean climate as well as the Continental climate . The coldest periods are from December to February, while the hottest from July to August. The park's minimal temperature ranges between −23.4  °C (−10.1  °F ) — −16.1  °C (3.0  °F ) in winter and its maximal temperature between 36.4 °C (97.5 °F) — 39–9 °C (102–48 °F) in summer. The average altitude of annual precipitation ranges between 2,700 millimetres (110 inches) and 3,000 millimetres (120 inches), with

1581-401: Is represented by a Water bottling factory called Valbona . Tourism which recently is being developed rapidly, is considered to be the future's sector of Valbona Valley. However the population still can’t provide their living only by tourism. Agriculture is ranked on the top in the economical structure of the area since it provides income for majority of the local people. Agricultural land

1674-604: Is situated along the course of the Valbona, the longest river on the Albanian Alps at 50.6 km (31.4 mi). The river begins at the southern slopes of Maja Jezercë on the eastern section of Valbona Pass and flows until it reaches the village of Valbona . At the end, the river, which until then was continuing through a narrow u-shaped valley , becomes the Fierza that is mostly surrounded by high mountains. It flows away through

1767-511: Is surrounded by beech trees. Shortly after the source of Valbona's river, colliding with rocks, is created a 50 metres high waterfall, which disappears at Rrogami gritty earth for about 5 km and then stems again at Valbona village. The Shoshani Source is one of the biggest water sources of the Balkan peninsula . It is located at the entry of Valbonë Valley and is continually visited by alpine nature lovers. The source provides potable water for

1860-615: The Albanian Alps (also called the Accursed Mountains), which are also the name sake of the national park. Most of Albania's peaks above 2,000 m are located here, including the highest peak of the Dinarides , Maja e Jezercës . The geological formation is dominated by high terrain, while having a variety of natural features including glaciers , valleys , rivers , mountains , waterfalls , dense forests and several rock formations . It

1953-509: The Black Sea . In Persian, the name was translated as Baḥr-i Safīd , which was also used in later Ottoman Turkish . Similarly, in 19th century Greek, the name was Άσπρη Θάλασσα ( áspri thálassa ; "white sea"). According to Johann Knobloch, in classical antiquity , cultures in the Levant used colours to refer to the cardinal points: black referred to the north (explaining the name Black Sea ), yellow or blue to east, red to south (e.g.,

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2046-520: The Dinaric Mountains mixed forests terrestrial ecoregion of the Palearctic temperate broadleaf and mixed forest biome occur in the park. There are three types of forest found at the park. The oak floor extends from an altitude between 600 metres up to 800 metres and is dominated, among other by austrian oak , oriental hornbeam , hophornbeam , cornel and flowering ash . The beech floor

2139-728: The Emerald Network , the ecological network made up of Areas of Special Conservation Interest designated under the Bern Convention . Valbonë Valley National Park encompassed some of the Albanian Alps , the southernmost continuation of the Dinaric Alps . It is situated entirely in Kukës County and lies mostly between latitudes 42° and 27° N and longitudes 19° and 53° E. The u-shaped valley of Valbona extends between Maja Jezercë , Maja e Kollatës , Maja Boshit and Maja e Hekurave. From

2232-701: The Italian Lakes (Po). While the Mediterranean watershed is bordered by other river basins in Europe, it is essentially bordered by endorheic basins or deserts elsewhere. The following countries are in the Mediterranean drainage basin while not having a coastline on the Mediterranean Sea: The following countries have a coastline on the Mediterranean Sea: Several other territories also border

2325-705: The Italian city-states like Amalfi and Genoa before the Crusades, according to the Cairo Geniza documents. A document dated 996 mentions Amalfian merchants living in Cairo . Another letter states that the Genoese had traded with Alexandria . The caliph al-Mustansir had allowed Amalfian merchants to reside in Jerusalem about 1060 in place of the Latin hospice . The Crusades led to

2418-743: The Punic Wars in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, the Roman Republic defeated the Carthaginians to become the preeminent power in the Mediterranean. When Augustus founded the Roman Empire , the Romans referred to the Mediterranean as Mare Nostrum ("Our Sea"). For the next 400 years, the Roman Empire completely controlled the Mediterranean Sea and virtually all its coastal regions from Gibraltar to

2511-616: The Red Sea ) and white to west. That would explain the Bulgarian Byalo More , the Turkish Akdeniz , and the Arab nomenclature described above, lit. "White Sea". Major ancient civilizations were located around the Mediterranean. The sea provided routes for trade, colonization, and war, as well as food (from fishing and the gathering of other seafood) for numerous communities throughout

2604-550: The Roman Empire , Mare Nostrum ("Our Sea"). The term Mare Mediterrāneum appears later: Solinus apparently used this in the 3rd century, but the earliest extant witness to it is in the 6th century, in Isidore of Seville . It means 'in the middle of land, inland' in Latin , a compound of medius ("middle"), terra ("land, earth"), and -āneus ("having the nature of"). The modern Greek name Μεσόγειος Θάλασσα ( mesógeios ; "inland")

2697-410: The barn owl , scops owl , eagle owl , little owl , tawny owl , long-eared owl and short-eared owl . Other families of birds inhabiting the park include the alpine swift , alpine accentor , great cormorant , grey heron , rock partridge , common ringed plover , stock dove , common cuckoo and eurasian golden oriole . Valbona Valley has been inhabited since classical times what argues for

2790-517: The "Syrian Sea". In ancient Syrian texts, Phoenician epics and in the Hebrew Bible , it was primarily known as the "Great Sea", הים הגדול HaYam HaGadol , ( Numbers ; Book of Joshua ; Ezekiel ) or simply as "The Sea" ( 1 Kings ). However, it has also been called the "Hinder Sea" because of its location on the west coast of the region of Syria or the Holy Land (and therefore behind a person facing

2883-565: The 16th century and also maintained naval bases in southern France (1543–1544), Algeria and Tunisia. Barbarossa , the Ottoman captain is a symbol of this domination with the victory of the Battle of Preveza (1538). The Battle of Djerba (1560) marked the apex of Ottoman naval domination in the eastern Mediterranean. As the naval prowess of the European powers increased, they confronted Ottoman expansion in

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2976-515: The 7th century, and with it the religion of Islam , which soon swept across from the east; at its greatest extent, the Arabs, under the Umayyads , controlled most of the Mediterranean region and left a lasting footprint on its eastern and southern shores. A variety of foodstuffs, spices and crops were introduced to the western Mediterranean's Spain and Sicily during Arab rule, via the commercial networks of

3069-802: The Atlantic via the Strait of Gibraltar —the narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and separates the Iberian Peninsula in Europe from Morocco in Africa —is only 14 km (9 mi) wide. The Mediterranean Sea encompasses a vast number of islands , some of them of volcanic origin. The two largest islands, in both area and population, are Sicily and Sardinia . The Mediterranean Sea has an average depth of 1,500 m (4,900 ft) and

3162-580: The Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe . It is also part of the European Green Belt , which serves as a retreat for endangered and endemic species. The park applied also to join the EUROPARC Federation . Plantlife has recognised the park, as well as the Albanian Alps, as an Important Plant Area of international importance, because it supports great plant species. The region is part of

3255-535: The Grunas Canyon and the southern wall of Arapi , which is considered the highest rock face in the Balkans . Despite its limited area, the park is distinguished by a highly diverse flora with estimates which vary between 1500 and 1650 species of plants among which 70 species are endangered . Theth is part of a large preserved ecosystem all of which is primarily untouched with pristine quality. Biogeographically ,

3348-641: The Islamic world. These include sugarcane, rice, cotton, alfalfa, oranges, lemons, apricots, spinach, eggplants, carrots, saffron and bananas. The Arabs also continued extensive cultivation and production of olive oil (the Spanish words for 'oil' and 'olive'— aceite and aceituna , respectively—are derived from the Arabic al-zait , meaning 'olive juice'), and pomegranates (the heraldic symbol of Granada) from classical Greco-Roman times. The Arab invasions disrupted

3441-581: The Levant, being the only state in history to ever do so, being given the nickname "Roman Lake". The Western Roman Empire collapsed around 476 AD. The east was again dominant as Roman power lived on in the Byzantine Empire formed in the 4th century from the eastern half of the Roman Empire . Though the Eastern Roman Empire would continue to hold almost all of the Mediterranean, another power arose in

3534-811: The Mediterranean Sea is the Nile , which takes its sources in equatorial Africa. The basin of the Nile constitutes about two-thirds of the Mediterranean drainage basin and encompasses areas as high as the Ruwenzori Mountains . Among other important rivers in Africa, are the Moulouya and the Chelif , both on the north side of the Atlas Mountains . In Asia, are the Ceyhan and Seyhan , both on

3627-598: The Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea without ship lock, because the water level is essentially the same. The westernmost point of the Mediterranean is located at the transition from the Alborán Sea to the Strait of Gibraltar, the easternmost point is on the coast of the Gulf of Iskenderun in southeastern Turkey. The northernmost point of the Mediterranean is on the coast of the Gulf of Trieste near Monfalcone in northern Italy while

3720-514: The Mediterranean towards East Africa and Asia. This led to a preference for the Mediterranean countries and their ports like Trieste with direct connections to Central and Eastern Europe experienced a rapid economic rise. In the 20th century, the 1st and 2nd World Wars as well as the Suez Crisis and the Cold War led to a shift of trade routes to the European northern ports, which changed again towards

3813-506: The Mediterranean was cut off from the Atlantic and was partly or completely desiccated over a period of some 600,000 years during the Messinian salinity crisis before being refilled by the Zanclean flood about 5.3 million years ago. The Mediterranean Sea covers an area of about 2,500,000 km (970,000 sq mi), representing 0.7% of the global ocean surface, but its connection to

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3906-610: The Valbona Valley include roe deer and wild boar . We can also witness the presence of western western capercaillie and golden eagle . Sources of water, becks and glacial lakes are the basis of life for water insects, amphibians, and salmons. Species of fish are represented with species such as the marble trout and river trout . The limited number of species is determined by the predominant bodies of water including glacial lakes, streams and upper river courses, which are inhabited by fish species. Due to its strategic position and

3999-440: The Valbona Valley with its dense coniferous and deciduous forest. It is characterized by its very remote areas which have a large preserved ecosystem all of which is primarily untouched with pristine quality. The park's remoteness and relatively small human population, combined with the great variation of ecosystems and climatic conditions favours the existence of a rich variety of flora and fauna distributed throughout

4092-670: The ages. The earliest advanced civilizations in the Mediterranean were the Egyptians and the Minoans , who traded extensively with each other. Other notable civilizations that appeared somewhat later are the Hittites and other Anatolian peoples , the Phoenicians , and Mycenean Greece . Around 1200 BC the eastern Mediterranean was greatly affected by the Bronze Age Collapse , which resulted in

4185-407: The area as generic Mediterranean Sea, in the Western Basin. It does not recognize the label Sea of Sardinia . Note 2: Thracian Sea and Myrtoan Sea are seas that are part of the Aegean Sea . Note 3: The Black Sea is not considered part of it. The International Hydrographic Organization defines the limits of the Mediterranean Sea as follows: Stretching from the Strait of Gibraltar in

4278-407: The beauty they lend to the landscape. The pine is one of the most common species of tree in the park. The area, which is dotted with pine, is mainly overgrown with austrian , balkan , bosnian and scots pine . The area around the village of Valbona is characterized by the predominance of different beech species such as european beech . The park is, however, considered to be the only area in

4371-468: The bridge of Shoshani until Fierzë , the valley passes through the Tropojë catchment and the hilly relief between Bujani and Tëplani. The park bordered the Prokletije National Park to the north, Gashi Nature Reserve to the east, Nikaj-Mërtur Regional Nature Park to the south and Theth National Park to the west. Located within the Albanian Alps , the park's climate is characterized by cold winters and hot, dry summers, although at higher altitudes it

4464-696: The collision of the African and Eurasian plate. They are strongly karstified , where rain and snow quickly seep into a karst system. Nowhere in the Balkans have glaciers left so much evidence of erosion. In contrast to the Alps in Central Europe , the Albanian Alps are the most glaciated mountains in Europe located south of the Scandinavian ice sheet . Geological formations are composed of limestone rocks, limestone - siliceous, clay shale and conglomerate. Gray forest soils are located on limestone rocks. Agricultural lands are brown forest soils and soils meadow mountain. There are grey forest soils between 500 and 1200 meters heights, then come Velvet Lands extending

4557-430: The construction of the plants which are well under way along a section of Valbona River. Alps of Albania National Park Alps of Albania National Park ( Albanian : Parku Kombëtar Alpet e Shqipërisë ) is the largest national park in Albania . Established in 2022, the national park is located in northern Albania and covers an area of 8,844.65 ha (88.4465 km ). The most prominent mountain range are

4650-414: The country, where a high number of forest formations with norway spruce can be found. A lush mixed forest occurs in the upper part of the valley represented with a mixture of silver fir , common beech , norway spruce and scots pine. The banks of Valbona River are covered mainly with forests of grey alder , olive willow and goat willow . Besides, the park contains boglands , which are situated in

4743-526: The deepest recorded point is 5,109 ± 1 m (16,762 ± 3 ft) in the Calypso Deep in the Ionian Sea . It lies between latitudes 30° and 46° N and longitudes 6° W and 36° E . Its west–east length, from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Gulf of Alexandretta , on the southeastern coast of Turkey , is about 4,000 kilometres (2,500 mi). The north–south length varies greatly between different shorelines and whether only straight routes are considered. Also including longitudinal changes,

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4836-512: The destruction of many cities and trade routes. The most notable Mediterranean civilizations in classical antiquity were the Greek city states and the Phoenicians , both of which extensively colonized the coastlines of the Mediterranean. Darius I of Persia , who conquered Ancient Egypt, built a canal linking the Red Sea to the Nile, and thus the Mediterranean. Darius's canal was wide enough for two triremes to pass each other with oars extended and required four days to traverse. Following

4929-420: The east), which is sometimes translated as "Western Sea". Another name was the "Sea of the Philistines ", ( Book of Exodus ), from the people inhabiting a large portion of its shores near the Israelites . In Modern Hebrew , it is called הים התיכון HaYam HaTikhon 'the Middle Sea'. In Classic Persian texts was called Daryāy-e Šām (دریای شام) "The Western Sea" or "Syrian Sea". In Modern Standard Arabic , it

5022-443: The entire Mediterranean. Once, most of the trade between Western Europe and the East was passing through the region , but after the 1490s the development of a sea route to the Indian Ocean allowed the importation of Asian spices and other goods through the Atlantic ports of western Europe. The sea remained strategically important. British mastery of Gibraltar ensured their influence in Africa and Southwest Asia. Especially after

5115-513: The entire Tropoja District and its water quantity is equal to the half one of Valbona river. Even though the park is small in surface, on its area thrive hundreds of threatened and endemic animal and plant species. The levels of vegetation in the Albanian Alps meet the alpine level , from upland valleys through the montane mountain stage on forest-free alpine and subalpine mats and subnivale tundra caused by permafrost in vast heaps of rubble with raw soils. In view of phytogeography ,

5208-399: The flourishing of trade between Europe and the outremer region. Genoa, Venice and Pisa created colonies in regions controlled by the Crusaders and came to control the trade with the Orient. These colonies also allowed them to trade with the Eastern world. Though the fall of the Crusader states and attempts at banning of trade relations with Muslim states by the Popes temporarily disrupted

5301-404: The harsh winters, the park has few reptile and amphibian species. A total of 10 species of reptiles and 8 species of amphibia reside in park including the alpine salamander , common frog , alpine newt and brown trout . Mediterranean Sea For other countries, click here . The Mediterranean Sea ( / ˌ m ɛ d ɪ t ə ˈ r eɪ n i ən / MED -ih-tə- RAY -nee-ən )

5394-473: The higher levels occurring at high altitudes. At least 22% falls during spring, 8.7% in summer, 32.3% in autumn and 38% during winter. At higher altitudes, snowfall begins in October or November and accumulates through to March or April when the melt begins. Snow reaches a height of 1.5–5 m and lasts between 60 and 160 days. The relief of the park is mountainous and highly fragmented, characterized with steep slopes, high ridges and deep river valleys. The slopes of

5487-436: The immediate coastline on all sides of the Mediterranean tends to have strong maritime moderation. The sea was an important route for merchants and travellers of ancient times, facilitating trade and cultural exchange between the peoples of the region. The history of the Mediterranean region is crucial to understanding the origins and development of many modern societies. The Roman Empire maintained nautical hegemony over

5580-414: The land area. Most of the park consists of forest, covering 89% of the overall surface area. Brown bears , grey wolves , lynxes , roe deers , chamoises and wild goats are the primary predatory animals in the park. The park's forests are characterized by the predominance of different tree species, with beech , pine and oak . Notably, the most important tree species used to be the norway spruce ; it

5673-430: The left slope of this valley from Mbaskollata to Shoshan at height 400–900 meters. Their geological construction (alps) is diverse, with the oldest formations, those paleozoic ones, with which are related quartz mineral properties in river valley. Limestones that come from mesozoic, are wider spread, and serve as the basis of bauxite. They form the alps main ribs. Mixed with dolomite and modeled by karsts they form to Alpines

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5766-588: The major ranges bordering Southern Europe. Total annual precipitation is significantly higher on the European part of the Mediterranean basin, especially near the Alps (the 'water tower of Europe') and other high mountain ranges. As a consequence, the river discharges of the Rhône and Po are similar to that of the Nile, despite the latter having a much larger basin. These are the only three rivers with an average discharge of over 1,000 m /s (35,000 cu ft/s). Among large natural fresh bodies of water are Lake Victoria (Nile basin), Lake Geneva (Rhône), and

5859-414: The migrants and arrest the traffickers of immigrants. In 2015, more than one million migrants crossed the Mediterranean Sea into Europe. Italy was particularly affected by the European migrant crisis . Since 2013, over 700,000 migrants have landed in Italy, mainly sub-Saharan Africans. The Mediterranean Sea connects: The 163 km (101 mi) long artificial Suez Canal in the southeast connects

5952-416: The mosaic distribution of various types of habitats , the park is quite rich of bird genera. The total number of bird species is 145. Important birds of prey with high conservation value include the golden eagle , booted eagle , egyptian vulture , sparrowhawk , goshawk , lanner falcon , saker falcon , peregrine falcon and honey buzzard . The park hosts seven species and populations owls , such as

6045-454: The most important national bio centers of wild fauna in the country. The wider land area is one of the last areas in Europe, in which a great number of brown bears and grey wolves can be found. The park is potentially a habitat for the critically endangered Balkan lynx . One of the park's special attractions is the existence of the rare chamois , which can be found at higher altitudes far from human activity. Most important wildlife inhabiting

6138-419: The mountains are almost vertical, with perpendicular rocks hanging on the river, peaks in the shape of towers dressed by trees, with their cirques filled with eternal snow altitude differences with the river bed. The Albanian Alps are a notable geographic feature of Southern and Southeastern Europe , being at the same time the highest section of the Dinaric Alps . The formation was an episodic process caused by

6231-474: The national government has classified it as a priority. Even though it is based mainly on nature, the tourism in Valbona requires the necessary infrastructure. The rocky peaks of mountains such as the Mount Jezercë , Kollata e Keqe Mount , Pecmarra Mount attract the attention of visitors. The Valbona River is unnavigable because of the frequent rains. The nature is rich in suitable varieties for tourism such as fishing and mountaineering. The numerous potentials of

6324-435: The naval battles of Abukir (1799, Battle of the Nile ) and Trafalgar (1805), the British had for a long time strengthened their dominance in the Mediterranean. Wars included Naval warfare in the Mediterranean during World War I and Mediterranean theatre of World War II . With the opening of the lockless Suez Canal in 1869, the flow of trade between Europe and Asia changed fundamentally. The fastest route now led through

6417-428: The number of drowned refugees in the region as a direct result of the policies. An Azerbaijani official described the sea as "a burial ground ... where people die". Following the 2013 Lampedusa migrant shipwreck , the Italian government decided to strengthen the national system for the patrolling of the Mediterranean Sea by authorising " Operation Mare Nostrum ", a military and humanitarian mission in order to rescue

6510-480: The park falls within the Dinaric Mountains mixed forests terrestrial ecoregion of the Palearctic temperate broadleaf and mixed forest . The forests of the park are covered by a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees growing on limestone and dolomite, which is characteristic to the Albanian Alps. The most typical feature of the park's landscape is represented by its forests being a major resource in terms of their ecological functions, as well as in terms of

6603-406: The park's land area. Additionally, large mammals such as brown bear , roe deer , chamois as well as rare or endangered species like the gray wolf , lynx , and wild goat inhabit the park. 50 species of birds have been observed, with raptors such as the golden eagle , lesser kestrel , nuthatch , robin , blackbird , red-backed shrike , western capercaillie and rock partridge . Due to

6696-400: The proper conditions that valley provides. The villages where the population is concentrated are: Rrogam, Valbona, Dragobi and Çerem which are located at the valley extensions. After 90’ the situation began to change. As a result of not favorable economic conditions, the majority of the population moved out. Valley is inhabited by Krasniqi and Gashi tribes. A part of the population that has left

6789-596: The region when the Battle of Lepanto (1571) checked the power of the Ottoman Navy . This was the last naval battle to be fought primarily between galleys . The Barbary pirates of Northwest Africa preyed on Christian shipping and coastlines in the Western Mediterranean Sea. According to Robert Davis, from the 16th to 19th centuries, pirates captured 1 million to 1.25 million Europeans as slaves. The development of oceanic shipping began to affect

6882-468: The sea for centuries and is the only state to have ever controlled all of its coast. The countries surrounding the Mediterranean and its marginal seas in clockwise order are Spain , France , Monaco , Italy , Slovenia , Croatia , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Montenegro , Albania , Greece , Turkey , Syria , Lebanon , Israel , Palestine ( Gaza Strip ), Egypt , Libya , Tunisia , Algeria , and Morocco ; Cyprus and Malta are island countries in

6975-595: The sea. In addition, Northern Cyprus ( de facto state ) and two overseas territories of the United Kingdom ( Akrotiri and Dhekelia , and Gibraltar ) also have coastlines along the Mediterranean Sea. The drainage basin encompasses a large number of other countries, the Nile being the longest river ending in the Mediterranean Sea. The Ancient Egyptians called the Mediterranean Wadj-wr/Wadj-Wer/Wadj-Ur. This term (literally "great green")

7068-472: The shortest shipping route between the multinational Gulf of Trieste and the Libyan coastline of the Gulf of Sidra is about 1,900 kilometres (1,200 mi). The water temperatures are mild in winter and warm in summer and give name to the Mediterranean climate type due to the majority of precipitation falling in the cooler months. Its southern and eastern coastlines are lined with hot deserts not far inland, but

7161-752: The south side of the Taurus Mountains . In Europe, the largest basins are those of the Rhône , Ebro , Po , and Maritsa . The basin of the Rhône is the largest and extends up as far north as the Jura Mountains , encompassing areas even on the north side of the Alps . The basins of the Ebro, Po, and Maritsa, are respectively south of the Pyrenees , Alps, and Balkan Mountains , which are

7254-459: The south. The park was created as an almalgamation of Theth National Park ( Albanian : Parku Kombëtar i Thethit ), Valbona Valley National Park , and Gashi Nature Reserve . Theth National Park was established in 1966, covering 2,630 ha (26.3 km ) around the larger portion of Shala Valley . Valbona Valley National Park was established in 1996. In 2017, Theth was declared a Protected Historic Center. Theth village sprawls across

7347-570: The southern ports through European integration, the activation of the Silk Road and free world trade. In 2013, the Maltese president described the Mediterranean Sea as a "cemetery" due to the large number of migrants who drowned there after their boats capsized. European Parliament president Martin Schulz said in 2014 that Europe's migration policy "turned the Mediterranean into a graveyard", referring to

7440-599: The southernmost point is on the coast of the Gulf of Sidra near the Libyan town of El Agheila . Large islands in the Mediterranean include: The Alpine arc , which also has a great meteorological impact on the Mediterranean area, touches the Mediterranean in the west in the area around Nice . The typical Mediterranean climate has hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Crops of the region include olives , grapes , oranges , tangerines , carobs and cork . The Mediterranean Sea includes 15 marginal seas : Note 1: The International Hydrographic Organization defines

7533-640: The term was later extended to the whole Mediterranean, it was also called Baḥr al-Maghrib ( بحر المغرب ) ("the Sea of the West"). A name that was used mainly for the western basin. In Turkish , it is the Akdeniz 'the White Sea'; in Ottoman, ﺁق دڭيز , which sometimes means only the Aegean Sea . The origin of the name is not clear, as it is not known in earlier Greek, Byzantine or Islamic sources. It may be to contrast with

7626-464: The toy are also among the values which need to be treasured. The Valbona Valley offers natural and cultural potential for the economic development of the area. The peripheral position, wars, hostile climate, deficient and not functional infrastructure are factors affecting the economic backwardness of Valbona Valley. The population lives mainly from agriculture and farming. Being a protected area, it makes forestry impossible to be developed. The industry

7719-658: The trade in western Europe and brought it to a halt. However, the Norsemen developed the trade from Norway to the White Sea , while also trading in luxury goods from Spain and the Mediterranean. The Byzantines in the mid-8th century retook control of the area around the north-eastern part of the Mediterranean. Venetian ships from the 9th century armed themselves to counter the harassment by Arabs while concentrating trade of Asian goods in Venice. The Fatimids maintained trade relations with

7812-589: The trade relations between Western and Eastern Europe while disrupting trade routes with Eastern Asian Empires. This, however, had the indirect effect of promoting trade across the Caspian Sea . The export of grains from Egypt was re-routed towards the Eastern world . Products from East Asian empires, like silk and spices, were carried from Egypt under the Arab rule to ports like Venice and Constantinople by sailors and Jewish merchants. The Viking raids further disrupted

7905-674: The trade with the Orient, it however continued. Europe started to revive, however, as more organized and centralized states began to form in the later Middle Ages after the Renaissance of the 12th century . Ottoman power based in Anatolia continued to grow, and in 1453 extinguished the Byzantine Empire with the Conquest of Constantinople . Ottomans gained control of much of the eastern part sea in

7998-593: The upper Shala Valley and is trapped on four sides by numerous two-thousanders such as Radohima in the west, Arapi and Poplluka in the north and Jezerca in the east. Standing at 1,795 m (5,889 ft), the Valbona Pass leads a mountain path in the west, which separates the park from the Valbona Valley National Park . Like most of the Albanian Alps, the park is dominated by limestone and dolomite rocks and shows major karst features such as

8091-561: The valley enable the developing of several types of tourism such as climbing, white, rowing, rural, cultural, gastronomic, medical and adventurous tourism. Local people are building up their income with tourism activities such as renting rooms, accompanied by characteristic local hospitality and traditional home made cooking. Initiated and supported by the Government of Albania, the Albanian Development Fund and Margegaj Municipality

8184-522: The village and continues flowing towards Dragobia. Valbona River is a tributary of Drini River , which drains into Adriatic sea. Deduction from the peaks of the mountains of Rragami and Ceremi, is impulsive, full sound of effervescence for its terrain topography. At Shoshan's canyon, Valbona's river narrows sharply and creates the image of the rocks being cut as with a knife. Water is clean, bright and highly transparent up to 1 m depth. Frequent rain precipitations make this river unnavigable. The Xhemas Lake

8277-408: The village, is settled at lower villages of Margegajmunicipality. Despite the recent changes that have been made in the demographic structure, the population still differs for its vitality. This affects at their ability to be active in the sector of tourism. During 1995–2002, villages like Çerem and Rragam have had a population decrease respectively of 63% and 57%.In 2008 the population at these villages

8370-645: The west to the entrances to the Dardanelles and the Suez Canal in the east, the Mediterranean Sea is bounded by the coasts of Europe, Africa, and Asia and is divided into two deep basins: The drainage basin of the Mediterranean Sea is particularly heterogeneous and extends much further than the Mediterranean region. Its size has been estimated between 4,000,000 and 5,500,000 km (1,500,000 and 2,100,000 sq mi), depending on whether non-active parts (deserts) are included or not. The longest river ending in

8463-473: The wet low lying environments whereas various species of narthecium , carex and sphagnum can be found. The steep slopes and ravines of the Valbona Valley are home to communities of largeleaf linden , sycamore , ash and wych elm , which grow mostly in cool and humid locations. Due to the temperature and climate differences between different areas and elevations, the park is characterized by exceptionally rich and varied fauna . The park represents one of

8556-833: Was 920 persons but now it is 817. Stopping the phenomenon of the people leaving their country, is important, in order to reduce the risk of villages turning into seasonal ones. It is a transboundary park in Albania and Montenegro , with the highest biodiversity value of the country's mountain mainlands. Four villages are located within the park (Dragobi, Valbonë , Cerem and Rragam) with 852 inhabitants. All of these factors create more favorable conditions for coexistence and socioeconomical development, including Valbona National Park. Clean air, high and characteristic mountain peaks, lakes, numerous water resources, forests, mountains, flora and fauna provide conditions for profitable eco tourism. In family and social life there are preserved folk festivals with various forms of entertainment. Spiritual wealth

8649-721: Was the name given by the Ancient Egyptians to the semi-solid, semi-aquatic region characterized by papyrus forests to the north of the cultivated Nile delta, and, by extension, the sea beyond. The Ancient Greeks called the Mediterranean simply ἡ θάλασσα ( hē thálassa ; "the Sea") or sometimes ἡ μεγάλη θάλασσα ( hē megálē thálassa ; "the Great Sea"), ἡ ἡμετέρα θάλασσα ( hē hēmetérā thálassa ; "Our Sea"), or ἡ θάλασσα ἡ καθ’ ἡμᾶς ( hē thálassa hē kath’hēmâs ; "the sea around us"). The Romans called it Mare Magnum ("Great Sea") or Mare Internum ("Internal Sea") and, starting with

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