Peaks
Maja Kullës
1,085 m
Park geography
A comprehensive analysis of landscape metrics, mountain terrain, and regional environmental context
Prespa National Park Detailed Geographic Profile: Boundaries, Terrain, and Natural Features
Examine the physical geography of Prespa National Park, located within Korçë County, Albania. This structured profile maps the 276.131 square kilometer protected boundary and details mountain relief, lacustrine features, and varied temperate forest habitats found across the park terrain.
Transboundary Alpine Lake Park Protecting Balkan Wetlands and Mountain Ecosystems
Prespa National Park
Prespa National Park is a protected area spanning approximately 277.5 square kilometers in southeastern Albania, situated at the border triangle shared with Greece and North Macedonia. The park encompasses the country's sections of both Great Prespa Lake and Small Prespa Lake, two high-altitude tectonic lakes lying between 849 and 853 meters above the Adriatic Sea, making them the highest tectonic lakes in Southeastern Europe. The landscape is characterized by dramatic mountain terrain, particularly Mali i Thatë which separates Great Prespa from Lake Ohrid, alongside extensive freshwater wetlands, reed beds, salt marshes, alpine meadows, and dense forests covering some 13,500 hectares of the park's territory. The park holds significant international recognition as a Ramsar Wetland of international importance, an Important Bird and Plant Area, and a component of both the European Green Belt and the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Its unique position at the crossroads of three countries, combined with diverse elevational gradients and habitat types, has fostered extraordinary biodiversity. The park protects critical habitat for threatened species including some of Europe's last remaining populations of brown bears and gray wolves, as well as substantial colonies of great white pelicans and Dalmatian pelicans that inhabit the lakes during summer months. Prespa National Park also preserves a rich cultural heritage spanning millennia, with archaeological evidence of human habitation dating back to the Neolithic period. The region was traversed by the ancient Via Egnatia trade route and was inhabited by Illyrian tribes, Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. The park contains numerous Byzantine churches and caves of archaeological significance, including the notable Treni Cave which hosts Europe's largest population of long-fingered bats.
- Location
- Albania
- Park type
- National park
- Established
- 1999
- Area
- 276.1 km²
Location overview
Transboundary protected area within the Korçë County region
Geographic Profile of Prespa National Park in Albania
Prespa National Park protects a significant regional territory located within Albania's Korçë County. As a transboundary protected area, the reserve involves international coordination to manage shared ecological borders.
- Countries
- Albania
- Regions
- Korçë County
- Primary location
- Korçë County
- Geographic setting
- Transboundary · Inland
Boundary and coordinates
Prespa National Park’s outline frames 276.131 km²
Prespa National Park mapped boundary and 276.131 km² area
Stored boundary geometry delineates Prespa National Park and communicates the scale of its 276.131 km² protected extent. That recorded total is not separated into land and marine areas, while a perimeter measurement is also unavailable.
- Boundary area
- 277.3 km²
- Boundary perimeter
- 92.8 km
- Northernmost point
- 40.9377° N
- Southernmost point
- 40.6646° N
- Easternmost point
- 21.0573° E
- Westernmost point
- 20.8283° E
- Geographic centre
- 40.8113° N, 20.9242° E
- North–south span
- 30.3 km
- East–west span
- 19.3 km
Elevation and terrain
Analyzed mountain relief, peaks, and recorded water bodies
Prespa National Park Terrain and Elevation Range Geography
Recorded elevation metrics outline the vertical range across the protected mountain terrain. Linked feature cards document specific peaks, saddles, lakes, and caves located within the boundaries.
- Minimum elevation
- 849 m
- Maximum elevation
- 853 m
Selected named natural features
Mountain saddles
Qafa Lisave
1,116 m
Beaches
Park Aleksander
Lakes
Lake Prespa
Peaks
Maja Nata Drushit
1,163 m
Peaks
Maja Krushit
1,342 m
Environmental setting
Interpreting mountain relief, lacustrine water bodies, and forest cover
Prespa National Park Environmental Classifications and Physical Settings
Recorded landscape features and habitat types provide complementary perspectives on the physical terrain of Prespa National Park. Stored classifications link specific environmental categories to relevant regional atlas destinations.
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Mediterranean
- Water
- Water-dominated
- Forest cover
- Partial forest
Landscape features
Mountains · Islands · Wetland · Lakes · Cliffs
Habitat types
Temperate broadleaf forest · Temperate coniferous forest · Wetland · Riverine habitat · Lacustrine habitat
Park atlas
Compare surrounding protected landscapes and transboundary park geography across the Balkans
Explore Other National Parks and Protected Areas Near Prespa National Park
Browse a curated selection of national parks and protected areas geographically connected to Prespa National Park, including significant wetland complexes, high-altitude mountain ranges, and shared lake ecosystems. This contextual view helps trace the regional spread of conservation efforts, comparing diverse protected landscapes across the Balkan Peninsula through an atlas-style lens.
National parkWestern Macedonia
Park boundaries overlap#1 closest
East
Prespa National Park: Mapping the Biodiversity and Lake Landscapes of Western Macedonia
A Ramsar wetland reserve and transboundary protected area
Prespa National Park encompasses 32,700 hectares of diverse habitats, from the shallow waters of Small Prespa Lake to the surrounding forested uplands. This protected area acts as a vital sanctuary for migratory bird species and endemic plants, offering a rich look at the ecological interplay between water, floodplains, and mountain terrain in northern Greece.
- Area
- 327 km²
- Established
- 2009
- IUCN
- VI
- Relief
- Mixed relief
Nature reserveNorth Macedonia
4.6 km away#2 closest
Northwest
Lake Ohrid Nature Reserve: Mapped Geographic Boundaries and Ancient Balkan Lake Ecosystems
A tectonic mountain lake system in North Macedonia
Lake Ohrid represents a monumental protected landscape within the mountainous southwestern Balkans. As one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe, it serves as a critical refuge for unique endemic species that exist in its clear, oligotrophic waters. This area showcases the complex interplay between tectonic geological history, high-mountain terrain, and the sustained conservation of a globally significant natural basin.
- Area
- 358 km²
- Relief
- Mixed relief
- Climate
- Mediterranean
- Access
- Easy access
National parkMunicipality of Bitola
11 km away#3 closest
Northeast
Pelister National Park: North Macedonia's Oldest National Park and Alpine Protected Landscape
Explore unique glacial features and endemic forests within Municipality of Bitola.
Pelister National Park, a pioneering protected area in North Macedonia, offers a rich tapestry of alpine geography and unique geological formations. This page provides detailed information on the park's landscape, including its dramatic mountain massif within Municipality of Bitola, the rare Macedonian pine forests, the striking 'stone rivers' formed by ancient glacial processes, and the serene Pelister Eyes glacial lakes. Discover the park's mapped boundaries and its significance as a conservation heritage site within the Balkan Peninsula.
- Area
- 171.5 km²
- Established
- 1948
- IUCN
- II
- Visitors
- 30K annual
Protected landscapeKorçë County
About 17 km away#4 closest
South
Fir of Drenovë-Sinicë Protected Landscape: Forest and Geological Map of Korçë County
Mapping Albania's protected Silver fir woodland ecosystems
Explore the structured geography of the Fir of Drenovë-Sinicë Protected Landscape, a diverse expanse in Korçë County defined by its ancient Silver fir stands and karst cave systems. This area showcases a varied landscape of rocky monoliths, mountain lakes, and tectonic valleys that serve as a vital ecological record for the southeastern Albanian mountains.
- Area
- 10.3 km²
- Established
- 1966
- IUCN
- V
- Relief
- Mountain
Protected landscapeAlbania
About 30 km away#5 closest
West
Guri i Nikës-Lenie-Valamarë Protected Landscape: Albania Mountain and Forest Geography
A protected mosaic of Mediterranean woodlands and Pindus foothills
Spanning roughly 22 square kilometers near Pogradec, the Guri i Nikës-Lenie-Valamarë Protected Landscape protects a diverse array of forested slopes and freshwater habitats. This essential Balkan biological corridor provides a detailed look at the transition between dense woodland and scrub communities within the Pindus mountain system, highlighting its role as a key habitat for large carnivore populations.
- Area
- 22 km²
- Established
- 1996
- IUCN
- VI
- Relief
- Mountain
National parkElbasan County
About 39 km away#6 closest
Northwest
Shebenik National Park: Mapped Protected Landscape and Glacial Terrain Atlas
Explore Elbasan County's significant mountain wilderness and protected natural features.
Shebenik National Park is a protected national park in Elbasan County, Albania, notable for its dramatic glacial terrain and extensive ancient forests. This park offers a deep dive into Albania's natural landscape, featuring 14 glacial lakes and serving as vital habitat. Its position within the Balkan Peninsula's geography makes it a key point of reference for understanding protected areas and mountain wilderness within a structured atlas.
- Area
- 345.079 km²
- Established
- 2008
- IUCN
- II
- Relief
- Mountain
National parkAlbania
50 km away#7 closest
West
Tomorr Mountain National Park: Sacred Peak & Karst Protected Landscape in Albania
Explore Albania's dramatic mountain geography and protected areas.
Tomorr Mountain National Park offers a unique exploration of southern Albania's dramatic limestone anticline. Dominated by the sacred Mount Tomorr and featuring the spectacular Osum Canyon, this national park provides insight into karst terrain, old-growth forests, and significant biodiversity. Discover its mapped boundaries and regional geographic context within the Pindus Mountains for structured atlas exploration.
- Area
- 271.855 km²
- Established
- 1956
- IUCN
- II
- Relief
- Mountain
National parkNorth Macedonia
62 km away#8 closest
North
Mavrovo National Park: North Macedonia's Extensive Protected Alpine Terrain and Wildlife
Mapped geography of Alpine peaks, gorges, and unique endemic species.
Mavrovo National Park, North Macedonia's largest protected area, offers a deep dive into a complex Alpine geography. Dominated by the Šar, Korab, and Bistra mountain systems, the park features towering peaks and the dramatic Radika River gorge. This protected landscape is globally significant for its role in conserving the rare Balkan lynx and harbors endemic tertiary relic plant species like Macedonian pine. Explore the mapped boundaries, glacial lakes, and distinct terrain that define this vital conservation area.
- Area
- 730.88 km²
- Established
- 1949
- IUCN
- II
- Relief
- Mountain
MoriAtlas Explorer
Continue Exploring Prespa National Park's Mapped Landscape and Geographic Significance
Dive deeper into the protected area of Prespa National Park to understand its specific geographic context within Albania and the broader Balkan atlas. This detail page provides the foundation for exploring its unique terrain, lake systems, and regional ecological importance, serving as a crucial reference for structured geographic discovery.
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