Protected areas of Albania facts for kids

Network of protected areas in Albania (2020)

Even though Albania is a small country, it has an amazing variety of plants and animals, which we call biodiversity. Its natural places are home to over 5,550 types of plants and more than 15,600 types of trees. Many of these are special and need protection. Albania has been working hard to create more protected areas. Now, these areas cover over 21% of the country!

These special places include:

• 11 national parks
• 1 marine park (a protected area in the sea)
• 718 nature monuments (small, unique natural spots)
• 23 managed nature reserves
• 11 protected landscapes
• 4 World Heritage Sites (places recognized by UNESCO for their global importance)
• 4 Ramsar sites (important wetlands)

Albania also has a special "biosphere reserve," 45 important plant areas, and 16 important bird areas. The government has also declared the Coastline and the Tirana Greenbelt as important areas for the whole country.

Sadly, these protected areas face challenges. Things like illegal tree cutting, forest fires, and building new power plants can harm them. People who care about nature, like environmental groups, are working to protect these places.

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the National Agency of Protected Areas (AKZM) are in charge of looking after these special areas.

Strict Nature Reserves

What they are: These are small, very important natural areas. They are kept safe for scientific research and to protect all the living things and natural features within them. Albania has two such reserves: Gashi Valley and Rrajcë Strict Nature Reserve.      World Heritage Site

Name	Picture	Established	Area	Map
Gashi Valley		15 January 1996 (1996-01-15)	3,000 hectares (30 km2)
Rrajcë Strict Nature Reserve		7 July 2017 (2017-07-07)	4,700 hectares (47 km2)

National Parks

What they are: National parks are large areas of land or water, usually bigger than 1,000 hectares. They are special because of their scientific, natural, and educational importance. These parks are protected from too much human activity to keep their ecosystems healthy. They are also great places for scientific studies and for people to visit, learn, and enjoy nature. Albania has 12 national parks, covering about 10.92% of the country.

     World Heritage Site      Ramsar wetland (important water area) or a marine protected area

Logo	Name	Picture	Established	Area	Map
	Butrint National Park		2 March 2000 (2000-03-02)	8,622.2 hectares (86.222 km2)
	Prespa National Park		18 February 1999 (1999-02-18)	27,613.05 hectares (276.1305 km2)
	Divjakë-Karavasta National Park		19 October 2007 (2007-10-19)	22,389.08 hectares (223.8908 km2)
	Llogara National Park		21 November 1966 (1966-11-21)	1,769.20 hectares (17.6920 km2)
	Shebenik National Park		21 May 2008 (2008-05-21)	34,507.90 hectares (345.0790 km2)
	Alps of Albania National Park		26 January 2022 (2022-01-26)	82,844.65 hectares (828.4465 km2)
	Tomorr Mountain National Park		18 July 2012 (2012-07-18)	27,185.5 hectares (271.855 km2)
	Lurë-Dejë Mountain National Park		21 November 1966 (1966-11-21)	19,288.88 hectares (192.8888 km2)
	Dajti Mountain National Park		21 June 2006 (2006-06-21)	28,561.85 hectares (285.6185 km2)
	Fir of Hotovë-Dangëlli National Park		17 December 2008 (2008-12-17)	36,003.76 hectares (360.0376 km2)
	Vjosa Wild River National Park		15 March 2023 (2023-03-15)	12,727 hectares (127.27 km2)
	Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park		28 April 2010 (2010-04-28)	12,437.7 hectares (124.377 km2)

Natural Monuments

What they are: These are usually small natural spots, often less than 50 hectares. They are special because of their scientific, natural, cultural, historical, or even religious importance. They can be living things, like rare trees, or non-living features, like unique rock formations, springs, or lakes. Albania has 718 natural monuments!

Name	Picture	Established	Area	Map
Tulipa Albanica Habitat		13 March 2023 (2023-03-13)	35.5 hectares (0.355 km2)

Managed Nature Reserves

What they are: These are protected areas of land or water that are important for their local or regional natural value. They are carefully managed to protect specific plants, animals, and habitats. These places can also be used for fun activities, education, and studies, as long as they help keep nature safe. Albania has 23 managed nature reserves, covering about 7.5% of the country.

Name	Picture	Established	Area	Map
Fir of Kardhiq Nature Park		15 January 1996 (1996-01-15)	4,303.6 hectares (43.036 km2)
Fir of Sotirë Nature Park		15 January 1996 (1996-01-15)	4,927.67 hectares (49.2767 km2)
Fir of Zhulat Nature Park		26 January 2022 (2022-01-26)	936.2 hectares (9.362 km2)
Cangonj Nature Park		27 July 1977 (1977-07-27)	250.3 hectares (2.503 km2)
Dardhë-Xhyrë Nature Park		15 January 1996 (1996-01-15)	400.3 hectares (4.003 km2)
Gërmenj Nature Park		15 January 1996 (1996-01-15)	1,410 hectares (14.1 km2)
Karaburun Nature Reserve		27 July 1977 (1977-07-27)	17,490.7 hectares (174.907 km2)
Korab-Koritnik Nature Park		21 December 2011 (2011-12-21)	53,850 hectares (538.5 km2)
Kunë-Vain-Talë-Patok-Fushëkuqe-Ishëm Nature Park		28 April 2010 (2010-04-28)	8,092.3 hectares (80.923 km2)
Gjergjevica Lagoon Nature Reserve		26 January 2022 (2022-01-26)	2,966.3 hectares (29.663 km2)
Shala Lagoon Nature Park		26 January 2022 (2022-01-26)	10,619.35 hectares (106.1935 km2)
Munellë Nature Park		26 January 2022 (2022-01-26)	20,760.05 hectares (207.6005 km2)
Mali me Gropa-Bizë-Martanesh Nature Park		31 January 2007 (2007-01-31)	26,043.34 hectares (260.4334 km2)
Lake Ulza Nature Park		3 April 2013 (2013-04-03)	4,205.15 hectares (42.0515 km2)
Polis Nature Park		15 January 1996 (1996-01-15)	45.1 hectares (0.451 km2)
Porto Palermo Nature Park		29 July 2022 (2022-07-29)	1,694.98 hectares (16.9498 km2)
Shtamë Pass Nature Park		15 January 1996 (1996-01-15)	6,864.36 hectares (68.6436 km2)
Lake Shkodër Nature Reserve		2 November 2005 (2005-11-02)	24,049.75 hectares (240.4975 km2)
Stravaj and Sopot Nature Park		15 January 1996 (1996-01-15)	1,548.9 hectares (15.489 km2)
Blue Eye Nature Park		15 January 1996 (1996-01-15)	293.3 hectares (2.933 km2)
Zagori Nature Park		26 January 2022 (2022-01-26)	24,607.63 hectares (246.0763 km2)
Balloll Nature Park		27 July 1977 (1977-07-27)	323.3 hectares (3.233 km2)
Bogovë Nature Park		27 July 1977 (1977-07-27)	342.1 hectares (3.421 km2)

Protected Landscapes

What they are: These are areas of land or sea that are managed to protect their beautiful scenery and to offer places for people to relax and have fun. They can include towns and villages, and activities like farming, fishing, and forestry are allowed. The main goal is to keep the landscapes looking good and to protect the diverse plants and animals that live there, while also allowing people to live and work in harmony with nature. Albania has 11 protected landscapes, covering about 2.94% of the country.      Part of the Emerald network (a network of protected areas in Europe)

Name	Picture	Established	Area	Map
Bjeshka e Oroshit Protected Landscape		15 January 1996 (1996-01-15)	4,646.7 hectares (46.467 km2)
Fir of Drenovë-Sinicë Protected Landscape		21 November 1966 (1966-11-21)	2,065.8 hectares (20.658 km2)
Guri i Nikës-Lenie-Valamarë Protected Landscape		15 January 1996 (1996-01-15)	5,172.7 hectares (51.727 km2)
Qafë Bush-Kuturman Protected Landscape		27 July 1977 (1977-07-27)	4,159.7 hectares (41.597 km2)
Rrushkull Protected Landscape		16 December 1995 (1995-12-16)	579.5 hectares (5.795 km2)
Bisht Kamëz Protected Landscape		28 December 2020 (2020-12-28)	491.5 hectares (4.915 km2)
Nikolicë Protected Landscape		15 January 1996 (1996-01-15)	510 hectares (5.1 km2)
Krastë-Verjon Protected Landscape		26 July 2018 (2018-07-26)	1,469.24 hectares (14.6924 km2)
Lake Ohri Protected Landscape		18 February 1999 (1999-02-18)	28,000 hectares (280 km2)
Pishë Poro-Nartë Protected Landscape		22 October 2004 (2004-10-22)	15,972.7 hectares (159.727 km2)
Buna River-Velipojë Protected Landscape		2 November 2005 (2005-11-02)	21,678.85 hectares (216.7885 km2)

See also

• Ohrid-Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve