Shkodra Lake

Lake Shkodra – lies on the border of Albania and Montenegro and is the largest lake in Southern Europe. It is named after the city of Shkodër which lies at its southeastern coast. It is a karst lake.

Shkodra Lake (a "Managed Natural Reserve") is the biggest lake in the Balkan Peninsula with an area of 368 km2 (of which 149 km2 are included within the territory of Albania) Shkodra Lake represents the largest network of freshwater in the Mediterranean. Shkodra Lake biodiversity developed in unique geomorphologic, geographical, climatic, hydrological and ecological conditions.

The lake has rich flora and fauna:

There are about 65 fish species, 240 species of birds, over 850 species of plants and 600 species of animals. The lake is rich in avifauna, with 281 bird species recorded. There are 123 species of animals and 20 species of plants that are endangered. The Albanian part of the lake area was declared as a Ramsar site (Ramsar Convention "On internationally important wetlands, especially as waterfowl habitats") in 2005. Lake Shkodra and its connected Delta of Buna is one of Europe's top five sites for wintering birds. Home to the rare Dalmatian pelican and the world's second largest colony of pygmy cormorant, come here ar any lime of year and wil have the chance to see wetland life in all its glory, from glossy ibis and squats to bitterns, grebes, egrets, terns and more.