Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park

The Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park is strategically located in the eastern shore of the Strait of Otranto. It lies primarily between latitudes 40° and 26° N and longitudes 19° and 18° E. The marine park comprises in Vlorë County in southwestern Albania. The marine park includes the Karaburun Peninsula with Reza e Kanalit and Sazan Island. In terms of geology, the peninsula belongs to the Ceraunian Mountains, which rises steeply along the Albanian Ionian Sea Coast. Running towards the Llogara Pass, the mountains gets divided into two mountain chains. Reza e Kanalit encompasses the southern portion of the Karaburun Peninsula. It is marked by a narrow and steep platform, extending from the peninsula to the Dukat Valley close to Orikum. The mountains are about long and about wide. The marine park's mountainous terrain and its geographic features result in the area being of high interest to both visitors and researchers. It experiences a mediterranean climate. This means that the winters are rainy and dry, and the summers are warm to hot. Mean monthly temperature ranges between (in January) and (in July). Mean annual precipitation ranges between and depending on geographic region and prevailing climate type. are located on the western shore of the Peninsula. The relief comprises a number of mountains that rises to an elevation of above the Adriatic. In the west, the mountains in the peninsula falls steeply into the Ionian Sea. The most elevated natural points are Maja e Shendelliut at , Maja Ali Hila at , Maja e Ilqes at , Maja e Flamurit at and Maja Çadëri at . The south is chiefly composed of Pliocene rock formations and a variety of sediments. The rocks found in the west of the Sazan Island are primarily Cretaceous rocks. The east is essentially composed of limestone rocks, that has been formed during the Burdigalian age. == Fauna and flora ==

is often seen in the region|thumb The optimal conditions, in terms of geology and hydrology as well as the Mediterranean climate with subtropical influences, have created diverse habitats that in turn provide favourable circumstances for the equally diverse mix of plants and animals that thrive in the area. The park is home to at least 70 species of mammals, 144 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles and 11 species of amphibia. It also contains a vast array of invertebrates represented with 167 species. The diverse landscapes of the park, with an exceptionally considerable marine and terrestrial life free of any marks of human disturbance, maintain a particular appeal. The park is home to an incredible array of mammal species whose numbers are more than 70. The most common are the golden jackal, wildcat, chamois, roe deer, wild boar, badger and otter. A few of the smaller mammals typically include the red squirrel, hazel dormouse and pine vole. There are 8 species of bats to be found merely in the island of Sazan. Several of them, like the Kuhl's and Nathusius's pipistrelle, are widespread and common, while others, like the Mediterranean long-eared bat, are relatively rare and restricted in distribution. is present in the region. The biodiversity of the local oceanic fauna is not well understood. Sea turtles, seals, and dolphins are considered to reside in the park area, although sufficient regularity of occurrences is unclear. Three primary species of sea turtles are to be found along the pristine beaches of the park such as the loggerhead sea turtle, green sea turtle and leatherback sea turtle. Dolphins such as the short-beaked common dolphin, common bottlenose dolphin and the endangered sperm whale has been reported in the waters of the park. Outstanding is the mediterranean monk seal, one of the most endangered mammals in the world, mostly seek refuge in the inaccessible caves and canyons of the park. The marine area is characterised by exceptionally rich and varied flora. The coasts along Karaburun and Sazan are rocky with significant calcareous limestone cliffs, properly covered with Mediterranean maquis with a dominance of lentisk, kermes oak and Phoenicean juniper. The western coasts of are incised by caves and canyons and characterized by high vertical cliffs that appear underwater at great depths. The cliffs are mostly dotted by sea fennel, statice and caper bush. Moreover, Mediterranean tapeweed hosts macrofauna such as sponges, cnidarias, bryozoas, molluscas and many countless others. == Attractions ==