Prespa Lake

Lake Prespa is located on the tripartite border: in the southwest of the Republic of North Macedonia, in the southeast of the Republic of Albania and in the north of the Republic of Greece. The lake has an area of 274 km2. Of the total area, 176.8 km2 belong to North Macedonia, 49.4 km2 to Albania and 47.8 km2 to Greece. The length is 28.6 km, while the width is 16.9 km. The total volume is 4.8 million m3 of water. The maximum depth is 54 m, the average is 18.8 m and the length of the coastline is 100.1 km.

Prespa is the highest tectonic lake in the Balkans with 853 m above sea level. Prespa as a whole is divided into two lakes: Prespa e Madhe and Prespa e Vegël, and they are the only ones in the Balkans that have islands. The big city, the small city, Pirgu, Agios, Achillaeos and Vidrinec are divided into three countries: Macedonia, Albania and Greece. In 1999, the Association for the Protection of Prespa received the Conservation Award from Ramsar, for its efforts to preserve biodiversity. Interestingly, the lake level fluctuates. The lake loses its water due to the calcareous character of the Galičica mountain and ends in Lake Ohrid, at Saint Naum and Burimet e Bljana. The lake is fed by water from underwater sources and from several rivers that flow into it.

In addition to its extraordinary natural beauty, it stands out for its rich flora and fauna. There are about 1500 types of plants, more than 40 types of mammals, among them: wolves, brown bears, otters, 11 types of amphibians, 22 types of reptiles, 261 types of birds and 23 types of fish. The Dalmatian pelican also lives in Prespa, with the main concentration in small Prespa as well as seven kinds of animal breeds. The environment is rich in endemic bird species. In the shallow waters there are many species of seagulls and seagulls. In Lake Prespa there is also the only island in Macedonia - Golem Grad. This island is 750 m long and 450 m wide.

Lake Prespa is one of the most attractive tourist areas of the Balkans, with an amazing coastline, beautiful beaches, clear water, unspoiled nature. It is undoubtedly a gem of nature, history and legends.