Karaburun Peninsula, Albania
Encyclopedia
Karaburun Peninsula, Albania is the largest peninsula of Albania
, located in the District of Vlorë, southwestern Albania
, at the eastern side of the Strait of Otranto
, where the Adriatic Sea
meets the Ionian Sea
. It has an area of 62 km² (23.9 sq mi) and has no population. It is 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) long with a width that varies from 3 to 4.5 km (1.9 to 2.8 ). The peninsula is a Managed Nature Reserve, and military zone, while its sorrounding sea waters form part of the Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park
.
separates it from Salento
in Italy, by only 72 kilometres (44.7 mi). It borders with Gulf of Vlorë to the east and the Ionian Sea
to the west. In the north, the waters of Mezokanal (or South canal) divide the peninsula from Sazan Island
, which is 4.8 km away. On the south, Karaburun peninsula’s border lies on the virtual line that links the extreme south of Vlora's Gulf with Gjiri i Arushës (Bear’s bay) to the west. The highest altitude of the peninsula is Maja e Koretës (Koreta’s peak) 826 m above sea level. Here, a telecommunication antenna tower was erected in recent years. Northwest rises the other prominent peak of the peninsula: Maja e Ilqes 733 m. Southeast of the peaks the terrain lowers to the karstic plateau of Ravena (with altitudes 200-300 m), well-known for its wintry pastures. Whereas the offshore margin of the Karaburun peninsula has been investigated down to -200m of water depth, within 4/5 km.
The western coast of Karaburun peninsula comprises a rough relief, steep cliffs, caves, small bays and rocky beaches, such as Gjiri i Arushës (Bear's bay), Gjiri i Dafinës (Laurel bay) and 14 km (8.7 mi) southeast of Gjiri i Arushës is located the most interesting Gramata Bay, a small bay where ships and vessels anchored since antiquity. On the high and steep rock faces of the bay, which served also as a marble quarry, there are in-scriptures and names that date back to IV century B.C., of prominent and most influential historical figures like Mark Antony
, Byzantine emperor Manuel II Palaiologos
(1350-1425) on his way to Venice
etc. On the north of the peninsula there's a landmark cape, Kepi i Gjuhëzës, the westernmost point of continental Albania
(Sazan Island
being the one westernmost point of the country) and the country most famous Haxhi Aliu's cave. The eastern coasts are less rough and slope gradually to the bay of Vlora. From the altitudes of the peninsula, on clear weather, the coasts of Salento
and the town of Otranto
in Italy can be seen by naked eye.
Tectonically, the peninsula consists entirely of Mesozoic Era limestone formations of Cretaceous
and Paleogene
periods. These formations have been continuously under the effect of Karst
and are exploited as marble
(metamorphosed limestone) since antiquity. The widespread Karst topography
is responsible for the absence of potable water and thus the absence of any population on the peninsula. Despite the dry surface and upper soil layers, there are several water sources that pour deep directly into the sea. The geological evolution has formed also capes such as Galloveci cape and Kepi i Gjuhëzës, as well as a total number of 20 caves along the whole coast
. It has a mild Mediterranean climate with hot summers and generally warm to cool, dry winters.
Water sources are absent on ground surface. Nevertheless, the fauna
is represented by several species, such as the endangered loggerhead sea turtle
(Caretta caretta) that nests on the isolated beaches of the western Ionian coasts. Also the Mediterranean monk seal
(Monachus monachus) have also been sighted.
Vegetation is poor, but there are oak
trees on the western side of the peninsula and on the plateau of Ravena (covered with pastures). The eastern side is covered with scattered bushes and pines
.
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
, located in the District of Vlorë, southwestern Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
, at the eastern side of the Strait of Otranto
Strait of Otranto
The Strait of Otranto connects the Adriatic Sea with the Ionian Sea and separates Italy from Albania. Its width at Punta Palascìa, east of Salento is less than . The strait is named after the Italian city of Otranto.- History :...
, where the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
meets the Ionian Sea
Ionian Sea
The Ionian Sea , is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea, south of the Adriatic Sea. It is bounded by southern Italy including Calabria, Sicily and the Salento peninsula to the west, southern Albania to the north, and a large number of Greek islands, including Corfu, Zante, Kephalonia, Ithaka, and...
. It has an area of 62 km² (23.9 sq mi) and has no population. It is 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) long with a width that varies from 3 to 4.5 km (1.9 to 2.8 ). The peninsula is a Managed Nature Reserve, and military zone, while its sorrounding sea waters form part of the Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park
Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park
Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park proclaimed in 2010 is the only national marine park of Albania. The park covers a marine area stretching along the coastlines of Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island near the Bay of Vlora. The marine park is long with a width varying from , and covering 12428...
.
Geography
Karaburun peninsula lies southwest of Albania, in the county and district of Vlorë, whereas the Strait of OtrantoStrait of Otranto
The Strait of Otranto connects the Adriatic Sea with the Ionian Sea and separates Italy from Albania. Its width at Punta Palascìa, east of Salento is less than . The strait is named after the Italian city of Otranto.- History :...
separates it from Salento
Salento
Salento is the south-eastern extremity of the Apulia region of Italy. It is a sub-peninsula of the main Italian Peninsula, sometimes described as the "heel" of the Italian "boot"...
in Italy, by only 72 kilometres (44.7 mi). It borders with Gulf of Vlorë to the east and the Ionian Sea
Ionian Sea
The Ionian Sea , is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea, south of the Adriatic Sea. It is bounded by southern Italy including Calabria, Sicily and the Salento peninsula to the west, southern Albania to the north, and a large number of Greek islands, including Corfu, Zante, Kephalonia, Ithaka, and...
to the west. In the north, the waters of Mezokanal (or South canal) divide the peninsula from Sazan Island
Sazan Island
-Fauna of Sazan:Sazan Island contains 7 species of amphibians of which 3 are rare species. The island contains 15 species of reptiles of which 13 are rare species. Some of these amphibian and reptile species include the:* Blue-throated Keeled Lizard...
, which is 4.8 km away. On the south, Karaburun peninsula’s border lies on the virtual line that links the extreme south of Vlora's Gulf with Gjiri i Arushës (Bear’s bay) to the west. The highest altitude of the peninsula is Maja e Koretës (Koreta’s peak) 826 m above sea level. Here, a telecommunication antenna tower was erected in recent years. Northwest rises the other prominent peak of the peninsula: Maja e Ilqes 733 m. Southeast of the peaks the terrain lowers to the karstic plateau of Ravena (with altitudes 200-300 m), well-known for its wintry pastures. Whereas the offshore margin of the Karaburun peninsula has been investigated down to -200m of water depth, within 4/5 km.
The western coast of Karaburun peninsula comprises a rough relief, steep cliffs, caves, small bays and rocky beaches, such as Gjiri i Arushës (Bear's bay), Gjiri i Dafinës (Laurel bay) and 14 km (8.7 mi) southeast of Gjiri i Arushës is located the most interesting Gramata Bay, a small bay where ships and vessels anchored since antiquity. On the high and steep rock faces of the bay, which served also as a marble quarry, there are in-scriptures and names that date back to IV century B.C., of prominent and most influential historical figures like Mark Antony
Mark Antony
Marcus Antonius , known in English as Mark Antony, was a Roman politician and general. As a military commander and administrator, he was an important supporter and loyal friend of his mother's cousin Julius Caesar...
, Byzantine emperor Manuel II Palaiologos
Manuel II Palaiologos
Manuel II Palaiologos or Palaeologus was Byzantine Emperor from 1391 to 1425.-Life:...
(1350-1425) on his way to Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
etc. On the north of the peninsula there's a landmark cape, Kepi i Gjuhëzës, the westernmost point of continental Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
(Sazan Island
Sazan Island
-Fauna of Sazan:Sazan Island contains 7 species of amphibians of which 3 are rare species. The island contains 15 species of reptiles of which 13 are rare species. Some of these amphibian and reptile species include the:* Blue-throated Keeled Lizard...
being the one westernmost point of the country) and the country most famous Haxhi Aliu's cave. The eastern coasts are less rough and slope gradually to the bay of Vlora. From the altitudes of the peninsula, on clear weather, the coasts of Salento
Salento
Salento is the south-eastern extremity of the Apulia region of Italy. It is a sub-peninsula of the main Italian Peninsula, sometimes described as the "heel" of the Italian "boot"...
and the town of Otranto
Otranto
Otranto is a town and comune in the province of Lecce , in a fertile region once famous for its breed of horses.It is located on the east coast of the Salento peninsula. The Strait of Otranto, to which the city gives its name, connects the Adriatic Sea with the Ionian Sea and Italy with Albania...
in Italy can be seen by naked eye.
Geology
Karaburun peninsula is part of the Sazan Zone, which is a constituent of the Albanides tectonic unit. Albanides form the link between Dinarides and Hellenides orogenic belts. They are considered allocthonous and mobilist theories deduce they come from the east.Tectonically, the peninsula consists entirely of Mesozoic Era limestone formations of Cretaceous
Cretaceous
The Cretaceous , derived from the Latin "creta" , usually abbreviated K for its German translation Kreide , is a geologic period and system from circa to million years ago. In the geologic timescale, the Cretaceous follows the Jurassic period and is followed by the Paleogene period of the...
and Paleogene
Paleogene
The Paleogene is a geologic period and system that began 65.5 ± 0.3 and ended 23.03 ± 0.05 million years ago and comprises the first part of the Cenozoic Era...
periods. These formations have been continuously under the effect of Karst
KARST
Kilometer-square Area Radio Synthesis Telescope is a Chinese telescope project to which FAST is a forerunner. KARST is a set of large spherical reflectors on karst landforms, which are bowlshaped limestone sinkholes named after the Kras region in Slovenia and Northern Italy. It will consist of...
and are exploited as marble
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
(metamorphosed limestone) since antiquity. The widespread Karst topography
Karst topography
Karst topography is a geologic formation shaped by the dissolution of a layer or layers of soluble bedrock, usually carbonate rock such as limestone or dolomite, but has also been documented for weathering resistant rocks like quartzite given the right conditions.Due to subterranean drainage, there...
is responsible for the absence of potable water and thus the absence of any population on the peninsula. Despite the dry surface and upper soil layers, there are several water sources that pour deep directly into the sea. The geological evolution has formed also capes such as Galloveci cape and Kepi i Gjuhëzës, as well as a total number of 20 caves along the whole coast
Ecology
The sea water sorrounding the Karaburun peninsula forms the largest marine area of Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park. Further south to the peninsula lies Llogara National ParkLlogara National Park
Llogara or Llogora National Park is a national park in Albania declared since 1966 by the Albanian Government. The park covers an area of 1,010 hectares and protects the forests on the north side of the Llogara Pass between a height from 470m to 2,018m above sea level...
. It has a mild Mediterranean climate with hot summers and generally warm to cool, dry winters.
Water sources are absent on ground surface. Nevertheless, the fauna
Fauna
Fauna or faunæ is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora.Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place, e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess shale fauna"...
is represented by several species, such as the endangered loggerhead sea turtle
Loggerhead sea turtle
The loggerhead sea turtle , or loggerhead, is an oceanic turtle distributed throughout the world. It is a marine reptile, belonging to the family Cheloniidae. The average loggerhead measures around long when fully grown, although larger specimens of up to have been discovered...
(Caretta caretta) that nests on the isolated beaches of the western Ionian coasts. Also the Mediterranean monk seal
Mediterranean Monk Seal
The Mediterranean monk seal is a pinniped belonging to the Phocidae family. At some 450-510 remaining individuals, it is believed to be the world's second-rarest pinniped , and one of the most endangered mammals in the world.It is present in parts of the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic...
(Monachus monachus) have also been sighted.
Vegetation is poor, but there are oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
trees on the western side of the peninsula and on the plateau of Ravena (covered with pastures). The eastern side is covered with scattered bushes and pines
Pines
Pines may refer to:*Pine, coniferous trees of the genus Pinus, in the family Pinaceae*PINES or Public Information Network for Electronic Services- People with the surname :...
.
External links
- Karaburun Peninsula on Italian Lineablu TV Programme, Youtube.com
- Documentary on Sazan Island's and Karaburun's Natural Heritage, Youtube.com
- Consorzio Nazoinale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare - CRUISE REPORT from Bari to Valona (21-31 May 2007) Alessandra SAVINI, Giorgio BUDILLON
- WIKITRAVEL - Vlorë
See also
- Karaburun-Sazan National Marine ParkKaraburun-Sazan National Marine ParkKaraburun-Sazan National Marine Park proclaimed in 2010 is the only national marine park of Albania. The park covers a marine area stretching along the coastlines of Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island near the Bay of Vlora. The marine park is long with a width varying from , and covering 12428...
- Sazan IslandSazan Island-Fauna of Sazan:Sazan Island contains 7 species of amphibians of which 3 are rare species. The island contains 15 species of reptiles of which 13 are rare species. Some of these amphibian and reptile species include the:* Blue-throated Keeled Lizard...
- Albanian RivieraAlbanian RivieraAlbanian Riviera is a coastal area in the County of Vlorë running along the Ionian Sea under the Ceraunian Mountains in Southern Albania. It should not be confused with the Albanian Coastline as a whole which incorporates both the Riviera and the mostly flat coastline of the north...
- Geography of AlbaniaGeography of AlbaniaAlbania has a total area of . It shares a border with Montenegro to the northwest, a border with Kosovo to the northeast, a border with Macedonia to the north and east, and a border with Greece to the south and southeast. Its coastline is long...
- Tourism in AlbaniaTourism in AlbaniaTourism in Albania is characterized by the archaeological heritage inherited from Greek, Roman and Ottoman times, unspoiled beaches, challenging mountain ranges, Cold War artifacts, unique traditions, unequivocal hospitality, delicious traditional cuisine, and the wild and peculiar atmosphere of...
- List of peninsulas
- Karaburun tragedyKaraburun tragedyKaraburun tragedy, also known as 9 January tragedy in 2004 was the fatal trip of 36 people from north Albania, 2 dinghy drivers and 1 of the traffic leaders, who were trying to cross the Strait of Otranto towards Brindisi in the coasts of Puglia by means of an inflatable boat. 28 of them died or...