Skadar See
National Park Skadar Lake
Location:
Lake is located in Zeta Scadar valley and is surrounded by mountains and 7 km far from Adriatic Sea. Two Thirds of Lake of Scadar is in Montenegro and rest one third is in Albania. Depending of level of water space of Lake varies from 530 to 370 km2 it is considered 44 km long and 14 km wide. Coast line is very cut especially in north west side. Low valley of north part of Lake is often flooded.
Importance:
Lake of Scadar is the largest lake at Balkan Peninsula one of the last fresh water spaces and largest national park in Montenegro and the most famous for its diversity of flora and fauna. Lake itself is unusual for mutual vicinity of different living areas and their chain of feeding.
Birds:
There is a large number of birds kinds. It is stated that 270 kinds of birds inhabit this Lake. Around 90% of birds are migratory and are of international importance. During season of migrating, white little egret, white spoonbill and various kinds of ducks pass over this region. Cormorant nest in north swamps and represent one of three most important colonies in the world (ITR, Ecological Research Study on Peat exploration, 2001). Rare and endangered kind of curly pelican nest at floating peat islands in north end of the Lake.
Water fauna:
There are 50 species of fish living in the Lake and 3 snake like. The most important from economic point of view are ukljeva and carp.
Flora:
World of plants of this park is very important and is different from the regions where there are often floods, little stone islands and steep mountain cliffs. There are three rare and protected plants and trees and large number (30 +) of rare plants in park.
Cultural monuments:
In region of Lake of Scadar there are 20 monasteries, churches, villages, fortresses and sacred monuments. This lake is witness of Montenegrin history from 11th century up to now. Around Lake itself there are 18 important historic monuments.