The Ramsar Photo GalleryWetlands of International Importance: Lake Butrint, Albania
Butrint. 28/03/03; Vlora; 13,500 ha; 39°50'N 20°00'E. National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site. A wetland complex in the southwestern part of Albania, famous for its archaeological monuments (ancient port of Buthrotum), historical significance, and natural richness. The core area is composed by a tectonic lagoon of 1600 ha, known as Lake Butrint, that is surrounded by forested hills and mountains and complemented by saltwater and freshwater marshlands. Butrint supports a large number of plants and animals considered as having an unfavorable conservation status either nationally or internationally, such as Numenius tenuirostris, Caretta caretta, Dermochelys coriacea, and Monachus monachus. The area is also an important spawning ground, food source and migration path for fish. The main activities are fishing, mussel farming, stock raising, vineyards and cultural tourism. Ramsar site no. 1290.
For
further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact
the Ramsar Convention Bureau,
Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22
999 0169, e-mail ramsar@ramsar.org). Posted 18 June 2003, updated 17 July 2003,
Dwight Peck, Ramsar.
