Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape

Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
Narta Lagoon
Location	Vlorë County
Nearest city	Vlorë
Coordinates	40°35′N 19°23′E / 40.583°N 19.383°E / 40.583; 19.383Coordinates: 40°35′N 19°23′E / 40.583°N 19.383°E / 40.583; 19.383
Area	19,412 hectares (194.12 km2)
Established	22 October 2004

The Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape (Albanian: Peisazh i Mbrojtur Vjosë-Nartë) is a protected landscape area in southwestern Albania. It covers a total area of 194.12 square kilometres (74.95 sq mi), encompassing Narta Lagoon along with the delta of the Vjosa River and its surrounding areas with freshwater wetlands, marshlands, reed beds, woodlands, islands and sandy beaches. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the park as Category VI. It is also listed as an important Bird and Plant Area, because it support significant numbers of various bird and plant species.

Vjosa is considered to be Europe's last wild river and originates within the Pindus Mountains close to the border between Albania and Greece. North of the Narta Lagoon is a watershed, whence the river drains into the Adriatic Sea. The shallow lagoon of Narta is separated from the Adriatic Sea by narrow sandy bar, which is covered with pine forests. At the same time it is also connected through two artificial channels with the sea. Located in the direct proximity to the Adriatic Sea, the landscape experiences mediterranean climate. This means that the winters are mild and the summers are hot and dry. The mediterranean character is marked by the annual distribution of precipitation, high in the winter months and moderate in the summer months.