Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park

The Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park is a marine park in the Vlorë County of Southwestern Albania. The marine park encompasses over 125.70 km2 and comprise the boundaries of both the Peninsula of Karaburun and Island of Sazan. It is home to a vast array of landforms as for instance mountains, caves, islands, depressions, bays, cliffs, canyons and rocky coasts which in turn contribute to an exceptionally rich biological diversity. The marine park has been identified as an Important Bird and Plant Area, because it supports great bird and plant species. Containing ecosystems and habitats that are specific to the Mediterranean Basin, the convention of Barcelona has classified the marine park as a Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance.The Karaburun Peninsula is mostly hilly and a geological continuation of the Ceraunian Mountains, a mountain range that rises along the Ionian Sea. Its crests form a northwest-southeast line with a series of distinct peaks along its irregular structure that are broken apart by steep and irregular slopes. The coastal landscape is marked by a rough relief and calcareous limestone cliffs, that dips vertically into the sea. The uninhabited Sazan Island is primarily made up of limestone rocks, which was formed during the Cretaceous period. The waters of Mezokanal in the south separates the island from the peninsula. The most characteristic feature of the island is its unique climate. The island's climate is not mediterranean but rather subtropical on account of its warm winters and hot summers, resembling those of the south of Crete, Tunisia and Egypt. The marine park contains diverse landforms offering favourable conditions for a great vegetation and biodiversity. In terms of phytogeography, it falls entirely within the Illyrian deciduous forests terrestrial ecoregion of the Palearctic Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub. The marine park is distinguished for its diversity of habitats and its richness in flora and fauna. Hundreds of species of mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles have been documented, including several that are either endangered or threatened. Almost 55 species of mammals, 105 species of birds, 28 species of reptiles and 10 species of amphibia are known to occur within peninsula, while the island is inhabited by 15 species of mammals, 39 species of birds, 8 species of reptiles, 1 species of amphibia and as well as 122 species of invertebrates.The marine park features ruins of sunken Ancient Greek, Roman and World War II ships, rich underwater fauna, steep cliffs and giant caves, ancient inscriptions of sailors on shore, secluded beaches and scenic views of the Adriatic and Ionian Sea. The marine park is located nearby military bases so permission may be required from local authorities first. The hiring of a professional local diver for serving as tour guide is strongly recommended. Roads are in inaccessible and the only ways to reach the above areas is by sea or through all day hiking.
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