Subject: four tourist sites in Albania

Subject: English

Worked: Elton Miha

Cl. X-F Accepted: Kimete Mazari

Lura Mountain
Lura Mountain (Albanian: Mali i Lurs) is a mountain located in Lurmunicipality in north-eastern part ofAlbania. The highest peak of Lura Mountain is Kunora e Lurs which reaches a height of 2,119 m [1] (6,952 ft) above sea level. Lura Mountain has many forests. The most common type of tree is the Beech which is found on altitudes between 900 and 1,000 m (2,953 and 3,281 ft) to 1,900 and 2,000 m (6,234 and 6,562 ft). On altitudes between 1,600 and 1,700 m (5,249 and 5,577 ft) Black Pine are abundant and on altitudes between 1,700 and 2,000 m (5,577 and 6,562 ft) separate Red Pineand White [disambiguation needed ] Pine are found on rocky slopes. These forests are home to the rare European Brown Bear, Eurasian Lynx, Eurasian wolf, European Pine Marten, Roe Deer and Capercaillie. What really attracts visitors to Lura Mountain is not its forests and animals but its many lakes. Lura Mountain contains twelve glacial lakes which were formed during the Wrm glacial period. These 12 lakes are home to the Smooth Newt and the Great Crested Newt. These lakes are found between 1,200 and 1,500 m (3,937 and 4,921 ft). The four principal lakes are: Great Lake (Alb.: Liqeni i Madh) Black Lake (Alb.: Liqeni i Zi) Lake of Flowers (Alb.: Liqeni i Luleve) Cow's Lake (Alb.: Liqeni i Lopeve)

Mount Korab
Mount Korab (Albanian: Maja e Korabitor Mali i Korabit, Macedonian: , Golem Korab) is the highestmountain of Albania and the Republic of Macedonia, its peak forming a frontier between the two countries. The peak liesadjacent to the ar Mountains. Mount Korab is also pictured in the coat of arms of the Republic of Macedonia.

Geography
The peaks are occasionall y ruptured by radial tectonics in the shape of blocks that end in the Radika Valley on the Republic of Macedonian side. These blocks occasionally have steep slopes that reach up to 500 m (1,640 ft). In its highest part, above 2,000 m (6,562 ft), the climate is alpine and includes some alpine flora elements. The mountain is home to spectacular Korab Falls in the upper valley of the Dlaboka River. During spring time, the waterfall reaches a height of over 130 meters, which makes it the highest in Macedonia. The state border intersects the higher peak, Great Korab. Ascent from the Republic of Macedonian side involves entering the Republic of Macedonian-Albanian boundary area, for which a special permit is required from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of [2] Macedonia, although people regularly track on Korab without it.

Sarand
Saranda or Sarand (Greek: , Agioi Saranda; Turkish: Aya Sarandi; Italian: Santi Quaranta) is the capital of the District of Sarand, Albania, and is one of the most important tourist attractions of the Albanian Riviera. It is situated on an open sea gulf of the Ionian Sea in the Mediterranean 2 nautical milesfrom the Greek island of Corfu. The city of Saranda has a population of [2] about 30,000 (2001 estimate). Near Sarand are the remains of the ancient city of Butrint, aUNESCO World Heritage site. Alongside its ethnic Albanian majority, Sarand is home to an ethnic Greekminority and is considered one of the centers of the Greek minority in Albania.

Name
Saranda's current name derives from the name of the Byzantine monastery of theAgioi Saranda (Greek: ), meaning the "Forty Saints" and honoring the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste. UnderTurkish rule, this became Aya Sarandiand then Sarandoz. Owing to Venetian influence in the [3] region, it often appeared under its Italian name Santi Quaranta on western maps. This usage continued even after the establishment of thePrincipality of Albania, owing to the first Italian occupation of the region. During the second occupation in World War II, Benito Mussolini changed the name to Porto [4][5] Edda, in honor of hiseldest daughter. Following the restoration of Albanian independence, the city employed its Albanian name Saranda.

Gjirokastr
Gjirokastr (known also by several alternative names) is a city in southern Albania with a population of 43,000. Lying in the historical region of Epirus, it is the capital of both theGjirokastr District and the larger Gjirokastr County. Its old town is inscribed on the World Heritage List as "a rare example of a wellpreserved Ottoman town, built by farmers of large estate." Gjirokastr is situated in a valley between the Gjer mountains and theDrino River, at 300 meters above sea level. The city is overlooked by the Gjirokastr Castle where Gjirokaster National Folklore Festival is held every 5 years. Gjirokastr is the birthplace of former Albanian communist leader Enver Hoxha and notable writer Ismail Kadare. It hosts the Eqerem abej University. The city appears in the historical record in 1336 by its Greek name, Argyrokastro, as part of [3] the Byzantine Empire. It became latter the center of the local principality under the Albanian lord, Gjon [3] Zenebishi (1373-1417), before falling under Ottoman Empirerule for the next five centuries. Taken by [4] theGreek Army during the Balkan Wars on account of its large Greek population, it was eventually incorporated into the newly independent state of Albania in 1913. This proved highly unpopular with the local Greek population, who rebelled and after several months of guerilla warfare established the shortlived Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus with Gjirokaster as its capital in 1914. It was definitively [5] awarded to Albania in 1921. In more recent years, the city witnessed anti-government protests that lead [6] to major political instability in Albania (1997). Alongside Albanians, the city is home to a substantial Greek minority. Gjirokastr, together [4] with Saranda, is considered one of the centers of the Greek community in Albania, and there is a Greek consulate in town.
[7] [2]