Valbonë Valley National Park

Valbona Valley National Park
Valbona Valley National Park in autumn
Location	Tropojë, Albania
Nearest city	Bajram Curri
Coordinates	42°27′12.6000″N 19°53′28.6800″E / 42.453500000°N 19.891300000°E / 42.453500000; 19.891300000Coordinates: 42°27′12.6000″N 19°53′28.6800″E / 42.453500000°N 19.891300000°E / 42.453500000; 19.891300000
Area	19,768.35 acres (7,999.97 ha)
Established	15 January 1996
Governing body	National Park Service

Valbona Valley National Park (Albanian: Parku Kombëtar "Lugina e Valbonës"), also called the "Albanian miracle of the Alps", is a part of the Prokletije mountain range. Designated in 1996, the park covers 8,000 hectares including the Valbona Valley and the Valbona River and lies between high and craggy peaks bordering on Thethi National Park, Gashi River, Plava and Gucia (Montenegro), all strictly protected natural areas. It is a transboundary park (Albania/Montenegro) with the highest biodiversity value of the country's mountain mainland. This park is also referred to as the Gem of Albania. Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro are planning to create another tri-state park in the area, that will be called the Balkan Peace Park. Four villages are located within the park (Dragobi, Valbonë, Cerem and Rragam) with 852 inhabitants. All of these factors create more favorable conditions for coexistence and socioeconomical development, including Valbona National Park. Clean air, high and characteristic mountain peaks, lakes, numerous water resources, forests, mountains, flora and fauna provide conditions for profitable eco tourism.

Valbona Valley National Park was established in Albania on 15 January 1996 by the Decision of Council of Ministers No. 102. The area of the national park encompasses 8,000 ha. Its administration operates within the organizational framework of the Directorate of Forestry Service of Tropoja district. The National Park is located in the highest part of the ‘Albanian Alps’ bordered on Montenegro. The park protects the upper section of the Valbona River valley, noted for its morphology, landscape, forests, and for the plant and animal species. Valbona valley has a length of 27 km. It starts at the Shtrejti canyon, 220 m above sea level and ends at Valbona pass at 1800 m above sea level. Spreading in the south from the highest peak of the whole Bjeshkët e nemuna Mountains range, Mount Jezerca (2 694 m), this valley was formed by glaciers and tectonic detachments. Valbona is the name of the river which flows out through Valbona Valley and the village bearing the same name.

The physical-geographic perspective, its located in the Albanian Alps. Lies in the geographical widths 42° 22′ 20″ – 42° 31′ 00″ and geographical lengths 19° 47′ 50″ – 20° 06′ 00″ .The slopes have slope from 10 to 450 m, with general position northeast altitude and 300–2625 m above sea level. Alps continue beyond the state border, north to "High Carty" (Montenegro), near Plava and Gucia and to the east with " Naumura Mountains of Kosovo" .It takes part in mountains Mediterrian climatic zone, sub-zone northern mountain .