| Karavasta Lagoon | |
|---|---|
 The lagoon seen from space | |
 | |
| Location | 20 km (12 mi) from Lushnjë, Albania |
| Coordinates | 40°55′39″N 19°29′55″E / 40.92750°N 19.49861°E |
| Length | 15.4 km (9.6 mi)[1] |
| Width | 4.1 km (2.5 mi)[1] |
| Area | 42 km2 (16 sq mi)[2] |
| Elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Established | 1966[3] |
Karavasta Lagoon (Albanian: Laguna e Karavastasë) is the largest lagoon in Albania and one of the largest adjoining the Mediterranean Sea, spanning an area of 42 km2 (16 sq mi). Karavasta is part of the Divjakë Karavasta National Park and is separated from the Adriatic Sea by a large strip of sand. It sprawls across the Myzeqe coastal plain near Divjakë and some 20 km (12 mi) near Lushnjë.
- ^ a b Munari, C., Tessari, U., Rossi, R., Mistri, M. (2010). "The ecological status of Karavasta Lagoon (Albania): closing the stable door before the horse has bolted?" (PDF). Marine Environmental Research (2009). Marine Environmental Research. 69 (1): 10–17. doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2009.07.003. PMID 19679346.
The Karavasta lagoon is the largest surface (4100 ha) of this wetland complex; it is 15.4 km long and 4.1 km wide.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "KARAVASTA LAGOON MANAGEMENT PLAN" (PDF). ramsar.org. p. 6.
The major feature is the large Karavasta lagoon (c.4,200 ha)
- ^ "Bryophytes of the Karavasta Lagoon area, with new reports for Albania" (PDF). bio.bas.bg. p. 39.
The coastal lagoon, and the forested areas (Forest of Divjaka) on the northwestern side of the lagoon, have been a National Park, and therefore a protected area since 1966.