Nemërçka (Albanian: Nemërçkë, Greek: Νεμέρτσικα or Δούσκο or Μερόπη, romanized: Nemértsika or Doύsko or Merópi) is a mountain chain situated along the boundary between Gjirokastër and Përmet municipalities, in southern Albania and northern Greece. Part of the Trebeshinë-Dhëmbel-Nemërçkë mountain range, its highest peak, Maja e Papingut, reaches a height of 2,482 m (8,143 ft), making it the highest peak in the Southern Mountain Region. Other notable peaks include Maja e Gatakut 2,269 m (7,444 ft), Maja e Qesarit 2,253 m (7,392 ft), Maja e Poliçanit 2,138 m (7,014 ft), etc.
| Nemërçka / Dousko | |
|---|---|
 View of the Nemërçka chain | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,482 m (8,143 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,797 m (5,896 ft) |
| Isolation | 33.2 km (20.6 mi) |
| Listing | Ultra-prominent[1] |
| Coordinates | 40°07′24″N 20°25′57″E / 40.123457°N 20.432495°E |
| Geography | |
  Nemërçka / Dousko | |
| Countries |  Albania Greece |
| Region | Southern Mountain Region |
| Municipality | Përmet, Gjirokastër |
| Parent range | Trebeshinë-Dhëmbel–Nemërçkë |
| Geology | |
| Rock age(s) | Mesozoic, Paleogene |
| Mountain type | chain |
| Rock type | limestone |
The chain extends about 20 km (12 mi) from Qafa e Dhëmbelit in the north to the state border with Greece in the south, stretching at a width of 4–10 km (2.5–6.2 mi).[2]
Geology
editComposed primarily of Mesozoic and Paleogene limestones, Nemërçka features a heavily karstified ridge, formed by an elongated anticlinal structure, embanking the graben valley of Vjosë. The eastern slope descends steeply, often presenting as cliffs that are impassable, while the western slope is more gradual. Quaternary glaciations have left visible traces in the relief pattern, manifesting as cirques on the eastern slope, above 1,700 m (5,600 ft), where large amounts of snow accumulates. From these heights, numerous rapid streams emerge, such as the Kazan and Draçovë streams. Snow blankets the chain from November to April and avalanches are frequent on the western slope.[3]
Biodiversity
editVegetation mainly consists of shrubs and a limited distribution of conifers. Forests are scarce. Summer pastures are plentiful throughout the mountain ridge and the western slope.
A diverse species of wildlife inhabit the area, namely the mountain partridge, wild turkey, wild goat, wild boar, and others.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "The European 100 Finest Mountains ranked by primary factor". ii.uib.no.
- ^ Kabo, Mevlan (1991). Gjeografia Fizike e Shqipërisë (1.2 ed.). Tiranë: Qendra e Studimeve Gjeografike. p. 592.
- ^ Buda, Aleks (1985). Fjalori Enciklopedik Shqiptar. Tiranë: Akademia e Shkencave e RPSSH. p. 1245.
- ^ "The genus Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae) in Albania – a critical review" (PDF). zobodat.at. p. 1.