Black Drin River
The Drin is a river in Southern and Southeastern Europe with two branches one discharging into the Adriatic Sea. Its catchment area extends across Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia.
At 335 kilometres (208 miles) long, the Drin is the longest river of Albania of which 285 kilometres (177 miles) passes across Albania and the remainder through Kosovo and North Macedonia. It starts at the confluence of its two headwaters, namely the Black Drin and White Drin. It originates in the mountainous northern mountain range, flows westwards through the valley of Korabi mountain range and Lura mountain range, Albanian Alps and Dukagjin Highlands, and eventually drains into the Adriatic Sea. Numerous lakes and reservoirs are formed by the river or flow into it such as the hydro power Fierza lake, Koman lake and Vau Dejës lake.
Located in the Balkan Peninsula at the crossroad of Europe, the river basin’s varied climate and topography have shaped a vast array of flora and fauna. In addition, it has been recognized as one of the most important biodiversity hot-spots in Europe. The Drin Basins is classified as an Important Bird Area of international importance by designation under the Bird Life International Convention.
