Editing Geography of Albania (section)

=== Topography ===
{{See also|Mountains of Albania}}
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| total_width       = 360
| image_style       = border:none;
| image1            = Maja_e_Thatë_(2406_m)_in_the_Albanian_Alps.jpg
| alt1              = Maja e Thatë
| caption1          = [[Maja e Thatë]] within the [[Albanian Alps]] in the north
| image2            = Mali_Bardhe.jpg
| alt2              = Mali i Bardhë
| caption2          = [[Korab-Koritnik Nature Park|Mali i Bardhë]] within the [[Korab|Korab Mountains]] in the east
}}

The most significant feature of Albania is possibly its [[relief]], with numerous successive [[mountain range]]s and its average altitude, more than 700 metres [[above sea level]].<ref name="General">{{cite web |title=The Influence of Physical Geographic Features in Albania on Human, Culture and Spatial |url=http://dspace.epoka.edu.al/bitstream/handle/1/372/649-1923-1-PB.pdf?sequence=1 |website=dspace.epoka.edu.al |pages=1–17 |format=PDF}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Geological Overview |url=http://www.akbn.gov.al/images/pdf/hidrokarburet/Geological-Overview.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221110256/http://www.akbn.gov.al/images/pdf/hidrokarburet/Geological-Overview.pdf |archive-date=2017-02-21 |url-status=live |website=akbn.gov.al  }}</ref> Much of the mountains lie to the north, east and south of the [[Western Lowlands|western lowlands]] in the [[Northern Mountain Range (Albania)|northern]], [[Central Mountain Range (Albania)|eastern]] and [[Southern Mountain Range (Albania)|southern]] mountain ranges.

The [[Albanian Alps]] extend over 90 kilometres through the north of Albania, traversing an area of 2,000 square kilometres. These mountains represent an
extension of the [[Dinaric Alps]] and no wider than 40 kilometres. They are deeply fragmented and often inaccessible.<ref>{{cite web |title=Geomonuments who tell the story of Albanian Earth |url=http://www.balkangeophysoc.gr/menu/congresses/Trip%203%20Geomonuments.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912022306/http://www.balkangeophysoc.gr/menu/congresses/Trip%203%20Geomonuments.pdf |archive-date=2018-09-12 |url-status=live |website=balkangeophysoc.gr |location=Tirana |page=16  |date=2013}}</ref> It holds the [[Maja Jezercë]], which is the highest point of the Dinarides and simultaneously the second highest point of Albania.<ref>{{cite web|title=Feasibility Study on Establishing a Transboundary Protected Area Prokletije / Bjeshkët e Nemuna Mountains |url=http://condesan.org/mtnforum/sites/default/files/publication/files/prokletije_25-10-2010.pdf|website=condesan.org|page=37|quote=The highest peaks of Prokletije / Bjeshkët e Nemuna mountains are Maja Jezercë/ Jezerski (2694 m) in Albania.|access-date=7 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906040102/http://condesan.org/mtnforum/sites/default/files/publication/files/prokletije_25-10-2010.pdf|archive-date=6 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Korab|Korab Mountains]] dominate the east of the country and expand 40 kilometres along the eastern border of the country, where peaks can clearly reach 2,500 metres. The mountains offer the country's most prominent peak at [[Mount Korab]], which is fragmented by many deep structural depressions. Another distinguishing feature remains the evidence of the [[Last glacial period|last ice age]] in form of [[glacial lake]]s at relatively low altitudes.

One of the most remarkable features about the south of Albania is the presence of the [[Ceraunian Mountains]] that cut across the landscape for nearly 100 kilometres. Thousand meter high mountains fall vertically into the [[Mediterranean Sea]] constituting at least the first barrier to communication between the sea and the country's southern inland.