Lake Ohrid, that came into being between four to ten
million years ago, is Europe's oldest lake, and is amongst the oldest in the
world. It is a typical oligotrophic lake, meaning that it contains low levels of
nutrients. By its origin the lake is a tectonic one and belongs to the so-called
group of "Dasaretian lakes" (named by an ancient region called Dasaretia). The
Lake came about in the tertiary period, prior to the glaciation.
Otherwise, most of the lakes of the world came into being
immediately after the end of the latest glaciation period. Only a few lakes in
the world are older than this one.Best Replica Watches Famous examples are Lake Baikal, Caspian
Lake, and Lake Tanganyka and just a few lakes situated on Celebes, Philippines
and China.
Research on the living world of the Lake Ohrid has
shown the existence of an exquisit flora and fauna, prolific in endemic, as well
as relic fauna forms. Thus, the Lake is thought to be unique in Europe.
Similarities can be found only with Lake Baikal and with the Caspian Lake.
Lake Ohrid lies in the valley between Ohrid and
Struga, in the border region between Macedonia and Albania. It is situated on 41
degree northern latitude and 20 - 21 degrees eastern longitude, and its altitude
is 695 metres above sea level. It covers an area of 358.2 square kilometres, two
thirds of which belong to the Republic of Macedonia, and the rest to the
Republic of Albania. The shoreline is 87.5 kilometres long - the maximum length
being 30.8 kilometres, and its maximum of 14.8 kilometres. The average depth is
164 metres, and the maximum depth 289 metres. The Lake is sorrounded by mountain
ranges of Mount Mokra (Mokra Planina - 1589 m.) and Jablanica (1945 m) on the
Albanian side and by the limestone ridge of Mount Galicica (2255m) on the
eastern side.The surrounding mountains are extremely karstic.
Lake Ohrid is the seventh deepest lake in Europe.
Most of the Lake's water bulk comes from numerous surface and
underground springs. That is the reason certain researchers consider it unique
in the world. Most of the surface springs lie along the southern shore, near the
monastery of St. Naum on the Macedonian side, and near the villages of Tusemiste
and Starovo and the town of Pogradec in Albania. There are about 40 rivers and
springs that flow into the Lake (23 on Albanian, and 17 on Macedonian
territory). During summer, most of them dry out, whereas the rivers Sateska,
Koselska, and Corava are the only waters with sighificant waterflow that feed up
the Lake.
In the beginning of this century J. Cvijic stated his
assumption that the water of the adjacent Lake Prespa, with a water level 158
metres higher, will sink through the karstic areas of the mountains Galicica and
Suva Gora. By using natural isotopes, in 1980 it was proved that the lakes of
Prespa and Ohrid were connected hydrographically. Evidence have confirmed that
more than 50% of the water from the springs near St. Naum come from the Lake of
Prespa.
The climate of the Lake Ohrid is classified as a
local-continental type. Medium annual temperatures average to 11.4 degrees
Centigrade. Medium monthly temperatures average to about 21.2 degrees in July
and August, and 34.4 being the absolute maximum in August. The lowest medium
monthly temperature amounts to 1.5 degrees in January, whereas - 17.2 degrees is
the absolute minimum. The average annual rainfall in the Lake basin amount to
approximately 759 mm.
The most common wind is the one blowing from north,
particularly in autumn and winter. The winds blowing from southern and
south-east directions dominate during spring and summer periods. Southeast and
east winds are insignificant. Windy and calm periods change during the day,
particularly in summer. Mornings are characterized by the shifts between blowing
northern winds and calm periods. Weather conditions become quite different in
the afternoons when the southern and south-east winds overtake the silence.
Average speed of the wind in the Ohrid region is relatively low, 3.4 m/sec.
The water temperature in the deepest layers of Lake
Ohrid is approximately 6 degrees Centigrade,Roger Dubuis Replica whereas the surface layers may warm
up to 24 degrees, and even to 26 degrees closer to the shore.