Prespa Lakes Region
View from space: The blue body of water at the upper left of this NASA satellite image is Lake Ohrid. Prespa Lake and Lesser Prespa Lake fill out the middle and lower-right portions of the photograph. The Prespa Lakes form part of a boundary region between three countries: Albania, Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. In February 2010, ministers of environment from these countries signed the groundbreaking 'Agreement on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Prespa Park Area'. Photo: NASA
Prespa Lakes Region
Smooth sailing: A view from a boat just off Greater Lake Prespa's Macedonian shore. Of the lake region's total surface area, 190 km² belongs to the former Republic of Macedonia, 84.8 km² to Greece, and 38.8 km² to Albania. Photo: Elen Schurova
Prespa Lakes Region
Roadside stop: Greece's Road 15 provides a good view from distance of Lesser Lake Prespa. The Greek part of the lakes region was an underpopulated, military-sensitive area that saw fierce fighting during the Greek Civil War. Much of the local population subsequently emigrated to escape endemic poverty and political strife. Photo: A. Charistaras
Prespa Lakes Region
Middle ground: A man takes in a view of the island of Agios Achillios from high above the Albanian shore. Photo: Il Motore Dericerca
Prespa Lakes Region
Crystal waters: At an altitude of of 853 metres, Great Prespa and Lesser Prespa are the highest tectonic lakes in the Balkans. Great Prespa Lake's waters run through underground channels in the karst and emerge from springs which feed streams running into Lake Ohrid, lying 150 metres lower in altitude and just 10 kilometres to the west. Photo: Elen Schurova
Prespa Lakes Region
Three's company: A trio of Dalmatian pelicans enjoy a leisurely swim on Greater Prespa Lake. The island's largest island, Golem Grad, appears in the near background. Photo: Ksenija Putilin
Prespa Lakes Region
For the birds: Cormorants bathe in the waters of Greater Prespa Lake. The Lake covers an area of 273 km² and has a maximum depth of 54 metres. Photo: Ksenija Putilin
Prespa Lakes Region
Floating 'metropolis': Golem Grad, or 'Large Town' is the largest of the few islands in either of the Prespa Lakes. This Macedonian island, like the others, is uninhabited. Photo: Elen Schurova
'It's all about cooperation': Frank van Lamoen
