Mikri Prespa is located in Greece, apart from a small part which is located in Albania. Megali Prespa is shared by the three countries, its largest part constituting territory of the FYRoM.
The existence of the lakes, the rich and rare biodiversity of the area, the multitude of different micro-climates and altitudes, and many more natural heritage features have created in Prespa a real laboratory of Nature. A relatively large number of animals and plants, in proportion to the size of the region, make Prespa one of the ecologically most important regions in the world. Due to its isolation, the area hosts populations of numerous rare and endemic species. That is why many species of fauna and flora are protected by international, EU and national legislation. Prespa also hosts the world's largest breeding colony of Dalmatian Pelican, a species threatened with extinction worldwide. For this reason, Prespa is one of the few areas protected by so many national, European and international conventions and laws. Almost the entire Greek part of Prespa was declared a National Park in 1974 and was later designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Prespa is not only its natural environment. In a quick tour, visitors can easily realise its cultural importance. The villages of Prespa, some of which are inhabited and others are deserted, the outstanding examples of traditional architecture, the stone-made houses and the religious monuments, which include some of the most excellent examples of Byzantine and post-Byzantine architecture, attest to the strong Human presence dating ages back in history. As a farmer, a fisherman, sometimes as a visitor or climber, humans are an integral link in the chain of life of Prespa. This 'harmony' between Humans and Nature forms the inspirational basis for WWF’s conservation action in this fragile and beautiful area.
Source: World Wildlife Foundation