The definition of a protected area adopted by IUCN is:

An area of land and/or sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means

Although all protected areas meet the general purposes contained in this definition, in practice the precise purposes for which protected areas are managed differ greatly.

IUCN has defined a series of six protected area management categories, based on primary management objective. In summary, these are:

CATEGORY Ia:   Strict Nature Reserve: protected area managed mainly for science

Definition  Area of land and/or sea possessing some outstanding or representative ecosystems, geological or physiological features and/or species, available primarily for scientific research and/or environmental monitoring.

CATEGORY Ib    Wilderness Area: protected area managed mainly for wilderness protection

Definition: Large area of unmodified or slightly modified land, and/or sea, retaining its natural character and influence, without permanent or significant habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural condition.

CATEGORY II     National Park: protected area managed mainly for ecosystem protection and recreation

Definition: Natural area of land and/or sea, designated to (a) protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations, (b) exclude exploitation or occupation inimical to the purposes of designation of the area and (c) provide a foundation for spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational and visitor opportunities, all of which must be environmentally and culturally compatible.

CATEGORY III    Natural Monument: protected area managed mainly for conservation of specific natural features

Definition: Area containing one, or more, specific natural or natural/cultural feature which is of outstanding or unique value because of its inherent rarity, representative or aesthetic qualities or cultural significance.

CATEGORY IV   Habitat/Species Management Area: protected area managed mainly for conservation through management intervention

Definition: Area of land and/or sea subject to active intervention for management purposes so as to ensure the maintenance of habitats and/or to meet the requirements of specific species.

CATEGORY V    Protected Landscape/Seascape: protected area managed mainly for landscape/seascape conservation and recreation

Definition: Area of land, with coast and sea as appropriate, where the interaction of people and nature over time has produced an area of distinct character with significant aesthetic, ecological and/or cultural value, and often with high biological diversity. Safeguarding the integrity of this traditional interaction is vital to the protection, maintenance and evolution of such an area.

CATEGORY VI   Managed Resource Protected Area: protected area managed mainly for the sustainable use of natural ecosystems

Definition: Area containing predominantly unmodified natural systems, managed to ensure long term protection and maintenance of biological diversity, while providing at the same time a sustainable flow of natural products and services to meet community needs.

National Parks of "Bredhi Drenoves"(The fir of Drenova) http://www.travellerskey.com/albania/bredhidrenoves_wildlife.html

Is situated 10 km far from the city of Korca on the back of the mountain of Morava. Its total area is about 1.380 hectares. The entire park area is rich in water springs which appeal mostly to the visitors.

The flora and fauna of this park is rich and various. The most dominant plants are the ash wood, which gives to this park tourists and environmental values. Here, also there is black pine, maple of mountain and the extremely rare taxus baccata. The Park is mostly inhabited by big mammals.

This park has incomparable values for developing the eco-tourism, winter sports, mountain climbing, excursions etc.

National Parks of "Bredhi Hotoves" (The fir of Hotova)

With a surface of about 1.200 hectares, is situated in the region of Frasheri, about 35 km in northeast of the town of Permeti. This park forms a giant green crown with apparent contrasts that cause to be very attractive for the visitors.

The animal world is very attractive for its variety of species ranging from the brown bear, wolf, fox, marten, hind and wild pig etc.

Due to beautiful and picturesque nature, healthy climate, pure air and nearness to the urban areas, this Park gains tourists, recuperative and sportive values at every season of the year. The sorts of tourism to carry out are echo-tourism, champing, excursions etc.

National Parks of "Butrint" (The pass of Shtama)

Is situated nearly 25 km in south of the city of Saranda. Its scientific, tourists and health recovering values combine with a bio-diversity of national and international importance. Its surface is about 2.500 hectares.

The area “ Channel of Cuka-Gulf and Island of Ksamil” offer relax and recreation. Its islands form a real oasis for the wonderful coastal and terrestrial landscape. They are covered with typical Mediterranean vegetation. Suchlike is the wood near the ancient city of Butrint, which consists of a real subtropical jungle, where high trees and laurels are dominant. It’s an area of significant importance for the tourism in the country. First for the cultural tourism with the ancient city of Butrint that is under the protection of UNESCO, blue tourism in Ksamil, echo-tourism in Lake of Butrint, aquatic sports also in Lake of Butrint , fishing, etc.

Mount Dajti National Parks

Situated at the eastern part of the capital it covers an area of about 3.300 hectares.

The fauna here is abundant in varieties and impressive features. The park is the most important zone for such big mammals as wild pig, wolf, fox, rabbit, brown bear, wild cat etc.

One-day visitors in particular frequent the Park. However, it offers a number of possible accommodation for the visitors. The types of activities to experience here are excursions, skiing, air sports, mountain climbing etc.

National Parks of "Pisha e Divjakes" (The pine of Divjaka)

With a surface of about 1.250 hectares is situated 5 km far from Divjaka and about 40 km from the center of the city of Lushnja. At the same time this park is a part of the complex called Lagoon of Karavastaja, an area since 1994 under the protection of the International Convention of Ramsar. The park is one of the most important ecosystems of the entire Albania.

A typical representative of the ecosystem is the curl pelican (pelicanus crispus), and about 6,4% of its entire population nests in the Lagoon. Karavastaja is the furthest western point of nesting of this sort of bird in Europe.

In this Park there are a lot of possibilities for developing eco- tourism, blue- tourism, sportive hunting, bird watching, fishing etc

National Parks of "Llogara"

Is situated about 40 km in south- east of Vlora on the border between Adriatic and Jon seas. It’s altitude ranges from 470 to 2018m. Near the Pass of Llogara are met trees and interesting crown shapes, resulting from the tides of wind. An astonishing example of it is “ Pisha Flamur” (Flag Pine), a rare monument of nature with scientific and tourist values.

This park offers a fine and attractive landscape and characteristic areas with dominant points. Its vegetation consists mainly of such conifers as the black pine and ash-tree. The park of Llogara has a significant importance both as a tourist destination and as a transit bridge to the Ionian coast. It has great potential for the development of eco-tourism, air sports, excursions and trekking. It is a climatic place because here are lively mixed both mountain and marine fresh air. For the air sports fans this park offers accommodation possibilities.

National Parks of "Lura"

With a surface of 1.280 hectares it is situated in the eastern side of the mountain massive of “ Kunora e Lures”. Its 14 icy lakes offer picturesque and attractive environments at an altitude of 1.350-1.720 m. Among the many lakes the one that stand out are the Big Lake 32 hectares, Lake of Pines 13 hectares, Black Lake 8 hectares and Lake of Flowers 4 hectares. In winter these lakes freeze. In the southern part of the park there is a meadow called “Field of Mares” which offers a relaxing view, since its vegetation is miscellaneous with multi-color flowers and full of coniferous trees. This park offers various possibilities for developing eco-tourism, winter sports, equitation, horse riding etc.

National Parks of "Prespa" (The pass of Shtama)

It has a surface of about 27.750 hectares and is situated at the cross border of Albania, Greece and Macedonia. It consists of both lakes Big Prespa and Small Prespa as well their reservoirs of water.

This area is very rich in cultural values. Worth mentioning is the eremitic churches of Byzantine Age and the cave of Treni, located in the lake of Small Prespa. Here are discovered settlements of the early age of bronze, where the castle of Trajan is among the largest prehistoric place of this district, build up in the 8th century BC and the church of Saint Mary built up in the island of Maligrad in 14th century. This region is considered of significant echo-tourism potential.

The Lake of Big Prespa and the Lake of Small Prespa are part of the Balkan Park of Prespa, by an agreement signed by the respective Prime Ministers. There is potential for development of echo- tourism, recreation, sportive fishing, gathering and trading of medicinal plants, familiar tourism, bird watching, blue tourism, aquatic sports etc.

National Parks of "Qafe Shtama" (The pass of Shtama)

Has a surface of about 2.000 hectares and is situated at about 2 km in northeast of the town of Kruja. In general the view of this Park is 360 degree and picturesque. Here we can mention the fountain of “Mother Queen” with pure, cold and curative water. Many people frequent this area for its high curative values as well as the landscape it offers. On the north border there is a recreation center. Attention is paid to the development of tourism where attractive are the lakes situated near the Park, at its northern part.

There are possibilities here for developing the echo-tourism, curative tourism (for diseases of respiratory ways), climbing etc.

National Parks of "Thethi"

Situated in the Albanian Alps, near Bjeshket e Namuna, 70 km far from Shkodra it has an area of about 2.630 hectares. Through this park flows the River of Thethi, which has an outpouring of about 1000- 1300 l/sec. A very interesting natural monument is the waterfall of Grunasi, very charming and picturesque with its water falling from an altitude higher than 30 m. The park is known for its variety of habitats and vegetation.

It is important because it represents the most populated area of lynx- lynx with about 50 principals specie this liable.

There is a tendency of its inhabitants to move towards urbane areas, but during the summer season they return for their holidays, highlighting in this way their efforts for developing the familiar tourism.

National Parks of "Mali Tomorit" (Mount Tomorri)

With a surface of 4.000 hectares is situated in the east of the city- museum of Berati. With its peak of 2415,7m above the sea level, the Mountain of Tomori gives the impression of a giant natural castle. The natural beauties of the park are evident in every season of the year.

The kind of activities to carry out here is winter sports, climbing, trekking and pilgrimage. Every year at the end of August, thousands of ‘pilgrims’ climb at the Masjid of Kulmak, housing the grave of the religious leader Abaz Aliu, to carry out the religious rites of Bektashian Sect.

National Parks of "Lugina e Valbones" (The valley of Valbona)

It has a surface of about 8.000 hectares and is situated 25-30 km in northwest of the city of Bajram Curri. It expands among high mountains and shows off a fantastic complexion of colors in every season, thus giving the image of a valley full of labyrinths and surprises. Its scientific, tourist and health recovering values are combined with a bio-diversity of national and international importance. Its rocky and attractive peaks, the sides covered with wood, the flow of brooks and river Valbona, viewed from above, create the image of a giant and marvelous crater as a small panorama of natural beauty.

The nature of this park is full of varieties suitable for tourism, fishing, relaxation, amusing and mountain climbing as well as winter sports. In the inner part of the Park there are a lot of grottos and caves. The most eminent is the Cave of Dragobia, where lay the remains of Bajram Curri, a national hero.

National Parks of "Zall Gjocaj" (The pass of Shtama)

It has a surface of about 140 hectares and is situated approximately 40 km in northeast of the city of Burrel. It offers a very picturesque view and good possibilities for developing the echo-tourism. The presence of numerous sources and system of ravines make it more beautiful.

Therefore there is a typical plant kingdom of mountain areas: lack pine and beech. Very attractive are the old woods of 150-200 years old with giant shape and view dressed with ivy plants, moss and mushrooms. Among the animals here, we can mention the brown bear, wolf, fox, wild pig etc.