Vrana lake

CROATIA’S LARGEST NATURAL LAKE, SITUATED NEAR ZADAR.

http://www.pp-vransko-jezero.hr/

Vransko jezero (Vrana lake) – an ornithological reserve separated from the mainland near Pakoštane by a narrow strip of land. A rich game fishing ground for catfish and carp; also of interest to canoeists and bird watchers.

Because it is one of the rare natural habitats of waterbirds as well as because of its fresh water springs and biodiversity, the Vrana Lake and its surroundings have been declared a nature park on July 21st, 1999. The park’s limits are between Pirovac and Pakoštane. The park stretches across 57 km2, 30,02km2 of that being the lake area itself, which streches in the direction from the North-West to the South-East paralelly to the sea coast, from which it is in some places less than a kilometer apart. The lake is unique for its postition and characteristics not only in Croatia but also in other parts of Europe. It is in fact a karst valley filled with brackish water and is below sea-level.

The predominating characteristic of the park is its special Ornithological reserve, which received its title for its well preserved huge reed-patch in the north-western part of the lake, with its immense biodiversity, and for its extraordinary scientific and ecological value ever since 1983. The reserve has been included to the list of Important Bird Areas in Europe and is a potential Ramsar site.