Mali i Gjerë

Mali i Gjerë is a massif located between the municipalities of Sarandë and Gjirokastër, in southern Albania. It constitutes the watershed boundary of the Delvina basin and the Drino valley as well as the waters that flow into the Adriatic and Ionian seas. The highest point is Maja e Frashërit, reaching a height of 1789 m. Other peaks include Maja e Kikshajt 1782 m, Maja e Nikollasit 1584 m, Maja e Bidos 1543 m, Maja e Pilloit 1592 m, etc.

Etymology
The mountain is referred to as Mali i Gjerë in Albanian and as Platovouni (Πλατοβουνι) in Greek, and both names convey the same meaning of a broad or wide mountain.

Geology
Mali i Gjerë stretches from the valley of Kardhiq in the northwest to Qafa e Muzinës 540 m in the south, at a length of about 30 km. The massif is composed of Mesozoic and Paleogene limestone that form a large asymmetric anticlinal structure with a less steep eastern flank and a western flank separated by a tectonic overthrust. The watershed ridge as well as the wide eastern slope gently incline (hence the name), and are filled with various forms of karst erosion. The main passes are Muzina, Sopot and Skërficka.

Biodiversity
At the southwestern and northeastern foothills are found a number of karst springs (Bistrica, Vërgoi, Viroi). The main tributary is sourced from a well-known karst spring called the Blue Eye, which is a popular tourist attraction due to its scenic environment. Woodland is scarce, but the area is rich in summer pastures and several types of medicinal plants (tea, orchid, hawthorn, yarrow, oregano). Among the wild animals, the mountain partridge is commonly encountered.

The eastern slope of the mountain is surrounded by the nearby settlements of Gjirokastër, Lower Dropull, Lazarat, and Mashkullore, while on the western slope are situated Delvina and the villages of Rrëzoma.

The karst massif spreads mostly within Albania, covering about 440 km2, with 54 km2 extending into the Greek territory.

Human History
In antiquity, the Mali i Gjerë range divided the territory of the ancient Greek tribe of the Chaonians in two parts; the western part centered around Phoenice and the eastern one centered around Antigonea.