GEOINFORMACIONI I UJËVARAVE NË SHQIPËRI
GEOINFORMATION OF WATERFALLS IN ALBANIA

Summary/Abstract: Waterfalls are natural objects created during the lithological and topographic changes in the river bed where the water flows. The constituent elements of the waterfall are the water mass, the height of the fall and the number of steps through which the water flow passes. Albania has a significant number of waterfalls as a result of high tectonic activity, lithological diversity and climate change. Quite popular are the waterfalls created on limestone rocks in contact with terrigenous rocks, or in magmatic rocks, like: waterfall of Thethi, waterfall of Pocesta, waterfall of Pashtura, waterfall of Sopoti, waterfall of Kardhikaqi, waterfall of Ramica ect. The volume of water flow is determined by the Mediterranean rainfall regime and the impact of the continental climate. Waterfalls are among the most beautiful parts of nature and have consistently served as tourist attractions. In order to preserve scientific and aesthetic values and to enable sustainable development, some of the waterfalls are legally and institutionally protected, including them in the Protected Areas. Açording to the IUCN classification (International Union for Conservation of Nature), waterfalls have been categorized as hydromonuments, a subcategory of Natural Monuments. Through the ArcGIS 10.1 program we have created a geodatabase with 10 waterfalls, which maintain the status of hydromonuments. Geoinformation includes data on geographical coordinates, geographical position in relation to administrative and territorial divisions, relations to watersheds, to physical and geographical units and altitude above sea level. Based on the International System of Waterfall Classification, based on their length, width, volume and angle of the falling water, the typologies of waterfalls have been determined. By presenting the attractive and infrastructural elements of the waterfalls, we can determine future opportunities for the development of touristic activities. One form of tourism which has experienced development in the recent decades is geotourism, as part of natural tourism. Geotourism aims to give scientific information, educating, inspiring artists, increasing the sensitivity related to that place, increasing the quality of the environment and ensuring its protection. Other waterfalls have been proposed lately to be added to the list of hydromonuments such as waterfall of Bogova, Gostima, Siqeca, Gjecajve, Therma, Brashta and Përçit i Keçit, which requires the necessity for continuing studies in the future. In order to facilitate geotourism, it is important to identify infrastructural issues and provide suggestions for their solution

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