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The landmass of the peninsula is designated as nature reserve.
The Karaburun Peninsula (Albanian: Gadishulli i Karaburunit) is a peninsula of the Mediterranean Sea located in Southern and Southeastern Europe, which is almost completely surrounded by both the Adriatic Sea to the north and the Ionian Sea to the south. It is located in Southwestern Albania along the Albanian Ionian Sea Coast, whereas the Strait of Otranto separates it from Italy. The Strait of Mezokanal separates the peninsula from Sazan Island, while in the southeast stretches the Bay of Vlorë. Its name “Karaburun” derives from Turkish for "black cape". In classical antiquity, its name was the "Akrokeraunian Peninsula" (Ακροκεραύνιο ακρωτήριο), whose name was derived from the eponymous Akrokeraunian mountains;this is because in terms of geology, the Rrëza e Kanalit on the peninsula represent the continuation of said mountains, which are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that extends parallel to the Ionian Sea.[1] Karaburun peninsula is sometimes called Ceraunian Peninsula due to the name of the mountain range.[2][3] Created during the mesozoic era of the cretaceous and paleogene period, the crests of the mountain range form a northwest-southeast line with a series of distinct peaks along its irregular structure that are broken apart by steep and unequally slopes.[4] The highest peaks are namely, the Maja Çaderës, Maja e Flamurit, Maja e Koretës and Maja e Ilqes.
Sazan Island
Sazan is the largest island in the country and Albania's westernmost point.
Sazan (definite Albanian form: Sazani) is an uninhabited island inside the Mediterranean Sea in southern Albania. It is the largest island in Albania and strategically located between the Strait of Otranto and the entrance to the Bay of Vlorë, forming the border between the Adriatic and Ionian Sea. The island has a surface area of 5.7 km2 (2.2 sq mi) with a length of 4.8 km (3.0 mi), width of 2 km (1.2 mi) and a coastline of about 15 km (9.3 mi).
In addition to being the largest island in Albania, it is a military zone and sometimes in clear weather it is visible from the coast of Salento, Italy in the west. The island was open to the public in July 2015. 2,721.87 hectares (6,725.9 acres) of the territory of the island's surrounding marine area became part of the Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park in 2010.
Sazan is the largest island in the country and Albania's westernmost point. It is strategically located at the entrance to the Bay of Vlorë, in the eastern Strait of Otranto separating Italy from Albania. It is also located at the informal junction line of the Adriatic and Ionian Sea inside the Mediterranean Sea, which is just to the south according to international scientific bodies.
Cave of Haxhi Ali
The Cave of Haxhi Ali (Albanian: Shpella e Haxhi Aliut or Shpella e Ilirëve) is a karst cave formed in limestone cliffs in southwestern Albania, located in the Karaburun Peninsula near the Cape of Gjuhëz in Vlorë County. The cave was named after Haxhi Aliu, a prominent Albanian warrior and sailor from Ulcinj who fled with his son in this cave. Several archaeological objects has been found, that prove that this cave was used by traders and passers during the ancient times. The cave has a length of 30 m (98 ft) with a width which can vary between of 10–12 m (33–39 ft) and a height of 18 m (59 ft).
Despite its strategic location on the Karaburun Peninsula within the Albanian Riviera it is regarded as one of the country's most beautiful caves and attracts numerous visitors. Notably it has been recognised as a natural monument of national importance by the Ministry of Environment and is part of the Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park.
The cave of Haxhi Alia is called Illyrian cave. It has the shape of a cubic of 30m long, maximum height 18m, width 12m and reaches 10m depth. At the end of the cave flow fresh water. It is said that a prominent Ulcinj warrior and seaman named Haxhi Ali fled with his son in this cave. From there they attacked the pirates of the sea and cooperating with the shepherds defended merchants and travelers crossing them. It is located on the Karaburun peninsula near the corner of the tongue. The Cave of Haxhi Ali is the most beautiful place of the Sazan Karaburun National Park. In addition to a tourist attraction, this cave has an amazing view as well as geological value since it contains stalactite formations that have been created over the centuries and centuries. The most efficient way to visit this place is the sea-going vessels.