{{Short description|Mountain chain in Albania}} {{Infobox mountain | name = Nemërçka | other_name = Dousko | image = Nemercka mountains, Albania.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = View of the Nemërçka chain | map = Albania#Greece | highest = | elevation = {{convert|2482|m|abbr=on}} | prominence = {{convert|1797|m|abbr=on}} | listing = Ultra-prominent<ref>{{cite web|title=The European 100 Finest Mountains ranked by primary factor.|url=https://www.ii.uib.no/~petter/mountains/europe_finest.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041116090824/http://www.ii.uib.no/~petter/mountains/europe_finest.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 16, 2004|website=ii.uib.no|language=en}}</ref> | parent_peak = | isolation = {{convert|33.2|km|abbr=on}} | coordinates = {{coord|40.123457|N|20.432495|E|type:mountain_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline}} | length = | width = | area = | volume = | etymology = | nickname = | translation = | location = | country = {{ALB}}<br />{{GRE}} | region = Southern Mountain Region | settlement_type = Municipality | settlement = Përmet, Gjirokastër | range = Trebeshinë-Dhëmbel–Nemërçkë | borders_on = | formed_by = | age = Mesozoic, Paleogene | type = massif | geology = limestone | first_ascent = | normal_route = }}
'''Nemërçka''' ({{Langx|sq|Nemërçkë}}, {{langx|el|Νεμέρτσικα, Δούσκο, Μερόπη, Αεροπός|translit=Nemértsika, Doúsko, Merópi, Aeropós}}) is a massif situated along the boundary between Gjirokastër and Përmet municipalities, in southern Albania and northern Greece. Part of the Trebeshinë-Dhëmbel-Nemërçkë mountain range, its highest peak, ''Papingu'', reaches a height of {{convert|2482|m|abbr=on}}, making it the highest peak in the Southern Mountain Region. Other notable peaks include Maja e Gatakut {{convert|2269|m|abbr=on}}, Maja e Qesarit {{convert|2253|m|abbr=on}}, Maja e Poliçanit {{convert|2138|m|abbr=on}}, etc.
The massif extends about {{convert|20|km|abbr=on}} from Qafa e Dhëmbelit in the north to the state border with Greece in the south, stretching at a width of {{convert|4-10|km|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kabo |first1=Mevlan |title=Gjeografia Fizike e Shqipërisë |date=1991 |publisher=Qendra e Studimeve Gjeografike |location=Tiranë |pages=592 |edition=1.2}}</ref>
== Geology == Composed primarily of Mesozoic and Paleogene limestones, Nemërçka features a heavily karstified ridge, formed by an elongated anticlinal structure, embanking the graben valley of Vjosë. The eastern slope descends steeply, often presenting as cliffs that are impassable, while the western slope is more gradual.
Quaternary glaciations have left visible traces in the relief pattern, manifesting as cirques on the eastern slope, above {{convert|1700|m|abbr=on}}, where large amounts of snow accumulates. From these heights, numerous rapid streams emerge, such as the Kazan and Draçovë streams. Snow blankets the chain from November to April and avalanches are frequent on the western slope.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Buda |first1=Aleks |title=Fjalori Enciklopedik Shqiptar |date=1985 |publisher=Akademia e Shkencave e RPSSH |location=Tiranë |pages=1245}}</ref>
== Biodiversity == Vegetation mainly consists of shrubs and a limited distribution of conifers. Forests are scarce. Summer pastures are plentiful throughout the mountain ridge and the western slope.
A diverse species of wildlife inhabit the area, namely the mountain partridge, wild turkey, wild goat, wild boar, and others.<ref>{{cite web|title=The genus Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae) in Albania – a critical review|url=https://www.zobodat.at/pdf/Wulfenia_14_0015-0065.pdf|website=zobodat.at|page=1|language=en|format=PDF}}</ref>
== See also == * Geography of Albania * List of mountains in Albania * Geography of Greece * List of mountains in Greece
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:Mountains of Albania Category:Mountains of Greece Category:Geography of Gjirokastër County Category:Two-thousanders of Albania Category:Two-thousanders of Greece