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Mount Korab Mount Korab Elevation 2,764 m (9,068 ft) Prominence 2,036 m (6,680 ft) Listing Country high point; Ultra Location Mount Korab  Albania –  Macedonia border Coordinates 41°47′25″N 20°32′48″E / 41.79028°N 20.54667°E / 41.79028; 20.54667Coordinates: 41°47′25″N 20°32′48″E / 41.79028°N 20.54667°E / 41.79028; 20.54667

Landscape of Mount Korab from the Macedonian side

Landscape of Mount Korab

Mount Korab (Albanian: Maja e Korabit or Mali i Korabit, Macedonian: Голем Кораб, Golem Korab) is the highest mountain of the Republic of Macedonia and Albania, its peak forming a frontier between the two countries. The Korab mountain is adjacent to the Šar Mountains. There are three other peaks in Albania reaching a height of more than 2,700 m (8,858 ft) two of them rising to 2,716 m (8,911 ft) and 2,745 m (9,006 ft).

The mountain has a number of peaks that are higher than 2000 metres. The most important ones are:

• Mount Korab 2,764 m (9,068 ft)
• Korab II 2,745 m (9,006 ft)
• Korab III (somewhere between 2176 and 2745m)
• Shulani i Radomirës 2,716 m (8,911 ft)
• Small Korab 2,683 m (8,802 ft)
• Kepi Bar 2,595 m (8,514 ft)
• Kabaš in Macedonia 2,395 m (7,858 ft)
• Mali i Gramës 2,345 m (7,694 ft)
• Ciganski Premin 2,295 m (7,530 ft)
• Ploča 2,235 m (7,333 ft)

The two main passes in the Korab ridge are:

• Small Korab Gate 2,465 m (8,087 ft)
• Big Korab Gate 2,062 m (6,765 ft)

These peaks are occasionally ruptured by radial tectonics in the shape of blocks that end in the valley of the Radika river on the Macedonian side. These blocks occasionally have steep slopes that reach up to 500 m (1,640 ft). Particularly remarkable is also the alpine area of Kabaš with several sheer and hardly approachable peaks. In its highest part, above 2,000 m (6,562 ft), the climate is alpine and includes some alpine flora elements. The largest lake on Mount Korab is Gramë Lake located on the Mali i Gramës in Albania.

The state border intersects the higher peak, Great Korab.

During the Macedonian conflict in 2001, a front was on the Korab, and there is still a mined zone around the mountain. Ascent from the Macedonian side involves entering the Macedonian-Albanian boundary area, for which special permit is required from the Macedonian Ministry of internal affairs.^[1]

There are no formal restrictions on climbing the mountain from the Albanian side. The area is now safer and more stable than it has been in recent times. It is possible to drive as far as the local village of Radomira, but the local infrastructure is generally not good. A four wheel drive vehicle with high clearance may be required. There are no accurate and up to date maps, local signposting is poor, and hikers may have to overcome the additional problem of aggressive dogs.^[2]

The best chance to climb Mount Korab is to join the International climb that is taking part every year in beginning of September. This climb is organized by the mountain club PSD "Korab", Skopje.

The Korab is als pictured in the coat of arms of Macedonia.

See also

• Media related to Korab at Wikimedia Commons
• List of mountains in Albania
• Mountains of the Republic of Macedonia

References

External links

• Mount Korab on Youtube

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