Ohrid, Lake

Ohrid, Lake (Albanian Liqeni i Ohrit; Serbian, Ohridsko Ezero), lake in south-eastern Europe, straddling the mountainous border between the south-western region of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and eastern Albania, about 340 sq km (130 sq mi) in area. The deepest lake of the Balkan Peninsula (reaching 286 m/939 ft), it is drained to the north by the Drin River. Underground springs feed the lake, which is also connected by underground channels to nearby Lake Prespa. Its picturesque setting and good beaches and fishing, as well as the interesting medieval ruins in the towns on its shores, make Lake Ohrid a popular resort. The lake was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage natural property in 1979, and in the following year the entire Ohrid Region was designated a World Heritage Site. The town of Ohrid, situated on the eastern shore of the lake, is considered to be one of the earliest urban settlements in Europe; it houses one of the oldest Orthodox monastic foundations and has an important collection of more than 800 Byzantine icons.