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Easternmost Greek Macedonia and Greek Thrace

Lake Kerkini or Cercine

map of north eastern greece

It is important to remember that present day borders are political realities that do not efface common geographic, geologic, botanical, and ethnographic/cultural unities belonging to these old regions on either side of the presently drawn political boundaries.

Koronia and Volvi Lakes

map of lake area

These shallow lakes are north of the Halkidiki Peninsula southeast of Thessaloniki, above the three fingers that project into the Aegean. Volvi, the larger, is one of the largest natural lakes in Greece, and is farther east. Koronia is also known as Langhadha.

Though both are designated Ramsar sites (internationally significant protected wetlands), both have suffered severely from conversion of former marshland to farmland and from pollution.

dalmatiansWith the protection now belately given them, there is a chance of stopping further damage and even reversing it. Many birds breed in the remaining reedbeds and marshland of both lakes, and, as with other wetland, many visit outside of breeding season, including both white and Dalmatian pelicans (mostly white), and greater flamingos. Vast numbers of grebes of various kinds have been recorded in winter here.

be kind to geckos they are luckyThere is also some good flora, as well as fish and amphibians, as well as otters, bats, and dragonflies. Various birds also breed in the nearby hills, which are wooded with evergreen oaks. Some birds of prey breed in the Rentinas Gorge which is located between Lake Volvi and the sea. One can see the lakes from the main road that flanks their southern edges, E 90/E 5; there are some dirt roads down to their shores here and there.