The Region of Ohrid and the Prespa Lakes, situated in the Balkan Peninsula at the border triangle of Albania, Greece and Macedonia, embodies one of the largest biological reserves in Europe. Hitherto 146 endemic species are described from Lake Ohrid and 39 endemic species from the Prespa Lakes. Micro Prespa Lake in particular has been recognized as an important wetland ecosystems favoring breeding and feeding of rare water bird species. The flora in the region is composed of more than 1500 plant species. Within the boundaries of Galicica national Park alone there are 182 tree species.

The region of Lake Ohrid and the Prespa Lakes is situated in south-eastern Europe at the intersection of the borders of Albania, Greece and Macedonia (40^o43’ – 41^o2’N latitude; 20^o23’ – 21^o10’E longitude). The region accommodates the oldest lakes in Europe - Lake Ohrid and the Prespa Lakes - that originated from a geotectonic depression 2 to 3 million years ago on the western Dinarides. Because of the karstic underground a large amount of water of Prespa Lakes seeps into the soil, drains away through a network of underground fissures, and supplies the springs located on the shore of Lake Ohrid; thus, these lakes represent a hydrological unit.  During the 1960 a channel was constructed enabling bi-directional transfer of water between River Devoli and Lake Micro Prespa resulting in significant enlargement of the natural drainage area of the Micro Prespa Lake and in turn the entire LOW (see the figure below).