Mat (river)

The Mat (definite Albanian form: Mati) is a river in north-central Albania. Its overall length is 115 km (71 mi), while its catchment surface is 2,441 km² (942 sq mi).[2][3] Its average discharge is 103 m³/s (3,600 cu ft/s).[4] The main tributary is Fan, flowing from the northeast, while the Mat flows from the southwest down to the confluence with Fan and then towards the Adriatic Sea.

This article is about the river in Albania. For the Mat River in Virginia, USA, see Mattaponi River. For the Mat River in Mizoram, India, see Kaladan River.

Mat
Shkopet reservoir
Location
Country	Albania
Physical characteristics
Mouth	Adriatic Sea
• coordinates	41°38′12″N 19°34′17″E
• elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Length	115 km (71 mi)[1]
Basin size	2,441 km^2 (942 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	103 m^3/s (3,600 cu ft/s)

Etymology

The Albanian name mat originally meant "elevated location", "mountain place". Today's meaning in Albanian, "river bank, river shore", is a consequence of a secondary change through the common use of both the terms mal, "mountain" and breg, "shore", giving the meaning of "elevation". The river was recorded by Roman writer Vibius Sequester (4th or 5th century AD) as Mathis, following a hellenized graphic mode of the term mat.[5] It appeared in written records also as Mathia in 1380.[6]

Overview

Hydrographic map of Albania

Mat originates from the confluence of several streams within the karstic mountains in Martanesh, where it forms deep gorges and canyons.[7] Rising in Martanesh, the Mat heads westwards to the municipality of Mat and northwest through the towns of Klos and Burrel. About 10 km (6 mi) downstream from Burrel, it flows into a large reservoir (Liqeni i Ulzës – "Lake Ulëz"). After passing through a hydroelectric dam, it flows through another, smaller reservoir (Liqeni i Shkopetit – "Lake Shkopet") and forms a narrow gorge through the mountain range that separates Mat District from the coastal plains. It enters the plains between Milot and Zejmen.[8]

After a total length of 115 km (71 mi), the Mat flows into the Adriatic Sea near Fushë-Kuqe, between the towns of Lezhë and Laç.

Gallery

• 
  Lake Ulzë
• 
  Zog Bridge at the beginning of the coastal plains

See also

• Geography of Albania
• Central Mountain Range
• Rivers of Albania

Sources

Citations

1. "TREGUES SIPAS QARQEVE INDICATORS BY PREFECTURES" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
2. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. "Albania Water Sector Investment Project PHRD Grant No TF093096-AL Consultant Services for Preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan" (PDF). dpuk.gov.al. Tirana. p. 40. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-04-30. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
3. "Mati River Basin Management Plan" (PDF). ibeca.al. 15 September 2010. p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
4. Cullaj, A., Hasko, A., Miho, A., Schanz, F., Brandl, H. & Bachofen, R. (2005). "The quality of Albanian natural waters and the human impact". Environment International. 31: 138.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
5. Matzinger 2009, p. 34.
6. Elsie 2010, p. 295.
7. "Veçoritë fiziko – gjeografike dhe potenciali ekonomik i zonës Çermenikë – Gollobordë – Martanesh" (PDF). doktoratura.unitir.edu.al (in Albanian). p. 89. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-10-27. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
8. "SOME CONSIDERATIONS ON SEAWATER-FRESHWATER RELATIONSHIP IN ALBANIAN COASTAL AREA" (PDF). aguas.igme.es. Tirana. p. 7.

Bibliography

• Elsie, Robert (2010). Historical Dictionary of Albania (PDF). Historical Dictionaries of Europe. 75 (2 ed.). Scarecrow Press. p. 255. ISBN 978-0810861886. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2014.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Matzinger, Joachim (2009). "Shqiptarët si pasardhës të ilirëve nga këndvështrimi i gjuhësisë historike". In Schmitt, Oliver Jens; Frantz, Eva Anne (eds.). Historia e Shqiptarëve: Gjendja dhe perspektivat e studimeve (in Albanian). Translated by Pandeli Pani and Artan Puto. Botime Përpjekja. ISBN 978-99943-0-254-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)