Dajti
{{Short description|Mountain in Albania}}
{{Distinguish|text=Dajti Mountain National Park, the protected area encompassing the mountain}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Dajti
| other_name =
| photo = Mali_i_Dajtit.jpg
| photo_size =
| photo_caption = Dajti mountain seen from the east
| map = Albania
| highest =
| elevation = {{convert|1613|m|abbr=on}}
| prominence = {{convert|939|m|abbr=on}}
| parent_peak =
| isolation = {{convert|36|m|abbr=on}}
| coordinates = {{coord|41.36675|N|19.923684|E|type:mountain_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| length =
| width =
| area =
| volume =
| etymology = Diktynna{{cite web |title=The etymology of the Dajti Mountain |publisher=Peak Visor |access-date=9 April 2025 |url=https://peakvisor.com/park/dajti-mountain-national-park.html}}
| nickname =
| translation =
| location =
| country = {{ALB}}
| region = Central Mountain Region
| settlement_type = Municipality
| settlement = Tirana
| range = Skanderbeg Mountains
| borders_on =
| formed_by =
| age = Cretaceous, Paleogene, Miocene
| type = massif
| first_ascent =
| normal_route =
}}
Dajti is a mountain located in central Albania, just east of the capital, Tirana. Part of the Skanderbeg Mountains range, it stretches from Shkalla e Tujanit in the northwest to Qafa e Priskës in the southeast, at a length of {{convert|8|km|abbr=on}} and a width of {{convert|5|km|abbr=on}}. Its highest peak, Maja e Dajtit, reaches a height of {{convert|1613|m|abbr=on}}. Other peaks include Maja e Cem Rrumit {{convert|1571|m|abbr=on}} and Maja e Tujanit {{convert|1531|m|abbr=on}}.{{cite book|last1=Buda|first1=Aleks|title=Fjalori Enciklopedik Shqiptar|date=1985|publisher=Akademia e Shkencave e RPSSH|location=Tiranë|page=166}}
Geology
Composed primarily of Cretaceous and Paleogene limestone, with notable karst formations, its upper section is barren of vegetation while the lower section, up to {{convert|600|m|abbr=on}}, consists of flysch. The undulating mountain ridge features a steep eastern slope and a western slope that gradually descends onto the plain of Tirana, highlighted by an ancient marine terrace known as Fusha e Dajtit, formed during the Miocene era.{{cite book|last1=Meçaj|first1=Nasip|title=Gjeografia Fizike e Shqipërisë|date=1991|publisher=Qendra e Studimeve Gjeografike|location=Tiranë|pages=181-184|edition=1.2}}
Climate
Dajti experiences a cool mountain climate with temperatures averaging {{Convert|12|C|0}} at heights of about {{convert|1000|m|abbr=on}}. Temperatures are the coldest during the month of January ({{Convert|3.2|C|0}}) and the hottest during July ({{Convert|20.4|C|0}}). The average amount of precipitation is {{convert|1520|mm|abbr=on}}, a good amount of which is accumulated snow.{{cite journal |last1=Kosovrasti |first1=Albana |title=Zhvillimi i qëndrueshëm i komunave Dajt dhe Bërzhitë |journal=Universiteti i Tiranës (Departamenti i Gjeografisë) |date=2014 |page=40 |url=https://www.unitir.edu.al/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Doktoratura-Albana-Kosovrasti-Fakulteti-i-Historise-dhe-i-Filologjise-Departamenti-i-Gjeografise.pdf}}
Biodiversity
The western slope of the mountain consists of three distinct vegetation belts. The lower belt, up to {{convert|600|m|abbr=on}}, is covered by Mediterranean shrubs like strawberry tree, juniper and heather; the middle belt, ascending from {{convert|600-1000|m|abbr=on}}, is dominated by an oak forest; the upper belt, above {{convert|1300-1400|m|abbr=on}}, is covered by a mixture of beech and conifer trees. The peak of the mountain is devoid of vegetation and serves as the base for RTSH's central antenna.
On the eastern slope, the vegetation changes, with a smaller Mediterranean shrub area and the presence of oaks, chestnuts, and other trees which are absent on the western slope.
The section of the mountain and its surrounding habitat are designated as a national park.{{cite web |title=Parku Kombëtar Mali i Dajtit |url=https://akzm.gov.al/parku-kombetar-mali-i-dajtit |website=akzm.gov.al |publisher=Agjencia Kombëtare e Zonave të Mbrojtura |access-date=4 July 2023}}