It flows out of Lake Ohrid in Struga, North Macedonia.

[2] After flowing through North Macedonia for 56 km (35 mi), the Black Drin crosses the border to Albania, west of Debar.

The name is ancient - Drinius, Trinius (Pliny), Δρεῖνος (Ptolemy).

The main agricultural products are maize and barley; silviculture is evolving, as well.

The Ohrid trout, which is a form of salmon, can also sometimes be found in parts of the river.