Tiranë County
Encyclopedia
The County of Tirana is one of the 12 counties
of Albania
. It consists of the districts Kavajë
and Tirana and its capital is Tirana
. It has 800,347 inhabitants and with that it has the largest number of people of the Counties of Albania
.
times dating back 10,000 to 30,000 years ago, as evidenced by tools that were found near Mount Dajt
's quarry terrain, as well as inside the Cave of the Pellumba. As argued by various archaeologists, Tirana and its suburbs are filled with Illyrian
toponyms and legends as the city's precincts are some of the earliest regions in Albania to be inhabited.
Various remains discovered in fortresses, churches, villages, and during urban
constructions in and around Tirana provide evidence for continuous activity throughout much of human history. The oldest discovery in the area of Tirana was a mosaic, dating back to the 3rd century A.D., with several other remains found at the Fountain of Shengjin, near a medieval temple. A castle, possibly called Tirkan or Theranda, was built by Emperor Justinian
in 520 AD and restored by Ahmed Pasha Toptani in the 18th century. The area had no special importance in Illyria
n and classical
times. In 1510, Marin Barleti
, an Albanian Catholic
priest and scholar, in the biography of the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg
, Historia de vita et gestis Scanderbegi Epirotarum principis (The story of life and deeds of Skanderbeg, the prince of Epirotes), referred to this area as a small village.
The records of the first land registrations under the Ottomans
in 1431–32 show that Tirana consisted of 60 inhabited areas, with nearly 2,028 houses and 7,300 inhabitants. The 1583 census records show that Tirana had 110 inhabited areas, with 2,900 houses and 20,000 inhabitants. Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler, established the Ottoman town in 1614 with a mosque
, a commercial centre and a hammam
(Turkish
sauna
). The town was located along caravan
routes and it began to develop in the beginning of the 16th century, when a bazaar was established, and its craftsmen manufactured silk and cotton fabrics, leather, ceramics and iron, silver, and gold artifacts. Sited in a fertile plain, the Tirana area exported 2,600 barrels of olive oil
and 14,000 packages of tobacco
to Venice
by 1769.
During this period, the Et'hem Bey Mosque
built by Molla Bey of Petrela
, began to be constructed. It employed the best artisans in the country and was completed in 1821 by Molla's son, who was also Sulejman Pasha's grandnephew. In 1800, the first newcomers arrived in the settlement, the so-called ortodoksit. They were Vlachs
from villages of Korçë
and Pogradec
who settled around the area of today's Park on the Artificial Lake
. Later, they started to be known as the llacifac and were the first Christians to arrive after the foundation of the town. In 1807, Tirana became the center of the Sub-Prefecture of Krujë-Tirana. After 1816, Tirana languished under the control of the Toptani family of Krujë
. In 1865, Tirana became a Sub-Prefecture of the newly created Vilayet of Shkodër and Sanjak of Durrës. The Albanian language
started to be taught in Tirana's schools in 1889. The patriotic club "Bashkimi" was founded in 1908 while on November 28, 1912, the national flag was raised in agreement with Ismail Qemali
. During the Balkan Wars
, the town was temporarily occupied by the Serbia
n army, and in 1914–15, it took part in uprising of the villages led by Haxhi Qamili.
Tirana County has a shoreline on the Adriatic Sea
. On the land, it borders Durrës
to the north, Dibër
to the northeast, Elbasan
to the southeast and Fier
to the south.
The main river flowing through Tirana County is the Ishëm River and the Tiranë River, which both flow through the city of Tirana itself. The city of Tirana's average altitude is 110 metres (360.9 ft) above sea level
and its highest point measures 1828 m (5,997.38 ft) at Mali me Gropa. The city is on the same parallel as Naples
, Madrid
and Istanbul
and on the same meridian
as Budapest
and Krakow
. The city of Tirana contains a total of four artificial lakes: the Tirana Artificial Lake around which was built the Big Park
, the Kodër-Kamëz Lake, Farka Lake, and Tufina Lake.
South of the city of Tirana is the Erzen valley, with its hills, olive groves, and surrounding mountains. The town of Petrelë lies in this area and has a rich history, containing a tower which was built in the 5th century AD and which was used mostly to watch for Ottoman troops marching towards inner Albania.
The southern part of Tirana County, which borders Elbasan County
is very mountainous and contains several lakes. More lakes, however, are located in the northwestern part of the county, north of Kavajë
, including Kavajë Lake. The county borders the Adriatic Sea on the West where several beach side facilities exist. A well known is Plazhi i Gjeneralit Beach equipped with camping, wooden cabins, and catering facilities. Other beach areas are located near the village of Spille.
Dajti National Park is situated 26 km east of the capital of Tirana. The park has a surface area of 3,300 hectares. This park is highly frequented by day and is considered the 'Natural Balcony of Tirana'. The Dajti Mountain together with the south Priska Mountain (1353m) consists of the national park which has an exact area of 29,216.9 hectares.
Tirana District Region
Under a special constitutional dispensation, the Regional Council of Tirana has been formed as a local governing body. The council is in the heart of Tirana, which is called the Tirana District Region and covers an area of 33 km². It is delimited by the Durres District
, Dibër District
, Fier District
, Elbasan District
and the Adriatic Sea
. This region with Mediterranean climate
(mild winter and hot summer) has amazing beaches of the Adriatic coast in the vicinity of Kavaja and which is also famous for the Mediterranean flora and fauna. The district has a population of 887,567 of which 75% is urban and the balance 25% is a rural.
The city of Tirana is the economy heartland of Tirana County and the nation of Albania and is a major industrial
centre. It has experienced rapid growth and established many new industries since the 1920s. The principal industries include agricultural products and machinery, textiles, pharmaceuticals
, and metal products. It contains many of the important businesses and institutions including the Tirana Stock Exchange
and the Tirana Bank
, both of which have grown in productivity since 1996.
The TID tower
at 85 meters is being constructed in the city. Tirana has several extensive shopping huge malls, such as City Park
at 3 km² and the QTU Shopping Centre
, located to the northwest of Tirana on the road to Durrës
.
A partnership was instituted under USAID funding between the Tirana City and Catawba County of North Carolina
(USA
), which was extended in two phases between 2000–2004 and 2005–2007 for planning and implementing several management and development measures in Tirana, with expertise provided by the Catawba County. The improvements in the urban conglomerate covered wide disciplines of proper municipal budgeting and revenue generation, improvement of urban environment, particularly solid waste collection and management involving private sector participation for land fill operations of the Sharra landfill and improving infrastructure assets to match with growing urbanization of Tirana.
and national monuments such as the Skanderbeg Monument
, Enver Hoxha Mausoleum
, the Suleyman Pasha Tomb
, the Tomb of Kapllan Pasha
, Unknown Soldier
and Mother Albania (statue). Outside of Tirana is Petrelë Castle
.
The construction of Et'hem Bey Mosque
commenced in 1789 by Molla Bey and it was finished in 1823 by his son Edhem Pasha (Haxhi Ethem Bey), great-grandson of Sulejman Pasha
. During the totalitarianism
of the Socialist People's Republic of Albania, the mosque
was closed. However, on January 18, 1991, despite opposition from communist authorities, 10,000 people entered carrying flag
s during the fall of communism in Albania. The fresco
es of the mosque depict trees, waterfalls and bridges; still life
paintings are a rarity in Islamic art
.
Tirana contains several important Christian places of worship such as the St Paul's Cathedral
, Zemra e Krishtit Catholic Church
, Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral of Tirana
and Saint Procopius Church of Tirana
. The church of Shën Premte
, located in the village of Çetë
in Kavajë District has also been a recognized Cultural Monument
since 1963. A notable mosque is located in Kavajë.
Most of the major museums in Tirana County are located in the city of Tirana. These include museums of national importance such as the National Historical Museum
, National Gallery of Figurative Arts of Albania
, Natural Sciences Museum of Albania
, National Archaeological Museum
, Ethnographic Museum and the National Archives of Albania
. The National Archives were created in 1949 by Government decree and contains documents of national and international importance. The main library in Tirana County is the National Library of Albania
in Tirana, founded in 1920. and inaugurated on December 10, 1922.
Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake
was built in the 1950s and was formerly called Park of Saint Procopius from the Saint Procopius Church of Tirana
, that is located there. The park includes the Presidential Palace of Tirana
, whose building was started by Zog of Albania
. The park also includes Botanical Gardens of Tirana
and Tirana Zoo
and also a complex of swimming pools.
The Dajti Mountain together with the south Priska Mountain (1353m) consists of the national park
which has an exact area of 29,216.9 hectares. The area of 3300 acres (13.4 km²) protected since 1966 has been enlarged in 2006. The core zone is now 9000 acres (36.4 km²). In addition to the forests and the beautiful mountain landscape with many wild flowers protection is provided to numerous mammals. In the park, there are wild boar, Eurasian wolf
, red fox
, European hare
, brown bears
and wildcats. In the lower part of the mountains, the vegetation
is scrub determined with much heath
, myrtle
and fragaria. Around the 1,000 metres altitude zone, oak
dominates. It follows with beech
forests with some conifers. On the top there is almost no vegetation.
The mountain can be reached through a narrow asphalted mountain road onto an area known as Fusha e Dajtit. This was the location of a summer camp but now is the site of many restaurants. From this small area there is an excellent view of Tirana
and its plain, that is the reason for calling the place as the Balcony of Tirana. From June 2005, hikers and visitors of the mountain can use a gondola lift
from the eastern outskirts of Tirana to Fusha e Dajtit (the field of Dajti) at 1050 meters altitude. On the summit of Dajti there are several transmitters of radio
and television
. On Dajti, traces of prehistoric settlements have been found. Also, fortifications from later periods have been discovered.
The majority of the important universities and education centres in Tirana County are located in Tirana. These include the University of Tirana
, Agricultural University of Tirana, University of New York Tirana
, Kristal University
, Marin Barleti University
, Marubi film school
, Skanderbeg Military University
, European University of Tirana
, Luarasi University
, Polytechnic University of Tirana
, Academy of Physical and Sports Education Vojo Kushi
and Tirana International School
and many high schools. The Academy of Music and Arts of Albania
and the Academy of Sciences of Albania
are both located in Tirana; the Academy of Sciences of Albania has the country's largest academic library containing 8,120,000 volumes in 1986.
Football is popular in Tirana County. Tirana has several notable football clubs such as KF Tirana, Partizani Tirana and Dinamo Tirana. There are several other clubs in Tirana County such as Besa Kavajë in Kavajë
, founded in 1922 and KS Egnatia Rrogozhinë
in Rrogozhinë
, founded in 1964. Major sports venues in Tirana are the Qemal Stafa Stadium, Selman Stërmasi Stadium
and the Asllan Rusi Palace of Sports.
and Montenegro
had many bureaucratic or security problems. The national roads SH1, SH2 and SH3 pass through the county and meet in Tirana city. Tirana is yet to build an outer ring road that would drastically reduce traffic congestion in the city.
or Kakavije, to Kosovo
via the new Durrës-Morine highway, and to the Republic of Macedonia
via Struga
.
There are regular passenger services to Durrës
and from Durrës to Pogradec
, via Elbasan
. The Tirana Railway Station is north of Skanderbeg Square
, alongside the coach terminal at the north end of Boulevard Zogu I
. There are no international passenger services, although there is a freight-only railway through Shkodër to Montenegro
(though this is currently not in use).
. Flights run to Athens
, London
, Rimini
, Bari
, Genoa
, Rome
, Bologna
, Munich
, Frankfurt
, Istanbul
, Vienna
among other places. It is one of the biggest airports in the region. Several foreign airlines also serve Rinas Airport: Alitalia
(from Rome and Milan
), British Airways
(from London Gatwick Airport
), Austrian Airlines
(from Vienna), Adria Airways
(Ljubljana
), Jat Airways
(Belgrade
), Lufthansa
(Munich
), Malev
(Budapest
), Olympic Air
(Athens
), Hemus Air
(Sofia
) and Turkish Airlines
(Istanbul
). In summer there is a direct charter flight from JFK
, New York
.
, that is 36 km distant from the Tirana city. Passenger ferries from Durrës sail to Trieste
, Ancona
, Otranto
, Brindisi
, Bari
, Lecce
, Genoa
(Italy
), Zadar
, Dubrovnik
(Croatia
), Maribor
, Koper (Slovenia
), Gdansk
(Poland
), Bar
(Montenegro
), Corfu
(Greece
) and others.
, TVSH, Club FM, Tirana, Albania Today, Dita
and the Tirana Observer
.
Counties of Albania
Albania is divided into twelve counties . Each contains several districts...
of Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
. It consists of the districts Kavajë
Kavajë District
The District of Kavajë is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Tirana County. It has a population of 82,921 , and an area of 414 km². It is in the west of the country, and its capital is Kavajë...
and Tirana and its capital is Tirana
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
. It has 800,347 inhabitants and with that it has the largest number of people of the Counties of Albania
Counties of Albania
Albania is divided into twelve counties . Each contains several districts...
.
History
The area now occupied by the city of Tirana has been populated since PaleolithicPaleolithic
The Paleolithic Age, Era or Period, is a prehistoric period of human history distinguished by the development of the most primitive stone tools discovered , and covers roughly 99% of human technological prehistory...
times dating back 10,000 to 30,000 years ago, as evidenced by tools that were found near Mount Dajt
Mount Dajt
Mount Dajti National Park is situated 26 km east of the capital and 50 km east of Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa...
's quarry terrain, as well as inside the Cave of the Pellumba. As argued by various archaeologists, Tirana and its suburbs are filled with Illyrian
Illyrians
The Illyrians were a group of tribes who inhabited part of the western Balkans in antiquity and the south-eastern coasts of the Italian peninsula...
toponyms and legends as the city's precincts are some of the earliest regions in Albania to be inhabited.
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
constructions in and around Tirana provide evidence for continuous activity throughout much of human history. The oldest discovery in the area of Tirana was a mosaic, dating back to the 3rd century A.D., with several other remains found at the Fountain of Shengjin, near a medieval temple. A castle, possibly called Tirkan or Theranda, was built by Emperor Justinian
Justinian I
Justinian I ; , ; 483– 13 or 14 November 565), commonly known as Justinian the Great, was Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565. During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the Empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the classical Roman Empire.One of the most important figures of...
in 520 AD and restored by Ahmed Pasha Toptani in the 18th century. The area had no special importance in Illyria
Illyria
In classical antiquity, Illyria was a region in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula inhabited by the Illyrians....
n and classical
Classical antiquity
Classical antiquity is a broad term for a long period of cultural history centered on the Mediterranean Sea, comprising the interlocking civilizations of ancient Greece and ancient Rome, collectively known as the Greco-Roman world...
times. In 1510, Marin Barleti
Marin Barleti
Marin Barleti . was an Albanian historian and Catholic priest. He is considered the first Albanian historian, especially because of his biography on Skanderbeg, translated in many languages in the 16th to the 18th centuries.-Life:Barleti lived in Shkodër and was a scholar and a clergyman...
, an Albanian Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
priest and scholar, in the biography of the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg
Skanderbeg
George Kastrioti Skanderbeg or Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu , widely known as Skanderbeg , was a 15th-century Albanian lord. He was appointed as the governor of the Sanjak of Dibra by the Ottomans in 1440...
, Historia de vita et gestis Scanderbegi Epirotarum principis (The story of life and deeds of Skanderbeg, the prince of Epirotes), referred to this area as a small village.
The records of the first land registrations under the Ottomans
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
in 1431–32 show that Tirana consisted of 60 inhabited areas, with nearly 2,028 houses and 7,300 inhabitants. The 1583 census records show that Tirana had 110 inhabited areas, with 2,900 houses and 20,000 inhabitants. Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler, established the Ottoman town in 1614 with a mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
, a commercial centre and a hammam
Hammam
A Turkish bath is the Turkish variant of a steam bath, sauna or Russian Bath, distinguished by a focus on water, as distinct from ambient steam....
(Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
sauna
Sauna
A sauna is a small room or house designed as a place to experience dry or wet heat sessions, or an establishment with one or more of these and auxiliary facilities....
). The town was located along caravan
Camel train
A camel train is a series of camels carrying goods or passengers in a group as part of a regular or semi-regular service between two points. Although they rarely travelled faster than the walking speed of a man, camels' ability to handle harsh conditions made camel trains a vital part of...
routes and it began to develop in the beginning of the 16th century, when a bazaar was established, and its craftsmen manufactured silk and cotton fabrics, leather, ceramics and iron, silver, and gold artifacts. Sited in a fertile plain, the Tirana area exported 2,600 barrels of olive oil
Olive oil
Olive oil is an oil obtained from the olive , a traditional tree crop of the Mediterranean Basin. It is commonly used in cooking, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and soaps and as a fuel for traditional oil lamps...
and 14,000 packages of tobacco
Tobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
to Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
by 1769.
During this period, the Et'hem Bey Mosque
Et'hem Bey Mosque
The Et'hem Bey Mosque is located in the center of the Albanian capital Tirana. Construction was started in 1789 by Molla Bey and it was finished in 1823 by his son Ethem Pasha , great-grandson of Sulejman Pasha....
built by Molla Bey of Petrela
Petrela
Petrelë is a town 15 km south of Tirana, in central Albania on the road to Elbasan . It is part of Tirana District and Tirana County. It is famous for its castle, history, and beautiful views.One can definitely see why it is called such, since the town and its castle are built on a huge stone...
, began to be constructed. It employed the best artisans in the country and was completed in 1821 by Molla's son, who was also Sulejman Pasha's grandnephew. In 1800, the first newcomers arrived in the settlement, the so-called ortodoksit. They were Vlachs
Vlachs
Vlach is a blanket term covering several modern Latin peoples descending from the Latinised population in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. English variations on the name include: Walla, Wlachs, Wallachs, Vlahs, Olahs or Ulahs...
from villages of Korçë
Korçë
Korçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania...
and Pogradec
Pogradec
Pogradec is a city in southeastern Albania, situated on the shores of Ohrid lake. It is the capital of the District of Pogradec, in the County of Korçë, located at 40.87°N and 20.70°E with a population of around 30,000 . The total area of the district is 725 km². Pogradec alone occupies about...
who settled around the area of today's Park on the Artificial Lake
Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake
The Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake or the Big Park of Tirana , or even the Park of Saint Procopius , is a 230-hectare public park situated on the southern part of Tirana, Albania...
. Later, they started to be known as the llacifac and were the first Christians to arrive after the foundation of the town. In 1807, Tirana became the center of the Sub-Prefecture of Krujë-Tirana. After 1816, Tirana languished under the control of the Toptani family of Krujë
Krujë
Krujë is a town in north central Albania and the capital of the municipality and the Krujë District. It has a population of about 15,900. Located between Mount Krujë and the Ishëm River, the city is only 20 km from the capital of Albania, Tirana....
. In 1865, Tirana became a Sub-Prefecture of the newly created Vilayet of Shkodër and Sanjak of Durrës. The Albanian language
Albanian language
Albanian is an Indo-European language spoken by approximately 7.6 million people, primarily in Albania and Kosovo but also in other areas of the Balkans in which there is an Albanian population, including western Macedonia, southern Montenegro, southern Serbia and northwestern Greece...
started to be taught in Tirana's schools in 1889. The patriotic club "Bashkimi" was founded in 1908 while on November 28, 1912, the national flag was raised in agreement with Ismail Qemali
Ismail Qemali
Ismail Qemal Bej Vlora or commonly Ismail Qemali and in Turkish İsmail Kemal Bey or İsmail Kemal Vlora , was a distinguished leader of the Albanian national movement, founder of the modern Albanian state and its first head of state and government.-Life:He was born in Avlonya to a noble family...
. During the Balkan Wars
Balkan Wars
The Balkan Wars were two conflicts that took place in the Balkans in south-eastern Europe in 1912 and 1913.By the early 20th century, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia, the countries of the Balkan League, had achieved their independence from the Ottoman Empire, but large parts of their ethnic...
, the town was temporarily occupied by the Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
n army, and in 1914–15, it took part in uprising of the villages led by Haxhi Qamili.
Geography
The County of Tirana covers an area of 1,652 km². The population was 781,087 in 2006, with a population density of 410 inhabitants per square kilometre. Its estimated population in 2010 is 800,347.Tirana County has a shoreline on the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
. On the land, it borders Durrës
Durrës County
The County of Durrës is one of the 12 counties of Albania. It consists of the districts Durrës and Krujë and its capital is Durrës. The city is 40 minutes away from Tirana by car. It has the largest sea port in Albania....
to the north, Dibër
Dibër County
The County of Dibër is one of the 12 counties of Albania. It consists of the districts Bulqizë, Dibër, and Mat and its capital is Peshkopi.Dibër is known for its resistance against the Turks. Historical Dibër included parts of Albania and Macedonia...
to the northeast, Elbasan
Elbasan County
The County of Elbasan is one of the 12 counties of Albania. It consists of the districts Elbasan, Gramsh, Librazhd and Peqin and its capital is Elbasan.Much of Elbasan's eastern border is with the Republic of Macedonia...
to the southeast and Fier
Fier County
The County of Fier is one of the 12 counties of Albania. It consists of the districts of Fier, Lushnjë and Mallakastër and its capital is Fier.Fier's western edge is the shoreline of the Adriatic Sea. On land, it borders the following counties:...
to the south.
The main river flowing through Tirana County is the Ishëm River and the Tiranë River, which both flow through the city of Tirana itself. The city of Tirana's average altitude is 110 metres (360.9 ft) above sea level
Above mean sea level
The term above mean sea level refers to the elevation or altitude of any object, relative to the average sea level datum. AMSL is used extensively in radio by engineers to determine the coverage area a station will be able to reach...
and its highest point measures 1828 m (5,997.38 ft) at Mali me Gropa. The city is on the same parallel as Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
and Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
and on the same meridian
Meridian (geography)
A meridian is an imaginary line on the Earth's surface from the North Pole to the South Pole that connects all locations along it with a given longitude. The position of a point along the meridian is given by its latitude. Each meridian is perpendicular to all circles of latitude...
as Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
and Krakow
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
. The city of Tirana contains a total of four artificial lakes: the Tirana Artificial Lake around which was built the Big Park
Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake
The Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake or the Big Park of Tirana , or even the Park of Saint Procopius , is a 230-hectare public park situated on the southern part of Tirana, Albania...
, the Kodër-Kamëz Lake, Farka Lake, and Tufina Lake.
South of the city of Tirana is the Erzen valley, with its hills, olive groves, and surrounding mountains. The town of Petrelë lies in this area and has a rich history, containing a tower which was built in the 5th century AD and which was used mostly to watch for Ottoman troops marching towards inner Albania.
The southern part of Tirana County, which borders Elbasan County
Elbasan County
The County of Elbasan is one of the 12 counties of Albania. It consists of the districts Elbasan, Gramsh, Librazhd and Peqin and its capital is Elbasan.Much of Elbasan's eastern border is with the Republic of Macedonia...
is very mountainous and contains several lakes. More lakes, however, are located in the northwestern part of the county, north of Kavajë
Kavajë
Kavajë or Kavaja, capital of Kavajë District, Tirana County is a city situated on the western inlands, just a few kilometers off the Adriatic Sea, in Central Albania.The District of Kavajë has a population of 82,921 inhabitants as of January 1, 2010....
, including Kavajë Lake. The county borders the Adriatic Sea on the West where several beach side facilities exist. A well known is Plazhi i Gjeneralit Beach equipped with camping, wooden cabins, and catering facilities. Other beach areas are located near the village of Spille.
Dajti National Park is situated 26 km east of the capital of Tirana. The park has a surface area of 3,300 hectares. This park is highly frequented by day and is considered the 'Natural Balcony of Tirana'. The Dajti Mountain together with the south Priska Mountain (1353m) consists of the national park which has an exact area of 29,216.9 hectares.
Politics and government
As of 2009, there are 32 representatives of Tirana County with setas in the Parliament of Albania out of 140.Administrative divisions
| District | Capital | District Population (2010) |
Area (km²) | Municipalities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kavajë District Kavajë District The District of Kavajë is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Tirana County. It has a population of 82,921 , and an area of 414 km². It is in the west of the country, and its capital is Kavajë... |
Kavajë Kavajë Kavajë or Kavaja, capital of Kavajë District, Tirana County is a city situated on the western inlands, just a few kilometers off the Adriatic Sea, in Central Albania.The District of Kavajë has a population of 82,921 inhabitants as of January 1, 2010.... |
82,921 | 414 | Golem Golem, Kavajë Golem is a municipality in the Kavajë District, Tirana County, western Albania.-Villages:The Commune of Golem consists of the following villages:*Golem*Kryemedhenj*Tilaj*Seferaj*Golemas*Qerret*Karpen*Zik-Xhafaj*Kanaparaj*Agonas*Karpen... , Gosë Gosë Gosë is a municipality in the Kavajë District, Tirana County, western Albania.-Villages:The commune of Gosë consists of 5 villages:*Gose e Madhe*Gose e Vogel*Kalush*Kercukaj*Vile-Balla... , Helmës Helmës Helmës is a municipality in the Kavajë District, Tirana County, western Albania.... , Kavajë Kavajë Kavajë or Kavaja, capital of Kavajë District, Tirana County is a city situated on the western inlands, just a few kilometers off the Adriatic Sea, in Central Albania.The District of Kavajë has a population of 82,921 inhabitants as of January 1, 2010.... , Kryevidh Kryevidh Kryevidh is a municipality in the Kavajë District, Tirana County, western Albania.-Villages:Kryevidh is with 10 villages*Kryevidh*Ballaj*Rreth-Greth*Patke-Milot*Zhabja*Spanes*Spille*Domen*Sterbeg*Shardush... , Lekaj Lekaj Lekaj is a municipality in the Kavajë District, Tirana County, western Albania.... , Luz i Vogël Luz i Vogël Luz i Vogël is a municipality in the Kavajë District, Tirana County, western Albania.... , Rrogozhinë Rrogozhinë Rrogozhinë is a municipality in Kavajë District, Tirana County in Albania. The population currently is 28,758. The football club is KS Egnatia Rrogozhinë.... , Sinaballaj Sinaballaj Sinaballaj is a municipality in the Kavajë District, Tirana County, western Albania.... , Synej Synej Synej is a municipality in the Kavajë District, Tirana County, western Albania.... |
| Tirana District | Tirana Tirana Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over... |
717,426 | 1238 | Baldushk Baldushk Baldushk is a municipality in the Tirana District, Tirana County, central Albania.- Villages :Baldushk is with 14 villages* Baldushk * Mumajes* Fushas* Balshaban* Shpate* Isufmucaj* Mustafakocaj* Kocaj* Kakunj* Vesqi* Parret... , Bërxullë Bërxullë Bërxullë is a municipality in the Tirana District, Tirana County, central Albania.... , Bërzhitë Bërzhitë Bërzhitë is a municipality in the Tirana District, Tirana County, central Albania.... , Dajt Dajt - Seal :The seal of the municipality derives from the coat of arms of the medieval Albanian noble family of Skurra.... , Farkë Farkë Farkë is a municipality in the Tirana District, Tirana County, central Albania.... , Kamëz Kamëz Kamëz is a city in Albania, a suburb 7 km north of Tirana. It is part of the Tirana District and County.From 1990 to 2005, the expansion of Tirana has brought Kamez into the conurbation.... , Kashar Kashar Kashar is a municipality in the Tirana District, Tirana County, central Albania.- History :The village was first attested in 1456 as the battlefield of a battle between the League of Lezhë and the Ottoman Empire.- Demographics :... , Krrabë Krrabë Krrabë is a municipality in the Tirana District, Tirana County, central Albania.... , Ndroq Ndroq Ndroq is a municipality near Tirana, the capital of Albania. It is part of Tirana District and Tirana County. The village's population is estimated to be around 5,000 inhabitants.... , Paskuqan Paskuqan Paskuqan is a municipality in the Tirana District, Tirana County, central Albania.... , Petrelë, Pezë Pezë Pezë is a municipality in the Tirana District, Tirana County, central Albania.... , Prezë Prezë Prezë is a municipality in the Tirana District, Tirana County, central Albania.... , Shëngjergj Shëngjergj Shëngjergj is a municipality in the Tirana District, Tirana County, central Albania.... , Tirana Tirana Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over... , Vaqarr Vaqarr Vaqarr is a municipality in the Tirana District, Tirana County, central Albania.... , Vorë Vorë Vorë or Vora is a municipality in Tirana District, Tirana County in Albania.While small, it is located at a major road junction and railway junction.-References:... , Zall-Bastar Zall-Bastar Zall-Bastar is a municipality in the Tirana District, Tirana County, central Albania.... , Zall-Herr Zall-Herr Zall-Herr is a municipality in the Tirana District, Tirana County, central Albania.... |
Tirana District Region
Under a special constitutional dispensation, the Regional Council of Tirana has been formed as a local governing body. The council is in the heart of Tirana, which is called the Tirana District Region and covers an area of 33 km². It is delimited by the Durres District
Durrës District
The District of Durrës is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Durrës County. It has a population of 242,801 , and an area of 433 km². It is in the west of the country, and its capital is Durrës...
, Dibër District
Dibër District
The District of Dibër is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Dibër County. It has a population of 62,825, and an area of 1088 km². It is in the north-east of the country, and its capital is Peshkopi....
, Fier District
Fier District
The District of Fier is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Fier County. It has a population of 199,442 , and an area of 785 km². It is in the south-west of the country, and its capital is Fier...
, Elbasan District
Elbasan District
The District of Elbasan is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Elbasan County. It has a population of 224,689 , and an area of 1,372 km². It is in the centre of the country, and its capital is Elbasan...
and the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
. This region with Mediterranean climate
Mediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate is the climate typical of most of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, and is a particular variety of subtropical climate...
(mild winter and hot summer) has amazing beaches of the Adriatic coast in the vicinity of Kavaja and which is also famous for the Mediterranean flora and fauna. The district has a population of 887,567 of which 75% is urban and the balance 25% is a rural.
Members
The following members are chosen:- Ferdinand PoniFerdinand PoniFerdinand Poni was the deputy Minister of Interior Affairs during 2005-2007.-References:...
- Suzana Guxholli
- Njazi Kosovrasti
- Dhori KuleDhori KuleDhori Kule is Rector of the University of Tirana, Albania. He is member of the board at the Balkan Universities Network.-Biography:Dhori Kule received his diploma in economics from the University of Tirana in 1981...
- Eneida Guria
- Besnik Aliaj
- Enkelejda Sallaku
- Bledi KasmiBledi KasmiBledi Kasmi is the editor in chief of Rilindja Demokratike. Kasmi is also member of Tirana County and the Tirana city council....
- Arjana Bekteshi
- Shezai Rrokaj
- Edmond Panariti
- Tahir MuhediniTahir MuhediniTahir Muhedini is the honorary president of the Party for Justice, Integration and Unity. He won a council seat in the Municipality of Tirana as a result of the 2007 local elections.-References:...
- Maksim Begeja
- Agim Kraja
- Enver Reçi
Economy
Industry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
centre. It has experienced rapid growth and established many new industries since the 1920s. The principal industries include agricultural products and machinery, textiles, pharmaceuticals
Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the branch of medicine and biology concerned with the study of drug action. More specifically, it is the study of the interactions that occur between a living organism and chemicals that affect normal or abnormal biochemical function...
, and metal products. It contains many of the important businesses and institutions including the Tirana Stock Exchange
Tirana Stock Exchange
The Tirana Stock Exchange is the principal stock exchange in Albania. It is located in the capital city, Tirana. Its name is abbreviated as TSE...
and the Tirana Bank
Tirana Bank
Tirana Bank is a bank based in Tirana, Albania. The bank was founded in September 1996 and was the first privately owned bank in Albania. The bank is now part of the Piraeus Bank Group and as of July 2010 has 52 branches and 55 ATMs.-References:*...
, both of which have grown in productivity since 1996.
The TID tower
TID Tower
The TID Tower is an under-construction high-rise in Tirana, Albania. The building is expected to be tall.It consists of 25 floors. The design comes from Belgian architectural firm 51N4E, and construction started on 14 January 2007....
at 85 meters is being constructed in the city. Tirana has several extensive shopping huge malls, such as City Park
City Park
City Park can refer to:Australia*Launceston City ParkCanada* City Park, Saskatoon, a neighbourhoodHungary* City Park Kenya* City Park, NairobiLuxembourg* City Park , a park in central Luxembourg CityUnited Kingdom...
at 3 km² and the QTU Shopping Centre
QTU Shopping Centre
QTU Shopping Centre is a shopping centre 3.95 kilometres northwest of the centre of Tirana, Albania, located along the Durrës highway. The QTU shopping centre has a bar, restaurants, a supermarket, electronics store and many others. A free shuttle bus runs between the National Museum and...
, located to the northwest of Tirana on the road to Durrës
Durrës
Durrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically important cities of Albania. Durres is situated at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari...
.
A partnership was instituted under USAID funding between the Tirana City and Catawba County of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
(USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
), which was extended in two phases between 2000–2004 and 2005–2007 for planning and implementing several management and development measures in Tirana, with expertise provided by the Catawba County. The improvements in the urban conglomerate covered wide disciplines of proper municipal budgeting and revenue generation, improvement of urban environment, particularly solid waste collection and management involving private sector participation for land fill operations of the Sharra landfill and improving infrastructure assets to match with growing urbanization of Tirana.
Landmarks
Tirana contains many notable landmarks which are of major importance to the regional cultural heritage. These include Tirana CastleTirana Castle
Fortress of Justinian or simply known as Tirana Castle is a castle in Tirana, Albania. Its history dates back before 1300 and is a remnant from the Byzantine-era. The fortress is the place where the main east-west and north-south roads crossed, and formed the heart of Tirana...
and national monuments such as the Skanderbeg Monument
Skanderbeg Monument (Tirana)
The Skanderbeg Monument is a monument located in the Skanderbeg Square, Tirana, Albania.- Overview :The monument in memory of Skanderbeg was erected in Skanderbeg Square, Tirana. This monument was inaugurated in the 1968 on the 500th anniversary of the death of Skanderbeg. The monument to...
, Enver Hoxha Mausoleum
Enver Hoxha Mausoleum
Enver Hoxha Mausoleum is a former mausoleum in Tirana, Albania. This pyramid-shaped structure was designed by the daughter and son-in-law of the late communist leader Enver Hoxha...
, the Suleyman Pasha Tomb
Suleyman Pasha Tomb
Suleyman Pasha Tomb is a Cultural Monument of Albania, located in the center of Tirana. This is in memory of Sulejman Bargjini....
, the Tomb of Kapllan Pasha
Tomb of Kapllan Pasha
The Kapllan Pasha Tomb is a Cultural Monument of Albania, located in the center of Tirana .-References:...
, Unknown Soldier
Unknown Soldier (Statue)
The Unknown Soldier Statue is a war memorial in Tirana for the soldiers that fall in the struggle against the Italian invadors during Second World War. It's located near the Albanian parliament and the Tomb of Kapllan Pasha. It is placed by the Albanian communists. The sculpture features a soldier...
and Mother Albania (statue). Outside of Tirana is Petrelë Castle
Petrelë Castle
Petrelë Castle is a castle in Petrelë, central Albania. Its history dates back to Justinian I.The castle of Petrelë has a rich history, containing a tower which was built in the 5th century AD....
.
The construction of Et'hem Bey Mosque
Et'hem Bey Mosque
The Et'hem Bey Mosque is located in the center of the Albanian capital Tirana. Construction was started in 1789 by Molla Bey and it was finished in 1823 by his son Ethem Pasha , great-grandson of Sulejman Pasha....
commenced in 1789 by Molla Bey and it was finished in 1823 by his son Edhem Pasha (Haxhi Ethem Bey), great-grandson of Sulejman Pasha
Sulejman Pasha
Sulejman Pashë Bargjini was a general of the Ottoman Empire. He was originally from Bargjin, but he settled in the village of Mullet, Albania and probably served as a Janissary, he was given the title Pasha. He founded the city of Tirana, now the capital of Albania, in 1614. At the time he had...
. During the totalitarianism
Totalitarianism
Totalitarianism is a political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and strives to regulate every aspect of public and private life wherever feasible...
of the Socialist People's Republic of Albania, the mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
was closed. However, on January 18, 1991, despite opposition from communist authorities, 10,000 people entered carrying flag
Flag
A flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
s during the fall of communism in Albania. The fresco
Fresco
Fresco is any of several related mural painting types, executed on plaster on walls or ceilings. The word fresco comes from the Greek word affresca which derives from the Latin word for "fresh". Frescoes first developed in the ancient world and continued to be popular through the Renaissance...
es of the mosque depict trees, waterfalls and bridges; still life
Still life
A still life is a work of art depicting mostly inanimate subject matter, typically commonplace objects which may be either natural or man-made...
paintings are a rarity in Islamic art
Islamic art
Islamic art encompasses the visual arts produced from the 7th century onwards by people who lived within the territory that was inhabited by or ruled by culturally Islamic populations...
.
Tirana contains several important Christian places of worship such as the St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral (Tirana)
St Paul's Cathedral is a cathedral in Tirana, Albania. It belongs to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tiranë-Durrës. The stained glass window to the left of the front door features Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa.It is a modern-looking building, and does not resemble a traditional church....
, Zemra e Krishtit Catholic Church
Zemra e Krishtit Catholic Church of Tirana
The Zemra e Krishtit Catholic Church of Tirana or Tirana Catholic Church of St Marie is a Roman Catholic church in Tirana, Albania. It was built in 1865 as a gift from the emperor Franz Joseph but was closed in 1967.It reopened in 1990...
, Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral of Tirana
Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral of Tirana
The Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral of Tirana or Orthodox Church of the Holy Evangelist is an orthodox church in Tirana, Albania. It was built in 1865 but was closed in 1967. Presently, it is being replaced by a new cathedral of the same name, presumably accomplished in 2011....
and Saint Procopius Church of Tirana
Saint Procopius Church of Tirana
Saint Procopius Church of Tirana is an orthodox church on the outskirts of Tirana, Albania. It was one of two orthodox churches which existed in the city before World War II, the other one being the 19th century Church of Shën Vangjelizmoi, which was demolished in 1967....
. The church of Shën Premte
Shën Premte Church (Çetë)
St. Paraskevi's Church is a church in Çetë, Kavajë District, Albania. It became a Cultural Monument of Albania in 1963.-References:...
, located in the village of Çetë
Cete
Cete is a Portuguese parish of the municipality of Paredes. It is 4.35 km² in area, with 2,517 inhabitants as of 2001....
in Kavajë District has also been a recognized Cultural Monument
Cultural Monument of Albania
The List of Religious Cultural Monuments of Albania refers to a monument in Albania which has been recognized by the Government of Albania and Ministry of Culture as a religious national heritage monument and one which is seen as of top importance to the religious culture of the nation. These...
since 1963. A notable mosque is located in Kavajë.
Most of the major museums in Tirana County are located in the city of Tirana. These include museums of national importance such as the National Historical Museum
National Historical Museum (Albania)
The National Historical Museum in Tirana, Albania, is the country's largest museum. It was opened on 28 October 1981 and is 27,000 square metres in size, while 18,000 square metres are available for expositions. The museum was designed by Albanian architect, Enver Faja.The construction of the...
, National Gallery of Figurative Arts of Albania
National Gallery of Figurative Arts of Albania
The National Arts Gallery of Albania has a fund of over 4,000 works of art by Albanian and foreign authors, spanning seven centuries of Albanian cultural heritage.-See also:*Skanderbeg Museum*National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania...
, Natural Sciences Museum of Albania
Natural Sciences Museum of Albania
Natural Sciences Museum of Albania is a natural science museum in Tirana, Albania. The museum is affiliated with the University of Tirana and has branches in zoology botany and geology....
, National Archaeological Museum
National Archaeological Museum, Tirana
National Archaeological Museum is a national archaeological museum in Tirana, Albania. Affiliated to Institute of Archaeology of the Academy of Sciences of Albania, the museum houses exhibits from prehistoric and historic times up to Middle Ages...
, Ethnographic Museum and the National Archives of Albania
National Archives of Albania
The National Archives of Albania is the national archive of the Republic of Albania, located in Tirana.The Archive was created in 1949 with a decree from the Government of Albania dated 6/8/1949, as a centralized state organ. The documentary content withheld in the A.Q.SH...
. The National Archives were created in 1949 by Government decree and contains documents of national and international importance. The main library in Tirana County is the National Library of Albania
National Library of Albania
The National Library of Albania is an Albanian national library headquartered in the capital, Tirana. It was founded in 1920 and inaugurated on December 10, 1922.- References :...
in Tirana, founded in 1920. and inaugurated on December 10, 1922.
Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake
Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake
The Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake or the Big Park of Tirana , or even the Park of Saint Procopius , is a 230-hectare public park situated on the southern part of Tirana, Albania...
was built in the 1950s and was formerly called Park of Saint Procopius from the Saint Procopius Church of Tirana
Saint Procopius Church of Tirana
Saint Procopius Church of Tirana is an orthodox church on the outskirts of Tirana, Albania. It was one of two orthodox churches which existed in the city before World War II, the other one being the 19th century Church of Shën Vangjelizmoi, which was demolished in 1967....
, that is located there. The park includes the Presidential Palace of Tirana
Presidential Palace of Tirana
The Presidential Palace of Tirana is a government residence in Tirana, Albania used by the Albanan government. It is located on the side of the Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake. Construction began by Ahmet Zogu as a Royal Palace in 1939, but the building was not finished until 1941, by which...
, whose building was started by Zog of Albania
Zog of Albania
Zog I, Skanderbeg III of the Albanians , born Ahmet Muhtar Bey Zogolli, was King of the Albanians from 1928 to 1939. He was previously Prime Minister of Albania and President of Albania .-Background and early political career:...
. The park also includes Botanical Gardens of Tirana
Botanical Gardens of Tirana
The Botanical Gardens of Tirana are scenic botanical gardens located in southern Tirana, Albania.Construction commenced in 1964, with the original site covering approximately 15 hectares. It was completed in 1971...
and Tirana Zoo
Tirana Zoo
Tirana Zoo is a zoo in Tirana, Albania. It was established in 1966. On 14 April, 2006, a meeting of Albanians and Dutch took place in the Netherlands to create an action plan for the zoo for next two years....
and also a complex of swimming pools.
Mount Dajti National Park
Mount Dajti National Park is situated 26 km east of the capital and 50 km east of the Mother Teresa Airport. The park has a surface area of 3,300 hectares. This park is highly frequented by day and is considered the 'Natural Balcony of Tirana'.The Dajti Mountain together with the south Priska Mountain (1353m) consists of the national park
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
which has an exact area of 29,216.9 hectares. The area of 3300 acres (13.4 km²) protected since 1966 has been enlarged in 2006. The core zone is now 9000 acres (36.4 km²). In addition to the forests and the beautiful mountain landscape with many wild flowers protection is provided to numerous mammals. In the park, there are wild boar, Eurasian wolf
Eurasian Wolf
The Eurasian Wolf , also known as the, European, Common or Forest Wolf is a subspecies of grey wolf which has the largest range among wolf subspecies and is the most common in Europe and Asia, ranging through Mongolia, China, Russia, Scandinavia, Western Europe and the Himalayan Mountains...
, red fox
Red Fox
The red fox is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most geographically spread member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America, and the steppes of Asia...
, European hare
European Hare
The European hare , also known as the brown hare, Eastern Jackrabbit and Eastern prairie hare, is a species of hare native to northern, central, and western Europe and western Asia. It is a mammal adapted to temperate open country. It is related to the similarly appearing rabbit, which is in the...
, brown bears
Brown Bears
The Brown Bears is a name shared by all sports teams at Brown University, a university located in Providence, Rhode Island in the United States. The Bears are part of the Ivy League conference. Brown's mascot is Bruno. Both the men's and women's teams share the name, competing in 37 National...
and wildcats. In the lower part of the mountains, the vegetation
Vegetation
Vegetation is a general term for the plant life of a region; it refers to the ground cover provided by plants. It is a general term, without specific reference to particular taxa, life forms, structure, spatial extent, or any other specific botanical or geographic characteristics. It is broader...
is scrub determined with much heath
Heath
-Habitats:* Heath or heathland, low-growing woody vegetation, mostly consisting of heathers and related species* Heaths in the British National Vegetation Classification system...
, myrtle
Myrtle
Myrtus is a genus of one or two species of flowering plants in the family Myrtaceae, native to southern Europe and north Africa. The plant is an evergreen shrub or small tree, growing to 5 m tall. The leaf is entire, 3–5 cm long, with a fragrant essential oil. The star-like flower has five...
and fragaria. Around the 1,000 metres altitude zone, oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
dominates. It follows with beech
Beech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
forests with some conifers. On the top there is almost no vegetation.
The mountain can be reached through a narrow asphalted mountain road onto an area known as Fusha e Dajtit. This was the location of a summer camp but now is the site of many restaurants. From this small area there is an excellent view of Tirana
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
and its plain, that is the reason for calling the place as the Balcony of Tirana. From June 2005, hikers and visitors of the mountain can use a gondola lift
Gondola lift
A gondola lift is a type of aerial lift, normally called a cable car, which is supported and propelled by cables from above. It consists of a loop of steel cable that is strung between two stations, sometimes over intermediate supporting towers. The cable is driven by a bullwheel in a terminal,...
from the eastern outskirts of Tirana to Fusha e Dajtit (the field of Dajti) at 1050 meters altitude. On the summit of Dajti there are several transmitters of radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
. On Dajti, traces of prehistoric settlements have been found. Also, fortifications from later periods have been discovered.
Education
University of Tirana
The University of Tirana is a public university located in Tirana, Albania.-History:UT was founded in 1957 as the State University of Tirana through the merging of five existing institutes of higher education, the most important of which was the Institute of Sciences, founded in 1947...
, Agricultural University of Tirana, University of New York Tirana
University of New York Tirana
University of New York Tirana is the first private university in Albania. The university was inaugurated in September 2002, having received a license from the Albanian government....
, Kristal University
Kristal University
Kristal University is an Albanian privately owned University. It has been established in 2005 with decision no. 761 of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and licensed by the Ministry of Education and Science....
, Marin Barleti University
Marin Barleti University
Marin Barleti University or UMB is a private institution of higher education in Albania named after the 15th century historian/humanist, Marin Barleti, author of the historic account on the Skanderbeg epics...
, Marubi film school
Marubi film school
Academy of Film & Multimedia Marubi is the first private university for film and television education, formation and training in the Republic of Albania...
, Skanderbeg Military University
Skanderbeg Military University
Skanderbeg Military University is a military academy in Albania. It was formed in 1945 as "Shkolla e Oficereve" and closed in the early '90s. It was reopened in 2003 per Decree of the Council of Ministers nr.720, date 30.10.2003, and was reduced to a 2 years school in 2009.-See also:*List of...
, European University of Tirana
European University of Tirana
The European University of Tirana is a private university in Tirana, Albania. It was established in 2006 by six Albanian intellectuals: the four academics, Adri Nurellari, Blendi Kajsiu, Ermal Hasimja and Henri Çili; the manager Laert Duraj and the journalist Robert Rakipllari.UET has been...
, Luarasi University
Luarasi University
The University offers degrees only in Jurisprudence and is focused only on its Law School. It was founded in 2003 by decree of the Albanian Government to license a private university.-See also:*List of universities in Albania*List of colleges and universities...
, Polytechnic University of Tirana
Polytechnic University of Tirana
The Polytechnic University of Tirana is a public university located in Tirana, the capital of Albania. It offers degrees in engineering and related fields.- History :...
, Academy of Physical and Sports Education Vojo Kushi
Academy of Physical and Sports Education Vojo Kushi
The Academy of Physical and Sports Education Vojo Kushi, is a higher institution academy in Albania, that aims to prepare fitness teachers and sports specialists. The academy realizes full scientific qualification on physical and sports education. It is also equipped with Masters and a PhD...
and Tirana International School
Tirana International School
Tirana International School is an English-using international school in Tirana, Albania, established in 1991. Its curriculum is similar to that of US schools. Students range from 3 year old to Grade 12. In 2004-5 it had 68 students and 14 full-time faculty members...
and many high schools. The Academy of Music and Arts of Albania
Academy of Music and Arts of Albania
Albanian University of Arts is the main institution that offers higher education in the arts in Albania.-Brief History:...
and the Academy of Sciences of Albania
Academy of Sciences of Albania
The Academy of Sciences of Albania , founded in 1972, is the most important scientific institution in Albania. The institution includes the most distinguished scientists, also called "academics", that are involved in research centers and other organisms inside and outside Albania...
are both located in Tirana; the Academy of Sciences of Albania has the country's largest academic library containing 8,120,000 volumes in 1986.
Sports
Kavajë
Kavajë or Kavaja, capital of Kavajë District, Tirana County is a city situated on the western inlands, just a few kilometers off the Adriatic Sea, in Central Albania.The District of Kavajë has a population of 82,921 inhabitants as of January 1, 2010....
, founded in 1922 and KS Egnatia Rrogozhinë
KS Egnatia Rrogozhinë
Klubi Sportiv Egnatia Rrogozhinë is an Albanian football club based in Rrogozhinë. His home ground is "Rrogozhinë Stadium" ....
in Rrogozhinë
Rrogozhinë
Rrogozhinë is a municipality in Kavajë District, Tirana County in Albania. The population currently is 28,758. The football club is KS Egnatia Rrogozhinë....
, founded in 1964. Major sports venues in Tirana are the Qemal Stafa Stadium, Selman Stërmasi Stadium
Selman Stërmasi stadium
Selman Stërmasi Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Tirana, Albania. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of KF Tirana. The stadium holds 12,500 people . It is named after Selman Stërmasi, one of KF Tirana's best players of all time. The stadium is also used...
and the Asllan Rusi Palace of Sports.
Transport
Municipal, national and international transport links have developed in Tirana County over recent years. Until recent years, overland connections through GreeceGreece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
and Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
had many bureaucratic or security problems. The national roads SH1, SH2 and SH3 pass through the county and meet in Tirana city. Tirana is yet to build an outer ring road that would drastically reduce traffic congestion in the city.
Bus
Local transport within Tirana is by bus or taxi. Group taxis (known as furgons) running multiple passengers operate on many pre-determined but unofficial routes and departure times are dictated by when sufficient passenger numbers justify running costs. Coach and minibus services also run, again according to demand, to the coast and northern and southern Albania from different locations in Tirana. International coach services connect to Greece, via KorçëKorçë
Korçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania...
or Kakavije, to Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
via the new Durrës-Morine highway, and to the Republic of Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
via Struga
Struga
Struga is a town and popular tourist destination situated in the south-western region of the Republic of Macedonia, lying on the shore of Lake Ohrid. The town of Struga is the seat of Struga Municipality.-Etymology:...
.
Rail
Durrës–Tiranë railway
The Durrës–Tiranë railway is a 38 km railway line which joins the two biggest cities in Albania: Durrës and Tirana. The line connects to the Shkodër–Vorë railway halfway in Vorë, and to the Durrës-Vlorë railway in Durrës...
and from Durrës to Pogradec
Pogradec
Pogradec is a city in southeastern Albania, situated on the shores of Ohrid lake. It is the capital of the District of Pogradec, in the County of Korçë, located at 40.87°N and 20.70°E with a population of around 30,000 . The total area of the district is 725 km². Pogradec alone occupies about...
, via Elbasan
Elbasan
Elbasan is a city in central Albania. It is located on the Shkumbin River in the District of Elbasan and the County of Elbasan, at...
. The Tirana Railway Station is north of Skanderbeg Square
Skanderbeg Square
Skanderbeg Square is a the main plaza of Tirana, Albania named in 1968 after the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg. A Skanderbeg Monument can be found in the plaza.-History:...
, alongside the coach terminal at the north end of Boulevard Zogu I
Zogu I Boulevard
Zogu I Boulevard or Boulevard Zog I is a major boulevard of Tirana, Albania, named after Zogu I. It runs in a northerly direction from the central Skanderbeg Square. South of the square the road becomes Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard, running south....
. There are no international passenger services, although there is a freight-only railway through Shkodër to Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
(though this is currently not in use).
Air
Tirana International Airport Mother Theresa (Nënë Tereza in Albanian), also known as Rinas Airport, is located 15 kilometres northwest of the city, off the road to Durrës and was reconstructed in 2007. The expansion resulted in an increased number of passengers per annum, estimated in 1.5M passengers for 2009. It airlines using the airport include Albanian AirlinesAlbanian Airlines
Albanian Airlines MAK Sh. p.k. was an airline based in Tirana, Albania. It operated scheduled international services. Its main hub was Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza...
. Flights run to Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Rimini
Rimini
Rimini is a medium-sized city of 142,579 inhabitants in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, and capital city of the Province of Rimini. It is located on the Adriatic Sea, on the coast between the rivers Marecchia and Ausa...
, Bari
Bari
Bari is the capital city of the province of Bari and of the Apulia region, on the Adriatic Sea, in Italy. It is the second most important economic centre of mainland Southern Italy after Naples, and is well known as a port and university city, as well as the city of Saint Nicholas...
, Genoa
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
, Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
, Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, Frankfurt
Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010...
, Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
among other places. It is one of the biggest airports in the region. Several foreign airlines also serve Rinas Airport: Alitalia
Alitalia
Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. , in its later stages known as Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. in Extraordinary Administration, was the former Italian flag carrier...
(from Rome and Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
), British Airways
British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
(from London Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport is located 3.1 miles north of the centre of Crawley, West Sussex, and south of Central London. Previously known as London Gatwick,In 2010, the name changed from London Gatwick Airport to Gatwick Airport...
), Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines is the flag carrier airline of Austria, headquartered in Office Park 2 on the grounds of Vienna International Airport in Schwechat, Wien-Umgebung and a subsidiary of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. Together with regional subsidiary Tyrolean Airways and charter arm Lauda Air, it operates...
(from Vienna), Adria Airways
Adria Airways
Adria Airways d.d. is the Slovenian national airline. Today, the majority of Adria Airways business is in scheduled flights. Adria operates to 16 cities throughout Europe this winter and offers excellent connections to South East Europe. It is a Star Alliance member since 2004 and a Lufthansa...
(Ljubljana
Ljubljana
Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and its largest city. It is the centre of the City Municipality of Ljubljana. It is located in the centre of the country in the Ljubljana Basin, and is a mid-sized city of some 270,000 inhabitants...
), Jat Airways
Jat Airways
Jat Airways is the national airline of Serbia and the former national airline of Yugoslavia, and has its head office in the Jat Airways Business Center in Belgrade. It was established in 1927 as Aeroput, making it currently one of the world's oldest airlines still in operation...
(Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
), Lufthansa
Lufthansa
Deutsche Lufthansa AG is the flag carrier of Germany and the largest airline in Europe in terms of overall passengers carried. The name of the company is derived from Luft , and Hansa .The airline is the world's fourth-largest airline in terms of overall passengers carried, operating...
(Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
), Malev
Malév Hungarian Airlines
Malév Hungarian Airlines is the flag carrier and principal airline of Hungary. It has its head office in the Lurdy House in Budapest, with its main operations at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. From there, the airline flies to 50 cities in 34 countries worldwide using a fleet of 22...
(Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
), Olympic Air
Olympic Air
Olympic Air is the largest Greek airline by destinations served, formed from the privatisation of the former national carrier Olympic Airlines. Olympic Air commenced limited operations on 29 September 2009, after Olympic Airlines ceased all operations, with the official full-scale opening of the...
(Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
), Hemus Air
Hemus Air
Hemus Air was an airline based in Sofia, Bulgaria. It operated scheduled domestic and international services from Sofia and Varna, as well as charter, cargo and air ambulance services. Its main base was Sofia Airport, with a hub at Varna Airport...
(Sofia
Sofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
) and Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines is the national flag carrier airline of Turkey, headquartered in the Turkish Airlines General Management Building on the grounds of Atatürk Airport in Yeşilköy, Bakirköy district, Istanbul...
(Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
). In summer there is a direct charter flight from JFK
John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport is an international airport located in the borough of Queens in New York City, about southeast of Lower Manhattan. It is the busiest international air passenger gateway to the United States, handling more international traffic than any other airport in North...
, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Sea
The nearest major port is at the Port of DurrësPort of Durrës
The Port of Durrës or Durrës Harbor is a biggest port of Albania in the city of Durrës, Albania.It is an artificial basin that is formed between two moles, with a west-northwesterly oriented entrance approximately wide as it passes between the ends of the moles...
, that is 36 km distant from the Tirana city. Passenger ferries from Durrës sail to Trieste
Trieste
Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of land lying between the Adriatic Sea and Italy's border with Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city...
, Ancona
Ancona
Ancona is a city and a seaport in the Marche region, in central Italy, with a population of 101,909 . Ancona is the capital of the province of Ancona and of the region....
, Otranto
Otranto
Otranto is a town and comune in the province of Lecce , in a fertile region once famous for its breed of horses.It is located on the east coast of the Salento peninsula. The Strait of Otranto, to which the city gives its name, connects the Adriatic Sea with the Ionian Sea and Italy with Albania...
, Brindisi
Brindisi
Brindisi is a city in the Apulia region of Italy, the capital of the province of Brindisi, off the coast of the Adriatic Sea.Historically, the city has played an important role in commerce and culture, due to its position on the Italian Peninsula and its natural port on the Adriatic Sea. The city...
, Bari
Bari
Bari is the capital city of the province of Bari and of the Apulia region, on the Adriatic Sea, in Italy. It is the second most important economic centre of mainland Southern Italy after Naples, and is well known as a port and university city, as well as the city of Saint Nicholas...
, Lecce
Lecce
Lecce is a historic city of 95,200 inhabitants in southern Italy, the capital of the province of Lecce, the second province in the region by population, as well as one of the most important cities of Puglia...
, Genoa
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
(Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
), Zadar
Zadar
Zadar is a city in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. It is the centre of Zadar county and the wider northern Dalmatian region. Population of the city is 75,082 citizens...
, Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its total population is 42,641...
(Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
), Maribor
Maribor
Maribor is the second largest city in Slovenia with 157,947 inhabitants . Maribor is also the largest and the capital city of Slovenian region Lower Styria and the seat of the Municipality of Maribor....
, Koper (Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
), Gdansk
Gdansk
Gdańsk is a Polish city on the Baltic coast, at the centre of the country's fourth-largest metropolitan area.The city lies on the southern edge of Gdańsk Bay , in a conurbation with the city of Gdynia, spa town of Sopot, and suburban communities, which together form a metropolitan area called the...
(Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
), Bar
Bar, Montenegro
Bar is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has a population of 17,727...
(Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
), Corfu
Corfu
Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The...
(Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
) and others.
Media
Most of the important media outlets in Tirana County are located in Tirana, including Tirana TVTirana TV
Tirana TV is a mainly music channel. It mainly broadcasts Albanian music as well as satirical episodes from well known Albanian satirists....
, TVSH, Club FM, Tirana, Albania Today, Dita
DITA
Dita may refer to:*Dita Field Hockey, a company which produces field hockey merchandise*Darwin Information Typing Architecture, abbreviated DITA; an XML-based architecture for authoring*Dita de Leon, an American actress...
and the Tirana Observer
Tirana observer
Tirana Observer is an Albanian language newspaper published in Tirana, Albania. Tirana Observer is a politically unaffiliated daily newspaper.-Sections:The newspaper is organized in three sections, including the magazine....
.
Tirana
- Abdi bej ToptaniAbdi bej ToptaniAbdi Toptani was a 19th century Albanian politician. He was one of the signatories of the Albanian Declaration of Independence.-References:...
, signatory of the Albanian Declaration of IndependenceAlbanian Declaration of IndependenceThe Albanian Declaration of Independence is the declaration of independence of the Albanian Vilayet from the Ottoman Empire. Albania was proclaimed independent in Vlorë on November 28, 1912.-Background:... - Albert BrojkaAlbert Brojka-References:...
– Former Tirana Mayor - Aleksandër MeksiAleksander MeksiAleksandër Gabriel Meksi was the Prime Minister of Albania from April 13, 1992 to March 11, 1997. A former archaeologist he was the first person to be prime minister of Albania after the end of communist rule....
– Former Prime Minister - Bamir TopiBamir TopiBamir Myrteza Topi is the fifth and current President of Albania since 24 July 2007. He was also Honorary President of Albanian football club KF Tirana from 2005 to 2007.-Early life and public activities:...
– current President of Albania - Beqir BallukuBeqir BallukuBeqir Balluku was an Albanian politician, military leader, and Minister of Defense of Albania. Balluku assisted Enver Hoxha in carrying out the 1956 purge in the Communist Party of Albania...
– Former member of the PolitburoPolitburo of the Party of Labour of AlbaniaThe Politburo was the leading organ of the Party of Labour of Albania. The following is the composition of the Politburo that would be formed after every Congress of the Party. The politburo for the 1941-1948 period is not included....
he was accused as organizer of a coup d'etatCoup d'étatA coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
in 1974, and sentenced to death. - Blendi NallbaniBlendi NallbaniBlendi Nallbani also known as Tata is an Albanian goalkeeper who currently for KF Tirana in the Albanian Superliga. He is the club's vice captain under Devis Mukaj...
- football player - Edi RamaEdi RamaEdi Rama is an Albanian politician, painter, publicist, professor, and former athlete. Currently he is the leader of the Socialist Party of Albania, the biggest party in Albania , by wining the most of votes as a party in the last eight election.He has served as board member at the local Soros...
– current Tirana Mayor - Elsa LilaElsa LilaElsa Lila is an Albanian singer.-Early life:Elsa Lila was born in Tirana, Albania. Her father was a singer of the former Albanian state choir, while her mother was a violinist, so both parents raised her on theatre, and music, giving her a great love for the arts...
– singer - Erjon BogdaniErjon BogdaniErjon Bogdani , is an Albanian football striker. Bogdani plays for A.C. Cesena, in Italian Serie A and the Albanian national team.-Early Years:...
– football player - Essad PashaEssad PashaEssad Pasha Toptani or Esad Pasha Toptani , primarily known as Essad Pasha, was Ottoman army officer, Albanian deputy in Ottoman parliament and politician in the early twentieth century in Albania...
– politician - Fatos NanoFatos NanoFatos Thanas Nano is an Albanian economist who was Prime Minister of Albania during several periods, the first leader of the Socialist Party of Albania, and member of the Albanian Parliament from 1991 to 1996 and 1997 to 2009...
– former Prime Minister of Albania - Gjergj XhuvaniGjergj XhuvaniGjergj Xhuvani is an Albanian film director, screenwriter, and producer. He graduated from Tirana's Academy of Arts in 1986....
– movie director - Inva MulaInva MulaInva Mula is an Albanian opera soprano and actress. She began her soprano career at a very early age. Her father and mother were also opera singers. -Life and Career:...
– opera singer - Kledi KadiuKledi KadiuKledi Kadiu is an Albanian-born, naturalized Italian dancer, actor, television personality, and author. He is a regular dancer on the popular talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi , which is presented by Maria De Filippi on Mediaset's Canale 5. He starred in his first film Passa a Due in 2005...
– dancer and actor who lives and works in Italy - Leka, Crown Prince of AlbaniaLeka, Crown Prince of AlbaniaLeka, Crown Prince of Albania was the only son of King Zog of Albania and his queen, Géraldine Apponyi de Nagyappony. He was called Crown Prince Skander at birth...
– heir of King Zog I - Masiela LushaMasiela LushaMasiela Lusha is an American author, actress, producer and humanitarian who first gained recognition after starring in film and TV projects such as ABC's George Lopez and Sony Picture's Blood: The Last Vampire...
– actress, poet, and writer - Murat bej ToptaniMurat bej ToptaniMurat Toptani was an Albanian poet, artist and activist of the Albanian National Awakening. In 1912, he became one of the signatories of Albanian Declaration of Independence. As a sculptor, Toptani created the first bust of George Kastrioti Skanderbeg, a national hero of Albania....
, signatory of the Albanian Declaration of IndependenceAlbanian Declaration of IndependenceThe Albanian Declaration of Independence is the declaration of independence of the Albanian Vilayet from the Ottoman Empire. Albania was proclaimed independent in Vlorë on November 28, 1912.-Background:... - Pandeli MajkoPandeli MajkoPandeli Majko was Prime Minister of Albania from 1998 to 1999 and for a short time in 2002.He graduated at the University of Tirana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and later in Law.- MP of the Socialist Party :...
– twice Prime Minister of Albania - Rexhep MeidaniRexhep Meidaniis an Albanian politician. He graduated from the University of Tirana , Faculty of Natural Sciences, Branch Physics, as well as successfully accomplished the postgraduate studies in the University of Caen...
– former President of Albania - Saimir KumbaroSaimir KumbaroSaimir Kumbaro, born in Tirana, is a retired Albanian film director of the 1980s.He initially appeared as an actor in Njësiti guerril in 1969 but his first film was Rrugicat që kërkonin diell in 1975, a film that starred Ndrek Luca....
– film director - Sali KelmendiSali KelmendiSali Kelmendi was born in Tirana on 31 May 1947. He is an engineer and a politician. One of the founders of the Democratic Party of Albania in 1990, Sali Kelmendi is the first democratically elected mayor of Tirana in the democratic elections of July 1992....
– Former Tirana Mayor - Skënder SallakuSkënder SallakuSkënder Sallaku is a notable Albanian comic and actor, recipient of the People's Artist of Albania award. He was also notably national champion of Albania in Greco-Roman wrestling. Films include Estrada në ekran , Cirku në fshat , Gjuetia e fundit and Revolja e humbur .-Sources:...
– comic actor - Vedat KokonaVedat KokonaVedat Kokona is an Albanian translator, writer and lexicologist of the 20th century, well known for his dual dictionaries English-Albanian and French-Albanian and his contributions in Albanian lexicology and lexicography.-Early life:...
– Albanian translator - Klodiana ShalaKlodiana ShalaKlodiana Shala is one of Albania's most popular athletes. She is a track and field athlete, and competes in the 200m and 400m sprints, where her best times are 24.34s and 53.87s, respectively. She was the bearer of the Flag of Albania in the opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics...
– Athlete
Kavajë
- Aleksander MoisiuAleksander Moisiu- Early years :He was born in Trieste to Konstantin Moisiu from Kavajë, who was a rich Albanian merchant of oil and wheat and an Arbëresh mother Amalia di Rada, daughter of an Italian writer and doctor from Trieste....
, 20th Century Actor of European Stage and Cinema - Spiro MoisiuSpiro MoisiuSpiro Moisiu was the Commander General of the Albanian National Liberation Army during World War II. He was the father of the former President of Albania, Alfred Moisiu.-Early life:...
, General Commander of the National Liberation Army during World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis... - Alfred MoisiuAlfred Moisiuwas the fourth President of the Republic of Albania from July 24, 2002 to July 24, 2007. He is the son of Albanian Army general Spiro Moisiu....
, 4th President of the Republic of Albania - Mustafa KrantjaMustafa KrantjaMustafa Krantja is an Albanian conductor and composer. He has written about 20 major works.He was awarded the People's Republic award in 1956 and the Dvorak Medal in 1975.-References:...
, Famous Conductor and Founder of the Symphonic Orchestra - Kristina KoljakaKristina KoljakaKristina Koljaka is an Albanian sculptor and one of the first women to achieve success in sculpture in Albania. She has created many notable works, notably the Statue of Lenin in central Tirana, erected in 1954....
, First Albanian Female Sculptor and author of many notable works, the most famous of which was the Statue of Lenin in Central Tirana. - Kolë XhumariKolë XhumariKolë Xhumari was an Albanian writer, born in Kavajë. He is best known as the author of the children's book Abetare.-Reference:*...
, Creator of the Children's Book also known as Abetare - Ermir Dobjani, People's Advocate OmbudsmanOmbudsmanAn ombudsman is a person who acts as a trusted intermediary between an organization and some internal or external constituency while representing not only but mostly the broad scope of constituent interests...
2000–present - Parashqevi SimakuParashqevi SimakuParashqevi Simaku is an Albanian singer, noted for her work in the 1980s.In 1983 she released Gëzimi i shtepisë së re...
, Popular singer of the 1980s - Agim HushiAgim Hushi-Biography:Agim Hushi was born in Albania.After his University studies for literature and psychology in Tirana, he was discovered as a musical talent with an extraordinary tenor voice....
, Tenor - Altin RraklliAltin RraklliAltin Rraklli is a retired Albanian footballer who played as a forward.Most of his professional career was spent in Germany, where he played for five clubs in both major levels of football, namely SC Freiburg and SpVgg Unterhaching, totalling 282 games as a professional in that nation.-Football...
, First Albanian Footballer to play in the BundesligaFußball-BundesligaThe Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga... - Lorenc Goga, Weightlifter – Silver medal winner at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, representing GreeceGreeceGreece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
as Leonidas Kokkas. - Andi LilaAndi LilaAndi Lila is an Albanian football player. The defender is currently playing for PAS Giannina in the Greek Superleague.- Besa :...
, Defensive player of KF Tirana and capped with AlbaniaAlbania national football teamThe Albania national association football team is the national association football team of Albania and is controlled by the Football Association of Albania...