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Municipal of Malësia

Tuzi (Montenegrin: Tuzi or Тузи, pronounced [tǔːzi]; Albanian: Tuzi) is a town in the Podgorica municipality, Montenegro, located along a main road between the city of Podgorica and the Albanian border crossing, just a few kilometers north of Lake of Shkodra. The exact location of Tuzi is 42°21′56″N 19°19′53″E / 42.36556°N 19.33139°E / 42.36556; 19.33139. It a centre of Tuzi urban municipality, a subdivision of Podgorica municipality.

Origin of name [link]

Although there is no historical record for the name "Tuzi", locals say it owes it name to its founder and first settler, Llesh Tuzi. He was said to have lived in the 15th century and migrated from the Albanian Highlands (Malesia e Madhe).

According to some documents of an local catholic church, the name Tuzi is being used in the year 1222

History [link]

The town of Tuzi is situated in the region of Malesija. It is the largest and most important town in the region. The Albanians of Tuzi today are originally from the surrounding Malësia region tribes of Hoti, Gruda, Triesh and Koja. The Malësor Albanians consider Tuzi as an important cultural and traditional center for their people. Although Tuzi is historically an Albanian town, it is also home to smaller ethnic groups, such as the Bosniaks (Muslims) and Montenegrins.

In 1911, for the first time since the era of George Kastrioti, the Albanian flag was risen on top of the Deçiq Mountain in Tuz during the Beteja e Deçiq (Battle of Deçiq). In the battle, Ded Gjo Luli led the Albanians into victory against the Ottomans which marked the beginning of the turning point for Albanian liberty and eventually independence.

Geography [link]

Tuzi is situated to the northwest of the Lake of Shkodra 10 km from Podgorica, 150 km from Dubrovnik (Croatia) and 130 km to Tirana (Albanian Capital).

Tuzi is located in surrounded by forests and mountains that are further connected with the Prokletije. As in all cities in Montenegro, Tuzi has a health centre, elementary school "Mahmut Lekić" and high school "25 Maj". KIC 'TUZI', was built in 2004. In the last few years, Tuzi built a new elementary school and football stadium.

Subdivisions [link]

Apart from Tuzi, the Urban Municipality of Tuzi contains the following villages.

• Arza / Arrëz
• Barlaj / Bardhaj
• Benkaj / Bënkaj
• Budza / Budëz
• Cijevna / Cem
• Delaj
• Dinoša / Dinoshë
• Donja Selišta / Selishtë
• Donji Milješ / Milesh i Ultë
• Dreshaj / Drešaj
• Drume
• Dušiće / Dushiq
• Gornja Selišta / Selishtë
• Gornji Milješ / Milesh i Epërm
• Gurec / Gurrec
• Helmnica / Helmnicë
• Koći / Kojë
• Kotrabudan / Kodërbudan
• Krševo / Kshevë
• Lovka / Llofkë
• Lekic/ Lekaj
• Mužečka / Muzheçku
• Nabon / Nabom
• Podhum / Nënhelm
• Nikmaraš / Nikmarash
• Omerbožoviće / Omerbozhaj
• Pankal
• Pikalj / Pikalë
• Prifti / Priftën
• Kuće Rakića / Shtëpia e Rakiqëve
• Rudine / Rudinë
• Skorać / Skorraq
• Spinja / Spijë
• Stjepovo / Stjepoh
• Sukuruć / Sukruq
• Šipčanik / Shipçanik
• Trabo(j)in / Traboin
• Tuzi
• Vladne / Vllanë
• Vranj / Vranë
• Vuksanlekiće / Vuksanlekaj
• Zatrijebač / Trieshi

Tuzi is the center town of the Albanian tribal region of Malesija. Majority of Tuzi's residents are Albanian and were home to a few notable Albanian figures, such as Dede Gjon Luli, who led the Albanian revolt in Tuzi against the Ottomans in 1911.

There are carnivals that have brought Tuzi to some international carnival cities. There is an ethnographic museum band also many places and cultural valuables to be explored.

Natural and Touristic Resources [link]

Korita, Lake of Rikaveci, Vitoja, River Cemi etc.

Politics [link]

So far, the Capital City Law has passed that marks Tuzi and Golubovci as urban municipalities - a municipality within municipality, where Tuzi and Golubovci would have their own city parliaments, but still would be under mayor of Podgorica.

Economy [link]

The urban municipallity of Tuzi in the year 2005 is has had a budget of over 3.500.000 euros, but in the year 2012 it has a decrease amount of budget to 45.000 euros.

Demographics [link]

According to 2011 census, the town of Tuzi has a population of 4,748^[1], while Tuzi Urban Municipality has 12,096 residents^[2]. Out of this, most are Albanians, but there is also a significant percentage of Muslims Montenegrins, Bosniaks, and Orthodox Montenegrins.

• Albanians - 2,383
• Bosniaks - 932
• Muslims - 554
• Montenegrins - 554
• Roma - 111
• Serbs - 13
• Others - 172
• Undeclared/undefined - 122
• regional affiliation - 7
• Total - 4,748

Religious demographics [link]

• 61,9% - Islam
• 34,2 - Roman Catholic
• 2% - Eastern Orthodox

International relations [link]

Tuzi is a sister city with Rochester Hills, Michigan.

See also [link]

• Football club Dečić Tuzi
• Balkan Wars

External links [link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tuzi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mal%C3%ABsia

References [link]