Tirana
Tirana
Tirana
Tirana
Tirana Tiran
Municipality
Tirana by night
Location of Tirana in Tirana County Coordinates: 411948N 194912E Country County District Founded Subdivisions Government Albania Tirana County Tirana District 1614 11 Municipal Units [1]
Tirana
[2]
2
Mayor Government Area Municipality Metro Elevation Population (2011) Municipality Density Urban Urbandensity Metro Metrodensity Time zone Summer(DST) Postal code Area code(s) Website [] 421,286 10,553/km2 (27,330/sqmi) 895,350 14,746/km2 (38,190/sqmi) 763,634 462/km2 (1,200/sqmi) CET (UTC+1) CEST (UTC+2) 10011028 +355 4 www.tirana.gov.al [4] [3] 41.8km2 (16.1sqmi) 1,652km2 (638sqmi) 110m (360ft)
Tirana i/trn/ (Standard Albanian: Tiran; regional Gheg Albanian: Tirona) 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. Tirana became Albanias capital city in 1920 and has a population of 400,000, with metro area population of 763,634. The city is host to public institutions and private universities, and is the centre of the political, economical, and cultural life of the country.
Geography
The Municipality of Tirana is located at (41.33N, 19.82E) in Tirana District, Tirana County on the river Ishm, about 32 kilometers (20mi) inland. Tirana's average altitude is 110 meters (360ft) above sea level and its highest point measures 1,828m (5,997.38ft) at Mali me Gropa. The city is mostly surrounded by hills, with Dajti Mountain on the east and a slight valley opening on the north-west overlooking the Adriatic Sea in the distance. The Tiran river also runs through the city, whereas the Lan river is a brook. The city borders the surrounding municipalities of Paskuqan, Dajt, Fark, Vaqarr, Kashar, and Kamz. The city has four artificial lakes: the Tirana Artificial Lake around which was built the Big Park, Paskuqani Lake, Farka Lake, and Tufina Lake.
Tirana is on the same parallel as Naples, Madrid, Istanbul, and New York, and on the same meridian as Budapest and Krakw.
Tirana
History
Antiquity
The area occupied by Tirana has been populated since Paleolithic times[5] dating back 10,000 to 30,000 years ago as suggested by evidence from tools found near Mount Dajt's quarry and in Pellumba Cave. As argued by various archaeologists, Tirana and its suburbs are filled with Illyrian toponyms as its precincts are some of the earliest regions in Albania to be inhabited.[] The oldest discovery in downtown Tirana was a Roman house, later transformed into an aisleless church with a mosaic-floor, dating back to the 3rd century A.D., with other remains found near a medieval temple at Shengjin Fountain in eastern suburbs. A castle possibly called Tirkan or Theranda whose remnants are found along Murat Toptani Street, 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 Illyrian 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.[6]
Tirana
Construction in central Tirana was part of the cooperation package between King Zog and Fascist Italy
In the political sphere, Tirana experienced such events as intermittent attacks on the mountain pass of Shkalla e Tujanit (Tujan's Staircase) by the army of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes and forces loyal to Zogu. In 1924, Tirana was at the centre of a coup d'tat led by Fan S. Noli. Since 1925, when they were banned in Turkey, the Bektashis, an order of dervishes who take their name from Haji Bektash, a Sufi saint of the 13th and 14th centuries, made Tirana their primary settlement. Modern Albanian parliamentary building served as a club of officers. It was there that in September 1928, Zog of Albania was crowned King Zog I, King of the Albanians. The period between the 1930s and 1940s was characterized by the completion of the above architectural projects, clashes between occupying forces and local resistance, and the coming to power of the communists. In 1930, the northern portion of modern Dshmort e Kombit (National Martyrs) Boulevard finished and named Zog I Boulevard. Meanwhile, the ministerial complex, boulevard axis, Royal Palace (Palace of the Brigades), former municipal building, and the National Bank were still under construction. The latter is the work of renown Italian architect Vittorio Ballio Morpurgo. In addition, Tirana served as the venue for the signing between Fascist Italy and Albania of the Pact of Tirana.
The town soon became the center of the Albanian communists who mobilized locals against Italian fascists and later Nazi Germans, while spreading ideological propaganda. On 17 November 1944, the town was liberated after a fierce battle between the Communists and German forces. The Nazis eventually withdrew and the communists seized power.
Tirana
5 From 1944 to 1991, the city experienced ordered development with a decline in architectural quality. Massive socialist-styled apartment complexes and factories began to be built, while Skanderbeg Square was redesigned with a number of buildings being demolished. For instance, Tirana's former Old Bazaar and the Orthodox Cathedral were razed to the ground for the erection of the Soviet-styled Palace of Culture. The Italian-built municipal building was detonated and the National Historical Museum was constructed instead, while the structure housing the Parliament of Albania during the monarchy was turned into a children's theater.
The northern portion of the main boulevard was renamed Stalin Boulevard and his statue erected in the city square. As private car ownership was banned, mass transport consisted mainly of bicycles, trucks, and buses. After Hoxha's death, a museum in the form of a pyramid was constructed in his memory by the government. Prior and after the procclamation of Albania's self-isolationist policy, a number of high-profile figures paid visits to the city such as former Soviet President Nikita Khrushchev, former Premier of the People's Republic of China, Zhou Enlai and lately former Minister for Foreign Matters of the German Democratic Republic, Oskar Fischer. In 1985, Tirana served as the ceremonial venue of Enver Hoxha's funeral. A few years later, Mother Teresa became the first religious figure to visit the country following Albania's long declared atheist stance. She laid respect to her parents resting at a local cemetery. Starting at Student City and ending at Skanderbeg Square with the toppling of Enver Hoxha's statue, the city saw significant demonstrations by University of Tirana students demanding political freedoms.
Transition
The period following the fall of communism until the late 1990s is often described negatively in terms of urban development even though significant utility investments were made. Kiosks and apartment buildings started to be built without planning on former public areas. Informal districts formed around the city as internal migrants gathered from around the country. During this period, Albania was transformed from a centrally planned economy into a market economy. Private car ownership was reinstated and businesses re-established. However poor city lighting and road quality became major problems as mud, potholes, street floods, and dust became permanent features on the streets. However, all buildings and apartments were denationalized, second-hand buses introduced, and modern water, telephone, and electrical systems built during 19921996 which form the backbone of modern Tirana. Enver Hoxha's Museum (Pyramid) was dismantled in 1991 and renamed in honor of persecuted activist Pjeter Arbnori. On the political aspect, the city witnessed a number of events. Personalities visited the capital such as former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker and Pope John Paul II. The former visit came amidst the historical setting after the fall of communism, as hundreds of thousands were chanting in Skanderbeg Square Baker's famous saying of "Freedom works!". Pope John Paul II became the first major religious leader to visit Tirana, though Mother Teresa had visited few years prior. During the Balkans turmoil in the mid 1990s, the city experienced dramatic events such as the unfolding of the 1997 unrest in Albania, and a failed coup d'etat on 14 September 1998. In 1999, following the Kosovo War, Tirana Airport became a NATO airbase serving its mission in the former Yugoslavia.
Tirana
Rebirth
In 2000, former Tirana mayor Edi Rama undertook a campaign to demolish illegal buildings around the city centre and on Lana River banks to bring the area to its pre-1990 state. In addition, Rama led the initiative to paint the faades of Tirana's buildings in bright colours, although much of their interiors continue to degrade.[10][11] Public transport was privatized and newer second hand buses were introduced. Municipal services were expanded, a richer calendar of events introduced, and a Municipal Police force established. Most main roads underwent reconstruction such the Ring Road (Unaza), Kavaja Street, and the main boulevard. Common areas between apartment buildings were brought back to normality after decades of neglect, while parks, city squares, and sports recreational areas were renovated giving Tirana a more European look. Some critics argue that traditional houses are being threatened by continuous construction of apartment buildings while some green areas are being used for the construction of skyscrapers. In fact, Rama has been accused by critics of political corruption while issuing building permits, but he has dismissed the claims as baseless. Decreasing urban space and increased traffic congestion have become major problems as a general construction chaos is observed in Tirana. In 2007, U.S. President George W. Bush marked the first time that such a high ranking American official visited Tirana.[12] A central Tirana street was named in his honor. In 2008, the 2008 Grdec explosions were felt in the capital as windows were shattered and citizens shaken. In 21 January 2011, Albanian police clashed with opposition supporters in front of the Government building as cars were set on fire, three persons killed, and 150 wounded.[13]
Outlook
Although much has been achieved, critics argue that there is no clear vision on Tirana's future. Some of the pressing issues facing Tirana are loss of public space due to illegal and chaotic construction, unpaved roads in suburban areas, degradation of Tirana's Artificial Lake, rehabilitation of Skanderbeg Square, an ever present smog, the construction of a central bus station, and public parking space. Plans include the continuation of the legalisation process of illegal buildings, construction of the southwestern portion of the "Big Ring Road,"" a tram system, and the rehabilitation of the Tirana Railway Station area.
Climate
Tirana has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa in the Kppen climate classification) and receives just enough summer precipitation to avoid Kppen's Csa Mediterranean climate classification since every summer month has more than 40 millimetres (1.6in) of rainfall,[14] with hot and moderately dry/humid summers, and cool and wet winters.
Climate data for Tirana Month Record high C (F) Average high C (F) Average low C (F) Record low C (F) Precipitation mm (inches) Avg. precipitation days ( 1
mm)
Jan
21 (70) 12 (54) 2 (36) 10 (14) 143 (5.63) 12
Feb
24 (75) 13 (55) 3 (37) 9 (16) 132 (5.2) 10
Mar
27 (81) 15 (59) 5 (41) 10 (14)
Apr
28 (82) 20 (68) 9 (48) 1 (30)
May
31 (88) 24 (75) 13 (55) 3 (37)
Jun
36 (97) 28 (82) 16 (61) 8 (46)
Jul
42 (108) 32 (90) 18 (64) 8 (46)
Aug
40 (104) 32 (90) 18 (64) 8 (46)
Sep
40 (104) 28 (82) 15 (59) 3 (37)
Oct
36 (97) 23 (73) 12 (54) 0 (32)
Nov
28 (82) 17 (63) 8 (46) 6 (21)
Dec
22 (72) 13 (55) 4 (39) 8 (18)
Year
42 (108) 21.4 (70.5) 10.3 (50.3) 10 (14)
115 104 103 68 42 46 78 114 172 148 1,265 (4.53) (4.09) (4.06) (2.68) (1.65) (1.81) (3.07) (4.49) (6.77) (5.83) (49.81) 11 11 10 6 4 4 6 11 13 12 110
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Mean monthly sunshine hours
127.1 124.3 158.1 204 266.6 297 353.4
[15]
328.6
264
217
126
86.8
2,552.9
Source: Wetter.com:Tirana
Demographics
Panoramic view of Tirana from Mount Dajt in 2004 According to preliminary data from the 2011 national census, the population of Tirana within city limits is 421,286. Tirana County, which can be viewed as a metropolitan area, has a population of 763,634. Many large towns and villages within the county have merged with the city, due to urban sprawl, so they can be viewed as suburbs of Tirana. Some of the large suburbs, listed as separate towns, are Kamz (67,301), Kashar (45,742), Paskuqan (37,313) and Fark (22,713). Thus the urban area of Tirana has a population close to 600,000. When it comes to Religion followers of Muslim Religion represent 52.9% of the population, while large Christian and atheist minorities collectively make up 47.1% of the population.[] In 1703, Tirana had about 4,000 inhabitants and by 1820 the number tripled to 12,000. The first census conducted a few years after becoming capital showed a total population of 10,845. During the 1950s, Tirana experienced rapid industrial growth and the population increased to about 137,000. After the end of communist rule in 1991, Tirana experienced its fastest population growth when people from rural areas moved to the capital for better economic opportunities. In 1990, Tirana had 250,000 inhabitants, but the large-scale influx increased the population to well over 500,000. Stemming from historical migratory waves, Tirana is known for its hospitality represented in many traditional songs with the warm hospitality symbols of 'bread', 'salt', and 'heart'.
Tirana
Health
The largest hospital in Tirana is Mother Theresa Hospital (Qndra Spitalore Universitare Nn Tereza), which is associated with University of Tirana, Faculty of Medicine. The hospital is a 1,456-bed facility that offers inpatient tertiary care to over 12,000 patients annually. The hospital is undergoing major changes in infrastructure and equipment. A number of private hospitals have been opened.
Culture
Institutions and events
The main cultural institutions of Tirana are the National Theater, the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania, and the National Arts Gallery (Galeria Kombtare e Arteve). Performances of renown world composers are regularly performed by the Symphonic Orchestra of the Albanian Radio and Television. The city serves as a venue for the Tirana Biennale, Tirana Jazz Festival, Summer Day, White Night on 28 November, Rally Albania, Netet e Klipit Shqiptar, and Tirana Fashion Week. Tirana has been redesigning its identity to a more Mediterranean city lined with cafes and a "vibrant" nightlife.
Skanderbeg Square
Landmarks
Tirana has seen the reconstruction of historic landmarks. The town is home to the following natural and historical sites: Tirana Castle (Kalaja e Tirans), the historical core of the capital around Murat Toptani Street Clock Tower of Tirana (Kulla e Sahatit) and the nearby Museum of Clock Towers of Albania (Muzeu i Oreve) Et'hem Bey Mosque (Xhamia e Tirans) Tabak Bridge (Ura e Tabakve) National Historic Museum Skanderbeg Square as a monumental ensemble Dshmort e Kombit Boulevard, a panoramic avenue built by the Italians Blloku, the nightlife area of the capital Dajti Mountain, overlooking the city and accessible via cable car Prez Castle (Kalaja e Prezs) Petrel Castle (Kalaja e Petrels)
Petrela Castle near Tirana Colorful buildings in Tirana
Tirana Tirana Mosaic Kapllan Pasha's Grave (Varri i Kapllan Pashs) Tirana Archaeological Museum Natural Sciences Museum of Albania Sali Shijaku Traditional House Big Park on the Artificial Lake St Paul's Cathedral Orthodox Church of the Holy Evangelical Zemra e Krishtit Catholic Church of Tirana Sheh Dyrri Teqe and Global Bektashi Centre
Taivani, a Tirana restaurant seen from the Sky Tower's revolving restaurant
Dervish Hatixhe Tekke Tirana New Bazaar Brari Canyon Tirana is home to five well-preserved traditional houses (museum-houses), 56 cultural monuments, eight public libraries, and the National Library of Albania (Biblioteka Kombtare).[19]
Education
Tirana is host to academic institutions such as the University of Tirana, Polytechnic University of Tirana, Agricultural University of Tirana, Academy of Physical Education and Sports, University of Arts (Academy of Arts of Albania), the Academy of Sciences of Albania, and the Skanderbeg Military University, national and international academic research institutions, as well as NGOs. English Base is an English Language school in Tirana. Tirana has seen the creation of private academic institutions, including: Albanian University (U.F.O Universitas.Fabrefacta Optime), Epoka University, University of New York, Tirana, European University of Tirana, Luarasi University, Academy of Film and Multimedia "Marubi".
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Urban planning
Half a dozen urban plans for Tirana prepared by consultants have included proposals on how to guide development. In 1995, Regional Consulting, a Vienna-based urban planning firm funded by the Austrian government prepared a master plan for Tirana. In 1995, a Land Management Task Force composed of Albanian urban planners, PADCO (a US-based consulting firm), GHK (UK-based consulting firm), and the Graduate School of Design of Harvard University prepared a preliminary structural plan for the Tirana metropolitan area. The plan was updated by PADCO in 2002 into a Strategic Plan for Greater Tirana, which covered the metropolitan area. In 2002, two German consultants, GTZ GmbH (German Technical Cooperation), and IOER (Institute of Ecological and Regional Development) compiled a development study for the Tirana-Durrs region. Two other site plans for the city center were prepared in 2003 and 2010 by French Architecture Studio, and Belgian architectural firm 51N4E respectively. In 2007, a larger strategic plan for this region followed up made by two UK-based firms, Landell Mills Development
Traffic in Tirana
Consultants and Buro Happold. Most of these proposals did not go through the established approval procedures and have unclear legal status. The preparation of a new master plan for Tirana was under way for almost a decade (20022011). Two interim reports prepared by Urbaplan - a Swiss consultant, and CoPlan - an Albanian urban planning institute were released in 2007 and 2008 respectively.[22] However, the plan was turned down by the National Planning Council of Albania (KRRTRSH). In the meantime, the Municipality announced in 2011 that a new regulatory plan would be prepared within 2012.[23]
Economy
Tirana is Albania's major industrial and financial centre. Since the 1920s, it has experienced rapid growth and established many industries for agricultural products and machinery, textiles, pharmaceuticals, metal products, and services. Tirana began to develop at the beginning of the 16th century, when a bazaar was established, and its craftsmen manufactured silk and cotton City Park shopping center 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. In 1901, it had 140,000 olive trees, 400 oil mills, and 700 shops. Tirana is known for its native wealthy families. TID tower, an 85 meters business tower is being constructed in the city. Tirana has malls, such as City Park at 3km, QTU, Casa Italia, and Tirana East Gate.
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Environment
The city suffers from problems related to overpopulation, such as waste management, high levels of air pollution and significant noise pollution. Over the last decades, air pollution has increased by a significant amount as the number of cars has increased to over 300,000.[24] These are mostly 1980s Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers#Chronological items, diesel cars, while it is widely believed that the fuel used in Albania contains larger amounts of sulfur and lead than in the European Union. Another source of pollution are Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake PM10 and PM2.5 inhaled particulate matter and NO2 gases[25][26] resulting from rapid growth in the construction of new buildings and expanding road infrastructure.[27] Untreated solid waste is present in the city and outskirts. Additionally, there have been complaints of excessive noise pollution. Despite the problems, the Big Park at the Tirana Artificial Lake has some effect on absorbing CO2 emissions, while over 2 000 trees have been planted around sidewalks.
Media
Tirana is the media hub of Albania. The city is home to the headquarters of the Albanian Radio and Television (RTSH), and national commercial broadcasters Top Channel and TV Klan. Radio stations operate in the capital, with the most notable being Radio Tirana, commercial Top Albania Radio and Plus 2 Radio. Tirana is home to the publication of dailies including Shqip, Zri i Popullit, Shekulli, Gazeta Shqiptare and Koha Jon.
Sports
Tirana is a major centre for sport in Albania. Tirana's sports clubs include KF Tirana, Partizani, and Dinamo. In football, as of April 2012, the Tirana based teams have won a combined 57 championships out of 72 championships organized by the FSHF, i.e. 79% of them. In Tirana there are two major stadiums, the Qemal Stafa Stadium, that holds around 20,000 spectators and the Selman Strmasi stadium which holds around 12,000 spectators. Tirana's sports infrastructure is developing fast because of the investments from the municipality and the government. From 2007 Tirana Municipality has built up to 80 sport gardens in most of Tirana's neighbourhoods.
Transport
The city serves as the meeting point for national roads SH1, SH2 and SH3. Construction of the outer big ring highway started in 2011. In the near future, Tirana will have a transportation hub combining all transportation in one place near Kashar.
Bus
Local transport within Tirana is by bus or taxi. Official taxis have yellow plates with red text. Coach and minibus (furgon) services also run to the coast and northern and southern Albania from Tirana. International coach services connect to Greece, via Kor or Kakavije, to Kosova[a] via the new Durrs-Morine highway, and to the Republic of Macedonia via Struga. A web and Android application regarding Tirana's public transportation such as lines, directions, times and costs can be found at Tirana Bus Stations.[28] An Android application is available for download at Google Play Apps.[29]
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12
Rail
There are passenger services to Durrs and Librazhd, via Elbasan. The line extending from Librazhd to Pogradec was discontinued in 2012. 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 Shkodr to Montenegro.
Air
Tirana International Airport Mother Theresa (Nn Tereza in Albanian), also known as Rinas Airport, was reconstructed in 2007. It is 15 kilometres northwest of the city, off the road to Durrs. Airlines using Rinas include Albanian Airlines. Flights run to Athens, London, Rimini, Bari, Genoa, Rome, Bologna, Munich, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Vienna among other places. It is one of the largest airports in the region. Several foreign airlines also serve Rinas Airport: Alitalia (from Tirana International Airport 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.
Sea
Tirana is served by the port of Durrs, 36km distant from the capital. Passenger ferries from Durrs sail to Trieste, Ancona, Otranto, Brindisi, Bari, Genoa (Italy), Zadar, Dubrovnik (Croatia), Koper (Slovenia), Bar (Montenegro), Corfu (Greece) and others. Kavaja is included in the Tirana County also.
Bicycle
Bicycles are rented from four stations at Rinia Park and along Deshmoret e Kombit Boulevard. The system is part of the Ecovolis Sunset over the Adriatic Sea [30] bicycle sharing program launched in 2011. A full day ride is 100 leks in cost. Cycling in the streets has been regarded as quite dangerous as bike lanes are lacking. However, in recent years, combined bus and bike lanes have been built on Tirana's main streets. Bike only lanes are located on existing sidewalks along Skanderbeg Square, Lana River, and on Kavaja Street.
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13
Mayors
Zyber Hallulli Servet Libohova Ismail Ndroqi Ali Begeja Ali Derhemi Xhemal Kondi Fuat Toptani Izet Dibra Rasim Kalakula Rexhep Jella 19131914 19151916 19171922 19221923 19231924 19241925 19251927 19271928 19281930 19301933 Omer Fortuzi Halil Meniku Llazar Treska Ibrahim Sina Isuf Kei Sabri Pilkati Peo Kagjini Sami Gjebero Ibrahim Sina Sami Gjebero 19401943 19431944 19441945 19471949 19501951 1951-1951 19511952 19531954 19541955 19561957 Sabri Pilkati Myqerem Fuga Ndue Marashi Nesip Ibrahimi 19651966 19701973 19741975 19761983
Jashar Mezenxhiu 19841985 Llambi Gegprifti Leandro Zoto Llambi Gegprifti Tomor Malasi Sali Kelmendi Albert Brojka Edi Rama Lulzim Basha 19861987 19871988 19891990 19911992 19921996 19962000 20002011 2011-
Irfan Ceklkupa 19571958 Rifat Dedja Sabri Pilkati Rifat Dedja 19581961 19611962 19621964
Notable people
Below are some of the most notable personalities born in Tirana or that spent most of their lives in Tirana: Abdi bej Toptani, signatory of the Albanian Declaration of Independence Agim Sulaj, painter Albert Brojka, former Tirana Mayor Aleksandr Meksi, former Prime Minister Andrea Shundi, Albanian agronomist Bamir Topi, former President of Albania Beqir Balluku, former member of the Politburo he was accused as organizer of a coup d'tat in 1974, and sentenced to death Blendi Nallbani, football player Breanne Benson, pornographic actress Edi Rama, Mayor of Tiran Elsa Lila, singer Erjon Bogdani, football player Ermonela Jaho, opera singer Essad Pasha, politician Fatos Nano, former Prime Minister of Albania Gjergj Xhuvani, movie director Igli Tare, football player Inva Mula, opera singer Ismail Ndroqi, mayor of Tiran
Kledi Kadiu, dancer and actor who lives and works in Italy Kujtim ashku, Albanian film director and screenwriter Leka, Crown Prince of Albania, heir of King Zog I
Tirana Masiela Lusha, actress, poet, and writer Murat bej Toptani, signatory of the Albanian Declaration of Independence Pandeli Majko, twice Prime Minister of Albania Rexhep Meidani, former President of Albania Saimir Kumbaro, film director Sali Kelmendi, former Tirana Mayor Sknder Sallaku, comic actor Vedat Kokona, translator Klodiana Shala, athlete
14
Honorary citizens
The following persons are honorary citizens:[31] George Soros Norman Wisdom Wolfgang Schssel Ismail Kadare Nikita Khrushchev Galeazzo Ciano Ibrahim Kodra Azem Hajdari Anton Yugov Haxhi Hafiz Sabri Koi Grand Mufti of Albania.[32] Archbishop Anastasios of Albania Rrok Mirdita Baba Reshat Bardhi Robert Shvarc(sq) Dritro Agolli Hysen Kazazi Sadik Kaceli Hans Peter Furrer Mahatir Bin Mohammed Shefqet Ndroqi Osman Kazazi(sq) Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Eliza Dushku Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Franco Frattini
International relations
Twin towns sister cities
Tirana is twinned with:[]
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Ankara, Turkey
[]
Cobourg, [] Canada Florence, [] Genoa, Italy Kiev, [] Ukraine Madrid, [] Spain Marseille, [] France
Moscow, Russia
[]
Sofia, Bulgaria
[]
Athens, Greece
[]
Italy [][]
[]
Paris, France
[][34]
Stockholm, [] Sweden Turin, Italy Ulcinj, [] Montenegro Vilnius, [] Lithuania Zagreb, [] Croatia Zaragoza, [] Spain []
Barcelona, Spain
[]
Bucharest, Romania []
Bursa, Turkey
Rome, Italy
[]
Gallery
Lana River
Bank of Albania
Rinia Park
University of Tirana
Street in Tirana
Tirana
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Notes:
a. ^ Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Serbia and the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo. The latter declared independence on 17 February 2008, but Serbia continues to claim it as part of its own sovereign territory. Kosovo's independence has been recognised by99 out of 193 United Nations member states.
Further reading
Abitz, Julie. Post-Socialist Development in Tirana. Roskilde: Roskilde Universitetscenter, 2006. (http://rudar. ruc.dk/bitstream/1800/2321/1/Post-socialist%20city%20development%20in%20Tirana.pdf) Agorastakis, Michalis and Giorgos Sidiropoulos. 2007. Population change due to geographic mobility in Albania, 19892001, and the repercussions of internal migration for the enlargement of Tirana. Population, Space and Place 13, no. 6, pp.471481 Aliaj, Besnik; Keida Lulo and Genc Myftiu. Tirana: the Challenge of Urban Development, Tirana: Cetis, 2003 ISBN 99927-880-0-3 Aliaj, Besnik. A Short History of Housing and Urban Development Models during 1945-1990, Tirana 2003. (http://tiranaworkshop10.pbworks.com/f/besnik+aliaj+history+housing+albania 2.pdf) Bertaud, Alain. Urban Development in Albania: the Success Story of the Informal Sector, 2006. (http:// alain-bertaud.com/AB_Files/AB_Albania Urban informal Sector paper.pdf) Bleta, Indrit. Influences of Political Regime Shifts on the Urban Scene of a Capital City, Case Study: Tirana. Turkey, 2010. (http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12612184/index.pdf) Capolino, Patrizia. 2011. Tirana: A Capital City Transformed by the Italians. Planning Perspectives 26, no. 4, pp.591615 Felstehausen, Herman. Urban Growth and Land Use Changes in Tirana, Albania: With Cases Describing Urban Land Claims. University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1999 (http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/12806/1/ ltcwp31.pdf)
Tirana Galeteanu, Emira. Tirana: the Spectacle of the Urban Theatre. MA Dissertation. Carleton University: Ottawa, 2006. Guaralda, Mirko (2009). Urban Identity and Colour : the Case of Tirana, Albania. Spectrum e-news, 2009(Dec), pp. 13-14. (http://eprints.qut.edu.au/45654/1/2011010941_Guaralda_ePrints.pdf) Jasa, Sknder. Tirana n shekuj: Terona, Theranda, Tirkan, Tirannea, Tirana: monografi, disa artikuj e materiale arkivore kushtuar historis s Tirans, Tirana 1997. Kera, Gentiana. Aspects of the Urban Development of Tirana: 1820-1939, Seventh International Conference of Urban History. Athens, 2004. (http://library.panteion.gr:8080/dspace/bitstream/123456789/444/1/KERA. pdf) Nase, Ilir and Mehmet Ocakci. 2010. Urban Pattern Dichotomy in Tirana: Socio-spatial Impact of Liberalism. European Planning Studies 18, no. 11, pp.18371861 Pojani, Dorina (2011). Mobility, Equity and Sustainability Today in Tirana, TeMA 4, no. 2, pp.99-109 (http:// www.tema.unina.it/index.php/tema/article/download/248/515) Pojani, Dorina. (2010). Tirana. Cities 27, no.6, pp.483495 Pojani, Dorina. 2011. From Carfree to Carfull: the Environmental and Health Impacts of Increasing Private Motorisation in Albania. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 54, no. 3, pp.319335 Pojani, Dorina. 2011. Urban and Suburban Retail Development in Albania's Capital After Socialism. Land Use Policy 28, no. 4, pp.836845
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External links
Municipality of Tirana (http://www.tirana.gov.al/) (Albanian) In Your Pocket City Guide (http://www.tirana.inyourpocket.com) Travel guide by Metrolic (http://www.metrolic.com/travel-guides-tirana-151831/) Minibus departure times (http://www.matinic.us/albania/furgon.php) Tirana nightlife guide (http://www.klubinfo.al) Culutural Heritage Guide (http://www.blue-albania.com/GeneralInfo1-TIRANA.htm) Historical maps (http://www.zonu.com/Europe/Albania/Tirana/Historical_en.html) Travel guide (http://advisortravelguide.com/tirana-travel-guide-albania/)
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License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported //creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/