Gjirokastër County

The Qark Gjirokastër (Albanian Qarku i Gjirokastrës; Greek Periféreia Argyrokástrou Περιφέρεια Αργυροκάστρου ) is one of twelve Qarks in Albania. It is located in southern Albanian hinterland and has an area of ​​2884 km ². The capital city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gjirokastra.

Geography

The Qark Gjirokastra consists of the districts Gjirokastër, Përmet and Tepelenë. Gjirokastra is historical, economic and administrative center. In the southeast borders of Qark to Greece. The whole Qark belongs to the mountainous catchment area of ​​the Vjosa; the south-western part is dominated by the valley of the creek Drinos. Between Drinos and Vjosa is the Nemërçka ( 2485 müa ), the highest mountain in southern Albania in addition to the situated on the border with Greece in Qark Korçë Grammos. To the east of this area is the National Park Hotovës - Dangelli which protects a large area of pine forests.

To the west lies the Qarks of Vlorë County. In the north there is a short distance to the border Qark Fier longer to Berat County. In the east it borders on the Qark Korçë.

Population

According to the Statistical Office of Albania Instituti i Statistikës for the year 2009, the Qark counts 102,531 inhabitants. The 2011 census, however, has made ​​only 75 172 inhabitants. The Qark thus has in the last ten years, lost a third of the population and is now the least populated of Albania.

In the territory to Greece, there is a Greek-speaking minority.

Politics and Administration

44 members does the Qark Council ( Alb. Këshilli Qarkut i ) the legislative Qarks with some skills against the central government in Tirana. The majority of the council is one of the Socialist Party (PS ), which represents the presidency ends with Sulo Muçobega.

The Qark Gjirokastra provides five deputies of a total of 140 for the 2009 and 2013 legislative sessions beginning of the Albanian parliament

Pictures

The Vjosa at Tepelenë against the Lunxherië

Gorge of Këlcyra