Tirana

Tirana  (tih-RAH-nə, Albanian pronunciation: [tiˈɾana]; Gheg Albanian: Tirona) is the capital and largest city of Albania. It is located in the centre of the country, enclosed by mountains and hills with Dajti rising to the east and a slight valley to the northwest overlooking the Adriatic Sea in the distance. Due to its location at the Plain of Tirana and the close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, the city is particularly influenced by a Mediterranean seasonal climate. It is among the wettest and sunniest cities in Europe, with 2,544 hours of sun per year.

On 11 January 1946 the Communist Peoples’ Republic was proclaimed in Tirana, the city’s infrastructure was subsequently expanded, with aid from the Soviet Union (now Russia) and China. Due to political instability and corruption within the Albanian government, the city was the focal point of many revolts and upheaval during the 1980s and 1990s. Tirana is the nation’s primate city, the industrial and cultural centre of Albania.

Tirana
Coordinates: 41°19′44″N 19°49′04″E / 41.32889°N 19.81778°E / 41.32889; 19.81778
Region
Central Albania
County
Tirana
Municipality
Tirana
 • Type
Mayor–council
 • Mayor
Erion Veliaj (PS)
 • Council
Tirana Municipal Council
 • Chairman
Toni Gogu
 • Municipality and city
1,110 km (430 sq mi)
 • Metro
1,652 km (638 sq mi)
 • Unit
41.8 km (16.1 sq mi)
 • Metro
912,190
 • Municipality
557,422
 • Municipality density
502/km (1,300/sq mi)
 • Unit
418,495
 • Summer (DST)
UTC+2 (CEST)
Area code(s)
+355 (0) 4
Vehicle registration
TR