Shkodër, Albania

Shkodër

Municipality

Shkodra photomontage

Seal

Shkodër

Coordinates: 42°04′N 19°30′E / 42.067°N 19.500°ECoordinates: 42°04′N 19°30′E / 42.067°N 19.500°E

Country

Albania

County

Shkodër

Government

• Mayor

Voltana Ademi (DP)

Area

• Municipality

872.71 km² (336.96 sq mi)

Elevation

13 m (43 ft)

Population (2011)

• Municipality

135,612

• Municipality density

160/km² (400/sq mi)

• Administrative Unit

77,075

Time zone

CET (UTC+1)

• Summer (DST)

CEST (UTC+2)

Postal Code

4001-4007

Area Code

(0)22

Vehicle registration

Website

Official Website

Shkodër ([ˈʃkɔdəɾ]; definite Albanian form: Shkodra [ˈʃkɔdɾa], for other names see the etymology section) is a city and municipality in northwestern Albania. It is one of the oldest and most historic places in the Balkan peninsula, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. In classical times, Shkodër was known under the name of Scodra and was the capital of the Illyrian Labeates.

During many different epochs it has retained its status as a major city in the wider region, due to its geostrategic positioning close to the Adriatic Sea and the Italian port cities, but also with land-routes to other important cities and towns in neighbouring regions.

Its importance is heightened by the Lake Shkodër to the west of the city — the largest lake in Southern Europe — that straddles Albania and Montenegro. With a population of 77.075, it is the largest city in north of the country, while Shkodër County had a population of 215,347 as of 2011.

The name of Shkodra is first attested in antiquity in the form Skodra (Latin: Scodra, Ancient Greek: Σκόδρα), and in the Greek genitive Σκοδρινῶν ('of the Skodrians') found on coins from the 2nd century BC. Its ultimate origins are unknown.

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Wikipedia