Albania is divided into 12 counties (qarqe), which are the highest-level administrative divisions.

• Counties are further subdivided into 36 districts (rrethe) and 373 municipalities (bashki/komuna).
• Municipalities consist of cities and villages.

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List of the 12 Counties

The 12 counties of Albania are:

1. Berat
2. Dibër
3. Durrës
4. Elbasan
5. Fier
6. Gjirokastër
7. Korçë
8. Kukës
9. Lezhë
10. Shkodër
11. Tirana
12. Vlorë

Albania’s 12 Counties and their Capitals, Districts, Municipalities, Cities, Villages

County	Capital	Districts	Municipalities	Cities	Villages
Berat	Berat	Berat, Kuçovë, Skrapar	10	2	122
Dibër	Peshkopi	Bulqizë, Dibër, Mat	7	1	63
Durrës	Durrës	Durrës, Krujë	6	2	62
Elbasan	Elbasan	Elbasan, Gramsh, Librazhd, Peqin	20	5	177
Fier	Fier	Fier, Lushnjë, Mallakastër	14	3	117
Gjirokastër	Gjirokastër	Gjirokastër, Përmet, Tepelenë	11	2	96
Korçë	Korçë	Devoll, Kolonjë, Korçë, Pogradec	14	7	44
Kukës	Kukës	Has, Kukës, Tropojë	14	1	30
Lezhë	Lezhë	Kurbin, Lezhë, Mirditë	9	2	26
Shkodër	Shkodër	Malësi e Madhe, Pukë, Shkodër	15	2	56
Tirana	Tirana	Kavajë, Tirana	16	3	66
Vlorë	Vlorë	Delvinë, Sarandë, Vlorë	9	4	38

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Largest Cities in Albania (Census Data)

Rank	City	2001 Census	2011 Census
1	Tirana	352,581	421,286
2	Durrës	113,465	115,550
3	Vlorë	85,180	79,948
4	Elbasan	95,554	79,810
5	Shkodër	85,798	74,876
6	Fier	56,297	57,198
7	Korçë	58,911	51,683
8	Berat	45,572	36,467
9	Lushnjë	38,336	31,424
10	Kavajë	28,149	20,312

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📌 Key Notes

• Tirana is both the capital and the largest city, with rapid population growth.
• Durrës is the main port city and second-largest urban area.
• Shkodër, Vlorë, Elbasan, and Korçë are important cultural and historical centers.
• After 2015 reforms, Albania moved towards 61 municipalities replacing many of the smaller units, but the 12 counties remain the top-level divisions.

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1. Berat County

• Capital: Berat
• Known as the “City of a Thousand Windows,” Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Economy based on agriculture, olives, and winemaking.

2. Dibër County

• Capital: Peshkopi
• Mountainous region, famous for Korab Mountain (highest peak in Albania).
• Agriculture and livestock are the main economic activities.

3. Durrës County

• Capital: Durrës
• Albania’s main port city and a key trade hub.
• Important tourist destination with Adriatic beaches and Roman amphitheater.

4. Elbasan County

• Capital: Elbasan
• Industrial center of Albania.
• Rich cultural heritage and historical Ottoman architecture.

5. Fier County

• Capital: Fier
• Known for oil, natural gas, and agriculture.
• Contains ancient ruins of Apollonia, an important archaeological site.

6. Gjirokastër County

• Capital: Gjirokastër
• UNESCO World Heritage city with Ottoman-style stone houses.
• Known for tourism, agriculture, and traditional festivals.

7. Korçë County

• Capital: Korçë
• Known as the “Little Paris of Albania” for its culture and art.
• Important educational and cultural hub with beer production and agriculture.

8. Kukës County

• Capital: Kukës
• Famous for Lake Fierza and mountainous landscapes.
• Important during the Kosovo War as a refugee center.

9. Lezhë County

• Capital: Lezhë
• Historical significance: burial site of Skanderbeg, Albania’s national hero.
• Strong agriculture and fishing economy.

10. Shkodër County

• Capital: Shkodër
• One of Albania’s oldest cities with rich history.
• Known for Lake Shkodër, Rozafa Castle, and cultural heritage.

11. Tirana County

• Capital: Tirana (also Albania’s national capital)
• Largest county by population.
• Political, economic, and cultural center of Albania.

12. Vlorë County

• Capital: Vlorë
• Historic city where Albania declared independence in 1912.
• Important coastal tourism hub with beautiful Ionian and Adriatic beaches.

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