View source for Vlorë County

{{Short description|County in southern Albania}}
{{Infobox Albanian settlement
| type = co 
| name=
| other name = {{native name|sq|Qarku i Vlorës}}
| skyline = Ksamil, Albania (by Pudelek).JPG
| caption = Beaches at [[Ksamil]] 
| flag = Flag of Vlorë.svg
| emblem = Stema e Qarkut Vlorë.svg
| map = Albania (Vlorë County).svg
| mapsize = 200px
| coordinates = {{Coord|41|N|20|E|reigon:AL-12_type:adm1st|display=inline,title}}
| parts = Seven municipalities, 197 towns and villages
| seat = [[Vlorë]] 
| council chairman = Ervis Moçka<ref>{{cite web | url=https://qarkuvlore.gov.al/kryetari-2/ | title=Kryetari – Keshilli i Qarkut Vlore }}</ref>
| area total km2 = 2706  
| area rank = 5th
| population as of = 2023<ref name="pop23">{{cite web|title=Main Results of the Population and Housing Census 2023|url=https://www.instat.gov.al/media/13626/cens-2023-census-botim.pdf|publisher=[[Institute of Statistics (Albania)|INSTAT]]}}</ref>
| population rank = 7th
| population total = 146681
| blank_name_sec1         = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2022)
| blank_info_sec1         = 0.814<br />{{color|darkgreen|very high}} · [[List of Albanian counties by Human Development Index|2nd]]
| NUTS code = AL035
| website = {{URL|http://www.qarkuvlore.gov.al|Official Website}}
}}

'''Vlorë County''' ({{IPA|sq|vlɔɽ(ə)|sq}}; {{langx|sq|Qarku i Vlorës}}) is one of the [[Counties of Albania|12 counties]] of [[Albania]] with the city of [[Vlorë]] being the county capital. The county spans {{convert|2706|km²|sqmi}} and has a total population of 146,681 people as of 2023.<ref name="pop23" /> It borders the counties of [[Fier County|Fier]] and [[Gjirokastër County|Gjirokastër]], as well as the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic]] and [[Ionian Sea]]. [[Greece]] borders Vlorë to the south. 

Vlorë is geographically a very mountainous county. The county stretches along the [[Adriatic Sea]] and especially the [[Ionian Sea]], forming the [[Albanian Riviera]]. The county has a coastline of {{convert|244|km|mi}}.<ref>{{cite web|author1=UNICEF|title=ObservatOri për të drejtat e Fëmijëve Qarku vlOrë|url=http://observator.org.al/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/fletepalosje_qarku_vlore.pdf|website=observator.org.al|page=1|language=sq}}</ref> The [[Albanian Ionian Sea Coast|coast]]s on the west can be very steep and rocky with green [[Panorama|panoramic vistas]] and high mountains in the hinterland, including the [[Ceraunian Mountains]]. The highest natural point is [[Çikë (mountain)|Çikë]], at {{convert|2,044|m|ft}}. The northwest of the county is mostly located on the peninsula of [[Karaburun Peninsula, Albania|Karaburun]], with a rough relief, steep cliffs, bays and rocky beaches.

With about than 146,000 inhabitants in 2023, Vlorë is the seventh most populous county within Albania, and the third most populous within the [[Southern Albania|Southern Region]]. [[Albanians]] constitute the ethnic majority of the county, including the capital. [[Greeks]], [[Aromanians]], and a few [[Romani people|Roma]] also are present in the ethnic composition of the county.

The port city of [[Vlorë]] is the capital of ''Vlorë County''. It is where the [[Albanian Declaration of Independence]] was proclaimed on November 28, 1912. [[Sarandë]] is one of the most important tourist attractions of the [[Albanian Riviera]], situated on an open sea gulf of the [[Ionian Sea]] in the central [[Mediterranean]], about {{Convert|14|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of the north end of the [[Greece|Greek]] island of [[Corfu]]. The [[Butrint National Park]], [[Llogara National Park]] and [[Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park|Karaburun Sazan National Marine Park]] are located in Vlorë County. The ancient city of [[Butrinto|Butrint]] is an archeological site in Vlorë County, some 14 kilometres south of Sarandë. It is located on a hill overlooking the [[Vivari Channel]] and is part of the [[Butrint National Park]].

== History ==
During Roman antiquity, the city of [[Vlorë]], the homonymous county capital, was known as ''Aulón'' ({{Langx|grc|Αυλών}}, {{langx|la|Aulona}}, meaning channel or glen in Greek, and possibly a translation of another indigenous name).<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=M1JIPAN-eJ4C&dq=Aulon+Vlore+etymology&pg=PA398 google book reference]: Placenames of the World: Origins and Meanings of the Names for 6,600 Countries, Cities, Territories, Natural Features, and Historic Sites By Adrian Room Published by McFarland, 2005, {{ISBN|978-0-7864-2248-7}}, 433 pages.</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The New Encyclopædia Britannica|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1BMrAAAAMAAJ&q=Vlonë+Gheg|year=1974|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica|isbn=0-85229-290-2|page=479}}</ref> The city was mentioned for the first time by [[Ptolemy]] (2nd century CE) among the towns of the Illyrian [[Taulantii]].{{sfn|Bereti|Quantin|Cabanes|2011|pp=11, 13}}

The coastal area of Vlorë was one of those [[Illyrians|Illyrian]] sites that had experienced pre-urban activity beginning from the 11th–10th centuries BCE.{{sfn|Bereti|1993|p=143}} In classical antiquity the [[Bay of Vlorë]] constituted the southern limit of the Illyrian coast.{{sfn|Shpuza|2022|p=553}}{{sfn|Zindel|Lippert|Lahi|Kiel|2018|p=346}}{{sfn|Bejko|Morris|Papadopoulos|Schepartz|2015|p=4}}{{sfn|Hammond|Wilkes|2012|p=726}} The coastal area of the Bay was settled by [[Ancient Greeks|Ancient Greek]] [[Greek colonisation|colonists]], who traditionally founded [[Oricum]], [[Thronion (Illyria)|Thronion]] and [[Vlorë|Aulon]].{{sfn|Cabanes|2008|p=171}}{{sfn|Malkin|2001|pp=192–193}}{{sfn|Papadopoulos|2016|p=440}} The latter city, however, dates to the Roman period.{{sfn|Bereti|Quantin|Cabanes|2011|pp=11, 13}}{{sfn|Fasolo|2005|p=178}} but a large fortified port-town that was inhabited from the 6th century BCE to the 2nd century AD is placed, now partially submerged, in [[Triport, Vlorë|Triport]], northwest of present-day Vlorë.{{sfn|Bereti|1993|p=143}}{{sfn|Fasolo|2005|p=178}}{{sfn|Volpe|Disantarosa|Leone|Turchiano|2014|p=300}} Illyrians were found in the hinterland of the Bay.{{sfn|De Simone|2017|p=1867}}{{sfn|Bejko|Morris|Papadopoulos|Schepartz|2015|p=4}}{{sfn|Hammond|Wilkes|2012|p=726}} The [[Ceraunian Mountains]] represented a natural border between [[Illyria]] and [[Epirus]].{{sfn|Shpuza|2022|p=553}}{{sfn|Bejko|Morris|Papadopoulos|Schepartz|2015|p=4}}{{sfn|Zindel|Lippert|Lahi|Kiel|2018|p=346}} The area to the south of the mountains was inhabited by the [[Epirotes|Epirote]] tribe of the [[Chaonians]].{{sfn|Shpuza|2022|p=553}}<ref>{{harvnb|Bejko|Morris|Papadopoulos|Schepartz|2015|p=4}}</ref> On the Epirote coast the Ancient Greeks developed the town of [[Sarandë]], which they referred to as ''Onchesmos'' (or Anchiasmos).<ref>Strabo, ''The Geography'', Book VII, Chapter 7.5: "...these mountains one comes to Onchesmus, another harbor, opposite which lie the western extremities of Corcyraea."</ref><ref>Bowden, William. ''Epirus Vetus: The Archaeology of a Late Antique Province''. London: Duckworth, 2003, {{ISBN|0-7156-3116-0}}, p. 14. "Anchiasmos (Onchesmos)"</ref><ref>Hodges, Richard. ''Saranda - Ancient Onchesmos: A Short History and Guide''. Butrint Foundation, 2007. {{ISBN|99943-943-6-3}}</ref> Onchesmos flourished as the port of the Chaonian capital of [[Phoenice]] (modern-day [[Finiq]]).<ref>Talbert, Richard J.A. and Bagnall, Roger S. ''Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World'', 2000, p. 815. "harbor, cape or town in Epirus between Onchesmos and Bouthroton."</ref><ref>[[Esther Eidinow|Eidinow, Esther]]. ''Oracles, Curses, and Risk Among the Ancient Greeks''. Oxford University Press, 2007. {{ISBN|0-19-927778-8}} "Onchesmos was the principal port of Phoinike, the capital of Chaonia,..."</ref> Another Chaonian settlement was Chimera,<ref name="Stillwell2017">{{cite book|author=Richard Stillwell|title=The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NpArDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA211|date=14 March 2017|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-1-4008-8658-6|pages=211–}}</ref> identified with [[Himarë]],<ref name=Hansen>An Inventory of Archaic and Classical Poleis: An Investigation Conducted by The Copenhagen Polis Centre for the Danish National Research Foundation by Mogens Herman Hansen, 2005, page 340.</ref>

In the Middle Ages, the region was part of the [[Byzantine Empire]], while during the Slavic invasion there is evidence that Byzantine rule was maintained in the area.<ref>Winnifrith Tom. [https://books.google.com/books?id=1WFpAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Greeks+have+always+hugged+the+coast+since+Classical+times%2C+and+the+Byzantine+Empire+had+more+control+of+the+Adriatic+coast+than+the+interior.%22 Shattered eagles, Balkan fragments]. Duckworth, 1995, {{ISBN|978-0-7156-2635-1}}, p. 102</ref>

In 1204 the region became part of the [[Despotate of Epirus]], but later returned to the Byzantine Empire. In 1335 Albanian tribes were in possession of the area between Berat and the bay of Vlorë,<ref>Nicholas Geoffrey Lemprière Hammond. [https://books.google.com/books?id=_VBoAAAAMAAJ&q=%22By+1335+they+were+in+possession+also+of+the+area+between+Berat+and+the+Gulf+of+Valona%22 ''Migrations and invasions in Greece and adjacent areas'']. Noyes Press, 1976, {{ISBN|978-0-8155-5047-1}}, p. 61 "By 1335 they were in possession also of the area between Berat and the Gulf of Valona"</ref> while in 1345 after the Serbian invasion an independent [[Principality of Valona|principality]] was formed in Vlorë.

In the middle of the 14th century the aristocratic Delvina family ruled Delvinë, and in 1354 Mehmet Ali Pasha Delvina was testified as the owner of the castle and the city.

The [[Ottoman Empire]] captured the region in 1417, while in 1432, Albanian rebels freed Vlorë and expelled the Ottomans from the area.<ref name="Giakoumis9596">{{cite book |last=Giakoumis |first=Konstantinos |title=Religion und Kultur im albanischsprachigen Südosteuropa &#91;Religion and culture in Albanian-speaking southeastern Europe&#93; |publisher=Peter Lang |year=2010 |isbn=9783631602959 |editor1-last=Schmitt |editor1-first=Oliver Jens |location=Frankfurt am Main |pages=95–96 |chapter=The Orthodox Church in Albania Under the Ottoman Rule 15th-19th Century |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aCdYHU9PtiIC&q=Durr%C3%ABs}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=İnalcik |first=Halil |title=Hicr ı835 tarihli sûret-i defter-i sancak-i Arvanid |publisher=Türk Tarih Kurumu Yayınlarından |year=1954 |language=tr}}</ref> As part of the [[Ottoman Empire]], The region became a ''[[sanjak]]'' centre in [[Rumelia Eyalet]] under the name ''Avlonya''.

On November 28, 1912, [[Ismail Qemali|Ismail Kemal]] declared the [[Albanian National Awakening]] in Vlorë, during the [[First Balkan War]]. The region became Albania's first freed region following its independence, but was [[Albania during World War I|invaded by Italy]] in december 1915, during [[World War I]]. The region remained occupied by Italian forces until an [[Vlora War|Albanian rebellion]] forced the Italians out of [[Albania]] in 1920. Italy [[Italian invasion of Albania|invaded Vlorë]] again in 1939. The region remained under Italian occupation until Italy surrendered to the allies in 1943. Subsequently, [[Nazi Germany]] occupied the region until 1944. The city was liberated in 1944 by [[National Liberation Movement (Albania)|communist forces]] under [[Enver Hoxha]].

During [[World War II]], [[Sazan Island]] became the site of a German and Italian [[submarine base]] and naval installations; these installations were heavily bombed by the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]].

After World War II, with Albania ruled by a [[Party of Labour of Albania|Communist Party]], the port was leased out to the [[Soviet Union]] for use as a submarine base. During 1960 and 1961 it served as a theater in the aftermath of the decision of [[Enver Hoxha]] to denounce [[Nikita Khrushchev|Nikita Khrushchev's]] reforms. In April 1961 the Soviet Union, resenting being pushed out after considerable investment in the naval facilities at [[Pasha Liman Base]], threatened to occupy the region with Soviet troops, and cut off all Soviet economic, military and technical aid to Albania.

== Geography ==
=== Location ===
Vlorë is one of the twelve [[counties of Albania]] located in the east, south and southwest of the [[Southern Albania|Southern Region]]. The county lies between [[latitude]]s 41° N, and [[longitude]]s 20° E. It measures an area of {{convert|2706|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} placing it the fifth largest in Albania and the third largest in the Southern Region, behind [[Korçë County]] and [[Gjirokastër County]].<ref name="2011 Census">{{Cite web |url=http://www.instat.gov.al/media/195841/12__vlore.pdf |title=2011 census results |access-date=2017-07-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031315/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/195841/12__vlore.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is bordered by the counties of [[Fier County|Fier]] to the north and [[Gjirokastër County|Gjirokastër]] to the east, the country of [[Greece]] to the south and the [[Adriatic Sea]] in the northwest, as well as the [[Ionian Sea]] in the west.

The county of Vlorë is divided into seven [[Municipalities of Albania|municipalities]]; [[Delvinë]], [[Finiq]], [[Himarë]], [[Konispol]], [[Sarandë]], [[Selenicë]] and [[Vlorë]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vendime.al/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/137-2014.pdf |title=Law nr. 115/2014 |language=sq |pages=6376|access-date=25 February 2022 }}</ref> The municipalities are further subdivided into 200 towns and [[Villages of Vlorë County|villages]] in total.

In Vlorë, there are five islands, notably the [[Ksamil Islands]]. The combined areas of the four Ksamil islands measure only {{convert|7.1|ha|1|lk=in|abbr=out}}, and forms part of the larger [[Butrint National Park]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.akt.gov.al/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/filemanager/files/broshura_ture_harte/Broshura_natyre.pdf |title=Albanian Nature and Active Holidays |author=National Tourism Agency |publisher=Republic of Albania |access-date=4 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731024708/http://www.akt.gov.al/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/filemanager/files/broshura_ture_harte/Broshura_natyre.pdf |archive-date=31 July 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

[[Sazan Island]] is located strategically between the [[Strait of Otranto]] and the entrance to the [[Bay of Vlorë]] and has an area of {{convert|5.7|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} with no civil population. In addition to being the largest island in Albania, it is a military facility and sometimes in clear weather it may be seen by eye from the coast of [[Salento]], [[Italy]]. More than half of the island's surrounding marine area forms part of the [[Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park]].<ref>[http://lajme.shqiperia.com/lajme/artikull/iden/1046857853/titulli/VENDIM-PER-SHPALLJEN-PARK-KOMBETAR-TE-EKOSISTEMIT-NATYROR-DETAR-PRANE-GADISHULLIT-TE--KARABURUNIT-DHE-ISHULLIT-TE-SAZANIT Proclamation of Karaburun-Sazan as National Marine Park, April 2010]</ref> [[Stillo Island]] is rocky and sparsely vegetated. It has an area of half an hectare, with an approximate length of 80 meters and a width of 100 meters. It is located in the [[Ionian Sea]], 200 meters off the coast of Cape Stillo. [[Tongo Island]] is a rocky island, its waters rich in aquatic life. The island is situated about 300 metres (984 feet) off the Greek coast. It has an area of 2.5 hectares (6.2 acres). The Zvërnec Islands are two islands located in [[Narta Lagoon]]. The [[Island of Zvërnec|larger island]] is nearly completely covered with tall pine trees and is connected to the mainland by a 270m long wooden bridge. It is {{Convert|430|m|ft}} in length and {{Convert|300|m|ft}} in width. It has an area of around {{Convert|8.8|ha|acre}}. The smaller island has a smaller vegetation, being {{Convert|230|m|ft}} in length and {{Convert|100|m|ft}} in width, with an area of little more than {{Convert|1|ha|acre}}.

<gallery widths="200" heights="160">
File:Maja i Cikes, pohled na vrchol.jpg|The [[Ceraunian Mountains]] lie along the [[Albanian Riviera]] with [[Maja e Çikës]] being the highest point.
File:Ksamil Albania . Albanian Riviera.jpg|The four islands of [[Ksamil Islands|Ksamil]] in the south.
File:Albanian Riviera from Llogara Pass 2015-09-22.jpg|The [[Llogara Pass]] divides the [[Ceraunian Mountains]] into a western and an eastern range.
File:CIty_of_Saranda_Albania_2016.jpg|[[Sarandë]] is the southernmost [[List of cities in Albania|most populous]] city within the county.
</gallery>

=== Biodiversity ===
[[Phytogeographically]], the county completely falls within the [[Illyrian deciduous forests]] terrestrial [[ecoregion]] of the [[Palearctic realm|Palearctic]] [[Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub]].

=== Protected areas ===
The county of Vlorë has many [[ecosystem]]s. Within the county there are three [[national park]]s, namely [[Llogara National Park]], [[Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park|Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park]] and [[Butrint National Park]].

== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations
|1950|113007
|1960|148879
|1969|183367
|1979|218674
|1989|264556
|2001|192982
|2011|175640
|2023|146681
|align=right
|source=<ref>{{cite web|title=Division of Albania|url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org/albania-divisionold.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Census of Population and Housing|url=https://www.instat.gov.al/en/themes/censuses/census-of-population-and-housing/|publisher=Institute of Statistics Albania}}</ref>
}}


The population of Vlorë, as defined by the [[Institute of Statistics (Albania)|Institute of Statistics of Albania]], was found in 2023 census to be 146,681.<ref name="pop23" /> The province is 87.61% [[Albanians|Albanian]], 8.21% [[Greeks|Greek]], 0.33% [[Aromanians|Aromanian]], 0.31% [[Romani people|Romani]], 0.96% [[Egyptians|Egyptian]] and 1.26% is not available.<ref>{{cite web |title=ALBANIA POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS 2023 |url=https://www.instat.gov.al/media/14325/cens-2023-vlora.pdf |website=www.instat.gov.al |access-date=28 November 2024}}</ref>

=== Religion ===

According to the 2023 census, Vlorë has a diverse religious makeup, with notable populations of Muslims, Orthodox Christians, and non-religious individuals. With 57.3% of the population identifying with a religion, it stands out as the county with the lowest religious identification in Albania.

Between the 2011 and 2023 censuses in Vlorë, the religious landscape underwent significant changes. 
The share of the population identifying as [[Islam in Albania|Sunni Muslim]] declined notably, dropping from 42.1% to 31.9%, while [[Bektashi Order|Bektashi Muslims]] rose substantially from 1.1% to 6.3%. The proportion of [[Catholic Church in Albania|Catholic Christians]] decreased from 1.9% to 1.1%, whereas [[Eastern Orthodoxy in Albania|Orthodox Christians]] saw an increase from 13.7% to 17.6%. [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christians]] also experienced modest growth, rising from 0.06% to 0.3%.

The [[Irreligion in Albania|irreligious]] population in Vlorë saw one of the most significant increases in the country. The share of [[Atheism|atheists]] grew from 6.0% to 8.3%, and those identifying as [[Irreligion in Albania|believers without denomination]] rose markedly from 11.0% to 21.7%. With a combined 30.0% identifying as irreligious in 2023, Vlorë ranks first in Albania for the highest proportion of non-religious individuals.  Meanwhile, the proportion of individuals in the "Not stated/other" category decreased from 24.0% to 12.5%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population statistics of Eastern Europe & former USSR |url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=pop-stat.mashke.org}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;width: 75%"
|+
'''Population of Vlorë according to religious group according to the (2011–2023)'''
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! rowspan="2" | Religion group
! colspan="2" | Census 2011
! colspan="2" | Census 2023
! colspan="2" | Difference (2023−2011)
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! Number
! Percentage
! Number
! Percentage
! Number
! Percentage points change
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Islam in Albania|Sunni Muslim]] 
| 74,013
| 42.1%
| 46,841
| 31.9%
| -27,172
| -10.2%
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Bektashism in Albania|Bektashi Muslim]]
| 1,903
| 1.1%
| 9,263
| 6.3%
| +7,360
| +5.2%
|-
! style="text-align:left;"| Total Muslim
! 75,916
! 43.2%
! 56,104
! 38.2%
! -19,812
! -5.0%
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Catholic Church in Albania|Catholic Christian]]
| 3,369
| 1.9%
| 1,649
| 1.1%
| -1,720
| -0.8%
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Eastern Orthodoxy in Albania|Orthodox Christian]]
| 24,125
| 13.7%
| 25,756
| 17.6%
| +1,631
| +3.9%
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]]
| 109
| 0.06%
| 445
| 0.3%
| +336
| +0.24%
|-
! style="text-align:left;"| Total Christian
! 27,603
! 15.7%
! 27,850
! 19.0%
! +247
! +3.3%
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Atheism|Atheists]]
| 10,563
| 6.0%
| 12,174
| 8.3%
| +1,611
| +2.3%
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Believers without religion/denomination
| 19,267
| 11.0%
| 31,873
| 21.7%
| +12,606
| +10.7%
|-
! style="text-align:left;"| Total Non-religious
! 29,830
! 17.0%
! 44,047
! 30.0%
! +14,217
! +13.0%
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Not stated / other
| 42,105
| 24.0%
| 18,330
| 12.5%
| -23,775
| -11.5%
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
| style="text-align:left;"| '''TOTAL'''
| '''175,640'''
| '''100%'''
| '''146,681'''
| '''100%'''
| '''-28,959'''
| '''-'''
|}


The most densely populated areas are the coastal cities of [[Vlorë]], [[Sarandë]] and [[Himarë (town)|Himarë]], while vast regions, such as the highlands, are very sparsely populated.

== Economy ==
[[File:Windstar star breeze cruise ship in Saranda Albania 2016.jpg|left|thumb|Cruise [[Tourism in Albania|tourism]] is an important segment of the tourism sector in [[Sarandë]].]]

Vlorë County has the second highest human development after Tirana County, and has a High Human Development Rating within Albania.

The county remains a major seaport and commercial centre, with a significant [[fishing]] and [[Manufacturing|industrial]] sector. The city of [[Vlorë]] is the economic hub of the county. The surrounding region of the city is mainly agricultural and pastoral; a large producer of [[petroleum]], [[natural gas]], [[bitumen]] and [[salt]]. Vlorë has grown in importance as an agricultural center with large-scale planting of [[olive]] and [[citrus fruit]] trees, and as a center of the food processing, oil and bitumen export industries.

According to the World Bank, Vlorë has made significant steps in the ease of starting a business in 2016. It ranks seventh among 22 cities in [[Southeast Europe|Southeastern Europe]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.doingbusiness.org/Rankings/south-east-europe|title = Economy}}</ref> being placed higher than the capital [[Tirana]], [[Belgrade]] and [[Sarajevo]].

[[Tourism]] has become a major industry in recent years, with many hotels, recreational centers, and vast beaches. In [[Sarandë]], tourism is the main driver of the economy. It is a significant tourist destination on the [[Ionian Sea]], and by far one of the most popular destinations in [[Albania]]. Vlorë County is considered a prosperous region, one with varied attractions, plants and mountains, rivers and lakes, springs and virgin beaches, citrus plantations, olive groves and vineyards, pastures and woods, fish and shellfish farming and desirable hunting places.

In short, Vlorë County's location is advantageous in terms of development of tourism. Sarandë's stony beaches are respectable, and there are plenty of sights in and around town, including the ancient archaeological site of [[Butrint]] and the hypnotic [[Blue Eye, Albania|Blue Eye Spring]].
{{Clear}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Geography}}
* [[Geography of Albania]]
* [[Administrative divisions of Albania|Divisions of Albania]]
* [[Politics of Albania]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
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== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|Vlorë County}}

{{Counties of Albania}}
{{Vlorë County new}} 
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vlore County}}
[[Category:Vlorë County| ]]
[[Category:Counties of Albania|Vlorë]]