Librazhd District
Encyclopedia
The District of Librazhd is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Elbasan County
. It has a population of 63,192 (2010 estimate), and an area of 1023 km² (395 sq mi). It was formed as an administrative unit in 1958. It is in the east of the country, and its capital and administrative center is Librazhd
.
River is sourced in and traverses through the district. The average altitude is 713 feet (217.3 m) above sea level. The highest point is at the Red Peak of Shebenik
Mountain.
. The average temperature is 13.4 °C (56.1 °F). The maximum temperature 40.7 °C (105.3 °F) was recorded in 1957, while the minimum recorded temperature was in 1968 at -15.7 °C. Precipitation averages 1363 mm per year.
River has its source in the Librazhd District at Valamra and the Guri i Topit Mountain. The river is 181 km (112 mi) long and flows through the district for 64 km (40 mi). The Shkumbin is fed by the waters of the Dushna, Radicina, Bushtrica, Sheja, Hotolisht, Dragostunja streams. The Shkumbin flows through the town of Librazhd
. The Rrapun River joins the Shkumbin at Murrash.
is the Librazhd District's only national park and makes up approximately 33% of the district's area.
, 20% beech
and 15% pine
. The remainder is made up of shrubs and other foliage. 15% of the herbaceous
flora in the district fall within the group known as Balkan Flora and are particular to this part of Europe. Amongst the herbaceous plants the most notable species endemic to the district are Leontopodium alpinum and Sideritis Rhoeseri. Of particular interest is a carnivorous plant species called Pinguicula Hirtflora (known locally as Luletlyni).
(Ursus arctos), wild boar, red fox
, hare
, and supposedly the Balkan Lynx
. Birds include eagles (Aquila chrysaetos and Gyps fulvus), buzzard
s (Nephron pesnopterus), falcon
s (Falcao tinnunculus) and the owl (bubo bubo).
and the Iron Age
from the remains of settlements found at Spathar, Rrajce, Karkavec, Berzeshte and other places. An Illyria
n tribe called the Kandavët who give the region the name Kandavia populated the area in ancient times.
). During the Roman Occupation the Via Egnatia
was constructed through the area, linking Rome
with Constantinople
which was of great importance for commerce. The route of this ancient road is now utilised by a modern highway connecting Tirana
with Skopje
via Lake Ohrid
. Following the Fall of Rome in 476CE
the region fell under the power of the Eastern Roman Empire centred at Constantinople until the arrival of the Turks
in the 15th century.
began to invade the area of the modern district from about 1415 onwards under the leadership of Mehmed I
. They were opposed by the local Arianitas family who ruled the area as vasals to the Byzantine Emperor in Constantinople. The local prince Gjergj Arianit Komneni
(also known as Gjergj Golemi) was noted by the Ottoman chroniclers for his ferocious resistance to their advances, viz:
Gjergj Arianiti managed to resist the Ottoman advance throughout his tenure and in 1444 rose to support the revolt led by George Kastrioti, otherwise known as Skanderbeg
- the Albanian national hero. He is known to have taken part in the Albanian League in Lezha which elected Skanderbeg their king. Arianiti fought alongside Skanderbeg at Berat
in 1448 and his daughter, Andronika, married Skanderbeg in 1451.
Gjergj Arianiti died in 1461 and resistance to the Turks throughout the Librazhd district began to wane. Following his death the remaining members of the Arianiti familt emigrated to Italy
. In 1479 the Ottoman Turks succeeded in conquering the Albanians who were forced to accept the Turks as their overlords until the 20th century. The region came to achieve a significant degree of autonomy during the latter years of the Ottoman Empire due to the harshness of the terrain and the talent for diplomacy and nepotism exercised by the local Bey
liks who garnered significant influence with the Porte.
emerged who was to lead and inspire the Albanian resistance until his death in 1909. In 1912 the population enthusiastically rose in revolt against the Ottoman Empire and took their part in the realisation of Albanian Independence that same year.
In the 1940s some 1,100 local men formed in to two battalions fought the occupying Germans
and helped liberate the area. Their exploits were famous throughout Albania and from their number are recognised 79 national martyrs.
and Tirana
through Durres
has been a positive development.
, hemp
and flax
. The choice of colours is considered in Albania to be particularly noteworthy. Garments are traditionally decorated with an eagle, star, snake, ram, geometric figures, plants and flowers. Located at the crossroads of northern and souther Albania folk costumers in the district are a combination of the folk customers inherent in both Gheg and Tosk culture. The flattened form of qeleshe
skull cap traditional to the south is usually worn by men in the countryside.
is the dominant Albanian
dialect spoken in the district, although in many the villages north of the Shkumbin, Gheg
can be heard. Additionally in some of the villages bordering the Bulqizë
district and those near Macedonia, there are a number of Golloborda Macedonian families who speak Macedonian
.
s who live amongst smaller communities of Roman Catholics, Evangelicals
, and Orthodox Christians.
times, in particular the mining of nickel
, chromium
, platinum
, copper
, bauxite
and gold
. Large mines operated in the area, in particular at Farret, Katjel, Bushtric, Hotolisht
, Prrenjas, Dardh and Qarrisht. Most of these mines are now inactive.
industry. Wine is still produced and some timber mills are still active. Mineral water under the brand Sopoti is bottled at Spathar
and is distributed throughout Albania. Because Librazhd is renowned for the medicinal qualities of its natural mineral water, the maintenance of the water industry makes Librazhd residents particularly proud.
and Përrenjas
), nine rural municipalities and 77 villages. The district consists of the following municipalities:
Elbasan County
The County of Elbasan is one of the 12 counties of Albania. It consists of the districts Elbasan, Gramsh, Librazhd and Peqin and its capital is Elbasan.Much of Elbasan's eastern border is with the Republic of Macedonia...
. It has a population of 63,192 (2010 estimate), and an area of 1023 km² (395 sq mi). It was formed as an administrative unit in 1958. It is in the east of the country, and its capital and administrative center is Librazhd
Librazhd
Librazhd is a town in eastern Albania, capital of the Librazhd District. It has a population of approximately 9,998. Librazhd is the nearest town to the Shebenik-Jabllanice National Park...
.
Geography
Librazhd district has an administrative border of 42 km (26 mi). The district is characterised by a mountainous landscape with scenic valleys, including glacial valleys above 1500 feet (457.2 m) in the Polis Mountains. The ShkumbinShkumbin
Shkumbin is a river in central Albania, flowing into the Adriatic Sea. It is considered the dividing line for the two dialects of the Albanian language: Tosk and Gheg ....
River is sourced in and traverses through the district. The average altitude is 713 feet (217.3 m) above sea level. The highest point is at the Red Peak of Shebenik
Shebenik
Shebenik is a large mountain located in the Shebenik-Jabllanice National Park in eastern Albania. Shebenik has many peaks over . The highest is Maja e Shebenikut at above sea level. It is found in the north-east of Shebenik. Around this peak are a number of small and large mountain lakes. Shebenik...
Mountain.
Climate
Librazhd District has a continental climateContinental climate
Continental climate is a climate characterized by important annual variation in temperature due to the lack of significant bodies of water nearby...
. The average temperature is 13.4 °C (56.1 °F). The maximum temperature 40.7 °C (105.3 °F) was recorded in 1957, while the minimum recorded temperature was in 1968 at -15.7 °C. Precipitation averages 1363 mm per year.
Water Sources
The ShkumbinShkumbin
Shkumbin is a river in central Albania, flowing into the Adriatic Sea. It is considered the dividing line for the two dialects of the Albanian language: Tosk and Gheg ....
River has its source in the Librazhd District at Valamra and the Guri i Topit Mountain. The river is 181 km (112 mi) long and flows through the district for 64 km (40 mi). The Shkumbin is fed by the waters of the Dushna, Radicina, Bushtrica, Sheja, Hotolisht, Dragostunja streams. The Shkumbin flows through the town of Librazhd
Librazhd
Librazhd is a town in eastern Albania, capital of the Librazhd District. It has a population of approximately 9,998. Librazhd is the nearest town to the Shebenik-Jabllanice National Park...
. The Rrapun River joins the Shkumbin at Murrash.
Shebenik-Jabllanice National Park
The Shebenik-Jabllanice National ParkShebenik-Jabllanice National Park
Shebenik – Jabllanice National Park is a protected national park located in the northeastern part of the Librazhd District, Elbasan County in central Albania. The park covers an area of 33,927.7 hectares and shares a border with the Republic of Macedonia...
is the Librazhd District's only national park and makes up approximately 33% of the district's area.
Flora
There are 1,857 species of flora in the district representing 57% of the total species of flora inhabiting Albania. Forests cover 47% of the district of which 37% are populated by oakOak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
, 20% beech
Beech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
and 15% pine
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
. The remainder is made up of shrubs and other foliage. 15% of the herbaceous
Herbaceous
A herbaceous plant is a plant that has leaves and stems that die down at the end of the growing season to the soil level. They have no persistent woody stem above ground...
flora in the district fall within the group known as Balkan Flora and are particular to this part of Europe. Amongst the herbaceous plants the most notable species endemic to the district are Leontopodium alpinum and Sideritis Rhoeseri. Of particular interest is a carnivorous plant species called Pinguicula Hirtflora (known locally as Luletlyni).
Fauna
The forests and mountains of the district are populated with bearBear
Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern...
(Ursus arctos), wild boar, red fox
Red Fox
The red fox is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most geographically spread member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America, and the steppes of Asia...
, hare
Hare
Hares and jackrabbits are leporids belonging to the genus Lepus. Hares less than one year old are called leverets. Four species commonly known as types of hare are classified outside of Lepus: the hispid hare , and three species known as red rock hares .Hares are very fast-moving...
, and supposedly the Balkan Lynx
Balkan Lynx
The Balkan Lynx is a subspecies of the Eurasian Lynx in the Lynx genus. It is the national symbol of the Republic of Macedonia. It is considered to be the largest cat on the continent. The Balkan Lynx has been on the brink of extinction for nearly a century, with numbers estimated to be around one...
. Birds include eagles (Aquila chrysaetos and Gyps fulvus), buzzard
Buzzard
A buzzard is one of several large birds, but there are a number of meanings as detailed below.-Old World:In the Old World Buzzard can mean:* One of several medium-sized, wide-ranging raptors with a robust body and broad wings....
s (Nephron pesnopterus), falcon
Falcon
A falcon is any species of raptor in the genus Falco. The genus contains 37 species, widely distributed throughout Europe, Asia, and North America....
s (Falcao tinnunculus) and the owl (bubo bubo).
History & Culture
Evidence has been found to show the area was populated during the Bronze AgeBronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
and the Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
from the remains of settlements found at Spathar, Rrajce, Karkavec, Berzeshte and other places. An Illyria
Illyria
In classical antiquity, Illyria was a region in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula inhabited by the Illyrians....
n tribe called the Kandavët who give the region the name Kandavia populated the area in ancient times.
The Romans
The Romans moved into the area in around 220BCE and subjugated the tribes living there (see Illyrian WarsIllyrian Wars
Illyrian Wars were a set of conflicts of 229 BC, 219 BC and 168 BC when Rome overran the Illyrian settlements and suppressed the piracy that had made the Adriatic unsafe for Italian commerce. There were three campaigns, the first against Teuta, the second against Demetrius of Pharos and the third...
). During the Roman Occupation the Via Egnatia
Via Egnatia
The Via Egnatia was a road constructed by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. It crossed the Roman provinces of Illyricum, Macedonia, and Thrace, running through territory that is now part of modern Albania, the Republic of Macedonia, Greece, and European Turkey.Starting at Dyrrachium on the...
was constructed through the area, linking Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
with Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
which was of great importance for commerce. The route of this ancient road is now utilised by a modern highway connecting Tirana
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
with Skopje
Skopje
Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre...
via Lake Ohrid
Lake Ohrid
Lake Ohrid straddles the mountainous border between the southwestern Macedonia and eastern Albania. It is one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes, preserving a unique aquatic ecosystem with more than 200 endemic species that is of worldwide importance...
. Following the Fall of Rome in 476CE
Common Era
Common Era ,abbreviated as CE, is an alternative designation for the calendar era originally introduced by Dionysius Exiguus in the 6th century, traditionally identified with Anno Domini .Dates before the year 1 CE are indicated by the usage of BCE, short for Before the Common Era Common Era...
the region fell under the power of the Eastern Roman Empire centred at Constantinople until the arrival of the Turks
Turkish people
Turkish people, also known as the "Turks" , are an ethnic group primarily living in Turkey and in the former lands of the Ottoman Empire where Turkish minorities had been established in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Romania...
in the 15th century.
Arianiti Princes and The Ottoman Invasion
The Ottoman TurksOttoman Turks
The Ottoman Turks were the Turkish-speaking population of the Ottoman Empire who formed the base of the state's military and ruling classes. Reliable information about the early history of Ottoman Turks is scarce, but they take their Turkish name, Osmanlı , from the house of Osman I The Ottoman...
began to invade the area of the modern district from about 1415 onwards under the leadership of Mehmed I
Mehmed I
Mehmed I Çelebi was a Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1413 to 1421. He was one of the sons of Bayezid I and Valide Sultan Devlet Hatun Mehmed I Çelebi (Ottoman: چلبی محمد, Mehmed I or Mehmed Çelebi) (1382, Bursa – May 26, 1421, Edirne, Ottoman Empire) was a Sultan of the Ottoman Empire...
. They were opposed by the local Arianitas family who ruled the area as vasals to the Byzantine Emperor in Constantinople. The local prince Gjergj Arianit Komneni
Gjergj Arianit Komneni
Gjergj Arianiti was an important Albanian hero and the great uncle of Moisi Arianit Golemi. He was also the father of Gjergj Kastrioti's wife Marina Donika . He shared a distant relation from his great grandmother with the famous Byzantine Komnenos dynasty, originating in Paphlagonia, Asia Minor...
(also known as Gjergj Golemi) was noted by the Ottoman chroniclers for his ferocious resistance to their advances, viz:
With this uprising Arianiti accomplished great and unforgetable deeds which will last as long as life itself. (from Hallkokondili)
Gjergj Arianiti managed to resist the Ottoman advance throughout his tenure and in 1444 rose to support the revolt led by George Kastrioti, otherwise known as Skanderbeg
Skanderbeg
George Kastrioti Skanderbeg or Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu , widely known as Skanderbeg , was a 15th-century Albanian lord. He was appointed as the governor of the Sanjak of Dibra by the Ottomans in 1440...
- the Albanian national hero. He is known to have taken part in the Albanian League in Lezha which elected Skanderbeg their king. Arianiti fought alongside Skanderbeg at Berat
Berat
Berat is a town located in south-central Albania. As of 2009, the town has an estimated population of around 71,000 people. It is the capital of both the District of Berat and the larger County of Berat...
in 1448 and his daughter, Andronika, married Skanderbeg in 1451.
Gjergj Arianiti died in 1461 and resistance to the Turks throughout the Librazhd district began to wane. Following his death the remaining members of the Arianiti familt emigrated to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. In 1479 the Ottoman Turks succeeded in conquering the Albanians who were forced to accept the Turks as their overlords until the 20th century. The region came to achieve a significant degree of autonomy during the latter years of the Ottoman Empire due to the harshness of the terrain and the talent for diplomacy and nepotism exercised by the local Bey
Bey
Bey is a title for chieftain, traditionally applied to the leaders of small tribal groups. Accoding to some sources, the word "Bey" is of Turkish language In historical accounts, many Turkish, other Turkic and Persian leaders are titled Bey, Beg, Bek, Bay, Baig or Beigh. They are all the same word...
liks who garnered significant influence with the Porte.
Role in the Albanian national re-awakening
During the 17th century parts of the Librazhd district achieved a measure of self rule. This process continued up until the uprising of Tanzimati in 1834 when the whole Librazhd district attempted to throw off the Ottoman yoke. They were unsuccessful this time, but a local leader by the name Halit BerzeshtaHalit Berzeshta
Halit Bej Berzeshta was a famous Albanian warlord from the Librazhd District in central Albania. Born in Berzeshta, Albania in 1840 during its long occupation by the Ottoman Empire. He was a prominent activist in the National Movement for Independence and joined forces with Bajo Topulli supporting...
emerged who was to lead and inspire the Albanian resistance until his death in 1909. In 1912 the population enthusiastically rose in revolt against the Ottoman Empire and took their part in the realisation of Albanian Independence that same year.
In the 1940s some 1,100 local men formed in to two battalions fought the occupying Germans
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and helped liberate the area. Their exploits were famous throughout Albania and from their number are recognised 79 national martyrs.
Librazhd since 1990
Life in the Librazhd district has been badly effected by the closing of many traditional industries, in particular the mining industry due to an inability to meet modern European environmental and health and safety standards. The construction of a highway linking the town with SkopjeSkopje
Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre...
and Tirana
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
through Durres
Durrës
Durrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically important cities of Albania. Durres is situated at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari...
has been a positive development.
Cultural Traditions
Librazhd costume is characterized by garments made from woolWool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
, hemp
Hemp
Hemp is mostly used as a name for low tetrahydrocannabinol strains of the plant Cannabis sativa, of fiber and/or oilseed varieties. In modern times, hemp has been used for industrial purposes including paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, construction, health food and fuel with modest...
and flax
Flax
Flax is a member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. It is native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and was probably first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent...
. The choice of colours is considered in Albania to be particularly noteworthy. Garments are traditionally decorated with an eagle, star, snake, ram, geometric figures, plants and flowers. Located at the crossroads of northern and souther Albania folk costumers in the district are a combination of the folk customers inherent in both Gheg and Tosk culture. The flattened form of qeleshe
Qeleshe
A qeleshe is a traditional skull cap, which is worn by Albanian men throughout Albania, in Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and in the Arbëresh villages in Italy....
skull cap traditional to the south is usually worn by men in the countryside.
Language
ToskTosk Albanian
Tosk is the southern dialect of the Albanian language. The line of demarcation between Tosk and Gheg is the Shkumbin River. Tosk is the basis of the standard Albanian language.- Tosks :...
is the dominant Albanian
Albanian language
Albanian is an Indo-European language spoken by approximately 7.6 million people, primarily in Albania and Kosovo but also in other areas of the Balkans in which there is an Albanian population, including western Macedonia, southern Montenegro, southern Serbia and northwestern Greece...
dialect spoken in the district, although in many the villages north of the Shkumbin, Gheg
Gheg Albanian
Gheg is one of the two major varieties of Albanian. The other one is Tosk, on which standard Albanian is based. The dividing line between these two varieties is the Shkumbin River, which winds its way through central Albania....
can be heard. Additionally in some of the villages bordering the Bulqizë
Bulqizë District
The District of Bulqizë is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Dibër County. It has a population of 28,374, and an area of 469 km². It is in the east of the country, and its capital is Bulqizë....
district and those near Macedonia, there are a number of Golloborda Macedonian families who speak Macedonian
Macedonian language
Macedonian is a South Slavic language spoken as a first language by approximately 2–3 million people principally in the region of Macedonia but also in the Macedonian diaspora...
.
Religion
Most people in the district are MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s who live amongst smaller communities of Roman Catholics, Evangelicals
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
, and Orthodox Christians.
Mining
Mining has been central to Librazhd District since RomanAncient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
times, in particular the mining of nickel
Nickel
Nickel is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Nickel belongs to the transition metals and is hard and ductile...
, chromium
Chromium
Chromium is a chemical element which has the symbol Cr and atomic number 24. It is the first element in Group 6. It is a steely-gray, lustrous, hard metal that takes a high polish and has a high melting point. It is also odorless, tasteless, and malleable...
, platinum
Platinum
Platinum is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Pt and an atomic number of 78. Its name is derived from the Spanish term platina del Pinto, which is literally translated into "little silver of the Pinto River." It is a dense, malleable, ductile, precious, gray-white transition metal...
, copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
, bauxite
Bauxite
Bauxite is an aluminium ore and is the main source of aluminium. This form of rock consists mostly of the minerals gibbsite Al3, boehmite γ-AlO, and diaspore α-AlO, in a mixture with the two iron oxides goethite and hematite, the clay mineral kaolinite, and small amounts of anatase TiO2...
and gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
. Large mines operated in the area, in particular at Farret, Katjel, Bushtric, Hotolisht
Hotolisht
Hotolisht is a municipality in the Librazhd District, Elbasan County, eastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Buzgare, Dardhe, Hotolisht, Kokreve, Vehcan, Vulcan and Xhyre....
, Prrenjas, Dardh and Qarrisht. Most of these mines are now inactive.
Agriculture
The district used to have a nationally famous tobaccoTobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
industry. Wine is still produced and some timber mills are still active. Mineral water under the brand Sopoti is bottled at Spathar
Spathar
Spathar is a village in the municipality of Vendreshë in Skrapar District, Berat County, Albania....
and is distributed throughout Albania. Because Librazhd is renowned for the medicinal qualities of its natural mineral water, the maintenance of the water industry makes Librazhd residents particularly proud.
Administration
The district of Librazhd is composed of two towns (LibrazhdLibrazhd
Librazhd is a town in eastern Albania, capital of the Librazhd District. It has a population of approximately 9,998. Librazhd is the nearest town to the Shebenik-Jabllanice National Park...
and Përrenjas
Përrenjas
Prrenjas is a municipality in the Librazhd District, Elbasan County, eastern Albania....
), nine rural municipalities and 77 villages. The district consists of the following municipalities:
- HotolishtHotolishtHotolisht is a municipality in the Librazhd District, Elbasan County, eastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Buzgare, Dardhe, Hotolisht, Kokreve, Vehcan, Vulcan and Xhyre....
- LibrazhdLibrazhdLibrazhd is a town in eastern Albania, capital of the Librazhd District. It has a population of approximately 9,998. Librazhd is the nearest town to the Shebenik-Jabllanice National Park...
- LunikLunik, AlbaniaLunik is a municipality in the Librazhd District, Elbasan County, eastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Dranovice, Koshorrishte, Kostenje, Letem, Lunik, Prevall and Zgosht....
- OrenjëOrenjëOrenjë is a municipality in the Librazhd District, Elbasan County, eastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Ballegjin, Floq, Funares, Gurakuq, Mexixe, Neshte, Orenjë, Rinas, Zdrajsh and Zdrajsh Veri....
- PolisPolis, AlbaniaPolis is a municipality in the Librazhd District, Elbasan County, eastern Albania....
- PërrenjasPërrenjasPrrenjas is a municipality in the Librazhd District, Elbasan County, eastern Albania....
- QendërQendër, LibrazhdQendër is a municipality in the Librazhd District, Elbasan County, eastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Arez, Babje, Dorez, Dragostunje, Gizavesh, Kuterman, Librazhd Katund, Librazhd Qendër, Marinaj, Qarishte, Spathar and Togez....
- QukësQukësQukës is a municipality in the Librazhd District, Elbasan County, eastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Berzheshte, Dritaj, Fanje, Gurre, Karkavec, Menik, Pishkash, Pishkash Veri, Qukës-Shkumbin, Qukës-Skenderbej and Skroske....
- RrajcëRrajcëRrajcë is a municipality in the Librazhd District, Elbasan County, eastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Bardhaj, Katjel, Kotodesh, Rrajcë, Skenderbe, Sutaj and Urake.-Demography:...
- SteblevëSteblevëSteblevë is a municipality in the Librazhd District, Elbasan County, eastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Borove, Llange, Moglice, Prodan, Sebisht, Steblevë and Zabzun.-Demographics:...
- StravajStravajStravaj is a municipality in the Librazhd District, Elbasan County, eastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Farret, Gaferr, Shqiponje, Sopot, Stranik and Stravaj....