Velipojë
Municipality
Velipoja Town Square
Velipoja Town Square
Velipojë is located in Albania
Velipojë
Velipojë
Coordinates: 41°51′53″N 19°25′48″E / 41.86472°N 19.43000°E / 41.86472; 19.43000
Country Albania
CountyShkodër
Elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Municipal unit
5,031
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal Code
4020
Area Code0267

Velipojë (Albanian definite form: Velipoja) is a village and a former municipality in Shkodër County, northwestern Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it became a subdivision of the municipality Shkodër.[1] The population at the 2011 census was 5,031.[2]

Geography

The Buna estuary with Velipojë to the left

Velipojë is situated on the estuary of the Buna river (the only navigable river of Albania), where it flows into the Adriatic Sea while constituting the natural border with Montenegro.

The administrative unit of Velipojë has a population of around 10,000, spread over several small settlements, the largest of which is the town of Velipojë itself. Since 2005, Velipoje lies within the boundaries of Buna River-Velipoja Protected Landscape.

Economy

Velipojë's economy is based on agriculture, tourism, and some fishing. There have also been recent efforts to develop fish farming.

Tourism

A long, sandy curative beach with a seaside promenade is a popular attraction in the summer. The village hosts the Land and Sand Art Festival consisting of carving sand sculptures along the beach.[3]

Coastal protected areas near Velipoja and Shengjin

In recent years, several projects have been instituted with the aim of conserving the environment (including the marine life of the Buna) and the encouragement of ecological tourism. The scenery is largely unspoilt: a mixture of sea-coast, river estuary, heathland, thick pine woods, farmland, and high mountains. The area is a prime site for birdwatching, game shooting and fishing.

Historically a poor area, and like the rest of the country subject to much emigration, Velipojë has recently begun to expand as a tourist resort, favoured especially by the inhabitants of Shkodër, the chief city of northern Albania, which lies about 30 km (19 mi) inland. The construction of the highway that started in 2021 linking Shëngjin with Velipojë is expected to further develop tourism and the local economy.

Education

In the commune, there is a church-sponsored kindergarten, several primary schools, two secondary schools, and one gymnasium.

Culture and sports

There is also a small theatre and a local football team, KS Ada Velipojë.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Law nr. 115/2014" (PDF) (in Albanian). pp. 6374–6375. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  2. ↑ 2011 census results Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ Land and Sand Art Festival
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