 Aerial view of the island to the right | |
  Osum Island | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Osum river |
| Coordinates | 40°41′57″N19°57′02″E / 40.69917°N 19.95056°E |
| Area | 0.03 km2 (0.012 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 8th |
| Highest elevation | 60 m (200 ft) |
| Administration | |
Albania | |
| County | Berat County |
| Municipality | Berat |
Osum Island (Albanian : Ishulli i Osumit) is an island in south-central of Albania, in the Osum river, in the city of Berat.
Osum island is located in the Osum river, in the Berat Municipality, Berat District, and it has an area of 3 hectares or 0.03 square km. The island is located in the center of the city of Berat.
In February 2015, the design firm Atelier Albania announced a competition in partnership with the municipality of Berat for designs on the development of Berat Island. [1] Supported by the Albanian Fund for Development, the competition sought out designs that created an interplay between the built and natural environments, as well as adapted flexibly to natural phenomena, such as flooding. [2]
Albania is a country in southeastern Europe that lies along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, with a coastline spanning approximately 476 km (296 mi). Situated on the Balkan Peninsula, it is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe. It is bounded by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, North Macedonia to the east and Greece to the southeast and south.
Berat is the ninth most populous city of Albania and the seat of Berat County and Berat Municipality. By air, it is 71 kilometres north of Gjirokastër, 70 kilometres west of Korçë, 70 kilometres south of Tirana, and 33 kilometres east of Fier. Berat is located in the south of the country. It is surrounded by mountains and hills, including Tomorr on the east that was declared a national park. The river Osum runs through the city before it empties into the Seman within the Myzeqe Plain. The municipality of Berat was formed at the 2015 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities Berat, Otllak, Roshnik, Sinjë, and Velabisht, that became municipal units. The seat of the municipality is the city Berat. The total population is 62,232 as of the 2023 census, in a total area of 421.6 km2 (162.8 sq mi).
Tourism in Albania has been a key element to the country's economic activity and is constantly developing. Albania is characterized by its rich archaeological and cultural heritage dating back to the classical period when Illyrians and Ancient Greeks inhabited the region. Over the course of history, the territory of Albania was occupied and populated by Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans. Notably the country features unspoiled beaches, mountainous landscapes, traditional cuisine, archaeological artifacts, unique traditions, low prices and the wild atmosphere of the countryside.
Fier is the seventh most populous city of the Republic of Albania and seat of Fier County and Fier Municipality. It is situated on the bank of Gjanica River in the Myzeqe Plain between the Seman in the north, the Vjosë in the south and the foothills of the Mallakastra Mountains in the southeast. Fier experiences a seasonal Mediterranean climate affected by its proximity to the Adriatic Sea in the west.
Berat County, officially the County of Berat, is a county in the Southern Region of the Republic of Albania. It is the ninth largest by area and the ninth most populous of the twelve counties, with around 140,956 people within an area of 1,798 km2 (694 sq mi). The county borders the counties of Elbasan to the north, Korçë to the east, Gjirokastër to the south and Fier to the west. It is divided into five municipalities, Berat, Dimal, Kuçovë, Poliçan and Skrapar, with all of whom incorporate twenty-five administrative units.
Vlorë County is one of the 12 counties of Albania with the city of Vlorë being the county capital. The county spans 2,706 square kilometres (1,045 sq mi) and has a total population of 146,681 people as of 2023. It borders the counties of Fier and Gjirokastër, as well as the Adriatic and Ionian Sea. Greece borders Vlorë to the south.
Skrapar is a municipality in Berat County, southern Albania. It was created in 2015 by the merger of the former municipalities Bogovë, Çepan, Çorovodë, Gjerbës, Leshnjë, Potom, Qendër Skrapar, Vendreshë and Zhepë. The seat of the municipality is the town Çorovodë. The total population is 12,403, in a total area of 832.04 km2. It covers part of the area of the former Skrapar District, without the town Poliçan.
The Osum is a river in southern Albania, one of the source rivers of the Seman. It is 161 km (100 mi) long and its drainage basin is 2,073 km2 (800 sq mi). Its average discharge is 32.5 m3/s (1,150 cu ft/s). Its source is in the southwestern part of the Korçë County, near the village of Vithkuq at an altitude of 1,050 metres (3,440 ft). It flows initially south to the Kolonjë municipality, then west to Çepan, and northwest through Çorovodë where it flows through the famous Osum Canyon, Poliçan, Berat and Urë Vajgurore. It joins the Devoll near Kuçovë, to form Seman River. The discharge of the river is reported to vary between 5.11 m3 (180 cu ft)/s and 74.11 m3 (2,617 cu ft)/s.
Çorovodë is a town and a former municipality in Berat County, Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it became a subdivision and the seat of the municipality Skrapar. The population at the 2011 census was 4,051. It was the seat of the former Skrapar District.
Starje is a village in the Korçë County in southeastern Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it became part of the municipality Kolonjë. Originally the name was Plakas meaning Old in Albanian. The village's population religiously belongs to the Bektashi order while there are also some Orthodox Christians.
Poliçan(Albanian definite form: Poliçani) is a city and a municipality situated in south-central Albania. It was formed at the 2015 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities Poliçan, Tërpan and Vërtop, that became municipal units. The seat of the municipality is the town Poliçan. The total population is 10,953, in a total area of 272.20 km2. The population of the former municipality at the 2011 census was 4,318. Historically, Polican has been part of Berat County except from 1978 to 1991 when city was made part of Skrapar due to political pressure from the regime at that time. It was established as an industrial center.
The Osum Gorge is a river gorge in southern Albania, near the town of Çorovodë. The river Osum, which passes through the town of Berat, flows through the canyon.
Roshnik is a commune in Berat County, central Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it became a subdivision of the municipality Berat. The population at the 2011 census was 2,513. The Köprülü family of Ottoman viziers came from this municipality.
Dimal formerly known as Ura Vajgurore, or as Ura e Hasan Beut, is a town in Berat County, central Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it was merged with the former municipalities Cukalat, Kutalli and Poshnjë to form a new municipality, that was officially renamed to Dimal in April 2021. The seat of the municipality Dimal is the town Ura Vajgurore, that was not renamed in 2021. The population at the 2011 census was 7,232.
Berat Castle, also referred to as the Citadel of Berat and castle quarter, is a fortress overlooking the town of Berat, Albania. It dates mainly from the 13th century and contains many Byzantine churches in the area and Ottoman mosques. It is built on a rocky hill on the right bank of the river Osum and is accessible only from the south. It is situated at an elevation of 214 metres (702 ft).
Kakrukë is a village in the former municipality of Bogovë in Berat County, Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it became part of the municipality Skrapar. The village lies several miles north of the border with Gjirokaster County on the Osum River. It is connected by road to Poliçan in the north and the district capital of Çorovodë in the south. The village was visited by President Sali Berisha in 1996.
Vendreshë e Vogël is a village in the former municipality of Vendreshë in Berat County, Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it became part of the municipality Skrapar. The closest major cities include Tirana, Skopje, Thessaloniki and Pristina.
The architecture of Albania is a reflection of Albania's historical and cultural heritage. The country's architecture was influenced by its location within the Mediterranean Basin and progressed over the course of history as it was once inhabited by numerous civilisations including the Illyrians, Ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Ottomans as well as modern Austro-Hungarians and Italians. In addition, missionaries, invaders, colonisers and traders brought cultural changes that had a large profound effect on building styles as well as techniques.
Gorica Bridge over the Osum river is a landmark in the city of Berat, Albania.
Tomorr Mountain National Park is a national park founded in 1956 that lies in southern Albania, nestled in the central and higher portions of the Tomorr massif, spanning an area of 261.06 km2 (100.80 sq mi) since 2012, and expanded to include its quarry areas since 2019. The park covers a territory of 26,106 ha. The area falls within the Berat County and only 1,278 ha inside the Elbasan County. The park was established in 1956 and is considered one of the most important protected areas for the maintenance of mountainous biodiversity and ecosystem integrity at the national level. The park has been recognised as an Important Plant Area of international importance by Plantlife.
