Ksamil ( sq, Ksamili, ) is a village and a former

municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality'' may also mean the go ...

in the

riviera ''Riviera'' () is an Italian word which means "coastline", ultimately derived from Latin , through Ligurian . It came to be applied as a proper name to the coast of Liguria, in the form ''Riviera ligure'', then shortened in English. The two areas ...

of Southern

Albania Albania ( ; sq, Shqipëri or ), or , also or . officially the Republic of Albania ( sq, Republika e Shqipërisë), is a country in Southeastern Europe. It is located on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea and shares ...

, and part of

Butrint National Park The Butrint National Park ( sq, Parku Kombëtar i Butrintit) is a national park in Vlorë County, southern Albania. It is located south of Sarandë. The park encompasses of hilly terrain with freshwater lakes, wetlands, salt marshes, open p ...

. At the 2015 local government reform it became a subdivision of the municipality

Sarandë Sarandë (; sq-definite, Saranda; el, Άγιοι Σαράντα, Ágioi Saránta) is a city in the Republic of Albania and seat of Sarandë Municipality. Geographically, the city is located on an open sea gulf of the Ionian Sea within the Medit ...

. The population at the 2011 census was 2,994;2011 census results
while according to the Civil Offices it was 9,220. The municipal unit consists of the villages Ksamil and Manastir. During the communist era, the coastal village of Ksamil was built in 1966 and is located south of the city of

off the road to

Butrint Butrint ( el, Βουθρωτόν and Βουθρωτός, ''Bouthrōtón'', la, Buthrōtum) was an ancient Greek and later Roman city and bishopric in Epirus. "Speakers of these various Greek dialects settled different parts of Greece at differen ...

. Ksamil is one of the most frequented coastal resorts by both domestic and foreign tourists. Ksamil Beach and Albania's Ionian Coast further north was included in the Guardian's 20 of the best bargain beach holidays for 2013. The main attractions are the nearby

Ksamil Islands The Islets of Ksamil (), consist of four rocky islets located in the direct proximity to the Ionian Sea in Southern Albania. The village of Ksamil, after whom the islets are named, is located to the east of the islets. Furthermore, the islands ar ...

. The Caribbean white sand beaches in Ksamil gave the town great tourist boost. Albanians from

Kosovo Kosovo ( sq, Kosova or ; sr-Cyrl, Косово ), officially the Republic of Kosovo ( sq, Republika e Kosovës, links=no; sr, Република Косово, Republika Kosovo, links=no), is a partially recognised state in Southeast Euro ...

and other Albanian-speaking areas visited Ksamil in recent years, but more and more international tourists are visiting the beach. This leads, for example, to new hotel facilities, but also to more expensive prices. Other activities are the Blue Eye in Muzinë, the

, Saranda and as well some other minor beaches that lie north to Ksamil. During communism, the area became well known for the production of olive oil, lemons, and tangerines. In 2010, national authorities demolished over 200 illegal structures that violated the town's master plan and the integrity of Butrint National Park. Some remains from the demolished buildings have yet to be removed by authorities.

Demographics

In 1992, the village of Ksamil was inhabited by a mixed population of Muslim Albanians (1125), Orthodox Albanians (210) and Greeks (520).Kallivretakis, Leonidas (1995).
Η ελληνική κοινότητα της Αλβανίας υπό το πρίσμα της ιστορικής γεωγραφίας και δημογραφίας [The Greek Community of Albania in terms of historical geography and demography
" In Nikolakopoulos, Ilias, Kouloubis Theodoros A. & Thanos M. Veremis (eds). ''Ο Ελληνισμός της Αλβανίας [The Greeks of Albania]''. University of Athens. p. 51. "Ε Έλληνες, ΑΧ Αλβανοί Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί, AM Αλβανοί Μουσουλμάνοι, Μ Μικτός πληθυσμός”; KSAMIL ΚΣΑΜΙΛΙ (ΕΞΑΜΙΛΙ/νέο) 1955 Μ (1125 AM + 520 Ε + 210 ΑΧ)" According to official estimates (2014) the population of the commune of Ksamil numbered 9,215, of whom 4,207 were members of the Greek minority, seven of the Aromanian minority, and the rest Albanians.

Gallery

Ksamil Albania . Albanian Riviera.jpg Ksamil_albanian_riviera.jpg Ksamil_cafe.jpg Crystal_blue_ksamil.jpg Ksamil_tourism.jpg Ksamil_albania_2016.jpg Ksamil-ksamil_islands.jpg

References

External links

Lonely Planet Ksamil
{{Albanian Riviera Beaches of Albania Greek communities in Albania Former municipalities in Vlorë County Seaside resorts in Albania Administrative units of Sarandë Villages in Vlorë County Labëria

Demographics

Gallery

See also

References

External links