Velipojë ( sq-definite, Velipoja) is a village and a former municipality in

Shkodër County Shkodër County () is a county in northwestern Albania, with the capital in Shkodër. The county spans and had a total population of 154,479 people as of the 2023 census. The county borders on the counties of Lezhë, Kukës and the country of M ...

, northwestern

Albania Albania ( ; or ), officially the Republic of Albania (), is a country in Southeast Europe. It is located in the Balkans, on the Adriatic Sea, Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea, and shares land borders with Montenegro to ...

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

Shkodër Shkodër ( , ; sq-definite, Shkodra; historically known as Scodra or Scutari) is the List of cities and towns in Albania, fifth-most-populous city of Albania and the seat of Shkodër County and Shkodër Municipality. Shkodër has been List of o ...

. The population at the 2011 census was 5,031.2011 census results

Etymology

The name Velipoje comes from the Slavic word Velikopoje, which in English translates to the Great Plain. The name would have been given during one of the many times the Slavs invaded Albania.

Geography

Velipojë is situated on the estuary of the Buna river (the only navigable river of Albania), where it flows into the

Adriatic Sea The Adriatic Sea () is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkans, Balkan Peninsula. The Adriatic is the northernmost arm of the Mediterranean Sea, extending from the Strait of Otranto (where it connects to the Ionian Se ...

while constituting the natural border with

Montenegro , image_flag = Flag of Montenegro.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Montenegro.svg , coa_size = 80 , national_motto = , national_anthem = () , image_map = Europe-Mont ...

. 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 has been within the boundaries of the 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 farm Fish farming or pisciculture involves commercial breeding of fish, most often for food, in fish tanks or artificial enclosures such as fish ponds. It is a particular type of aquaculture, which is the controlled cultivation and harvesting of aq ...

ing.

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, which consists of carving sand sculptures along the beach.Land and Sand Art Festival
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In recent years, several projects have been instituted with the aim of conserving the environment (including the marine life of the Buna) and encouraging ecological tourism. The scenery is largely unspoiled, a mixture of seacoast, river estuary, heathland, thick pine woods, farmland, and high mountains. The area is a prime site for

birdwatching Birdwatching, or birding, is the observing of birds, either as a recreational activity or as a form of citizen science. A birdwatcher may observe by using their naked eye, by using a visual enhancement device such as binoculars or a telescop ...

game A game is a structured type of play usually undertaken for entertainment or fun, and sometimes used as an educational tool. Many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator sports or video games) or art ...

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

, the chief city of northern Albania, which lies about 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.

References

External links

InVelipoja.com Tourist Guide
{{DEFAULTSORT:Velipoje Former municipalities in Shkodër County Seaside resorts in Albania Administrative units of Shkodër Villages in Shkodër County