Settlements in Albania facts for kids
Albania is a beautiful country in Europe. Like many countries, it is divided into smaller areas to help manage things. These areas are called municipalities (which are called bashki or komunë in Albanian). They help organize how cities, towns, and villages are run.
What are Municipalities in Albania?
A municipality is like a local government area. It's a place where people live and work, and it has its own local leaders. These leaders make decisions about things like schools, roads, and local services. In Albania, municipalities can be either urban or rural.
Urban and Rural Municipalities
- Urban municipalities are usually bigger cities or towns. They have more people and more buildings. Think of places like Tirana, the capital city, or Durrës, a large port city. These areas often have many shops, businesses, and public services.
- Rural municipalities are smaller areas. They often include villages and countryside. These places might have more farms or natural areas. They are important for agriculture and preserving nature.
How Albania is Organized
Albania is divided into different parts to make it easier to govern.
- First, there are 12 main areas called counties. These are the biggest divisions.
- Inside each county, there used to be smaller areas called districts.
- Then, within these districts, you find the many municipalities. Each municipality takes care of its local community. This system helps make sure that local needs are met and that services are provided to everyone, no matter where they live in Albania.
There are many municipalities across Albania, each with its own unique character and local government. For example, in Berat County, you'll find the urban municipality of Berat and many rural ones like Cukalat or Sinjë. In Durrës County, there's the big city of Durrës and smaller rural areas like Maminas. This shows how different parts of Albania are organized to best serve their people.
