Settlements in Albania: municipalities, towns and villages

Administrative structure and terminology

The country is divided into counties and municipalities for governance, planning and statistical purposes. Municipalities group together multiple settlements and may contain several towns and many villages within their boundaries. When consulting reference lists, you will often see entries organized by county and by former districts or by current municipality. Official registers and gazetteers use these divisions to record populations, addresses and services.

Types of settlements and characteristics

• Cities and large towns: coastal and inland urban centers that concentrate administrative, commercial and cultural services.
• Small towns: local market centers that serve nearby villages.
• Villages and hamlets: dispersed rural communities, often in mountainous areas with traditional economies.

Settlement patterns reflect geography and history: coastal plains and river valleys host the biggest cities, while the interior and northern highlands are more sparsely populated. Many settlements have experienced migration to larger cities or abroad, affecting demographics and land use.

For lists and official names consult national registers and municipal listings. See compilations of municipalities and national overviews of Albania for structured lists and administrative maps.