Vlorë, Albania

Vlora (Photo by Marc Morell)

Vlorë (Albanian: Vlorë or Vlora; Greek: Αυλών/Aulōn (ancient), Αυλώνα/Avlóna (modern); Italian: Valona) is the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës, with a population of about 85,000 (2003 estimate). It is located in southwestern Albania, facing the Adriatic Sea, in the District of Vlorë and County of Vlorë at 40.48°N, 19.49°E.

It is one of the oldest cities of Albania with traces of civilization dating back to the 6th century BC.

Ismail Qemali declared Albanian independence from the Ottoman Empire in Vlorë on November 28th, 1912. At this time Vlorë became the capital of Albania. The city was invaded by Italy in 1914 and in 1939.

In 1997, Vlorë was the center of popular riots after the collapse of several fraudulent investment schemes that led to the downfall of the Sali Berisha administration, and almost precipitated the country into a civil war.

Today Vlorë is a touristic center with many hotels, recreational centers, and vast beaches.