One of Albania’s oldest cities (about 2,400 years old), the city of Shkoder lies in northwestern Albania, at the confluence of the Buene and Drin rivers.
  
The ancient capital of Illyria, Shkoder first fell to the Romans; later, to the Serbs; was then captured by the Ottoman Turks; and finally, by the Montenegrins during the Balkan wars, before it became part of the newly independent kingdom of Albania.

With a population of around 90,000, the city is an important economic and cultural hub of Albania. The mechanical and electronic industries here are highly developed—the most important being the electric wires, leather, clothing and tobacco industries.

The city is characterized by sub-Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Shkoder receives the highest rainfall in Albania.

The ancient city of Durres is located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. It is one of Albania’s important ports and its second largest ci...