Editing Librazhd District

{{Short description|Defunct (2000) Albanian administrative area}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{more footnotes needed|date=August 2010}}
{{citation style|date=October 2010}}
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{{Infobox settlement AL
| name =  Librazhd District
| other_name = Rrethi i Librazhd
| type = d
| skyline = 
| caption = 
| map = Librazhd District.svg
| coordinates = {{Coord|41|11|N|20|24|E|display=it|scale:200000}}
| seat = [[Librazhd]]
| dissolved = 2000
| population_total = 72,520
| population_as_of = 2001
| area_total_km2 = 1102
}}
'''Librazhd District''' ({{langx|sq|Rrethi i Librazhdit}}) was one of the 36 [[districts of Albania]], which were dissolved in July 2000 and replaced by 12 newly created [[Counties of Albania|counties]]. It had a population of 72,520 in 2001, and an area of {{cvt|1102|km2}}.<ref>[http://statoids.com/yal.html Districts of Albania], statoids.com</ref> It was formed as an administrative unit in 1958.<ref>Bashkia Librazhd. ''Welcome to Librazhd''. Bashkia Librazhd/USAID, 2010, p. 5.</ref> It is in the east of the country, and its capital and administrative center was the town of [[Librazhd]]. The area of the former district includes most of the regions of the ethnographic region. Its territory is now part of [[Elbasan County]]: the [[Municipalities of Albania|municipalities]] of [[Librazhd]] and [[Prrenjas]].

==Geography==
[[File:Vilson Blloshmi Genc Leka Memorial.JPG|250px|thumb|A memorial sculpture in Librazhd.]]
Librazhd District has an administrative border of {{convert|42|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}. The district is characterised by a mountainous landscape with scenic valleys, including glacial valleys above {{convert|1500|ft|m}} in the [[Polis Mountains]]. The [[Shkumbin]] River is sourced in and traverses through the district. The average altitude is {{convert|713|ft|m}} above sea level. The highest point is at the ''Red Peak'' of [[Shebenik]] Mountain.

Librazhd District has a [[continental climate]]. The average temperature is {{convert|13.4|°C|°F}}. The maximum temperature {{convert|40.7|°C|°F}} was recorded in 1957, while the minimum recorded temperature was in 1968 at {{convert|-15.7|°C|°F}}. Precipitation averages 1363&nbsp;mm per year.<ref>Bashkia Librazhd. ''Welcome to Librazhd''. Bashkia Librazhd/USAID, 2010, p. 9.</ref>

The [[Shkumbin]] River has its source in the Librazhd District at ''Valamra'' and the ''Guri i Topit'' Mountain. The river is {{convert|181|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} long and flows through the district for {{convert|64|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}. The Shkumbin is fed by the waters of the ''Dushna'', ''Radicina'', ''Bushtrica'', ''Sheja'', ''Hotolisht'', ''Dragostunja'' streams. The Shkumbin flows through the town of [[Librazhd]]. The [[Rrapun]] River joins the Shkumbin at [[Murrash]].

The [[Shebenik-Jabllanice National Park]] is the Librazhd District's only national park and makes up approximately 33% of the district's area.

==Flora and fauna==
[[File:Towards Jabllanice Mountain.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Much of the district is mountainous.]]
There are 1,857 species of flora in the district representing 57% of the total species of flora inhabiting Albania. Forests cover 47% of the district of which 37% are populated by [[oak]], 20% [[beech]] and 15% [[pine]]. The remainder is made up of shrubs and other foliage. 15% of the [[herbaceous]] flora in the district fall within the group known as ''Balkan Flora'' and are particular to this part of Europe. Amongst the herbaceous plants the most notable species endemic to the district are [[Leontopodium alpinum]] and [[Sideritis Rhoeseri]]. Of particular interest is a carnivorous plant species called [[Pinguicula hirtflora]] (known locally as ''Luletlyni'').

The forests and mountains of the district are populated with [[bear]] ([[Ursus arctos]]), [[wild boar]], [[red fox]], [[hare]], and supposedly the [[Balkan Lynx]]. Birds include eagles ([[Aquila chrysaetos]] and [[Gyps fulvus]]), [[buzzard]]s ([[Nephron pesnopterus]]), [[falcon]]s ([[Falcao tinnunculus]]) and the owl ([[Bubo bubo]]).

==History and culture==
Evidence{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}} has been found to show the area was populated during the [[Bronze Age]] and the [[Iron Age]] from the remains of settlements found at ''Spathar'', ''Rrajce'', ''Karkavec'', ''Berzeshte'' and other places. An [[Illyria]]n tribe called the [[Kandavët]] who give the region the name ''Kandavia'' populated the area in ancient times.<ref>Bashkia Librazhd. ''Welcome to Librazhd''. Bashkia Librazhd/USAID, 2010, p. 7.</ref>

The Romans moved into the area in around 220[[BCE]] and subjugated the tribes living there (see [[Illyrian Wars]]). During the Roman Occupation the [[Via Egnatia]] was constructed through the area, linking [[Rome]] with [[Constantinople]] which was of great importance for commerce. The route of this ancient road is now utilised by a modern highway connecting [[Tirana]] with [[Skopje]] via [[Lake Ohrid]]. Following the [[Fall of Rome]] in 476[[Common Era|CE]] the region fell under the power of the [[Eastern Roman Empire]] centred at Constantinople until the arrival of the [[Turkish people|Turks]] in the 15th century.

The [[Ottoman Turks]] began to invade the area of the modern district from about 1415 onwards under the leadership of [[Mehmed I]]. They were opposed by the local '''Arianitas''' family who ruled the area as vassals to the [[Byzantine Emperor]] in Constantinople. The local prince [[Gjergj Arianit Komneni]] (also known as ''Gjergj Golemi'') was noted by the Ottoman chroniclers for his ferocious resistance to their advances, viz:

<blockquote>''With this uprising Arianiti accomplished great and unforgettable deeds which will last as long as life itself.'' (from Hallkokondili)</blockquote>

Gjergj Arianiti managed to resist the Ottoman advance throughout his tenure and in 1444 rose to support the revolt led by George Kastrioti, otherwise known as [[Skanderbeg]] – the Albanian national hero. He is known{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}} to have taken part in the [[Albanian League]] in [[Lezhë]] which elected Skanderbeg their king. Arianiti fought alongside Skanderbeg at [[Berat]] in 1448 and his daughter, Andronika, married Skanderbeg in 1451.

Gjergj Arianiti died in 1461 and resistance to the Turks throughout the Librazhd district began to wane. Following his death the remaining members of the Arianiti family emigrated to [[Italy]]. In 1479 the Ottoman Turks succeeded in conquering the Albanians who were forced to accept the Turks as their overlords until the 20th century. The region came to achieve a significant degree of autonomy during the latter years of the Ottoman Empire due to the harshness of the terrain and the talent for diplomacy and nepotism exercised by the local [[Bey]]liks who garnered significant influence with the [[Ottoman Porte|Porte]].

During the 17th century, parts of the Librazhd district achieved a measure of self-rule.{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}} This process continued up until the uprising of [[Tanzimati]] in 1834 when the whole Librazhd District attempted to throw off Ottoman rule. They were unsuccessful this time, but a local leader by the name [[Halit Berzeshta]] emerged who was to lead and inspire the Albanian resistance until his death in 1909. In 1912 the population enthusiastically rose in revolt against the Ottoman Empire and took their part in the realisation of Albanian Independence that same year.

In the 1940s, some 1,100 local men formed into two battalions fought the occupying [[World War II|Germans]] and helped liberate the area. Their exploits were famous throughout Albania{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}} and from their number are recognised 79 national martyrs.

[[File:FromShebeniktowardsOhrid.JPG|thumb|300px|View from [[Shebenik Mountain]], the district's highest mountain]]

Life in the Librazhd District has been badly affected by the closing of many traditional industries, in particular the mining industry due to an inability to meet modern European environmental and [[health and safety]] standards. The construction of a highway linking the town with [[Skopje]] and [[Tirana]] through [[Durrës]] has been a positive development.{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}}

==Cultural traditions==
Librazhd costume is characterized by garments made from [[wool]], [[hemp]] and [[flax]]. The choice of colours is considered in Albania to be particularly noteworthy.{{Citation needed|reason=Seems POV|date=September 2010}} Garments are traditionally decorated with an eagle, star, snake, ram, geometric figures, plants and flowers. Located at the crossroads of northern and southern Albania, the wearers folk costumes in the district are a combination of those in both [[Gheg]] and [[Tosk]] culture. The flattened form of ''[[qeleshe]]'' skull cap traditional to the south is usually worn by men in the countryside.

[[Tosk Albanian|Tosk]] is the dominant [[Albanian language|Albanian]] dialect spoken in the district, although in many the villages north of the Shkumbin, [[Gheg Albanian|Gheg]] can be heard.  Additionally in some of the villages bordering the [[Bulqizë District|Bulqizë district]] and those near Macedonia, there are a number of [[Golloborda|Golloborda Macedonian]] families who speak [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]].

Most people in the district are [[Muslim]]s who live amongst smaller communities of [[Roman Catholic]]s, [[Evangelicalism|Evangelicals]], and [[Eastern Orthodox|Orthodox Christians]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}}

==Economy==
Mining has been central to Librazhd District since [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] times, in particular the mining of [[nickel]], [[chromium]], [[platinum]], [[copper]], [[bauxite]] and [[gold]]. Large mines operated in the area, in particular at [[Farret]], [[Katjel]], [[Bushtric]], [[Hotolisht]], [[Prrenjas]], [[Dardh]] and [[Qarrisht]]. Most of these mines are now inactive.

The district used to have a nationally famous [[tobacco]] industry. Wine is still produced and some timber mills are still active. Mineral water under the brand ''Sopoti'' is bottled at [[Spathar]] and is distributed throughout Albania. Because Librazhd is renowned for the medicinal qualities of its natural mineral water,{{citation needed|date=October 2010}} the maintenance of the water industry makes Librazhd residents particularly proud.

==Administrative divisions==
The district consisted of the following [[Municipalities of Albania|municipalities]]:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/659991480409319302/pdf/110582-REVISED-PUBLIC-report-eng-complete.pdf |title=Portraits of poverty and inequality in Albania |publisher= [[World Bank Group]]|year=2016|pages=33–40}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=14em}}
*[[Hotolisht]]
*[[Librazhd]]
*[[Lunik, Albania|Lunik]]
*[[Orenjë]]
*[[Polis, Albania|Polis]]
*[[Prrenjas]]
*[[Qendër, Librazhd|Qendër]]
*[[Qukës]]
*[[Rrajcë]]
*[[Steblevë]]
*[[Stravaj]]
{{Div col end}}

==Notable people==
*[[Gjergj Arianit Komneni]]
*[[Halit Berzeshta]] from Berzeshta
*[[Hasan Moglica]] from Moglicë<ref name="Ramçi 2012">{{cite book|author=Valbona Ramçi|title=Hoxhë Hasan Moglica - Klerik dhe luftëtarë i shquar për lirinë dhe gjuhën shqipe (monografi)|year=2012|publisher=Geer|pages=160–}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

*Most of the information on this page has come from '''Librazhdi Albania''' (2000), {{ISBN|99927-1-244-9}}, Shtypur në Shtypshkronjën TOENA / CIP Katelogizimi në botim - B.K. Tiranë (A. Roçi)

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Librazhd}}
* [http://www.bashkialibrazhd.gov.al/ Municipality of Librazhd]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140210233350/http://www.librazhdi.com/ Librazhdi Online – In Albanian]

{{Districts of Albania}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Districts of Albania]]
[[Category:Geography of Elbasan County]]
[[Category:Albanian ethnographic regions]]