Koplik

For the Bulgarian wine grape also known as Koplik, see Dimiat.
Koplik
Administrative Unit
Koplik
Coordinates: 42°12′49″N 19°26′11″E / 42.21361°N 19.43639°E / 42.21361; 19.43639Coordinates: 42°12′49″N 19°26′11″E / 42.21361°N 19.43639°E / 42.21361; 19.43639
Country Albania Albania
County Shkodër
Municipality Malësi e Madhe
 • Administrative Unit 9.3 km2 (3.6 sq mi)
Elevation 62 m (203 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Administrative Unit 3,734
 • Administrative Unit density 400/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal Code 4301
Area Code 0211
Vehicle registration MA
Website www.kopliku.org

Koplik (also known as Koplik i Poshtëm) is a town and a former municipality in the northwestern tip of Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it became a subdivision and the seat of the municipality Malësi e Madhe.[1] It was the seat of the former Malësi e Madhe District. The population at the 2011 census was 3,734.[2] It is situated north of the city of Shkodër. AS of June 2016, Koplik has been registered and administrated as an international 'free economic trade zone' by the Albanian government.

History

Cupionich was mentioned by Mariano Bolizza in 1614, being part of the Sanjak of Scutari. It was Roman Catholic, had 60 houses, and 130 men at arms commanded by Pecha Campersa.[3]

Koplik, being a border town, has a long history of warfare. The historical importance of Koplik owes much to the Malissori tribesmen. Their fierce independent nature insured that Koplik was often embroiled in wars against the Ottomans and the Serbs though much of its history. In the town itself there is a monument commemorating the Battle of Koplik, also known as the Battle of Deçiq on account of being fought both in Koplik and Tuzi. The battle was a result of a rebellion of Malsori tribesmen led by Ded Gjo Luli of the Traboin-Hoti tribe against Ottoman imperial authority. The battle was a costly victory for the Malsori tribesman. After the first world war and the partition of Malsia e Madhe into two component parts, the area surrounding Tuzi was given to the Kingdom of Montenegro whilst the area around Koplik remained Albanian with Koplik being created the regional capital of Malsia e Madhe. During the Ottoman occupation, many of the inhabitants of the town converted to Islam, although the rural population in Malësia e Madhe continued to be mainly Catholic. The communist regime put heavy restrictions on mobility but after the fall of communism in 1991, Koplik experienced a great influx of new settlers from the countryside.

In 1984, Koplik was elevated to city status, with a municipality granted following the first democratic elections on 26 July 1992.

Tourism

Lake Shkodër and the mountainous areas of the Malëia e Madhe are recreational areas. Koplik receives hundreds if not thousands of tourists every year. These are however mainly expatriate immigrants returning to see family. Koplik and the surrounding areas have seen investment with a casino as well as restaurants being built to accommodate the increased demand from the tourist influx during the summer months. Koplik is the starting point for hikers wishing to explore the literary famous Malsia e Madhe, translated in English as the "Great Highlands" which receive much literary attention most famously in the travels of the early female anthropologist Edith Durham in her book High Albania as well as others including Lord Byron, Margaret Hasluck and many native figures. Malsia e Madhe is an area that offers hiking opportunities in what is said to be truly the last unspoiled, untouched remote wilderness of Europe that still retains an outstanding natural beauty.

Transport

Roads were poor; however in recent years, government investment has improved the central highway running through the province as well as the asphalting of most village roads. There is no availability to passenger trains from Koplik itself. The main method of public transportation is the use of minibuses on the main highway with one arriving every 3 to 5 minutes on average. Each minibus is usually privately owned and operated so there are no fixed fares as such; passengers are expected to pay the market price depending on the length of journey with the price from Koplik to the village of Dober (about a 2 to 3-mile journey) being around 20 lek.

Economy

Koplik is the trading center of Malsia e Madhe. It is generally the place where from the rural villages go for anything from buying household items, clothing and other everyday things to attaining services such as health care, haircuts etc. As a result, Koplik is filled with shops, restaurants and hardware stores as well as Internet cafes and a casino. It has branches from the major banks operating in Albania. It also has a variety of business from a few hunting shops for the purchase of licensed fire arms and ammunition to mobile phone shops, bureau de change to a variety of high-street stores to be found in most major settlements. Further, the main high school for the surrounding villages is located there. As a result of Koplik's trade and administrative center status, it benefits from a constant influx of people from the surrounding area. It is also a transport hub as it is somewhat of a gateway into the deep valleys of Malsia itself and therefore a place of congregation for the various minibuses with at least half a dozen being present there at any time in the day.

TEDA Koplik

Background TEDA Koplik has a total surface area of 61 ha of flat land. It is located in the northern Albania, adjacent to Shkodra Lake. It is 2 km away from the city of Koplik, 20 km away from city of Shkodra, and 15 km away from Hani-Hotit customs office (at the border with Montenegro). This strategic geographic position grants Koplik the potential to become a strategic connection hub between Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo.

Shkodra is one of the oldest cities in Albania, dating back to the 3rd century BC. It is rich in culture and history. Throughout the centuries it has retained its status as a major city in the Western Balkans and enjoys a geostrategic location close to the Adriatic and with ports on the other side of the Adriatic shore. Land-routes to important cities and locations in the region pass through Shkodra, making it an important cultural and economic center. The population of the city of Shkodra was 77,075 at the 2011 census, while the Shkodra District had a population of 215,347.

Transport Infrastructure TEDA Koplik is adjacent to the Shkodra-Hani Hotit highway connecting Albania and Montenegro. It is located 45 km away from the Port of Shëngjin, 34 km away from the Port of Bar in Montenegro and 127 km away from the Port of Durrës.

Housing The cities of Koplik and Shkodra offer suitable housing facilities. Tourists that visit Shkodra describe the city as the soul of Albania. The very characteristic appearance of the city is formed by the juxtaposition of ancient houses and narrow streets joined with stonewalls and modern buildings.

Koplik is a relatively small city with a population of around 3,734 inhabitants as of the 2011 census. It serves as the trade-center for the surrounding rural villages. Traditional small houses and modern apartment blocks characterize the housing infrastructure in the city.

Industrial development in the zone The unique location of TEDA Koplik offers opportunities to develop agriculture, light industry, electronics, auto parts manufacturing and construction.

Labor market Shkodra District, including the city of Shkodra and Koplik, provides TEDA Koplik with a diverse labor market. According to official data, the employable labor force is 150,942, of which 89,961 are currently employed. A large portion of this labor force is well educated: 32% of the employable labor force has a high school degree and 14% has pursued undergraduate studies.

Sports

The football city club is KS Veleçiku Koplik.

Administration

The municipality of Koplik has its own website, www.kopliku.org, which allows users to see who is employed by the local government and also view its budget and other administrative information.

References

  1. ↑ Law nr. 115/2014
  2. ↑ 2011 census results
  3. ↑ Early Albania: A Reader of Historical Texts, 11th-17th Centuries. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. 2003. pp. 147–. ISBN 978-3-447-04783-8.
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