Peqin

Peqin
Municipality

Mosque and clocktower in Peqin
Peqin
Coordinates: 41°3′N 19°45′E / 41.050°N 19.750°E / 41.050; 19.750Coordinates: 41°3′N 19°45′E / 41.050°N 19.750°E / 41.050; 19.750
Country  Albania
County Elbasan
Government
 • Mayor Saimir Hasalla (PJIU)
Area
 • Municipality 197.79 km2 (76.37 sq mi)
 • Administrative unit 17 km2 (7 sq mi)
Elevation 48 m (157 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Municipality 26,136
 • Municipality density 130/km2 (340/sq mi)
 • Administrative unit 6,353
 • Administrative unit density 370/km2 (970/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 3501
Area code 0512
Vehicle registration PE

Peqin (Albanian: Peqin, Peqini, in history named: Claudiana) is a town a municipality in Elbasan County, central Albania. The municipality was formed at the 2015 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities Gjoçaj, Karinë, Pajovë, Peqin, Përparim and Shezë, that became municipal units. The seat of the municipality is the town Peqin.[1] The total population is 26,136 (2011 census), in a total area of 197.79 km2.[2] The population of the former municipality at the 2011 census was 6,353.[3]

History

The city dates back 2000 years, it is mentioned as Illyrian fortress.[4] The ancient name of Peqin was Claudiana. The city's modern name derives from the Ottoman form Bekleyin, which means a place of hospitality. During Ottoman rule Peqin belonged to the Sanjak of Elbasan. The Ottoman Peqin Castle still exists, along with some original parts of the mosque of Abdurrahman Pasha, who had been the governor of Wallachia and Moldavia (former Bogdania). Peqin's football team, KS Shkumbini, plays in the Albanian superleague. KS Shkumbini is famous for its fans, called Besniket (faithful).

Notable people

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Peqin.
  1. ↑ Law nr. 115/2014
  2. ↑ Interactive map administrative territorial reform
  3. ↑ 2011 census results
  4. ↑ http://www.blue-albania.com/GeneralInfo15-Peqini.htm
  5. ↑ Presidenti Topi ngushellon familjaret e Profesor Murat Manahases (in Albanian)
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