Vlora (Photo by Marc Morell)
Vlorė (Albanian: Vlorė or Vlora) is the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrės, with a population of about 85,000 (2003 estimate). It is located in southwestern Albania, facing the Adriatic Sea, in the District of Vlorė and County of Vlorė at 40.48°N, 19.49°E.
Vlorė has also been known by the names Aulon and Valona.
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 Vlorė on November 28th, 1912. At this time Vlorė became the capital of Albania. The city was invaded by Italy in 1914 and in 1939.
In 1997, Vlorė 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 Vlorė is a touristic center with many hotels, recreational centers, and vast beaches.
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