Sarandë
Sarandë (Albanian: [saˈɾandə]; Albanian definite form: Saranda; Greek: Άγιοι Σαράντα, romanized: Ágioi Saránta) is a city in the Republic of Albania and seat of Sarandë Municipality. Geographically, the city is located on an open sea gulf of the Ionian Sea within the Mediterranean Sea. Stretching along the Albanian Ionian Sea Coast, Sarandë has a Mediterranean climate with over 300 sunny days a year.
Sarandë
Άγιοι Σαράντα | |
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Top to bottom, left to right: View of Sarandë, Lëkurësi Castle, Promenade of Sarandë, Islets of Ksamil, Butrint National Park and View from the Lëkurësi Castle | |
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Flag Emblem | |
Sarandë | |
| Coordinates: 39°52.5′N 20°0.6′E | |
| Country | Albania |
| County | Vlorë |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Oltion Çaçi (PS) |
| Area | |
| • Municipality | 70.13 km2 (27.08 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Municipality | 20,227 |
| • Municipality density | 290/km2 (750/sq mi) |
| • Municipal unit | 17,233 |
| Demonym(s) | Sarandiote (f) Sarandiot (m) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal Code | 9701–9703 |
| Area Code | (0)85 |
| Website | bashkiasarande |
In ancient times, the city was known as Onchesmus or Onchesmos and was a port-town of Chaonia in ancient Epirus. It owes its modern name to the nearby Byzantine monastery of the Forty Saints (Agioi Saranda) by which it became known from the High Middle Ages. Sarandë today is known for its deep blue waters of the Mediterranean. Near Sarandë are the remains of the ancient city of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In recent years, Sarandë has seen a steady increase in tourists, many of them coming by cruise ships. Visitors are attracted by the natural environment of Sarandë and its archaeological sites. Sarandë is inhabited by a majority of ethnic Albanians, and also has a minority Greek community and as such it has been considered one of the two centers of the Greek minority in Albania.