Mesopotam
Administrative unit in Vlorë, Albania
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mesopotam (Albanian definite form: Mesopotami; Greek: Μεσοπόταμος - Mesopotamos) is a village and a former commune in Vlorë County, southern Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it became a subdivision of the municipality Finiq.[2] The population at the 2011 census was 2,786,[3]
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Besides the village Mesopotam from which it takes its name and which functions as well as an administrative center, the administrative unit consists of 14 other villages: Ardhasovë, Bistricë, Brajlat, Dhrovjan, Fitore, Kardhikaq, Kostar, Kranë, Krongj, Livinë, Muzinë, Pecë, Sirakat, and Velahovë.
Population
The People's Republic of Albania (1945-1991) established cultural rights in special minority zones for ethnic Greeks in all 14 villages of Mesopotam. These rights were preserved after the fall of socialism in Albania.[4][5] In 1992, the Greek community inhabited the majority of villages, including Mesopotam itself, while Muzinë and Pecë, by the Albanian Orthodox.[6] Bistricë had a mixed population and Kardhikaq was a mixed village inhabited by Greeks and Aromanians.[6]
Attractions
The Mesopotam village is known for its 13th century Orthodox Church dedicated to St. Nicholas, declared "Protected Monument" from the government.
The "Blue Eye" water spring nearby is a well-known touristic destination.
Notable people
- Constantine Mesopotamites, Byzantine official.
