Lushnjë (; locally Lushnje ; ) is a city and municipality in west-central Albania. The municipality's population is 63,135 as of the 2023 census,
History
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The first mention of Lushnjë comes from the 1431-1432 defter (cadastral survey) of the Sanjak of Albania. There, in the list of settlements of the Muzakiye nahiye the modern-day city is recorded as Luşnye.
Lushnjë was a provisional capital of Albania when the Congress of Lushnjë met there from 21 to 31 January in 1920. Chieftains of Albania assembled in the town and declared Tirana first a provisional and then the definitive capital of Albania.
3 km away from Lushnjë is the Savra field. This field is on the Lushnjë-Fier road. Here the first battle between the Principality of Zeta and the Principality of Albania, backed by the Ottoman Empire occurred in 1385 (the Battle of Savra).
In this battle Balsha II, the Lord of Lower Zeta from 1378 to 1385, was killed.
Along with Fier, Lushnjë was the main district of the concentration camps during the Communist Regime; the camps included the villages of Savër, Gradishtë, Bedat, Gjazë, Rrapëz, and Plug.
Geography
thumb|right|Divjake Karavasta National Park
Lushnjë is located in the middle plains and flatland in a hot Mediterranean summer type of climate. This land is used for growing crops and raising animals. It is 30 km to Divjakë-Karavasta National Park with wetland and beaches and a lagoon. There is a reservoir in a village in Kashar, Lushnjë with many farmlands around it and a connecting canal known as Perrio. Lushnjë also has many olive oil trees and is one of the leading olive oil-producing places in Albania.
Subdivisions
Subdivisions are Allkaj, Ballagat, Bubullimë, Dushk, Fier-Shegan, Golem, Hysgjokaj, Karbunarë, Kolonjë, Krutje, and Lushnjë.
Economy
thumb|Lushnjë Town Hall
Lushnjë is located in the Myzeqe region that is known as a main provider of agricultural products to the rest of the country and for exports to other European countries, and home to a national Institute of Agricultural Research. During the Communism regime, the city had factories for paper, plastic, and food processing. Lushnjë has many olive trees. Many other business involve brick making and marble and also oil distributors and small oil refinery for gas station in and out of the city for the city.
Infrastructure
Education
Lushnjë has many schools from college and to pre-k. The biggest and most famous schools in Lushnjë are known as "Skënder Libohova", "18 Tetori" and "Kongresi i Lushnjes". "Kongresi i Lushnjes" has been renovated and is one for the most modern schools in the city with painted sides and interior upgrades. The college that is situated in Lushnjë is Institute of Agricultural Research Lushnje about agriculture research. "Foto Puka" is another school in the city that is the second largest one. There are two high schools, one is "18 Tetori" and the other being "Vath Koreshi". The city also has a Professional Public High School, "Hasan D. Gina", with special curriculums raising from informatics to auto-services.
The schools of Lushnjë offer a lot of recreation for their students. "Skënder Libohova" school has a new multi-functional park and a basketball and soccer area. "Foto Puka" and "Jani Nushi" are more known for their soccer and volleyball respectively.
Transportation
There is one highway that passes by the outskirts of Lushnjë known as the SH4. The SH4 comes from Durrës to Lushnjë, and then to Fier.
There are urban buses through the city with only one straight route. The urban bus goes from the roundabout in , Lushnjë, through Lushnjë, and to Karbunarë, Lushnjë. The ride is about 5 km and 13 minutes or less. There are buses available at the train station which can take you from Lushnjë to Greece and many places in the country and Balkan region.
Due to the shutdown of trains in Albania during 1990 there have been no signs of trains.