Montenegrins of Albania

Montenegrins of Albania

Montenegrins form an ethnic minority in Albania. There is an estimated 1,000 - 2,000 Montenegrins living in Albania. Montenegrins are mainly located in the northern districts of Malësi e Madhe and Shkodër. The town of Vrakë in the Shkodër District and the surrounding area is most significant as the centre of the Montenegrin national minority in Albania.

Montenegrins are a majority in the town of Vrakë, located north of Shkodër in northwestern Albania. They also occupy neighbouring towns of Gril, Omaraj, and Borici i Vogel. Montenegrins in this area had retained their compactness as a national minority, their native language, culture, religion, and traditions.

History

With the beginning of the democratic processes in Albania, in 1990, almost all Montenegrins left for Montenegro. The economic difficulties and the tensions created in former Yugoslavia urged a part of those who had left to return to their homes in Albania. About 600 from the 2 thousand people who moved to Montenegro, have returned to their houses at present. The rest either continue to live in Montenegro (the majority) or have moved to other countries in Western Europe, United States or Canada.

Demographics

  • 2000 estimate: 2,000

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