Editing Tirana (section)

== Geography ==
[[File:View of Tirana from the Lapidar.jpg|thumb|right|View of Tirana Metropolitan Area]]

Tirana extends at the [[Tirana plain|Plain of Tirana]] in the centre of Albania between the mount of [[Dajti]] in the east, the hills of Kërrabe, Sauk and Vaqarr in the south, and a valley to the north overlooking the [[Adriatic Sea]]. The average altitude is about {{convert|110|m|ft|sp=us}} [[above sea level]], with a maximum of {{convert|1828|m|abbr=off}} at Maja Mincekut of Mali me Gropa in Shenmeri.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.qarkutirane.gov.al/sites/default/files/Koncepti%20i%20Zhvillimit%20Rajonal%20per%20Qarkun%20e%20Tiranes_0_0.pdf |title=Koncepti i Zhvillimit Rajonal per Qarkun e Tiranes 2012-2017 |language=sq |trans-title=Concept of Regional Development for the District of Tirana 2012-2017 |date=22 April 2013 |access-date=9 August 2020 |archive-date=22 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722002839/http://www.qarkutirane.gov.al/sites/default/files/Koncepti%20i%20Zhvillimit%20Rajonal%20per%20Qarkun%20e%20Tiranes_0_0.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The city is surrounded by two important [[Protected areas of Albania|protected areas]]: the [[Dajti National Park]] and [[Mali me Gropa-Bizë-Martanesh Protected Landscape]]. In winter, the mountains are often covered with snow and are a popular retreat for the population of Tirana, which rarely receives snowfalls. In terms of [[biodiversity]], the forests are mainly composed of [[pine]], [[oak]] and [[beech]], while its interior relief{{clarify|date=February 2019}} is dotted with [[canyon]]s, waterfalls, caves, lakes and other landforms.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dajti National Park A Recreational Area for Citizens of Tirana, Albania |url=http://mmv.boku.ac.at/refbase/files/mecaj_nasip_muharr-2002-dajti_national_park.pdf |website=boku.ac.at |page=2 |access-date=11 September 2017 |archive-date=10 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810232417/http://mmv.boku.ac.at/refbase/files/mecaj_nasip_muharr-2002-dajti_national_park.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Thanks to its natural heritage, it is considered the "Natural Balcony of Tirana". The mountain can be reached by a narrow asphalt mountain road onto an area known as Fusha e Dajtit. From this small area there is a view of Tirana and its plain.

[[Tiranë (river)|Tiranë river]] flows through the city, as does the Lanë river. Tirana is home to several artificial lakes, including [[Grand Park of Tirana|Tirana]], Farka, Tufina, and Kashar. The present municipality was formed in the 2015 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities of Baldushk, Bërzhitë, Dajt, Farkë, Kashar, Krrabë, Ndroq, Petrelë, Pezë, Shëngjergj, Tirana, Vaqarr, Zall-Bastar and Zall-Herr, which became municipal units. The seat of the municipality is the city of Tirana.<ref name="Law 2014">{{cite web |url=https://www.vendime.al/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/137-2014.pdf |title=Law nr. 115/2014 |language=sq |pages=6375 |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225080313/https://www.vendime.al/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/137-2014.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Climate ===

[[File:Mali_Dajtit.jpg|thumb|Snow at the [[Dajti National Park]]. It generally melts quickly in the region.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kottek |first1=Markus |last2=Grieser |first2=Jürgen |last3=Beck |first3=Christoph |last4=Rudolf |first4=Bruno |last5=Rube |first5=Franz |date=June 2006 |title=World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated |url=http://www.schweizerbart.de/resources/downloads/paper_free/55034.pdf |journal=[[Meteorologische Zeitschrift]] |volume=15 |issue=3 |pages=259–263 |doi=10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130 |bibcode=2006MetZe..15..259K |access-date=6 October 2020 |archive-date=12 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412021016/http://www.schweizerbart.de/resources/downloads/paper_free/55034.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

Tirana has a [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cfa'') according to the [[Köppen climate classification]] and receives enough [[precipitation]] during summer to avoid the [[Mediterranean climate]] (''Csa'') classification.

The average precipitation in Tirana is about {{convert|1266|mm|in|abbr=off}} per year. The city receives the majority of precipitation in winter months, which occurs from November to March, and less in summer months, from June to September. In terms of precipitation, both rain and snow, the city is ranked among the wettest cities in [[Europe]].<ref name="currentresults.com"/>

Temperatures vary throughout the year from an average of {{convert|6.7|°C|°F}} in January to {{convert|24|°C|°F}} in July. [[Spring (season)|Spring]]s and [[Summer (season)|summer]]s are very warm to hot often reaching over {{convert|20|°C|°F}} from May to September. During [[autumn]] and [[Winter (season)|winter]], from November to March, the average temperature drops and is not lower than {{convert|6.7|°C|°F}}. The city receives approximately 2500 hours of sun.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Telegraph Media Group |title=Mapped: the sunniest (and dullest) cities in Europe |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/mapped-the-sunniest-and-dullest-cities-in-europe/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/mapped-the-sunniest-and-dullest-cities-in-europe/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=21 November 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
{{Weather box
| width = auto
| collapsed = Y
| location = Tirana ([[Tirana 7|7]]){{efn|Elevation at {{cvt|90|m}}}} 1961-1990 normals and extremes 1940-present{{efn|The monthly estimations for rainy and snowy days are not available, only annual.}}
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| Jan record high C = 21.3
| Feb record high C = 28.0
| Mar record high C = 30.3
| Apr record high C = 32.6
| May record high C = 35.9
| Jun record high C = 39.7
| Jul record high C = 43.0
| Aug record high C = 41.4
| Sep record high C = 39.7
| Oct record high C = 36.1
| Nov record high C = 31.3
| Dec record high C = 22.5
| year record high C = 42.2
| Jan high C = 11.6
| Feb high C = 12.9
| Mar high C = 15.6
| Apr high C = 19.0
| May high C = 23.8
| Jun high C = 27.7
| Jul high C = 30.7
| Aug high C = 30.7
| Sep high C = 27.3
| Oct high C = 21.8
| Nov high C = 17.1
| Dec high C = 13.0
| year high C = 21.0
| Jan mean C = 6.7
| Feb mean C = 7.8
| Mar mean C = 10.0
| Apr mean C = 13.4
| May mean C = 18.0
| Jun mean C = 21.6
| Jul mean C = 24.0
| Aug mean C = 23.8
| Sep mean C = 20.7
| Oct mean C = 16.0
| Nov mean C = 11.7
| Dec mean C = 8.1
| year mean C = 15.2
| Jan low C = 1.8
| Feb low C = 2.6
| Mar low C = 4.5
| Apr low C = 7.9
| May low C = 12.1
| Jun low C = 15.6
| Jul low C = 17.2
| Aug low C = 16.9
| Sep low C = 14.1
| Oct low C = 10.1
| Nov low C = 6.3
| Dec low C = 3.2
| year low C = 9.4
| Jan record low C = -10.4
| Feb record low C = -9.4
| Mar record low C = -7.0
| Apr record low C = -1.0
| May record low C = 2.5
| Jun record low C = 5.6
| Jul record low C = 4.2
| Aug record low C = 10.0
| Sep record low C = 3.8
| Oct record low C = -1.3
| Nov record low C = -4.3
| Dec record low C = -6.9
| year record low C = -10.4
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 143
| Feb precipitation mm = 132
| Mar precipitation mm = 115
| Apr precipitation mm = 104
| May precipitation mm = 103
| Jun precipitation mm = 68
| Jul precipitation mm = 42
| Aug precipitation mm = 46
| Sep precipitation mm = 78
| Oct precipitation mm = 114
| Nov precipitation mm = 172
| Dec precipitation mm = 148
| year precipitation mm = 1266
| Jan precipitation days = 13
| Feb precipitation days = 13
| Mar precipitation days = 14
| Apr precipitation days = 13
| May precipitation days = 12
| Jun precipitation days = 7
| Jul precipitation days = 5
| Aug precipitation days = 4
| Sep precipitation days = 6
| Oct precipitation days = 9
| Nov precipitation days = 16
| Dec precipitation days = 16
| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
| year precipitation days = 128
| Jan humidity = 74
| Feb humidity = 73
| Mar humidity = 69
| Apr humidity = 72
| May humidity = 68
| Jun humidity = 69
| Jul humidity = 62
| Aug humidity = 64
| Sep humidity = 71
| Oct humidity = 70
| Nov humidity = 76
| Dec humidity = 79
| year humidity = 71
| Jan sun = 124
| Feb sun = 125
| Mar sun = 165
| Apr sun = 191
| May sun = 263
| Jun sun = 298
| Jul sun = 354
| Aug sun = 327
| Sep sun = 264
| Oct sun = 218
| Nov sun = 127
| Dec sun = 88
| year sun = 2544
| Jan uv = 2
| Feb uv = 2
| Mar uv = 4
| Apr uv = 6
| May uv = 8
| Jun uv = 9
| Jul uv = 9
| Aug uv = 8
| Sep uv = 6
| Oct uv = 4
| Nov uv = 2
| Dec uv = 1
| source 1 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst|DWD]],<ref name = DWD>{{cite web |url=http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_136150_kt.pdf |title=Klimatafel von Tirana (Flugh.) / Albanien |work=Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdienst |language=de |access-date=30 January 2016 |archive-date=9 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209124404/https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_136150_kt.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = DWDsun>{{cite web |url=ftp://ftp-cdc.dwd.de/pub/CDC/observations_global/CLIMAT/multi_annual/sunshine_duration/1961_1990.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017195327/ftp://ftp-cdc.dwd.de/pub/CDC/observations_global/CLIMAT/multi_annual/sunshine_duration/1961_1990.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=2017-10-17 |title=Station 13615 Tirana |work=Global station data 1961–1990—Sunshine Duration |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdienst |access-date=30 January 2016}}</ref>{{efn|[ftp://ftp-cdc.dwd.de/pub/CDC/help/stations_list_CLIMAT_data.txt Station ID for Tirana is 13615]. Use this station ID to locate the sunshine duration.}} Meteo Climat (record highs and lows),<ref name = meteoclimat>{{cite web |url=http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=728 |title=Station Tirana |publisher=Meteo Climat |language=fr |access-date=11 June 2016 |archive-date=3 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203023808/http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=728 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]] (some records, rain and snow days)<ref name = noaa>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-VI/AB/13615.TXT |title=Tirane (13615) - WMO Weather Station |access-date=12 May 2019 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]] |archive-date=21 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121064317/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-VI/AB/13615.TXT |url-status=live }}</ref> and Weather Atlas<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/albania/tirana-climate |title=Tirana, Albania - Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast |publisher=Yu Media Group |website=Weather Atlas |language=en |access-date=2019-07-03 |archive-date=3 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703202630/https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/albania/tirana-climate |url-status=live }}</ref>
| source = 
}}
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=== Urbanism ===

[[File:Grand_Park_of_Tirana_(2020).jpg|thumb|right|The [[Grand Park of Tirana|artificial lake of Tirana]] built from local waters in 1955]]

In September 2015, Tirana organized its first vehicle-free day, joining forces with numerous cities across the globe to fight against the existing problem of urban air pollution. This initiative resulted in a considerable drop in both air and noise pollution, encouraging the Municipality to organise a vehicle-free day every month.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-25 |title=Albania Announces Car-Free Days for First Sunday of Each Month |url=https://exit.al/en/2022/03/25/albania-announces-car-free-days-for-first-sunday-of-each-month/ |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=Exit - Explaining Albania |language=en-US |archive-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018081207/https://exit.al/en/2022/03/25/albania-announces-car-free-days-for-first-sunday-of-each-month/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-22 |title=Car-free day in Tirana, these are the roads where driving isn't permitted |url=https://euronews.al/en/albania/2022/03/22/car-free-day-in-tirana-these-are-the-roads-where-driving-isnt-permitted/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018081209/https://euronews.al/en/albania/2022/03/22/car-free-day-in-tirana-these-are-the-roads-where-driving-isnt-permitted/ |archive-date=18 October 2022 |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=Euronews Albania |language=en-US}}</ref>

The city suffers from problems related to [[Human overpopulation|overpopulation]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://enrin.grida.no/htmls/albania/soe1998/eng/drivers/soc_pres/urbanpop.htm |title=State of the Environment in Albania 1997-1998 |access-date=18 February 2018 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220064542/http://enrin.grida.no/htmls/albania/soe1998/eng/drivers/soc_pres/urbanpop.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> such as [[waste management]], high levels of [[air pollution]] and significant [[noise pollution]].
Over the last decades, air pollution has become a pressing concern as the number of cars has increased. These are mostly 1990s and early 2000s [[Diesel engine|diesel]] cars,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK6ZChjF-L8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/sK6ZChjF-L8 |archive-date=2021-10-30 |title=Stoku i makinave të përdorura – News, Lajme – Vizion Plus |last=VizionPlusAlbania |date=7 November 2013 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> while it is widely believed that the [[fuel]] used in Albania contains larger amounts of [[sulfur]] and [[lead]] than in the [[European Union]]. Effective 1 January 2019, the government has imposed an import ban of used vehicles made prior to 2005 in an effort to curb pollution, encourage the buying of new cars from certified domestic dealerships, and to improve overall road safety. Another source of pollution are PM10 and PM2.5 [[Atmospheric particulate matter|inhaled particulate matter]] and [[Nitrogen dioxide|NO<sub>2</sub>]] gases<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ecat-tirana.org/project4/imazhe/Tirana%20Air%20Quality%20Report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310212638/http://www.ecat-tirana.org/project4/imazhe/Tirana%20Air%20Quality%20Report.pdf |url-status=dead |title=Environmental Center for Administration & Technology Tirana. 2008. ''Tirana Air Quality Report.'' Tirana: EU/LIFE Program; German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety. |archive-date=10 March 2012 |access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.pmcg.co.me/NM7/Dako.pdf |title=Dako, Alba; Lika, Mirela and Hysen Mankolli. 2008. Monitoring aspects of air quality in urban areas of Tirana and Tirana and Durrës, Albania |journal=Natura Montenegrina |volume=7 |issue=2 |pages=549–557 |access-date=2013-01-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325152255/http://www.pmcg.co.me/NM7/Dako.pdf |archive-date=25 March 2012}}</ref> resulting from rapid growth in the construction of new buildings and expanding road infrastructure.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cameron |first=Rob |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4062429.stm |title=Tirana: Where the streets have no name |work=BBC News |date=3 December 2004 |access-date=3 December 2004 |archive-date=30 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060530002351/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4062429.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Untreated [[solid waste]] is present in the city and outskirts. Additionally, there have been complaints of excessive noise pollution. Despite the problems, the Grand Park at the Artificial Lake has some effect on absorbing CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, while over 2.000 trees have been planted around sidewalks.

Works for four new large parks have started in the summer of 2015 located in Kashar, [[Farka Lake|Farkë]], Vaqarr, and [[Dajti Mountain|Dajt]]. These parks are part of the new urban plan striving to increase the concentration of green spaces in the capital.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oranews.tv – Veliaj: Në Farkë do ndërtohet terminali i autobusave për juglindjen |url=http://www.oranews.tv/vendi/veliaj-ne-farke-do-ndertohet-terminali-i-autobusave-per-juglindjen/ |website=Oranews |access-date=2015-08-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822190111/http://www.oranews.tv/vendi/veliaj-ne-farke-do-ndertohet-terminali-i-autobusave-per-juglindjen/ |archive-date=22 August 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The government has included designated green areas around Tirana as part of the Tirana Greenbelt where construction is not permitted or limited.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.planifikimi.gov.al/?q=sq/content/njoftim-shtyp-lidhur-me-dy-vendimet-e-kkt-se-lidhur-me-kuroren-e-gjelber-te-tiranes-dhe |title=HOME |website=planifikimi.gov.al |access-date=10 July 2017 |archive-date=23 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323053747/http://www.planifikimi.gov.al/?q=sq/content/njoftim-shtyp-lidhur-me-dy-vendimet-e-kkt-se-lidhur-me-kuroren-e-gjelber-te-tiranes-dhe |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://aprtirana.al/baza-ligjore/ |title=Baza Ligjore - APR Tirana |website=aprtirana.al |access-date=10 July 2017 |archive-date=20 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820045348/http://aprtirana.al/baza-ligjore/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
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