Lezhe County

Lezhë County bridges Albania's mountainous north and coastal plains, its economy mixing fishing, agriculture, and nascent tourism. The Drin River—Albania's longest—cuts through the terrain before meeting the sea, shaping ecology and settlement patterns. Lagoons rich in biodiversity support commercial fishing, while fertile soils produce fruits and vegetables. This geographic diversity enables multiple economic niches to coexist within a relatively compact area.

Historical significance runs deep: the 1444 League of Lezhë, where Skanderbeg united Albanian nobles against Ottoman expansion, represents a founding moment in national identity. This heritage tourism potential remains underexploited compared to Berat or Gjirokastër, but coastal attractions like Shëngjin beach and the UNUM electronic music festival (held at Rana e Hedhun sand dunes) demonstrate emerging niche development. The pattern resembles ecological succession, where pioneer species (music festivals) prepare substrate for more established communities (conventional tourism infrastructure).

Agritourism initiatives in villages like Barbullush and Fishte represent attempts at economic diversification beyond subsistence farming. TUI Futureshapers and GIZ programs support 200 micro and small enterprises in hospitality and outdoor activities. Coastal erosion poses environmental threats, while the Lezhë-Milot highway improves connectivity to Tirana. Whether Lezhë can capture value from its coastal assets without environmental degradation will determine its development trajectory.