Durrësi

views updated May 23 2018

Durrësi City in w Albania on the Adriatic coast; capital of Durrës province. It was founded in 625 bc as a colony of Corcyra and Corinth. Under Roman rule, it was an important trade centre. It fell to a succession of foreign conquerors before being ceded to Venice in 1392. Captured by the Ottoman Turks in 1501, it was capital of independent Albania from 1913–21. It was occupied by Austria and Italy in World War I and by Italy in World War II. It is the country's chief port, exports include grain, olive oil and tobacco. Industries: textiles and leather. Pop. (2002 est.) 112,300.