Memaliaj

Memaliaj is a town and a municipality in Gjirokastër County, southern Albania. It was formed at the 2015 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities Buz, Krahës, Luftinjë, Memaliaj, Memaliaj Fshat and Qesarat, that became municipal units. The seat of the municipality is the town Memaliaj. The total population is 10,657 (2011 census), in a total area of 372.30 km2. The population of the former municipality at the 2011 census was 2,647. It is entirely populated by Albanians, both Muslim Bektashis and Eastern Orthodox Christians. The dialect of Albanian spoken in the region is Tosk.

History
In 2 December of 1942 in Memaliaj under the supervision of the Albanian National Liberation Council was founded the first National Liberation Committee of Tepelenë.

In 1958 Memaliaj became famous for the newly established Coal Mine, which multiplied the coal profit of Albania by 64 times, in contrast with older mines of 1938.

Notable People

 * Agron Llakaj, Albanian Comedian
 * Foto Strakosha, Former Albanian national team goal keeper
 * Thomas Strakosha, Albanian national team goalkeeper who currently plays for Brentford F.C, he is the son of Foto Strakosha
 * Dhimitri Strakosha, Former footballer, the son of Foto Strakosha