Tuzi

Tuzi Тузи
Town and municipality
250px
Tuzi
Coordinates:
Country	Montenegro
Municipality	Podgorica Municipality
Population (2003)
• Total	3,900
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	81206
Area code(s)	+382 20
Vehicle registration	PG-T

Tuzi (Montenegrin, Bosnian: Тузи / Tuzi, pronounced [tǔːzi]; Albanian: Tuz) is a small town in the Podgorica Municipality, Montenegro, located along a main road between the city of Podgorica and the Albanian border crossing, just a few kilometers north of Lake Skadar. The exact location of Tuzi is . Tuzi is urban municipality, a subdivision of Podgorica Municipality.

History

The town of Tuzi is situated in the region of Malesija. It is the largest and most important town in the region. The Albanian community of Tuzi descend from the surrounding tribes of Hoti, Gruda (Grudë), Zatrijebač (Triesh) and Koći (Koja). The Malësor Albanians consider Tuzi as an important cultural and traditional center for their people. Although Tuzi is historically an Albanian majority town, it is also home to smaller ethnic groups, such as the Bosniaks (Muslims) and Montenegrins.

In 1911, for the first time since the era of George Kastrioti, the Albanian flag was risen on top of the Dečić Mountain in Tuzi during the Battle of Dečić. In the battle, Ded Gjo Luli led the Albanians to victory against the Ottomans which marked the turning point in Albanian self-determination.

Geography

Tuzi is situated to the northwest of Lake Skadar, 10 km from Podgorica, 150 km from Dubrovnik (Croatia) and 130 km to Tirana (Albanian Capital). It is located in surrounded by forests and mountains that are further connected with Prokletije. As in all cities in Montenegro, Tuzi has a health centre, elementary school "Mahmut Lekić" and since 2004 the high school "25 Maj". KIC 'TUZI'. Later developments also include a football stadium.

Subdivisions

Apart from Tuzi, the Urban Municipality of Tuzi contains the following villages.

• Arza / Arrëz
• Barlaj / Bardhaj
• Benkaj / Bënkaj
• Budza / Budëz
• Cijevna / Cem
• Delaj
• Dinoša / Dinoshë
• Donja Selišta / Selishtë
• Donji Milješ / Milesh i Ultë
• Drešaj/Dreshaj
• Drume
• Dušiće / Dushi
• Gornja Selišta / Selishtë
• Gornji Milješ / Milesh i Epërme
• Gurec / Gurre
• Helmnica / Helmenicë
• Koći / Kojë
• Kotrabudan / Kodërbudan
• Krševo / Kreshe
• Lovka / Llofkë
• Lekic/ Lekaj
• Luksmajlaj/ Drume
• Mužečka / Muzheçku
• Nabon / Nabome
• Podhum / Nënhelm
• Nikmaraš / Nikmarashaj
• Omerbožoviće / Omerbozhaj
• Pankal
• Pikalj / Pikalë
• Priftën / Prifti
• Kuće Rakića / Shtëpia e Rakise
• Rudine / Rudinë
• Skorać / Skorra
• Spinja / Spijë
• Stjepovo / Stjeposh
• Sukuruć / Sukraq
• Šipčanik / Shipçanik
• Trabo(j)in / Traboine
• Tuzi
• Vladne / Vllanë
• Vranj / Vranë
• Vuksanlekiće / Vuksanlekaj
• Camaj
• Zatrijebač / Trieshi

Natural and Touristic Resources

Korita, Lake of Rikaveci, Vitoja, River Cemi etc.

Economy

The urban municipality of Tuzi in the year 2005 has had a budget of over 3.500.000 euros, but in the year 2012 it has a decrease amount of budget to 45.000 euros.

Demographics

According to 2011 census, the town of Tuzi has a population of 4,748, while Tuzi Urban Municipality has 12,096 residents. Out of this, roughly half are Albanians, but there is also a significant percentage of Bosniaks, Muslims by nationality, and Montenegrins.

• Albanians - 2,383
• Bosniaks - 932
• Muslims - 554
• Montenegrins - 554
• Romani - 111
• Serbs - 13
• Others - 172
• Undeclared/undefined - 122
• Regional affiliation - 7
• Total - 4,748

Religious demographics

• 47.9% - Islam
• 50.1% - Roman Catholic
• 2% - Eastern Orthodox

See also

• Football club Dečić Tuzi
• Balkan Wars
• Albanians of Montenegro
• Bosniaks of Montenegro

External links

• Malësia