Berat

Berat
Berati
Photomontage of Berat
Berat
Coordinates: 40°42′08″N 19°57′30″E / 40.70222°N 19.95833°E / 40.70222; 19.95833
Country Albania
CountyBerat
Government
  MayorTBA (PS)
Area
  Municipality380 km2 (150 sq mi)
  Municipal unit19 km2 (7 sq mi)
Elevation
80 m (260 ft)
Population
 (2023)
  Municipality
62,232
  Municipality density160/km2 (420/sq mi)
  Municipal unit
40,665
  Municipal unit density2,100/km2 (5,500/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Albanian: Beratas (m), Beratase (f)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal Code
5001-5022
Area Code(0)11
Websitebashkiaberat.gov.al
Official nameHistoric Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra
TypeCultural
Criteriaiii, iv
Designated2005
Reference no.569
RegionBerat County
Europe2005–present

Berat (pronounced [bɛˈɾat]; Albanian definite form: Berati) is the ninth most populous city of Albania and the seat of Berat County and Berat Municipality. By air, it is 71 kilometres (44 miles) north of Gjirokastër, 70 kilometres (43 miles) west of Korçë, 70 kilometres (43 miles) south of Tirana, and 33 kilometres (21 miles) east of Fier.

Berat is located in the south of the country. It is surrounded by mountains and hills, including Tomorr on the east that was declared a national park. The river Osum (total length 161 km (100 mi)) runs through the city before it empties into the Seman within the Myzeqe Plain. The municipality of Berat was formed at the 2015 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities Berat, Otllak, Roshnik, Sinjë, and Velabisht, that became municipal units. The seat of the municipality is the city Berat. The total population is 62,232 as of the 2023 census, in a total area of 421.6 km2 (162.8 sq mi).

Historical population
YearPop.±%
195011,648    
196018,685+60.4%
196924,700+32.2%
197933,400+35.2%
198946,210+38.4%
200144,040−4.7%
201136,496−17.1%
202340,665+11.4%
Source:

Berat, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, comprises a unique style of architecture with influences from several civilizations that have managed to coexist for centuries throughout the history. Like many cities in Albania, Berat comprises an old fortified city filled with churches and mosques painted with grandiose wealth of visible murals and frescos. Berat is one of the main cultural centres of the country.