# Tuzi Municipality

Tuzi Municipality (Montenegrin: Opština Tuzi / Општина Тузи; Albanian: Komuna e Tuzit) is one of the 25 Municipalities of Montenegro. The municipal seat is the town of Tuzi. The municipality is located about 10 km south of the capital Podgorica and consists of more than 40 distinct settlements. The municipality roughly encompasses the Montenegrin part of the Malesija (Albanian: Malësia) region.

## Geography and location

Tuzi is situated to the northwest of Lake Shkodra, 10 km from Podgorica and 130 km from Tirana (Albania). It is located in an environment of forests and mountains that are further connected to the Accursed Mountains. Later developments also include a football stadium, Korita, Lake of Rikavac, Vitoja, wellspring in Traboin, Cem, etc. It is located along the main road between the City of Podgorica and the Albanian border crossing, just a few kilometers north of Lake Shkodra. The Church of St. Anthony and Qazimbeg's Mosque are located in the centre of the town. Tuzi has been an independent municipality since 1 September 2018.

## Local parliament

| Party | Seats | Gov't. |
| Albanian Forum (ASh–LDMZ–UDSh) | 16 | Yes |
| Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) | 10 | No |
| Bosniak Party of Montenegro (BS) | 4 | Yes |
| Democratic Montenegro (Democrats) | 1 | Yes |
| Social Democrats of Montenegro (SD) | 1 | No |

## Settlements

The Municipality of Tuzi consists of the following towns and villages (2011 census):
| Name | Name | Population (2011) | Predominant ethnic group | Predominant religion |
| Montenegrin Name | Albanian Name | Population (2011) | Predominant ethnic group | Predominant religion |
| Tuzi | Tuz | 4748 | Albanians50.18 / 100 | Islam61.98 / 100 |
| Arza | Arrëzë | 29 | Albanians93.10 / 100 | Catholicism96.55 / 100 |
| Barlaj | Bardhaj | 57 | Albanians100 / 100 | Catholicism100 / 100 |
| Benkaj | Bëkaj | 2 | Albanians100 / 100 | Catholicism100 / 100 |
| Budza | Buxë | 25 | Albanians100 / 100 | Catholicism100 / 100 |
| Cijevna | Cem | 63 | Albanians98.41 / 100 | Catholicism98.41 / 100 |
| Delaj | Delaj | 23 | Albanians100 / 100 | Catholicism100 / 100 |
| Dinoša | Dinoshë | 500 | Albanians95 / 100 | Islam82.19 / 100 |
| Donji Milješ | Milesh i Poshtëm | 512 | Albanians80.27 / 100 | Islam99.41 / 100 |
| Drešaj | Dreshaj | 176 | Albanians98.29 / 100 | Catholicism98.29 / 100 |
| Drume | Drume | 164 | Albanians99.39 / 100 | Catholicism99.39 / 100 |
| Dušići | Dushiq | 188 | Albanians93.08 / 100 | Catholicism96.27 / 100 |
| Gornji Milješ | Milesh i Sipërm | 742 | Albanians96.22 / 100 | Islam87.73 / 100 |
| Gurec | Gurrec | 46 | Albanians100 / 100 | Catholicism100 / 100 |
| Helmica | Helmicë | 51 | Albanians100 / 100 | Catholicism80.39 / 100 |
| Koći | Kojë | 54 | Albanians88.88 / 100 | Catholicism88.88 / 100 |
| Kotrabudan | Kodërbudan | 233 | Albanians97.85 / 100 | Islam60.94 / 100 |
| Krševo | Këshevë | 168 | Albanians94.64 / 100 | Islam50.60 / 100 |
| Lovka | Llofkë | 43 | Albanians100 / 100 | Catholicism100 / 100 |
| Mužečka | Muzheçk | 15 | Albanians100 / 100 | Catholicism100 / 100 |
| Nabojin | Nabom | 46 | Albanians100 / 100 | Catholicism100 / 100 |
| Nik Maraš | Nikmarash | 10 | Albanians100 / 100 | Catholicism100 / 100 |
| Omerbožovići | Omerbozhaj | 193 | Albanians90.15 / 100 | Catholicism90.67 / 100 |
| Pikalja | Pikalë | 54 | Albanians90.74 / 100 | Catholicism98.14 / 100 |
| Poprat | Poprat | 33 | Albanians100 / 100 | Catholicism100 / 100 |
| Pothum | Nënhelm | 253 | Albanians87.35 / 100 | Catholicism71.93 / 100 |
| Rakića Kuće | Rakiq | 279 | Albanians51.25 / 100 | Catholicism51.61 / 100 |
| Rudine | Rudinë | 10 | Albanians100 / 100 | Catholicism100 / 100 |
| Selište | Selisht | 47 | Albanians95.74 / 100 | Catholicism95.74 / 100 |
| Skorać | Skorraq | 137 | Albanians100 / 100 | Catholicism100 / 100 |
| Spinja | Spi | 39 | Albanians100 / 100 | Catholicism100 / 100 |
| Stjepovo | Stjepoh | 24 | Albanians95.83 / 100 | Catholicism91.66 / 100 |
| Sukuruć | Sukruq | 661 | Albanians96.06 / 100 | Catholicism94.09 / 100 |
| Traboin | Traboin | 48 | Albanians100 / 100 | Catholicism100 / 100 |
| Vladna | Vllanë | 474 | Albanians63.50 / 100 | Islam90.71 / 100 |
| Vranj | Vranë | 1012 | Albanians37.05 / 100 | Islam43.08 / 100 |
| Vuksanlekići | Vuksanlekaj | 267 | Albanians98.12 / 100 | Catholicism99.25 / 100 |
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## Demographics

According to 2011 census, the town of Tuzi has a population of 4,748, while the Tuzi Municipality has 11,422 residents. Of them, over half are Albanians, 1/3 define themselves as ethnic Muslims, 1/4 as Bosniaks and the rest as Montenegrins. There is also a small community of Romani. According to the last national census of 2011 the newly formed municipality is made up of the following ethnic groups;
| Year | 2011 | 2011 |
| Ethnic group | Population | Percentage |
| Albanians | 7,786 | 68.44% |
| Bosniaks | 1,050 | 9.23% |
| Ethnic Muslims | 702 | 6.17% |
| Montenegrins | 1,137 | 9.99% |
| Serbs | 244 | 2.15% |
| Romani people | 111 | 0.98% |
| Total | 13,142 | 100% |
According to the 2023 census, the Municipality of Tuzi has a population of 13,142 residents.

## Gallery

* Town of Tuzi and the Dečić Hill
* Dečić Hill and the Prokletije Massif
* Cem river (Cijevna), Tuzi municipality
* Cijevna (Cem) river waterfalls