Sarande

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Sarandë (Albanian: Saranda or Sarandë, Greek: Άγιοι Σαράντα or Agioi Saranta, Italian: Santa Quaranta, 'Forty Saints'), is the capital of the District of Sarandë, Albania, and it is one of the most important tourist attractions of the Albanian Riviera. Situated on an open sea gulf of the Ionian at 39.88°N, 20.00°E, it has a population of about 15,000, including a substantial Greek community. Part of its original Greek and Albanian population moved into Greece during the large exodus in the early 1990s. Opposite Sarandë is another tourist attraction, the Greek island of Corfu. There are daily ferries between them.

In ancient times, Agioi Saranta was called Onchesmos. It received its current name from the Byzantine church, by the same name, whose ruins can be seen on a hill outside the city.

Agioi Saranta was liberated by the Greek Army on February 18, 1913, during the First Balkan War but was awarded to the newly-created state of Albania.

It was once again liberated by the Greek Army on December 6, 1940 during World War II.

Near the city are the remains of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site.