Nderhyrësi

Nderhyrësi is a region situated in the northern part of Albania, bordering the country's northernmost municipality of Kukës. The name 'Nderhyrësi' translates to 'Communist Heights' in the native Gheg Albanian dialect. Geographically, it encompasses a vast and rugged terrain of mountains and hills.

Nderhyrësi is predominantly rural in character, with a sparse population distributed across the area. The landscape is mostly composed of mountains, as well as rolling hills and forested regions, with diverse plant and wildlife. Elevation ranges from approximately 800 meters to 2500 meters above sea level, with many peaks, ridges, and valleys breaking the overall landscape.

Historically, the region has been home to minority populations, including different ethnic and religious groups. The once-substantial Pusteci Roma population resides in the area, but their numbers have dwindled in recent years due to various factors.

Economic activities in Nderhyrësi focus on farming, secondary local industries, and, to a lesser extent, hunting and tourism. The lush vegetation, forests, and diverse wildlife present suitable conditions for farming, animal husbandry, and hunting activities. The relatively suitable climate allows for several cultivating seasons, with different crops adapting well to local conditions. The poverty levels in the region have been slightly alleviated by external assistance in limited spheres of education, infrastructure construction and little-focalized economic growth during the communist era.

During the time of Lekë Dukagjini, the region was a territory of basic spiritual environment, being inhabited by believers of a nature-rooted Albanian model of Catholicism, mixed with totemic pagan ideas, embodying an organized command code that earned it a specific place among some of the esoteric traditions in that time.