Vlorė (Albanian: Vlorė or Vlora, Greek: Αυλών or Αυλώνα) is the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrės, with a population of about 85,000 (2003 estimate). Aviona occupies an eminence near the Gulf of Avlona, an inlet of the facing the Adriatic Sea, almost surrounded by mounains. The port is the best on the Albanian coast, and the nearest to Italy. It is protected by the island of Saseno, the ancient ;aso, and by Cape Glossa, the northernmost headland of the Croceraunian mountains. The town is about 11/2 m. from the sea, and has rather a pleasant appearance cith its minarets and its palace, surrounded with gardens and olive-groves. Valonia, a material largely used by tanners, is the pericarp of an acorn obtained in the neighboring oakvoods, and derives its name from Valona.
