Cërrik is a municipality in Elbasan County, central Albania. It was formed at the 2015 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities Cërrik, Gostimë, Klos, Mollas and Shalës, that became municipal units. The seat of the municipality is the town Cërrik. The total population is 27,445, in a total area of 189.77 km2.
History
The Start
After the year 1912the city had fought with the Serbs and Italian forces. In a show of revenge the Serbs took over villages. The city of Cërrik joined forces with Elbasan and fought in Vlora War against the Italians. The city became official after being freed from German Soldiers in World War 2.
Industrialized
The city became an industrialized city ever since the constructing of an oil refinery in 1952 and it started its operations on November 8, 1956. The oil refinery made crude oil but also created lubricating oils and kerosene for airplanes. The oil refinery today is not in service and to help the city survive economically there is agriculture they made a National Radio station Shtermen.
Economy
The city developed around an oil refinery plant that was being constructed in 1952 and started operations on November 8, 1956. The Oil Plant produces 500 tons of crude oil processes it per 24 hours. In 1957, after the crude oil processing capacity increased to 800 tons per 24 hours. In 1961, the plant was reconstructed, increasing its processing capacity to 1500 tons per 24 hours. The plant started to produce lubrificated oils for engines and mechanical parts such as the avtol 18 and DP 14 vehicles and type TS1 kerosene for airplanes. In 1965 the production of naphthalene soap and Naphthalic acid began. Today the Plant is not functional. But there is agricultural happening and there is a State radio station known as the Radio Stacioni Kombetar Shtermen. The City has had many opportunities for a better economy for its people and land.
Geography
Cërrik is located approximately ten kilometers southwest of the city of Elbasan. It lies between to rivers the Shkumbin River and the Devoll river. It settles in a plain with hills on both sides of the plain. The city has a hot Mediterranean climate.
