Since Albania's declaration of independence in 1912, there have been 21 administrative reforms. Administrative units have been successively divided or grouped into regions, regions, sub-districts, prefectures (counties), districts, municipalities, cities, townships, communities, villages and settlements. Albania is currently divided into 12 oblasts with 61 municipalities and 373 administrative sub-districts. The state (Albanian: qarqe / qarqet) is the first level of administrative unit in the administrative division of Albania, replacing the original district. Since 2000, Albania has been divided into 12 states. Since 2015, the canton has been divided into 61 municipalities, which are further divided into 373 administrative subdivisions.
1. Shkodrës (Albanian: Qarku i Shkodrës) is a state in the northwestern part of Albania. It has an area of 3,562 km² and a population of 197,177. The capital of the region is the city of Skadar. The canton is divided into five municipalities: Fusheralez, Grand Malesi, Puke, Shkodra and Vodje. The state is bordered by the cantons of Cux, Lesh. And Lake Skadar in the region borders the Republic of Montenegro.
2. Qarku i Kukësit (Albanian: Qarku i Kukësit) is a state in northeastern Albania. It has an area of 2,374 km² and a population of 74,388. The state capital is Kuks. The canton is divided into three municipalities: Haas, Kuks and Tropoa. These municipalities are further divided into 290 towns and villages.
3. The region of Dibra (Albanian: Qarku i Dibrës) is one of the 12 states of Albania, with Peškobi as its capital. The state has an area of 2,586 km² and a population of 113,683 people. The region is bordered by the regions of Elbasan, Kuks, Lesh, Shkodra and the eastern border with the Republic of North Macedonia. The canton is divided into 4 municipalities: Brcisze, Dibra, Cross and Martí.
4. Leš Oblast (Albanian: Qarku i Lezhës) is a state in the northwestern part of Albania. It has an area of 1,620 km² and a population of 120,678. The state capital is the city of Lesh. The canton is divided into three municipalities: Courbin, Leche and Militta. These municipalities are further divided into 175 towns and villages.
5. Durrës (Albanian: Qarku i Durrësit) is a state in the northern region of Albania. It has an area of 766 square kilometers and a population of 292,029. The region is bordered by the Adriatic Sea to the west, the Lech region to the north, the Dibra region to the east, and the Tirana region to the south. The canton is divided into three municipalities: Durrës, Kruja and Chiak, which are further divided into 16 administrative sub-districts.
6. Tirana (Albanian: Qarku Tiranë) is a state in the central region of Albania. It has an area of 1,652 km² and a population of 912,190. The state is bordered by the states of Dibra, Durrës, Elbasan, Ferry. Tirana, the capital of Albania, is located within the state. The region is divided into five municipalities: Kamza, Kavaya, Rogozhny, Tirana and Vola, which are further divided into 29 administrative subdivisions.
7. Elbasanan Oblast (Albanian: Qarku i Elbasanit) is a state in the central region of Albania. It has an area of 3,199 square kilometers and a population of 266,245 people. The state capital is the city of Elbasan. Before 2000, the El Bassan Region was divided into four districts: the El Bassan District, the Gramsh District, the Librasd District, and the Pechin District. Since the local government reform in 2015, the state has been divided into seven municipalities: Bellsh, Zelik, Elbasan, Gramsh, Librasz, Péchin and Prenias. Before 2015, the number of municipalities was 50.
8. Qarku Korçë (Albanian: Qarku Korçë) is a state in southeastern Albania. With an area of 3,711 square kilometres and a population of about 202,000 people, it is the largest of the 12 states in Albania and the seventh largest by population. The region is bordered by the Republic of North Macedonia to the northeast and Greece to the southeast. Before 2000, the state of Korça was divided into four districts: Devor, Cologne, Korça and Pogradec. After the local government reform in 2015, the state was divided into six municipalities: Devor, Cologne, Corca, Malich, Pogradec and Pustez. There are a total of 37 administrative subdivisions under these municipalities.
9. Qarku i Fierit (Albanian: Qarku i Fierit) is a state in the west-central part of Albania. It has an area of 1,890 km² and a population of 286,002. The state capital is Ferry. Prior to 2000, the canton of Ferri was divided into three districts: Ferry, Luchne and Malacaste. Before 2015, there were 42 municipalities in the state. After the local government reform in 2015, the state was divided into six municipalities: Divjaca, Ferry, Lushne, Maracaste, Patos and Roskowets. There are a total of 42 administrative subdivisions under these municipalities.
10. Vlorë (Albanian: Vlorë) is a state in southwestern Albania, located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. It has an area of 2,706 km² and a population of 187,675. The state capital is the city of Vlora. The state is divided into seven municipalities: Dervina, Phoenicia, Himara, Konispol, Saranda, Selenica and Vlora.
11. Pelat Oblast (Albanian: Qarku Berat) is a region in the south-central part of Albania. With an area of 1,798 square kilometers and a population of 119,450, it ranks ninth among the 12 states in terms of area and population. The state is bordered by the state of Elbasan to the north, the state of Korça to the east, the state of Ginocaste to the south, and the state of Ferri to the west. The state is divided into five municipalities: Berat, Dimar, Cuchowe, Polichan and Sklabari, which are further divided into 25 administrative subdivisions.
12. Gjirokastrës (Albanian: Qarku i Gjirokastrës) is a state in southern Albania. It has an area of 2,884 km² and a population of 58,031. The state capital is Ginocaster. Before 2000, the canton of Ginocastel was divided into three districts: Ginocaster, Permetre and Teempelena. After the local government reform in 2015, the state was divided into seven municipalities: Dropley, Ginocastel, Kirquer, Libohowa, Memalia, Permet and Teempelena. Before 2015, there were 32 municipalities in the state.