The municipality consists of the administrative units of Fushë-Bulqizë, Gjoricë, Martanesh, Ostren, Shupenzë, Trebisht, Zerqan with Bulqizë constituting its seat.

[6] Bulqizë is recorded in the Ottoman defter of 1467 as a hass-ı mir-liva and derbendci settlement in the vilayet of Dulgoberda.

Although the register's complete survey on the village is missing, the following household heads are attested: Dimitri Bogdani, Kolë Sharqini, Gjin Kimeza, Gjin Kolandi, Nikolla Budi, Martin Bardi, Progon Buljani, Maqe Kimëza, Istvan Nenada, Progon Bogdani, Dimitri, Todor Damëza, Banek Alakasa, Nikolla Mesina, Budi, Gjergj Garuja, and Gjergj Iglat (from i gjatë, "the tall").

There are significant sources of chromite (a chromium ore) mined there since the 1980s, which supports most of the economy of the area.

The Bulqizë mine has experienced several gas explosions since 1992 – including one with fatalities – recently likely attributed to seeps of natural hydrogen possibly formed from ophiolites and trapped within a faulted reservoir.