Albania

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The Republic of Albania, or Albania (Albanian: Shqiperia, meaning Land of the Eagles), is a country in southeastern Europe. It is bordered by Montenegro in the north, Serbia in the north-east, the Republic of Macedonia in the east, and Greece in the south, has a coast on the Adriatic Sea in the west, and a coast on the Ionian Sea in the southwest.

Republika e Shqiperise

(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: None
Official language	Albanian
Capital	Tirana
President	Alfred Moisiu
Prime Minister	Fatos Nano
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 139th 28,748 km² 4.7%
Population  - Total (2003)  - Density	Ranked 126th 3,582,205 122/km2
Independence  - Date	From the Ottoman Empire November 28, 1912
Currency	Lek
Time zone	UTC +2
National anthem	Hymni i Flamurit
Internet TLD	.AL
Calling Code	355

Table of contents

1 History 2 Politics 3 Districts 4 Geography 5 Economy 6 Demographics 7 Culture 8 Miscellaneous Topics 9 External links

History

Main article: History of Albania Albania has been the site of several Greek colonies, and was later part of the Roman province of Illyricum. After being conquered by a number of nations, it became a part of the Ottoman Empire in 1478.

After the First Balkan War, Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but the country remained in unrest. Occupied by Italy during World War II, the (mainly communist) resistance led by Enver Hoxha seized control when the Italians left.

Until 1990, five years after the death of Hoxha, Albania was an extremely isolationist communist state, with little contact even with the other communist states. A multi-party democracy is emerging, but the country suffers from economic problems, organised crime, and a large number of Albanian refugees from Kosovo.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Albania head of state is the president, which is elected by the Kuvendi Popullor, or People's Assembly. The main part of the Assembly's 155 members are elected by the Albanians in elections every 5 years. The president is assisted by a council of ministers, which is appointed by the president.

Districts

Main article: Districts of Albania Albania is divided into 36 districts, or rrethe. Several districts are then grouped into a counties or prefectures, of which there are 12. The capital city, Tirane, has a special status. The districts are:

District of Berat District of Bulqize District of Delvine District of Devoll District of Diber District of Durres District of Elbasan District of Fier District of Gjirokaster District of Gramsh District of Has District of Kavaje District of Kolonje District of Korce District of Kruje District of Kucove District of Kukes District of Kurbin

District of Lezhe District of Librazhd District of Lushnje District of Malesi e Madhe District of Mallakaster District of Mat District of Mirdite District of Peqin District of Permet District of Pogradec District of Puke District of Sarande District of Shkoder District of Skrapar District of Tepelene District of Tirane District of Tropoje District of Vlore

See also: List of cities in Albania (Note: some cities have the same name as the district they are in).

Geography

Main article: Geography of Albania

Albania consists of mostly hilly and mountainous terrain, the highest mountain reaching up to 2,753 m. The country mostly has a land climate, with cold winters and hot summers.

Besides capital city Tirana, with 520,000 inhabitants, the principal cities are Durres, Elbasan, Shkoder, Vlore and Korce.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Albania Albania is one of Europe's poorest countries, with half of the economically-active population still engaged in agriculture and a fifth said to be working abroad. The country has to deal with a high unemployment rate, corruption up to high government levels and organised crime.

Albania is aided financially from abroad, notably by Greece and Italy.

The country exports nearly nothing and imports a lot from Greece and Italy. The money for imports comes from the financial aid and from the money that refugees working abroad bring to Albania. This is a good status-quo business for both Greece and Italy. Also unofficially Greece government makes money by selling visass unofficially to Albanian citizens, who are not allowed to travel freely abroad. For this reason both countries have several visa consulates in major cities of Albania, and oppose indirectly every possibility of free movement from Albanian citizens in EU.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Albania Most of the population (95%) is Albanian, but there is a sizeable Greek minority (3%). Many ethnic Albanians also live in bordering Kosovo. The language is Albanian, although some Greek is also spoken.

Since the occupation by the Ottomans, the majority of Albanians have been Muslim (70%), even though religion was prohibited during the communist era. The Eastern Orthodox (20%) and Catholic Church (10%) are the other main religions in Albania.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Albania

• Cuisine of Albania
• Music of Albania

Miscellaneous Topics

• List of Albania-related articles
• List of Albanians
• Communications in Albania
• Education in Albania
• Foreign relations of Albania
• Military of Albania
• Transportation in Albania
• Public holidays in Albania

External links

• Presidency of Albania (official site)
• Albanian Parliament (official site)
• Albanian Institute of Statistics (official site)
• CIA - The World Factbook -- Albania - CIA's Factbook on Albania
• OPIC Guide on Albania
• More links of the Albanian government
• General information on Albanians
• Albanian phone directory

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