Albania

country in southeastern Europe

Albania (/ælˈbniə/ (audio speaker iconlisten) al-BAY-nee-ə; Albanian: Shqipëri), officially called the Republic of Albania is an independent country located in Southeast Europe, more specifically it is located in the Balkans. The capital is Tirana, and other important cities are Durrës, Elbasan and Vlora. Over 3 million people live in the area of 28,748 square kilometres (11,100 sq mi) that Albanians call their home. The majority of Albanians are Muslim with 55%, 23% Eastern Orthodox and 15% Roman Catholics.

Republic of Albania
Republika e Shqipërisë  (Albanian)
Motto: 
"Ti, Shqipëri, më jep nder, më jep emrin Shqiptar"
(in Albanian)
"You, Albania, give me honor, give me the name Albanian"
Anthem: Himni i Flamurit  
(in Albanian)
"Hymn to the Flag"

Location of  Albania  (green) on the European continent  (dark grey)  —  [Legend]
Location of  Albania  (green)

on the European continent  (dark grey)  —  [Legend]

Capital
and largest city
Tirana
41°19′N 19°49′E / 41.317°N 19.817°E / 41.317; 19.817
Official languagesAlbanian1
Ethnic groups
98.2% Albanians
1.8% others
Demonym(s)Albanian
GovernmentParliamentary republic
• President
Bajram Begaj[1]
Edi Rama
Gramoz Ruçi
Formation
• Illyria
2000 B.C
• Komani Kruja Culture
~700
1190
2 March 1444
• Independence from the Ottoman Empire
28 November 1912
2 December 1912
28 November 1998
Area
• Total
28,748 km2 (11,100 sq mi) (143rd)
• Water (%)
4.7
Population
• 2011 estimate
2,994,667 (136th)
• 2001 census
3,069,275
• Density
111.1/km2 (287.7/sq mi) (63rd)
GDP (PPP)2011 estimate
• Total
$25.035 billion[2]
• Per capita
$7,780[2]
GDP (nominal)2011 estimate
• Total
$13.292 billion[2]
• Per capita
$4,131[2]
Gini (2005)26.7[3]
low
HDI (2011)Increase 0.739[4]
high · 70th
CurrencyLek (ALL)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)
UTC+2 (CEST)
Driving sideright
Calling code355
ISO 3166 codeAL
Internet TLD.al
  1. Greek, Macedonian and other regional languages, are government-recognized minority languages.

Albania is next to Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Greece. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea in the west, and a coast on the Ionian Sea in the southwest. The official language is Albanian(Shqiptar). The national anthem is Hymni i Flamurit.

History change

Albania was the southern part of Illyria during the Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages the Albanians were ruled by many foreign countries, including the Byzantine and Venetian Empires and during the 16th century resistance to the Ottoman Empire's rule was led by the Albanian national hero Skanderberg but his real name was Gjergj Kastrioti. After four centuries of Turkish domination, finally in the 20th century an independent Albania was created. In 1939 Albania was conquered by fascist Italy and was part of the Kingdom of Italy until 1943. After World War II Albania became independent again, under communist rule. It was ruled by Enver Hoxha, who died in 1985. Ramiz Alia took over and also later became president when, in 1992, Albania returned to democracy, and it now has friendly relations with the European Union, which it has applied to join.

Divisions change

Albania is divided into 12 counties. These counties include 36 districts and 373 municipalities

 
Counties of Albania
County Capital Districts Municipalities Cities Villages
1 Berat Berat Berat
Kuçovë
Skrapar
10
2
8
2
1
2
122
18
105
2 Dibër Peshkopi Bulqizë
Dibër
Mat
7
14
10
1
1
2
63
141
76
3 Durrës Durrës Durrës
Krujë
6
4
4
2
62
44
4 Elbasan Elbasan Elbasan
Gramsh
Librazhd
Peqin
20
9
9
5
3
1
2
1
177
95
75
49
5 Fier Fier Fier
Lushnjë
Mallakastër
14
14
8
3
2
1
117
121
40
6 Gjirokastër Gjirokastër Gjirokastër
Përmet
Tepelenë
11
7
8
2
2
2
96
98
77
7 Korçë Korçë Devoll
Kolonjë
Korçë
Pogradec
4
6
14
7
1
2
2
1
44
76
153
72
8 Kukës Kukës Has
Kukës
Tropojë
3
14
7
1
1
1
30
89
68
9 Lezhë Lezhë Kurbin
Lezhë
Mirditë
2
9
5
2
1
2
26
62
80
10 Shkodër Shkodër Malësi e Madhe
Pukë
Shkodër
5
8
15
1
2
2
56
75
141
11 Tirana Tirana Kavajë
Tirana
8
16
2
3
66
167
12 Vlorë Vlorë Delvinë
Sarandë
Vlorë
3
7
9
1
2
4
38
62
99

Cities change

This is a list of the largest cities in Albania.

 
Durrës
 
Tirana
Rank City 2001 Census[5] 2011 census[6]
1 Tirana 352,581 421,286
2 Durrës 113,465 115,550
3 Vlorë 85,180 79,948
4 Elbasan 95,554 79,810
5 Shkodër 85,798 74,876
6 Fier 56,297 57,198
7 Korçë 58,911 51,683
8 Berat 45,572 36,467
9 Lushnjë 38,336 31,424
10 Kavajë 28,149 20,312

Armed forces change

The Albanian Armed Forces were first formed after independence in 1912. Albania reduced the number of active troops from 65,000 in 1988[7] to 14,500 in 2009.[8] In 2010 forced conscription was abolished.

Geography change

Albania has a total area of 28,748 square kilometers. Albania's coastline length is 476 km (296 mi).[9]:240 It goes along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. On the coast there are mild, wet winters and warm, sunny, and rather dry summers.

70% of the country is mountains. The highest mountain is Korab.

Albania is bordered by Greece, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo. A short stretch of sea separates Albania from the far southeast of Italy.

Flora and fauna change

 
The Lynx still survives in Albania.[10]

Although a small country, Albania has a lot of variety in plants and animals. The total number of plants is over 3250 species. There are over 350 bird species, 330 freshwater and marine fish and 80 mammal species. The Double-headed eagle is the national symbol of Albania.

Related pages change

References change

  1. "Bajram Begaj– President of the Republic of Albania". Institution of the President of the Republic of Albania. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Albania". International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  3. "Distribution of family income – Gini index". The World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on 23 July 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  4. "Human Development Report 2010" (PDF). United Nations. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 November 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
  5. Albania: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population World Gazetteer.2009-12-01
  6. "census.al" (PDF). census.al.[permanent dead link]
  7. "Albania sells off its military hardware". BBC News. 17 April 2002.
  8. "Albania to abolish conscription by 2010". SETimes.com. 21 August 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
  9. R. Eftimi. "SOME CONSIDERATIONS ON SEAWATER-FRESHWATER RELATIONSHIP IN ALBANIAN COASTAL AREA" (PDF). ITA Consult.
  10. "Conservation of the Critically Endangered Balkan Lynx" (PDF). Catsg.org. Retrieved 5 January 2011.

Other websites change