Albania (/ælˈbeɪniə/ (
listen) 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 | |
|---|---|
| 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] | |
| Capital and largest city | Tirana 41°19′N 19°49′E |
| Official languages | Albanian1 |
| Ethnic groups | 98.2% Albanians 1.8% others |
| Religion (2023) |
|
| Demonym(s) | Albanian |
| Government | Parliamentary republic |
| Bajram Begaj[2] | |
| 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[3] |
• Per capita | $7,780[3] |
| GDP (nominal) | 2011 estimate |
• Total | $13.292 billion[3] |
• Per capita | $4,131[3] |
| Gini (2005) | 26.7[4] low |
| HDI (2011) |  0.739[5]high · 70th |
| Currency | Lek (ALL) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | 355 |
| ISO 3166 code | AL |
| Internet TLD | .al |
| |
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(Gjuha Shqipe). The national anthem is Hymni i Flamurit.
History
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
Albania is divided into 12 counties. These counties include 36 districts and 373 municipalities
| 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
This is a list of the largest cities in Albania.
Art
Ibrahim Kodra is an Albanian artist recognized as one of the great painters of the 20th century, on par with Pablo Picasso. As the founder of an innovative interpretation of Cubism, Kodra exhibited and collaborated with Pablo Picasso, significantly contributing to the evolution of modern art. His works, present in major national museums, the Italian Parliament (La Grande Pace), and the Vatican Museums, are characterized by a rigorous geometric and metaphysical aesthetic, consolidating his position as a central figure in the history of art in Europe.
Armed forces
The Albanian Armed Forces were first formed after independence in 1912. Albania reduced the number of active troops from 65,000 in 1988[8] to 14,500 in 2009.[9] In 2010 forced conscription was abolished.
Geography
Albania has a total area of 28,748 square kilometers. Albania's coastline length is 476 km (296 mi).[10]: 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
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
References
Other websites
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