Albania
— General informations
Albania
Flag: Black double-headed eagle on a red background
• International telephone prefix: +355
• Government: Parliamentary Democracy
• Population: 2,886,026 inhabitants
• Area: 28,748 km2
• Capital: Tirana
• Language: Albanian-Shqip
• Currency: Albanian Lekë
• International telephone prefix: +355
• Government: Parliamentary Democracy
• Population: 2,886,026 inhabitants
• Area: 28,748 km2
• Capital: Tirana
• Language: Albanian-Shqip
• Currency: Albanian Lekë
Albania is a country in southern Europe, located in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula on the Strait of Otranto, the southern entrance to the Adriatic Sea.
The capital city is Tirana (Tiranë). We Albanians, we refer to ourselves as shqiptarë—often taken to mean “sons of eagles,” though it may well refer to “those associated with the shqip (i.e., Albanian) language”—and to our country as Shqipëria.
We generally consider ourselves to be descendants of the ancient Illyrians, who lived in central Europe and migrated southward to the territory of Albania at the beginning of the Bronze Age, about 2000 BCE. We have lived in relative isolation and obscurity through most of their difficult history, in part because of the rugged terrain of their mountainous land but also because of a complex of historical, cultural, and social factors.
The capital city is Tirana (Tiranë). We Albanians, we refer to ourselves as shqiptarë—often taken to mean “sons of eagles,” though it may well refer to “those associated with the shqip (i.e., Albanian) language”—and to our country as Shqipëria.
We generally consider ourselves to be descendants of the ancient Illyrians, who lived in central Europe and migrated southward to the territory of Albania at the beginning of the Bronze Age, about 2000 BCE. We have lived in relative isolation and obscurity through most of their difficult history, in part because of the rugged terrain of their mountainous land but also because of a complex of historical, cultural, and social factors.
Albania was declared independent in 1912, but the following year the demarcation of its boundaries by the great powers of Europe (Austria-Hungary, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Russia) assigned about half its territory and people to neighboring states.
Ruled as a monarchy between the World Wars, Albania emerged from the violence of World War II as a communist state that fiercely protected its sovereignty and in which almost all aspects of life were controlled by the ruling party. But with the collapse of other communist regimes beginning in 1989, new social forces and democratic political parties emerged in Albania.
That shift reflected the country’s continuing orientation toward the West, and it accorded with the Albanian people’s long-standing appreciation of Western technology and cultural achievements—even while retaining our own ethnic identity, cultural heritage, and individuality.
Ruled as a monarchy between the World Wars, Albania emerged from the violence of World War II as a communist state that fiercely protected its sovereignty and in which almost all aspects of life were controlled by the ruling party. But with the collapse of other communist regimes beginning in 1989, new social forces and democratic political parties emerged in Albania.
That shift reflected the country’s continuing orientation toward the West, and it accorded with the Albanian people’s long-standing appreciation of Western technology and cultural achievements—even while retaining our own ethnic identity, cultural heritage, and individuality.
— Religion
Albanian Religion
As a legacy of nearly five centuries of Ottoman rule, Albania is a predominantly Muslim country.
However, as a result of the rigid enforcement of atheism during the communist regime, today most Albanians are adherents of religious groups in name only and practice largely secular lifestyles.
In 1967 the communist party officially proclaimed Albania an atheistic country and commenced to close all places of worship (churches, mosques, and tekke (zāwiyahs)), confiscate their property, and ban religious observances.
For the whole of its 45 years of absolute rule, the party engaged in large-scale persecution of believers. Only in 1990, when freedom of worship was restored, did churches and mosques begin reopening.
However, as a result of the rigid enforcement of atheism during the communist regime, today most Albanians are adherents of religious groups in name only and practice largely secular lifestyles.
In 1967 the communist party officially proclaimed Albania an atheistic country and commenced to close all places of worship (churches, mosques, and tekke (zāwiyahs)), confiscate their property, and ban religious observances.
For the whole of its 45 years of absolute rule, the party engaged in large-scale persecution of believers. Only in 1990, when freedom of worship was restored, did churches and mosques begin reopening.
— Geography and climate
Albanian Geography and Climate
Albania is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, North Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the southeast and south. The Adriatic and Ionian seas lie to the west and southwest, respectively, with Italy 80 km across the Adriatic Sea. The country spans about 340 km in length and 150 km in width.
Albania’s terrain is predominantly mountainous, with about three-fourths of its area covered by mountains and hills.
The North Albanian Alps, an extension of the Dinaric Alps, dominate the north, while the central mountain region, extending from the Drin River to the central Devoll and lower Osum rivers, is less rugged and more populated. The southern region features limestone mountain ranges up to 2,500 meters high, with wide valleys and sparse vegetation.
The low, fertile plains of western Albania stretch nearly 200 km along the Adriatic coast and are the most important agricultural and industrial areas. Major rivers include the Drin, Seman, Shkumbin, and Vjosë, while significant lakes are Lake Shkodër in the northwest and Lakes Ohrid and Prespa along the eastern border. Albania experiences warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, with regional climatic variations influenced by the Adriatic and Ionian seas in the west and continental air in the east.
The North Albanian Alps, an extension of the Dinaric Alps, dominate the north, while the central mountain region, extending from the Drin River to the central Devoll and lower Osum rivers, is less rugged and more populated. The southern region features limestone mountain ranges up to 2,500 meters high, with wide valleys and sparse vegetation.
The low, fertile plains of western Albania stretch nearly 200 km along the Adriatic coast and are the most important agricultural and industrial areas. Major rivers include the Drin, Seman, Shkumbin, and Vjosë, while significant lakes are Lake Shkodër in the northwest and Lakes Ohrid and Prespa along the eastern border. Albania experiences warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, with regional climatic variations influenced by the Adriatic and Ionian seas in the west and continental air in the east.
— Economy
Albanian Economy
Before 1991, Albania’s communist government controlled the entire economy through five-year plans, prohibiting private enterprise and foreign investment. Post-1991, the economy was decentralized, allowing private trade and foreign investment, leading to rapid growth in the mid-1990s. However, a pyramid scheme collapse in 1997 caused economic turmoil and political instability.
Since then, Albania has transitioned to a middle-income country, focusing on structural reforms to shift from consumption-led to investment- and export-led growth. These reforms aim to improve productivity, job creation, governance, and regional connectivity, essential for continued growth and EU integration.
Since then, Albania has transitioned to a middle-income country, focusing on structural reforms to shift from consumption-led to investment- and export-led growth. These reforms aim to improve productivity, job creation, governance, and regional connectivity, essential for continued growth and EU integration.
— About us
We are small but active tour agency fallen in love with Lake District
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