• 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-Shkip
• Currency: Al
Albania is a government in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula.
Geography
Albania is located on the Balkan Peninsula in southern Europe. The area of the state is quite small – 28,748 sq. km. From the northwest, the coast is washed by the Adriatic Sea. From the South-West – the Ionian Sea.
Most of Albania is occupied by mountains and hills. The largest mountain ranges are the North Albanian Alps in the north, the Korab Mountains in the east, the Pindus Mountains in the southeast, the Akrokeraun Mountains in the southwest, and the Skanderbeg Mountains in the center.
A unique feature of Albania is the many lakes.
Located in the northwest of the country, on the border with Montenegro, Lake Shkodra is the largest in Southern Europe. Its third and 57 km of coast belongs to Albania. To the southeast, on high ground, is Lake Ohrid (shared with North Macedonia), one of the oldest permanent lakes in the world. It has a depth of 289 m and unique flora and fauna, which is under the protection of UNESCO. Further south are the Big and Small Lakes of Prespa, which are among the highest lakes in the Balkans.
Climate
Average January temperature: +8-9 °C, July: +24-25 °C.
Precipitation: 800 – 2000 mm per year.
The climate of the coastal (western) part of the country is Mediterranean, turning to the east into continental. The average July temperature on the coast is from +28 to +32°С, in January – from +8 to +10°С. High summer temperatures on the coast are easily tolerated by the constantly blowing Mediterranean breeze.
The tourist season lasts from May to September, but it is comfortable to be outdoors in April and October. This year there are about 300 sunny days. It rains in early spring and late autumn. In the mountains of Albania, the climate is much colder – in winter the temperature can drop to -20°C.
History
The first semi-independent Albanian state – Arberia – was formed in 1190, as part of the Byzantine Empire. But already in the XIII century ceased to exist.
A few years after the collapse of Arberia, Charles I of Anjou made an agreement with the Albanian rulers, promising to protect them and ancient freedoms. In 1272, he founded the kingdom of Albania and annexed to it the regions conquered from the kingdom of Epirus. The kingdom claimed the entire territory of central Albania: from Dyrrhachia along the coast of the Adriatic Sea to Butrint. The expansion of this Catholic kingdom contributed to the spread of Catholicism in the region of the Balkan Peninsula. Internal power struggles in the Byzantine Empire in the 14th century allowed the Serbian king Stefan Dušan to create a short-lived empire that briefly occupied all of Albania except Durrës. In 1367, various Albanian rulers founded the Despotate of Art. At the same time, several Albanian principalities were created, the most famous of which were Topia, Kastrioti, Muzaki. Balsha and Arianiti. In the first half of the 15th century, the Ottoman Empire invaded most of Albania, in response, the Lezha League was created under the leadership of Skanderbeg, who became a national hero.
The Ottoman invasion of the territory of Albania marked a new era in its history and brought enormous changes to the political and cultural life of the region. In 1385, the Ottomans reached the Albanian coast for the first time. By 1415 they created their garrisons in the south of Albania, and in 1431 they occupied most of its territory. With the advent of the Ottomans, Islam became the second religion in Albania as a result of mass emigration of Christian Albanians to other Christian European countries.
In November 1908, after the overthrow of Sultan Abdul-Hamid II, the first national congress was held in Bitola. In 1910, an uprising broke out in northern Albania. The following year, a new uprising set the goal of gaining autonomy for Albania. In the spring of 1912 there was a nationwide uprising, the rebels captured Skopje, Dibra, Elbasana, Permet. On August 23, a truce was declared; The Albanian people were granted a certain autonomy, but administrative autonomy was not secured.
In October 1912, the First Balkan War began. On November 28, in the city of Vlora, a congress of representatives of various segments of the population proclaimed Albania an independent state and formed the first provisional government.
In 1912-1913, Austria-Hungary, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Russia and France recognized first the autonomy and then the independence of Albania from Turkey.
In April 1939, fascist Italy occupied Albania, King Zogu Ahmet fled the country.
The resistance movement was led by pro-communist forces. In May 1944, at the 1st Anti-Fascist National Liberation Congress, the Anti-Fascist National Liberation Committee was formed, to which the functions of the provisional government were transferred. In 1944, universal suffrage was introduced.
In 1945, parliamentary elections were held, in which the communist-led Democratic Front received 97.7% of the vote (other political forces did not participate in the elections). Gradually, Enver Hoxha concentrated power in his hands, brutally cracking down on his political rivals. The monopoly rule of the Albanian Labor Party was established. Tens of thousands of Albanians were subjected to repression by the Sigurimi political police.
Until 1956, Albania maintained relations with the USSR in opposition to Yugoslavia, but after the XX Congress of the CPSU, a policy of political isolation was adopted. Relations were maintained only with China and Romania. In 1968, protesting against the Soviet intervention in Czechoslovakia, Albania withdrew from the Warsaw Pact. The country lived in a mode of constant readiness for war: each family had to build a bomb shelter for itself. Religions and beards were banned. In 1967 Albania was declared an atheist state.
In 1990-1992, the fall of the communist regime in Albania took place. The country has moved to a multi-party system and a market economy. The authorities of Albania alternately changed the Socialist Party of Albania (represents mainly the industrialized southern regions, the leader is Edi Rama) and the Democratic Party of Albania (represents mainly the north of the country, the leader is Sally Berisha). There was an attempt in the country to condemn the former leader, Ramiz Aliya, but as a result of street riots, he was released from prison. In 1997, there were riots in the country caused by the bankruptcy of the financial pyramids of Albania, which subsequently led to the use of the army and a change of power.
Albania has been a member of NATO since April 1, 2009.
On April 29, 2009, Albania officially applied to the European Union with a request to accept it as a member of this organization.
On December 15, 2010, the EU canceled visas for Albanian citizens.
Population
Population – 2831741 (2011 census).
Ethnic composition: Albanians – 95%, Greeks – 3%, others (Romanians, Gypsies, Serbs, Macedonians) – 2%.
Religion
At the beginning of the 20th century, the ratio between Christians and Muslims in Albania was almost equal – 47% of Catholics and Orthodox, 53% of Muslims.
In 2010, according to JG Melton’s Encyclopedia of Religions, Muslims made up 63% of the Albanian population, Christians 31%, non-believers and atheists 5%.
Islam is represented by Sunnis and Bektash. Christians are divided into two approximately equal groups – Catholics (490 thousand) and Orthodox (475 thousand).
The majority of Protestants (20,000) are parishioners of various Pentecostal churches.
Culture
Despite the fact that Albania and its people lived for quite a long time in the atmosphere of the totalitarian regime of Khoja, the majority of Albanians have preserved their cultural traditions and national characteristics, which today is especially interesting for those who visit this country as a tourist.
Particularly striking for many travelers is the fact that in a small area of a country like Albania, the cultural traditions of the same wedding ceremony are quite significantly different in one Albanian village, from the same ceremony, located almost nearby. This, perhaps, is the main feature of the fact that the customs and traditions of Albania are quite carefully studied by European ethnographers.
Tourism
Albania has recently begun to actively develop international tourism. The advantages of relaxing here are a good selection of various beaches, reasonable prices for food and unspoiled nature.
It’s too early to talk about service in this country :). Albanians have not yet learned to provide service as Greeks or Turks. But therein lies a certain charm of relaxation – everything is quite simple and ingenuous.
Transport
The territory of the country has three types of transport – minibuses, buses and trains. Minibuses are called “van” – this is the most common type of transport. They are mini-buses of white and red coloring. On the way, such “vans” that go on the road when all the places are occupied. Each city has a station of such routes. The fastest recovery there is observed in the first half of the day, in the afternoon the activity drops noticeably. Payment is made directly to the driver, prices are very low – about 300-500 ALL on popular destinations.
Buses are, of course, a more comfortable vehicle. They go on schedule. They run mostly until 3-4 pm.
You can travel between the cities of Albania by trains. Railway communication connects the cities of Tirana, Durres, Shkoder, Pogradets, Vlora and Elbasan. The busiest traffic between Tirana and Durres is up to six trains a day. In other directions, 1-2 trains per day are provided.
Car rental is a fairly new service for Albania. You can rent a car in big cities, and this will require international rights. There are not many rental companies yet, but there are large European ones – Hertz, Avis and Europcar.
Alternatively, you can always negotiate with a local taxi driver about his services with an hourly rate.
Kitchen
Albanian cuisine has been shaped for centuries, influenced by different cultures.
As a result, we got quite simple, hearty meals. The main components are vegetables, fruits, meat, seafood, rice, various spices and seasonings.
From drinks, Albanians prefer wines, fruit liqueurs and brandy.
One of the most popular dishes is Guvech – stew with potatoes.
The second famous dish of farges-tyrant is meat with tomatoes and eggs.
Beef stew, meat pies, meatballs, pilova rice, lamb with yogurt, cabbage rolls, grilled meat with vegetables. If you want something from the sea, try trout. The fish here is cooked impeccably.
Traditional cucumber soup will refresh you in the summer heat. Local cuisine is hard to imagine without olives, yogurt and an unrealistic amount of fruit.
The main dessert here is fruit. Also in Albania you can taste national sweets – rice cakes, sheep’s milk puddings, local ice cream and candied fruits.
The shops
In Albania, you can successfully update your wardrobe. Here are the Italian textile factories.
The capital of Albanian shopping is Tirana. There are many clothing stores and souvenir benches with various traditional ceramics, embroidery, carved woodwork and much more. The most popular oriental market is located in the city center.
Tips
It is customary to leave a tip in the amount of 10%, after paying the bill – personally to the waiter.
beaches
All beaches in Albania are municipal. Sun loungers and umbrellas can be rented. Or rest on your mats.
Attractions
Among historical monuments, first of all, it is worth paying attention to the city of Shkoder. It is famous for the mosque of Sheikh Kamil Abdullah Al-Zamil, the old Franciscan church, the Rosefan fortress.
Museum lovers will also be interested in the city of Gjirokastra. The Museum of Weapons, the Ethnographic Museum and the Museum of the National Liberation Movement will be of interest here.
Preserved in Albania and sights during the reign of the Roman Empire. In Durres, you can see the ruins of fortification walls, fortresses and castles, an amphitheater of the 2nd century BC.
A large archaeological museum is located in the city of Apollonia. The main attraction here is the Mosaic House.
Souvenirs
- Silver
mines have been developed in Albania since ancient times. For this reason, the Albanians have learned to make excellent silverware. Bargaining for silver is not accepted here, except that when buying several things you can get a small ring as a bonus. - Carpets The
art of making carpets came to Albania from Turkey and Persia. Now a Persian carpet decorated with ornaments costs 150-250 USD in Albanian markets. Turkish carpets are cheaper. As in the old days, today the wall carpet enhances the social status of the Albanian. - Alcohol
Formerly popular, of course, wine. Winemaking technology came to this country from neighboring Greece. Wineries are located throughout Albania and each of them produces its own variety of wine, so there is something to taste.
For the love of strong white drinks – branded Albanian cognac “Skendenbeg”, rakia.
Beer lovers will find something to indulge themselves. Dark and white beer “Korca” is a fan of various international competitions.
POPULATION
The population of Albania is about 2.88 million people, approximately 113 people per square meter. The Albanian population is generally young and stands out for its vitality. The most densely populated parts of the country are the area around the capital Tirana, the port of Durres and in the western lowlands of the country. Albania is a country with a relatively homogeneous population. Minorities make up about 3 percent of the population. The largest of them is the Greek minority (located in the southern part of the country, in the provinces of Dropull, Pogon and Vourg). Other minorities include Macedonians in the areas of the Great Prespa Lake, as well as Montenegrins, Roma, etc. The largest population is concentrated in the cities of Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Shkodra, Vlora, Korca, etc.
HOLIDAY:
January 1 and 2 – New Year
‘s Day March 14 – Summer Day
March 22 – Nowruz Day
May 1 – Labor Day
October 19 – Mother Libra Ornament
November 28 – Independence Day
November 29 – Liberation Day
December 8 – National Youth Day
December 25 – Christmas
LANGUAGE
The official language is Albanian. This is a unique and original branch of the Indo-European family. The Albanian language is the progenitor of the Illyrian language and is one of the oldest languages of the European continent. Its vocabulary contains words from other languages such as Persian, Turkish, Greek, Latin and Slavic, but it has retained its originality as a unique language. The Albanian language is known for its two distinct dialects, Gheg and Tosk. The natural boundary of these two dialects is the Shkumbin River, which divides the country into two almost equal parts. Gheg is spoken in the north, and Tosk is spoken in the south. The Albanian alphabet consists of 36 letters.
CLIMATE
Albania has a Mediterranean climate and every season offers great but pleasant weather. Some features of the climate vary by region: Coastal areas have a central Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Alpine regions have a central continental climate with cold, snowy winters and moderate summers. In the lowlands, winters are mild, with an average temperature around 7°C and an average summer temperature of 24°C. Rainfall in the lower reaches ranges from 1000 mm to over 1500 mm per year, with more precipitation in the north. About 95% of precipitation occurs in winter, with higher mountain ranges receiving more precipitation. Despite the rain, Albanians enjoy a lot of sunshine. The general climate is pleasant and favorable for outdoor activities.
ECONOMY
After the fall of communism, the development of the Albanian economy was carried out primarily through the service sector and construction, although recently tourism has played an increasingly important role in the economy and is developing rapidly. Many are interested in exploring a country whose borders have been closed to travel for many years. Given the constant development of both summer and winter resorts, people around the world have begun to think of Albania as a tourist destination.
RELIGIONS:
There are four official religious beliefs in Albania .
They belong to Sunni Muslims, Orthodox Christians, Catholics and Bektash Muslims. Followers of Islam are found all over the country. Catholics are predominantly concentrated in the northern part of the country, Orthodox in the south and in the center of the country, and the Bektashi sect of Sufism is found in some specific regions, such as Skrapar, Kruje, Elbasan, Mat, Mallakaster, Korcha, etc. Freedom of religion is a right guaranteed by the Albanian Constitution. In addition to the official religions, it has followers of others, such as Bahá’ís, Evangelical Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and so on. In addition, there are atheists and non-religious people.
Albania became unique in Europe in 1967 when all religious activities were banned due to the closure of churches, mosques, religious schools and tekkes. For about 23 years, Albania was the only atheist country in the world. In 1990, after the democratic movement, religious freedom was restored, churches and mosques were restored, as well as many other places of worship. There are several places of religious pilgrimage in Albania. The most important are those in honor of Shna Nues (St. Anthony) on June 13 in the Lak Church, the pilgrimage of Abbas Ali on August 19 to Mount Tomorr, the pilgrimage in honor of St. Mary on August 15 in some of the churches across the country, a pilgrimage in honor of Sari Saltik in Krui and others.
The following are also public holidays that do not fall on the same date each year:
- Catholic Easter: March/April/March
- Orthodox Easter: March/April/May
- Grand Bajram: End of Ramadan
- Small Bairam: Diverse