AlbaniaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaThis article is about the modern state. For other uses, seeAlbania (disambiguation).Republic of AlbaniaRepublika e Shqipris(Albanian)

FlagCoat of arms

Motto:(official) "Ti Shqipri, m jep nder, m jep emrin Shqiptar"(Albanian) "You Albania, give me honour, give me the name Albanian"

Anthem: Betimi mbi flamur(Albanian) Oath on the flag MENU0:00

Location ofAlbania(green)inEurope(dark grey) [Legend]

Capitaland largest cityTirana4120N1948E

Official languagesAlbaniana

DemonymAlbanian

GovernmentUnitaryparliamentaryconstitutional republic

-PresidentBujar Nishani

-Prime MinisterEdi Rama

-Chairman of the ParliamentIlir Meta

LegislatureKuvendi

Formation

-Principality of Arbr1190

-Anjou Kingdom of AlbaniaFebruary 1272

-Princedom of Albania1368

-League of Lezh2 March 1444

-Independence from theOttoman Empire28 November 1912

-Principality of Albania(recognized)29 July 1913

-Albanian Republic(the 1st republic)31 January 1925

-Albanian Kingdom1 September 1928

-Albania (underItaly&Nazi Germany)7 April 193929 November 1944

-People's Republic of Albania(the 2nd republic)11 January 1946

-People's Socialist Republic of Albania(the 3rd republic)28 December 1976

-Republic of Albania(the 4th republic)/Current constitution29 April 199128 November 1998

Area

-Total28,748km2(143rd)11,100sqmi

-Water(%)4.7

Population

-2015estimate2,893,005[1]

-2011census2,821,977[2]

-Density98/km2(63rd)254/sqmi

GDP(PPP)2015estimate

-Total$32.259 billion[3]

-Per capita$11,700[3]

GDP(nominal)2015estimate

-Total$14.520 billion[3]

-Per capita$5,261[3]

Gini(2008)26.7[4]low

HDI(2013)0.716[5]high95th

CurrencyLek(ALL)

Time zoneCET(UTC+1)

-Summer(DST)CEST(UTC+2)

Date formatdd/mm/yyyy

Drives on theright

Calling code355

ISO 3166 codeAL

Internet TLD.al

a.Aromanian,Greek,Macedonian, and other regional languages are government-recognized minority languages.

Albania(i/lbeni/,al-bay-nee-, or sometimes/lbeni/,awl-bay-nee-;Albanian:Shqipri/Shqipria;Gheg Albanian:Shqipni/Shqipnia, Shqypni/Shqypnia[6]), officially known as theRepublic of Albania(Albanian:Republika e Shqipris;Albanian pronunciation:[publika cipis]), is a country inSoutheastern Europe. It is bordered byMontenegroto the northwest,Kosovo[a]to the northeast, theRepublic of Macedoniato the east, andGreeceto the south and southeast. It has a coast on theAdriatic Seato the west and on theIonian Seato the southwest. It is less than 72km (45mi) fromItaly, across theStrait of Otrantowhich links the Adriatic Sea to the Ionian Sea.Albania is a member of theUnited Nations,NATO, theOrganization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, theCouncil of Europeand theWorld Trade Organization. It is one of the founding members of theEnergy Communityand theUnion for the Mediterranean. It is also anofficial candidatefor membership in theEuropean Union.[7]The modern-day territory of Albania was at various points in history part of the Roman provinces ofDalmatia(southernIllyricum),Macedonia(particularlyEpirus Nova), andMoesia Superior. The modern Republic became independent after the collapse of theOttoman Empirein Europe following theBalkan Wars.[8]Albania declared independence in 1912 and wasrecognizedthe following year. It then became aPrincipality,Republic, andKingdomuntil being invaded byItalyin 1939, which formedGreater Albania. The latter eventually turned into aNazi German protectoratein 1943.[9]The following year, asocialistPeople's Republicwas established under the leadership ofEnver Hoxhaand theParty of Labour. Albania experienced widespread social and political transformations during the communist era, as well as isolationism from much of the international community. In 1991, the Socialist Republic wasdissolvedand the Republic of Albania was established.Albania is aparliamentary republic. As of 2011, the capital,Tirana, was home to 421,286 of the country's 2,893,005[1]people within the city limits, 763,634 in the metropolitan area.[10]Tirana is also the financial capital of the country.Free-marketreforms have opened the country to foreign investment, especially in the development of energy and transportation infrastructure.[11][12][13]Albania has a highHDI[5]and provides a universal health care system and free primary and secondary education. Albania is an upper-middle income economy (WB,IMF)[14]with the service sector dominating the country's economy, followed by the industrial sector and agriculture.Contents[hide] 1Etymology 2History 2.1Prehistory 2.2Middle Ages 2.3Ottoman Albania 2.4Era of nationalism and League of Prizren 2.5Independence 2.6World War II 2.7Communist Albania 2.8Post-Communist Albania 2.9Post-reconstruction Albania 3Albanian state flags and main leaders 4Government 4.1Executive branch 4.2Legislative branch 4.3Armed forces 4.4Administrative divisions 4.5Administrative divisions of Albania valid until June 2015 5Geography 5.1Climate 5.2Flora and fauna 6Economy 6.1Tourism 6.1.1National parks and World Heritage Sites 7Crime and law enforcement 8Science and technology 9Transport 9.1Highways 9.2Aviation 9.3Railways 10Demographics 10.1Language 10.2Religion 11Culture 11.1Music and folklore 11.2Albanian language and literature 12Education 13Sport 14Entertainment 15Health 16Cuisine 17See also 18Notes 19References 20Further reading 21External linksEtymology[edit]Albaniais theMedieval Latinname of the country, which is calledShqipriby its people, fromMedieval GreekAlbania, besides variantsAlbanitiaorArbanitia.The name may be derived from theIllyrian tribeof the Albani recorded byPtolemy, the geographer and astronomer fromAlexandriawho drafted a map in 150AD[15]that shows the city ofAlbanopolis[16](located northeast ofDurrs).The name may have a continuation in the name of a medieval settlement called Albanon and Arbanon, although it is not certain this was the same place.[17]In hisHistorywritten in 10791080, theByzantinehistorianMichael Attaliateswas the first to refer toAlbanoias having taken part in a revolt againstConstantinoplein 1043 and to theArbanitaias subjects of the Duke ofDyrrachium.[18]During theMiddle Ages, the Albanians called their countryArbriorArbniand referred to themselves asArbreshorArbnesh.[19][20]As early as the 17th century the placenameShqipriaand the ethnic demonymShqiptargradually replacedArbriaandArbresh. The two terms arepopularlyinterpreted as "Land of the Eagles" and "Children of the Eagles".[21][22]History[edit]Main article:History of Albania

Albanian Peasants costumes - illustration by Percy Anderson for Costume Fanciful, Historical and Theatrical, 1906Prehistory[edit]The history of Albania emerged from theprehistoric stagefrom the 4th century BC, with early records ofIllyriainGreco-Roman historiography. The modern territory of Albania has no counterpart in antiquity, comprising parts of the Roman provinces ofDalmatia(southernIllyricum) andMacedonia(particularlyEpirus Nova).Middle Ages[edit]The territory now known as Albania remained under Roman (Byzantine) control until theSlavs began to overrun itfrom 548 and onward,[23]and was captured byBulgarian Empirein the 9th century. After the weakening of theByzantine Empireand theBulgarian Empirein the middle and late 13th century, some of the territory of modern-day Albania was captured by theSerbian Principality. In general, the invaders destroyed or weakened Roman andByzantinecultural centers in the lands that would become Albania.[24]The territorial nucleus of the Albanian state formed in the Middle Ages, as thePrincipality of Arbrand theKingdom of Albania. ThePrincipality of ArbrorAlbanon(Albanian): Arbr or Arbria, was the firstAlbanian stateduring theMiddle Ages, it was established byarchonProgonin the region ofKruja, in ca 1190. Progon, the founder, was succeeded by his sons Gjin and Demetrius, the latter which attained the height of the realm. After the death of Dhimiter, the last of theProgon family, the principality came underGregory Kamonas, and laterGolem. The Principality was dissolved in 1255.[25][26][27]Pipa and Repishti conclude that Arbanon was the first sketch of an "Albanian state", and that it retained semi-autonomous status as the western extremity of an empire (under theDoukaiofEpirusor theLaskaridsofNicaea).[28]Ottoman Albania[edit]Main article:Ottoman Albania

After serving theOttoman Empirefor 20 yearsSkanderbegdeserted and began a rebellion (helmet ofGeorge Kastriotipreserved inVienna).At the dawn of the establishment of theOttoman Empirein Southeast Europe, the geopolitical landscape was marked by scattered kingdoms of small principalities. The Ottomans erected their garrisons throughout southern Albania by 1415 and occupied most of Albania by 1431.[29]However, in 1443 a great and longstandingrevolt brokeout under the lead of the Albanian national heroSkanderbeg, which lasted until 1479, many times defeating majorOttomanarmies led by the sultansMurad IIandMehmed II.Skanderbegunited initially the Albanian princes, and later on established a centralized authority over most of the non-conquered territories, becoming the ruling Lord of Albania. He also tried relentlessly but rather unsuccessfully to create aEuropeancoalition against the Ottomans. He thwarted every attempt by the Turks to regain Albania, which they envisioned as a springboard for the invasion of Italy and western Europe. His unequal fight against the mightiest power of the time won the esteem of Europe as well as some support in the form of money and military aid from Naples, the Papacy, Venice, and Ragusa.[30]

Albanian forces under Skanderbegattacked the Ottoman campand capturedHamza Kastrioti.With the arrival of the Turks, Islam was introduced in Albania as a third religion. This conversion caused a massive emigration of Albanians to the Christian European countries.[31]Along with theBosniaks, Muslim Albanians occupied an outstanding position in the Ottoman Empire, and were the main pillars of Ottoman Porte's policy in the Balkans.[32]

Kprl Mehmed Pashawas the most effective and influentialOttomanGrand VizierofAlbanianorigin.[33]Enjoying this privileged position in the empire, Muslim Albanians held various high administrative positions, with over two dozenGrand Viziersof Albanian origin, such as Gen.Kprl Mehmed Pasha, who commanded the Ottoman forces during theOttoman-Persian Wars; Gen.Kprl Fazl Ahmed, who led the Ottoman armies during theAustro-Turkish War (16631664); and, later,Muhammad Ali Pashaof Egypt.[34]In the 15th century, when the Ottomans were gaining a firm foothold in the region, Albanian towns were organised into four principalsanjaks. The government fostered trade by settling a sizeable Jewish colony of refugees fleeing persecution in Spain (at the end of the 15th century).Vlorsaw passing through its ports imported merchandise from Europe such as velvets, cotton goods, mohairs, carpets, spices and leather fromBursaandConstantinople. Some citizens of Vlor even had business associates in Europe.[34]Albanians could also be found throughout the empire inIraq,Egypt,Algeriaand across theMaghreb, as vital military and administrative retainers.[35]This was partly due to theDevirmesystem. The process of Islamization was an incremental one, commencing from the arrival of the Ottomans in the 14th century (to this day, a minority of Albanians are Catholic or Orthodox Christians, though the vast majority became Muslim).Timarholders, the bedrock of early Ottoman control in Southeast Europe, were not necessarily converts to Islam, and occasionally rebelled; the most famous of these rebels isSkanderbeg(his figure would rise up later on, in the 19th century, as a central component of the Albanian national identity). The most significant impact on the Albanians was the gradual Islamisation process of a large majority of the population, although it became widespread only in the 17th century.[36]MainlyCatholicsconverted in the 17th century, while theOrthodoxAlbanians followed suit mainly in the following century. Initially confined to the main city centres ofElbasanandShkoder, by this period the countryside was also embracing the new religion.[36]The motives for conversion according to some scholars were diverse, depending on the context. The lack of source material does not help when investigating such issues.[37]Albania remained under Ottoman control as part of theRumeliaprovince until 1912, whenindependent Albaniawasdeclared.

Albanian Vilayetrequested by the League of PrizrenEra of nationalism and League of Prizren[edit]TheLeague of Prizrenwas formed on 1 June 1878, inPrizren,Kosovo Vilayetof Ottoman Empire. At first the Ottoman authorities supported the League of Prizren, whose initial position was based on the religious solidarity of Muslimlandlordsand people connected with theOttoman administration. The Ottomans favoured and protected Muslim solidarity, and called for defense of Muslim lands, including present-dayBosnia and Herzegovina. This was the reason for naming the leagueThe Committee of the Real Muslims(Albanian:Komiteti i Myslimanve t Vrtet).[38]The League issued a decree known asKararname. Its text contained a proclamation that the people from "northern Albania, Epirus and Bosnia" are willing to defend the "territorial integrity" of the Ottoman Empire "by all possible means" from the troops of theBulgaria,SerbiaandMontenegro. It was signed by 47 Muslim deputies of the League on 18 June 1878.[39]Around 300 Muslims participated in the assembly, including delegates from Bosnia and mutasarrif (sanjakbey) of theSanjak of Prizrenas representatives of the central authorities, and no delegates fromScutari Vilayet.[40]The Ottomans cancelled their support when the League, under the influence ofAbdyl bey Frashri, became focused on working toward Albanian autonomy and requested merging of four Ottoman vilayets (Kosovo,Scutari,MonastirandIoannina) into a newvilayetof theOttoman Empire(theAlbanian Vilayet). The League used military force to prevent the annexing areas ofPlavandGusinjeassigned to Montenegro by theCongress of Berlin. After several battles with Montenegrin troops, the league was defeated by the Ottoman army sent by the Sultan.[41]TheAlbanian uprising of 1912, the Ottoman defeat in theBalkan Warsand the advance of Montenegrin, Serbian and Greek forces into territories claimed as Albanian, led to theproclamation of independencebyIsmail QemaliinVlora, on 28 November 1912.Independence[edit]

Ismail Qemaliand his cabinet during the celebration of the first anniversary of independence inVloron 28 November 1913.Main article:Albania during World War IAtAll-Albanian CongressinVloron 28 November 1912[42]Congress participants constituted theAssembly of Vlor.[43]The assembly of eighty-three leaders meeting inVlorin November 1912 declared Albania an independent country and set up a provisional government. The complete text of the declaration[44]was:In Vlora, on the 15th/28th of November. The President of Albania was Ismail Kemal Bey, who spoke of the great perils facing Albania today, the delegates have all decided unanimously that Albania, as of today, should be on her own, free and independent.TheProvisional Government of Albaniawas established on the second session of the assembly held on 4 December 1912. It was a government of ten members, led byIsmail Qemaliuntil his resignation on 22 January 1914.[45]The Assembly also established theSenate(Albanian:Pleqsi) with an advisory role to the government, consisting of 18 members of the Assembly.[46]Albania's independence was recognized by theConference of Londonon 29 July 1913, but the drawing of the borders of the newly establishedPrincipality of Albaniaignored the demographic realities of the time. TheInternational Commission of Controlwas established on 15 October 1913 to take care of the administration of newly established Albania until its own political institutions were in order.[47]Its headquarters were inVlor.[48]TheInternational Gendarmeriewas established as the firstlaw enforcement agencyof thePrincipality of Albania. At the beginning of November the first gendarmerie members arrived in Albania.Wilhelm of Wiedwas selected as the first prince.[49]In November 1913 the Albanian pro-Ottoman forces had offered the throne of Albania to the Ottoman war minister of Albanian origin,Izzet Pasha.[50]The pro-Ottoman peasants believed that the new regime of the Principality of Albania was a tool of the six ChristianGreat Powersand local landowners that owned half of the arable land.[51]

Ahmet Zogu - King of the AlbaniansTherevolt of Albanian peasantsagainst the new Albanian regime erupted under the leadership of the group of Muslim clerics gathered aroundEssad Pasha Toptani, who proclaimed himself the savior of Albania and Islam.[52][53]In order to gain support of theMirditaCatholic volunteers from the northern mountains, Prince of Wied appointed their leader,Prnk Bib Doda, to be the foreign minister of thePrincipality of Albania. In May and June 1914 the International Gendarmerie joined byIsa Boletiniand his men, mostly fromKosovo,[54]and northernMirditaCatholics were defeated by the rebels who captured most of Central Albania by the end of August 1914.[55]The regime of Prince of Wied collapsed and he left the country on 3 September 1914.[56]The short-livedmonarchy(19141925) was succeeded by an even shorter-lived firstAlbanian Republic(19251928), to be replaced by anothermonarchy(19281939). The kingdom was supported by thefascist regime in Italyand the two countries maintained close relations until Italy's suddeninvasion of the countryin 1939. Albania was occupied byFascist ItalyandthenbyNazi Germanyduring World War II.World War II[edit]Main articles:Albanian Kingdom (193943)andAlbanian resistance during World War IIAfter beingmilitarily occupied by Italy, from 1939 until 1943 theAlbanian Kingdomwas aprotectorateand adependencyofItalygoverned by the Italian KingVictor Emmanuel IIIand his government. After the Axis'invasion of Yugoslaviain April 1941, territories of Yugoslavia with substantial Albanian population were annexed to Albania: most ofKosovo,[a]as well as Western Macedonia, the town ofTutinin Central Serbia and a strip of EasternMontenegro.[57]After the capitulation of Italy in 1943, Nazi Germany occupied Albania too. The nationalist Balli Kombetar, which had fought against Italy, formed a "neutral" government in Tirana, and side by side with the Germans fought against the communist-led National Liberation Movement of Albania.[58]Communist Albania[edit]Main article:People's Socialist Republic of AlbaniaBy the end ofWorld War II, the main military and political force in the country, the communist party, sent forces to northern Albania against the nationalists to eliminate its rivals. They faced open resistance in Nikaj-Mertur, Dukagjin and Kelmend (Kelmendi was led byPrek Cali).[59]On January 15, 1945, a clash took place between partisans of the first Brigade and nationalist forces at the Tamara Bridge, resulting in the defeat of the nationalist forces . About 150 Kelmendi[60]people were killed or tortured. This event was the starting point of many other issues which took place during Enver Hoxha's dictatorship. Class struggle was strictly applied, human freedom and human rights were denied.[citation needed]Kelmend region was isolated both by the border and by lack of roads for another 20 years, the institution of agricultural cooperative brought about economic decline. Many Kelmendi people fled, some were executed trying to cross the border.[citation needed]

Symbol of the Labour Party of Albania.After the liberation of Albania from Nazi occupation, the country became aCommunist state, thePeople's Republic of Albania(renamed "the People's Socialist Republic of Albania" in 1976), which was led byEnver Hoxhaand theLabour Party of Albania.[citation needed]The socialist reconstruction of Albania was launched immediately after the annulling of the monarchy and the establishment of a "People's Republic". In 1947, Albania's first railway line was completed, with the second completed eight months later. New land reform laws were passed granting the land to the workers and peasants who tilled it. Agriculture becamecooperative, and production increased significantly, leading to Albania's becoming agriculturally self-sufficient. By 1955, illiteracy was eliminated among Albania's adult population.[61]During this period Albania became industrialized and saw rapid economic growth, as well as unprecedented progress in the areas of education and health.[citation needed]The average annual rate of Albania's national income was 29% higher than the world average and 56% higher than the European average.[62]Albania's Communist constitution did not allow taxes on individuals; instead, taxes were imposed on cooperatives and other organizations, with much the same effect.[63]Religious freedoms were severely curtailed during the Communist period, with all forms of worship being outlawed. In August 1945, the Agrarian Reform Law meant that large swaths of property owned by religious groups (mostly Islamicwaqfs) were nationalized, along with the estates of monasteries and dioceses. Many believers, with theulema, and manypriestswere arrested, tortured and executed. In 1949, a new Decree on Religious Communities required that all their activities be sanctioned by the state alone.[64]In 1967 Hoxha proclaimed Albania the 'world's firstatheist state'. Hundreds of mosques and dozens of Islamic libraries containing priceless manuscripts were destroyed.[65]Churches were not spared either, and many were converted into cultural centers for young people. The new law banned all "fascist, religious, warmongerish, antisocialist activity and propaganda." Preaching religion carried a three to ten years prison sentence. Nonetheless, many Albanians continued to practice their belief secretly.Hoxha's political successorRamiz Aliaoversaw the dismemberment of the "Hoxhaist" state during the breakup of theEastern Blocin the later 1980s.Post-Communist Albania[edit]After protests beginning in 1989 and reforms made by the communist government in 1990, the People's Republic was dissolved in 1991-92 and the Republic of Albania was founded. The Communists retained a stronghold in parliament after popular support in the elections of 1991. However, in March 1992, amid liberalization policies resulting in economic collapse and social unrest, a new front led by the newDemocratic Partytook power. In the following years, much of the accumulated wealth of the country was invested in a number ofPonzipyramid banking schemes, which were widely supported by government officials. The schemes swept up somewhere between one-sixth to one-third of the country's population.[66][67]Despite IMF warnings in late 1996, then presidentSali Berishadefended the schemes as large investment firms, leading more people to redirect their remittances and sell their homes and cattle for cash to deposit in the schemes.[68]The schemes began to collapse in late 1996, leading many of the investors into initially peaceful protests again the government, requesting their money back. The protests turned violent in February as government forces responded with fire, and in March the police and Republican Guard deserted, leaving their armories open: they were promptly emptied by a number of militias and criminal gangs. The resultinganarchycaused a wave of evacuations of foreign nationals,[69][70]and of refugees.[71]The crisis led Prime MinisterAleksandr Meksito resign on 11 March 1997, followed by President Sali Berisha in July in the wake of the June General Election. In April 1997,Operation Alba, a UN peacekeeping force led by Italy, entered the country with two goals: Assistance in evacuation of expatriates, and to secure the ground for International Organizations. This was primarily WEU MAPE, who worked with the Government in restructuring the judicial system and police. The Socialist Party won the elections in 1997, and a degree of political stabilization followed. In 1999, the country was affected by theKosovo War, when a great number of Albanians from Kosovo found refuge in Albania.Post-reconstruction Albania[edit]

Tirana Center view at nightAlbania became a full member ofNATOin 2009, and hasappliedto join theEuropean Union. In 2013, the Socialist Party won the national elections. In June 2014, the Republic of Albania became an official candidate for accession to the European Union.Albanian state flags and main leaders[edit]This sectiondoes notciteanyreferences or sources.Please help improve this section byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged andremoved.(December 2013)

1912Albanian Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of independenceof theAlbanian Vilayetfrom theOttoman Empire. Proclaimed inVloron 28 November 1912.

191214Independent AlbaniaParliamentary state and assembly established in Vlor on 28 November 1912. Thegovernmentand senate were established on 4 December 1912. LeaderIsmail Qemali.

191425Principality of AlbaniaShort-lived monarchy headed byWilliam, Prince of Albania, until the abolition of the monarchy in 1925.

192528Albanian RepublicOfficial name as enshrined in the Constitution of 1925.A protectorate of theKingdom of Italyafter the Treaties of Tirana of 1926 and 1927.

192839Kingdom of AlbaniaConstitutional monarchalrule between 1928 and 1939. Ade factoprotectorateof theKingdom of Italy.

193943Albanian Kingdom under ItalyAprotectorateof theKingdom of Italy. Led by Italy's KingVictor Emmanuel III. Ruled by Italian governors aftermilitary occupation by Italyfrom 193943. Ceased to exist as an independent country. Part of theItalian Empire.

194344Albanian Kingdom under GermanyAde jureindependent country, between 1943 and 1944.Germans took control after theArmistice with Italyon 8 September 1943.

194492People's Socialist Republic of AlbaniaFrom 1944 to 1946 it was known as theDemocratic Government of Albania.From 1946 to 1976 it was known as thePeople's Republic of Albania.

since 1992Republic of AlbaniaIn 1991 theSocialist Party of Albaniatook control through democratic elections.In 1992 theDemocratic Party of Albaniawon the new elections.

George Kastrioti Skanderbegfought theOttoman Empirein the 15th century and is considered a "Albanian national hero". Ismail Qemali, hero of Albanian independence (19121914) William of Albania, Prince (King) of Albania (7 March 1914 3 September 1914) Fan Stilian Noli, Founder of the Albanian Orthodox Church and Prime Minister of Albania (16 June 1924 23 December 1924) President (192528)and King (192839)Zog of Albania First SecretaryEnver Hoxha(19441985)Government[edit]Main articles:Politics of AlbaniaandLaw of AlbaniaPolitics of Albania

This article is part of a series on thepolitics and government ofAlbania

Constitution[show]

Legislature[show]

Judiciary[show]

Executive[show]

Administrative divisions[show]

Elections[show]

Foreign relations[show]

Other countries AtlasPolitics portal

v t e

The Albanian republic is a parliamentary democracy established under a constitution renewed in 1998.[72]Elections are held every four years to the 140-seatunicameralAssembly of the Republic of Albania. In June 2002, a compromise candidate,Alfred Moisiu, formerArmy General, was elected to succeed PresidentRexhep Meidani. Parliamentary elections in July 2005 broughtSali Berisha, the leader of the Democratic Party, while on 20 July 2007 Bamir Topi became president. The current Albanian presidentBujar Nishaniwas elected by Parliament in July 2012.The Euro-Atlantic integration of Albania has been the ultimate goal of the post-communist governments. Albania's EU membership bid has been set as a priority by the European Commission.Albania, along with Croatia, joined NATO on 1 April 2009, becoming the 27th and 28th members of the alliance.[73]Executive branch[edit]The head of state in Albania is thePresidentof the Republic. The President is elected to a 5-year term by the Assembly by secret ballot, requiring a 50%+1 majority of the votes of all deputies. The current President of the Republic is Bujar Nishani elected in July 2012.The President has the power to guarantee observation of the constitution and all laws, act as commander in chief of the armed forces, exercise the duties of the Assembly of the Republic of Albania when the Assembly is not in session, and appoint the Chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister).Executive power rests with the Council of Ministers (cabinet). The Chairman of the Council (prime minister) is appointed by the president; ministers are nominated by the president on the basis of the prime minister's recommendation. The People's Assembly must give final approval of the composition of the Council. The Council is responsible for carrying out both foreign and domestic policies. It directs and controls the activities of the ministries and other state organs.PresidentBujar NishaniPD24 July 2012

Prime MinisterEdi RamaPS15 September 2013

Legislative branch[edit]TheAssembly of the Republic of Albania(Kuvendi i Republiks s Shqipris) is the lawmaking body in Albania. There are 140 deputies in the Assembly, which are elected through aparty-list proportional representationsystem. The President of the Assembly (or Speaker), who has two deputies, chairs the Assembly. There are 15 permanent commissions, or committees. Parliamentary elections are held at least every four years.The Assembly has the power to decide the direction of domestic and foreign policy; approve or amend the constitution; declare war on another state; ratify or annul international treaties; elect the President of the Republic, the Supreme Court, and the Attorney General and his or her deputies; and control the activity of state radio and television, state news agency and other official information media.Armed forces[edit]Main article:Military of Albania

Patrol boatIliriaof theAlbanian Navy.TheAlbanian Armed Forces(Forcat e Armatosura t Shqipris) were first formed after independence in 1912. Albania reduced the number of active troops from 65,000 in 1988[74]to 14,500 in 2009[75]and the military now consists mainly of a small fleet of aircraft and sea vessels. In the 1990s, the country scrapped enormous amounts of obsolete hardware, such as tanks andSAM systemsfrom China.[citation needed]Today it consists of: theGeneral Staff, theAlbanian Land Force, theAlbanian Air Forceand theAlbanian Naval Force. Increasing the military budget was one of the most important conditions forNATOintegration. Military spending has generally been lower than 1.5% since 1996 only to peak in 2009 at 2% and fall again to 1.5%.[76]Since February 2008, Albania has participated officially in NATO'sOperation Active Endeavorin theMediterranean Sea.[77]It was invited to join NATO on 3 April 2008,[78]and it became a full member on 2 April 2009.Administrative divisions[edit]Main article:Administrative divisions of AlbaniaAdministrative Divisionsof Albania

Qark(County) Bashki(Municipality) Fshat(Village)

v t e

Albania is divided into 12 administrative counties (Albanian:qark or prefektur). Since June 2015, these counties are divided into 61 municipalities (Albanian:bashki). These counties were further divided in 36 districts (Albanian:rreth) which became defunct in 2000.[79]The government introduced a new administrative division to be implemented in 2015 whereby municipalities are reduced to 61 in total, while rural ones calledkomunaare abolished. The defunct municipalities will be known as Neighborhoods or Villages (Albanian:Lagje / Fshat).[80][81]There are overall 2980 villages/communities (Albanian:fshat) in all Albania, formerly known as localities (Albanian:lokalitete). The municipalities are the first level of local governance, responsible for local needs and law enforcement.[82]As part of the reform, major town centers in Albania are being physically redesigned and faades painted to reflect a more Mediterranean look.[83][84]

Administrative divisions of Albania valid until June 2015[edit]CountiesDistrictsMunicipalitiesCommunesLocalities

1BeratBeratKuovSkrapar212102812218105

2DibrBulqizDibrMat112714106314176

3DurrsDurrsKruj42646244

4ElbasanElbasanGramshLibrazhdPeqin312120995177957549

5FierFierLushnjMallakastr3211414811712140

6GjirokastrGjirokastrPrmetTepelen2221178969877

7KorDevollKolonjKorPogradec122146147447615372

8KuksHasKuksTropoj1113147308968

9LezhKurbinLezhMirdit312495266280

10ShkodrMalsi e MadhePukShkodr12258155675141

11TiranaKavajTirana2381665154

12VlorDelvinSarandVlor124379386299

Geography[edit]Main article:Geography of Albania

A satellite image of AlbaniaAlbania has a total area of 28,748 square kilometres (11,100 square miles). It lies between latitudes39and43 N, and mostly between longitudes19and21 E(a small area lies east of 21). Albania's coastline length is 476km (296mi)[85]:240and extends along theAdriaticandIonian Seas. The lowlands of the west face the Adriatic Sea.The 70% of the country that is mountainous is rugged and often inaccessible from the outside. The highest mountain isKorabsituated in thedistrict of Dibr, reaching up to 2,764 metres (9,068ft). The climate on the coast is typicallyMediterraneanwith mild, wet winters and warm, sunny, and rather dry summers.Inland conditions vary depending on elevation, but the higher areas above 1,500m/5,000ft are rather cold and frequently snowy in winter; here cold conditions with snow may linger into spring. Besides the capital city ofTirana, which has 420,000 inhabitants, the principal cities areDurrs,Kor,Elbasan,Shkodr,Gjirokastr,VlorandKuks. In Albanian grammar, a word can have indefinite and definite forms, and this also applies to city names: bothTiranandTirana,ShkodrandShkodraare used.The three largest and deepest tectonic lakes of theBalkan Peninsulaare partly located in Albania.Lake Shkodrin the country's northwest has a surface which can vary between 370km2(140sqmi) and 530km2, out of which one third belongs to Albania and rest to Montenegro. The Albanian shoreline of the lake is 57km (35mi).Ohrid Lakeis situated in the country's southeast and is shared between Albania and Republic of Macedonia. It has a maximal depth of 289meters and a variety of unique flora and fauna can be found there, including "living fossils" and many endemic species. Because of its natural and historical value, Ohrid Lake is under the protection ofUNESCO. There is also Butrinti Lake which is a small tectonic lake. It is located in the national park of Butrint.Climate[edit]

TheAlbanian Riviera, panoramic viewWith its coastline facing the Adriatic and Ionian seas, its highlands backed upon the elevated Balkan landmass, and the entire country lying at a latitude subject to a variety of weather patterns during the winter and summer seasons, Albania has a high number of climatic regions relative to its landmass. The coastal lowlands have typically Mediterranean climate; the highlands have a Mediterranean continental climate. In both the lowlands and the interior, the weather varies markedly from north to south.The lowlands have mild winters, averaging about 7C (45F). Summer temperatures average 24C (75F). In the southern lowlands, temperatures average about 5C (9F) higher throughout the year. The difference is greater than 5C (9F) during the summer and somewhat less during the winter.Inland temperatures are affected more by differences in elevation than by latitude or any other factor. Low winter temperatures in the mountains are caused by the continental air mass that dominates the weather in Eastern Europe and theBalkans. Northerly and northeasterly winds blow much of the time. Average summer temperatures are lower than in the coastal areas and much lower at higher elevations, but daily fluctuations are greater. Daytime maximum temperatures in the interior basins andriver valleysare very high, but the nights are almost always cool.Averageprecipitationis heavy, a result of the convergence of the prevailing airflow from theMediterranean Seaand the continental air mass. Because they usually meet at the point where the terrain rises, the heaviest rain falls in the central uplands. Vertical currents initiated when the Mediterranean air is uplifted also cause frequent thunderstorms. Many of these storms are accompanied by high local winds and torrential downpours.

Landscape of Albanian countrysideWhen the continental air mass is weak, Mediterranean winds drop their moisture farther inland. When there is a dominant continental air mass, cold air spills onto the lowland areas, which occurs most frequently in the winter. Because the season's lower temperatures damage olive trees and citrus fruits, groves and orchards are restricted to sheltered places with southern and western exposures, even in areas with high average winter temperatures.Lowland rainfall averages from 1,000 millimeters (39.4in) to more than 1,500 millimeters (59.1in) annually, with the higher levels in the north. Nearly 95% of the rain falls in the winter.Rainfall in the upland mountain ranges is heavier. Adequate records are not available, and estimates vary widely, but annual averages are probably about 1,800 millimeters (70.9in) and are as high as 2,550 millimeters (100.4in) in some northern areas. The western Albanian Alps (valley of Boga) are among the wettest areas in Europe, receiving some 3,100mm (122.0in) of rain annually.[86]The seasonal variation is not quite as great in the coastal area.The higher inland mountains receive less precipitation than the intermediate uplands. Terrain differences cause wide local variations, but the seasonal distribution is the most consistent of any area.In 2009, an expedition from University of Colorado discovered four small glaciers in the "Cursed" mountains in North Albania. The glaciers are at the relatively low level of 2,000 metres (6,600ft), almost unique for such a southerly latitude.[87]Flora and fauna[edit]

Thelynxstill survives in Albania.[88]Although a small country, Albania is distinguished for its richbiologicaldiversity. The variation of geomorphology, climate and terrain create favorable conditions for a number of endemic andsub-endemicspecies with 27 endemic and 160 subendemic vascular plants present in the country. The total number of plants is over 3250 species, approximately 30% of the entire flora species found in Europe.Over a third of the territory of Albania about 10,000 square kilometres (3,861 square miles); is forested and the country is very rich in flora. About 3,000 different species of plants grow in Albania, many of which are used for medicinal purposes.Phytogeographically, Albania belongs to theBoreal Kingdom, theMediterranean Regionand the Illyrian province of theCircumboreal Region. Coastal regions and lowlands have typical Mediterraneanmacchiavegetation, whereasoakforests and vegetation are found on higher elevations. Vast forests ofblack pine,beechandfirare found on higher mountains and alpinegrasslandsgrow at elevations above 1800meters.[89]According to theWorld Wide Fund for Natureand Digital Map of European Ecological Regions by theEuropean Environment Agency, the territory of Albania can be subdivided into threeecoregions: theIllyrian deciduous forests,Pindus Mountains mixed forestsandDinaric Alpinemixed forests. The forests are home to a wide range of mammals, includingwolves,bears,wild boarsandchamois.Lynx,wildcats,pine martensandpolecatsare rare, but survive in some parts of the country.

Golden eaglethe national symbol of Albania.[90]There are around 760 vertebrate species found so far in Albania. Among these there are over 350 bird species, 330 freshwater and marine fish and 80 mammal species. There are some 91 globally threatened species found within the country, among which theDalmatian pelican,Pygmy cormorant, and theEuropean sea sturgeon. Rocky coastal regions in the south provide good habitats for the endangeredMediterranean monk seal.Some of the most significant bird species found in the country include thegolden eagle known as the national symbol of Albania[90]vulturespecies,capercaillieand numerouswaterfowl. The Albanian forests still maintain significant communities of large mammals such as thebrown bear,gray wolf,chamoisandwild boar.[89]The north and eastern mountains of the country are home to the last remainingBalkan Lynx a critically endangered population of theEurasian lynx.[91]Economy[edit]Main article:Economy of AlbaniaSee also:Agriculture in Albania

Tiranathe capital and economic hub of Albania.

TiranaT.I.D towerAlbania's transition from asocialistcentrally planned economyto free-marketcapitalismhas been largely successful.[92]There are signs of increasing investments, and power cuts are reduced to the extent that Albania is now exporting energy.[93]In 2012, itsGDP per capita(expressed inPurchasing Power Standards) stood at 30% of the EU average, while AIC (Actual Individual Consumption) was 35%.[94]Still, Albania has shown potential for economic growth, as more and more businesses relocate there and consumer goods are becoming available from emerging market traders as part of the current massive global cost-cutting exercise. Albania, Cyprus, and Poland are the only countries in Europe that recorded economic growth in the first quarter of 2010.[95][96]International Monetary Fund(IMF) predicted 2.6% growth for Albania in 2010 and 3.2% in 2011.[97]Albania and Croatia have discussed the possibility of jointly building a nuclear power plant at LakeShkoder, close to theborderwith Montenegro, a plan that has gathered criticism from Montenegro due to seismicity in the area.[98]In addition, there is some doubt whether Albania would be able to finance a project of such a scale with a total national budget of less than $5billion.[8]However, in February 2009 Italian companyEnelannounced plans to build an 800 MW coal-fired power plant in Albania, to diversify electricity sources.[99]Nearly 100% of the electricity is generated by ageing hydroelectric power plants, which are becoming more ineffective due to increasing droughts.[99]However, there have been many private investments in building new hydroelectric power plants such asDevoll Hydro Power Plantand the Ashta hydropower plant.The country has large deposits of petroleum and natural gas, and produced 26,000 barrels of oil per day in the first quarter of 2014 (BNK-TC).[100][101]Natural gas production, estimated at about 30 million m, is sufficient to meet consumer demands.[8]Other natural resources include coal,bauxite, copper and iron ore.Agricultureis the most significant sector, employing a significant proportion of the labor force and generating about 21% of GDP. Albania produces significant amounts of wheat,corn, tobacco,figs(13th largest producer in the world)[102]andolives."Tourismis gaining a fair share of Albania's GDP with visitors growing every year. As of 2014exportsseem to gain momentum and have increased 300% from 2008, although their contribution to the GDP is still moderate ( the exports per capita ratio currently stands at 1100 $ ) . Although Albania's growth has slowed in 2013 tourism is expanding rapidly and foreign investments are becoming more common as the government continues the modernization of Albania's institutions."[92]Tourism[edit]Main article:Tourism in AlbaniaSee also:List of national parks in Albania

Ancient theater ofButrint

Gjipe Canyon ending into the sea

Lake Komani Ferry

Seaside town ofSarandaacross fromCorfuA large part of Albania's national income comes fromtourism. Tourism - as of 2013 - funds 10% of its gross domestical product, and this is expected to increase. Albania welcomed around 4.2 million visitors in 2012, mostly from neighbouring countries and theEuropean Union. In 2011, Albania was recommended as a top travel destination, byLonely Planet.[103]In 2014, Albania was nominated number 4 global touristic destination by theNew York Times.[104]The number of tourists has increased by 20% for 2014 as well.The bulk of the tourist industry is concentrated along theAdriaticand theIonian Seacoast. The latter has the most beautiful and pristine beaches, and is often called theAlbanian Riviera. Albanian seaside has a considerable length of 360km, including even thelagoonarea which you find within. The seaside has a particular character because it is rich in varieties of sandy beaches, capes, coves, covered bays, lagoons, small gravel beaches, sea caves etc. Some parts of this seaside are very clean ecologically, which represent in this prospective unexplored areas, very rare inMediterraneanarea.[105]The increase in foreign visitors is dramatic, Albania had only 500,000 visitors in 2005, while in 2012 had an estimated 4.2 million tourists. An increase of 740% in only 7 years. Several of the countrys main cities are situated along the pristine seashores of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. An important gateway to theBalkan Peninsula, Albanias ever-growing road network provides juncture to reach its neighbors in north south, east, and west. Albania is within close proximity to all the major European capitals with short two or three hour flights that are available daily. Tourists can see and experience Albanias ancient past and traditional culture.[106]Seventy percent of Albania's terrain is mountainous and there are valleys that spread in a beautiful mosaic of forests, pastures, springs framed by high peaks capped by snow until late summer spreads across them.[107]Albanian Alps, part of the Prokletije or Accursed Mountains range in Northern Albania bearing the highest mountain peak. The most beautiful mountainous regions that can be easily visited by tourists areDajti Mountain,Thethi,Voskopoja,Valbona,Kelmend,Prespa,DukatandShkrel.National parks and World Heritage Sites[edit]

Albanian Alpsin northern AlbaniaAlbania offers many places for hiking, the most spectacular landscapes being those of the national parks.One of the most impressive mountain national parks is the 4,000-hectare (9,900-acre) Tomorr National Park, established south of theShkumbinriver in the Tomorr Range just east of the beautiful museum-city ofBerat, and overlooking the city of Polican. Other important mountain national parks are: Theth (Thethi) National Park in the Shale basin around Theth (2630 hectares)[108]Dajti (Daiti) National Park, 3300 hectares of the mountain overlooking the capital, Tirana andValbona Valley National Park, in the Valbona Gorge from the gorge entrance through to Rrogam and the surrounding mountains.[109]

UNESCO World Heritage Site of BeratAlthough relatively small, Albania is home to a large number of lakes. Three of the largest lakes are Shkodra, Ohrid and Prespa.[110]There are a number of associations of the tourism industry such as ATA, Unioni, etc.[111][112]Albania is home to two World Heritage Sites (Berat and Gjirokastr are listed together) Butrint, anancient GreekandRomancity Gjirokastr, a well-preservedOttomanmedieval town Berat, the 'town of a thousand and one windows'

Gjirokastr, the city of stoneThe following is the UNESCO Tentative List of Albania:[113] Gashi River and Rrajca (latter part ofShebenik-Jabllanica National Park) under Primeval Beech forests of the Carpathians and the Ancient Beech forests of Germany Durrs Amphitheatre Ancient Tombs of Lower Selca Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region Ancient City ofApolloniaMost of the international tourists going to Albania are fromKosovo,Macedonia,Montenegro, Greece, and Italy.[114]Foreign tourists mostly come from Eastern Europe, particularly fromPoland, and theCzech Republic, but also from Western European countries such asGermany,Belgium,Netherlands,France, Scandinavia, and others.[115]Crime and law enforcement[edit]Law enforcement in Albania is primarily the responsibility of theAlbanian Police. Albania also has a counter-terrorism unit calledRENEA. On a list of 75 countries, Albania listed at 17th lowest crime rate ahead of many western nations such as Denmark, theUnited Kingdom, Sweden and France.[116]However, homicide is still a problem in the country, especiallyblood feudsin rural areas of the north and domestic crime.[117]In 2014 about 3000 Albanian families were estimated to be involved in blood feuds and this had since the fall of Communism led to the deaths of 10,000 people.[118]Science and technology[edit]Main article:Science and technology in AlbaniaFrom 1993 human resources in sciences and technology have drastically decreased. Various surveys show that during 19912005, approximately 50% of the professors and research scientists of the universities and science institutions in the country have emigrated.[119]However, in 2009 the government approved the "National Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation in Albania"[120]covering the period 20092015. It aims to triple public spending on research and development (R&D) to 0.6% of GDP and augment the share of gross domestic expenditure on R&D from foreign sources, including via theEuropean Union's Framework Programmes for Research, to the point where it covers 40% of research spending, among others.Transport[edit]Main article:Transport in AlbaniaHighways[edit]

A1 Highway connecting Albania with KosovoCurrently there are three main motorways in Albania: the dual carriageway connecting Durrs withVlor, theAlbaniaKosovo Highway, and theTiranaElbasan Highway.The A1AlbaniaKosovo HighwaylinksKosovoto Albania's Adriatic coast: the Albanian side was completed in June 2009,[121]and now it takes only two hours and a half to go from the Kosovo border toDurrs. Overall the highway will be around 250km (155mi) when it reachesPrishtina. The project was the biggest and most expensive infrastructure project ever undertaken in Albania. The cost of the highway appears to have breached 800million, although the exact cost for the total highway has yet to be confirmed by the government.Two additional highways will be built in Albania in the near future:Corridor VIII, which will link Albania with the Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria, and the north-south highway, which corresponds to the Albanian side of theAdriaticIonian motorway, a larger regional highway connectingCroatiawith Greece along theAdriaticandIoniancoasts. When all three corridors are completed Albania will have an estimated 759kilometers of highway linking it with all its neighboring countries: Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, and Greece.Aviation[edit]

Tirana International Airport Nn TerezaThe civil air transport in Albania marked its beginnings in November 1924, when the Republic of Albania signed a governmental agreement with German air companyDeutsche Luft Hansa. On the basis of a ten-year concession agreement, the Albanian Airlines CompanyAdria Aero Lloydwas established.[citation needed]In the spring of 1925, the first domestic flights fromTiranatoShkodrandVlorbegan.[citation needed]In August 1927, the office of Civil Aviation of Air Traffic Ministry of Italy purchased Adria Aero Lloyd. The company, now in Italian hands, expanded its flights to other cities, such asElbasan,Kor,Kuks,PeshkopiandGjirokastr, and opened up international lines to Rome,Milan,Thessaloniki,Sofia,Belgrade, andPodgorica.The construction of a more modern airport inLaprakstarted in 1934 and was completed by the end of 1935. This new airport, which was later officially named "Airport of Tirana", was constructed in conformity with optimal technological parameters of that time, with a reinforced concrete runway of 2,700m (8,858ft), and complemented with technical equipment and appropriate buildings.During 19551957, theRinasi Airportwas constructed for military purposes. Later, its administration was shifted to the Ministry of Transport. On 25 January 1957 the State-owned Enterprise of International Air Transport (Albtransport) established its headquarters in Tirana.Aeroflot,Jat Airways,Malv,TAROMandInterflugwere the air companies that started to have flights with Albania until 1960.[122]During 19601978, several airlines ceased to operate in Albania due to the impact of the politics, resulting in a decrease of influx of flights and passengers. In 1977 Albania's government signed an agreement with Greece to open the country's first air links with non-communist Europe. As a result,Olympic Airwayswas the first non-communist airline to commercially fly into Albania after World War II. By 1991 Albania had air links with many major European cities, including Paris, Rome,Zrich, Vienna andBudapest, but no regular domestic air service.[122]A French-Albanian joint ventureAda Air, was launched in Albania as the first private airline, in 1991. The company offered flights in a thirty-six-passenger airplane four days a week between Tirana andBari, Italy and a charter service for domestic and international destinations.[122]From 1989 to 1991, because of political changes in the Eastern European countries, Albania adhered to theInternational Civil Aviation Organization(ICAO), opened its air space to international flights, and had its duties of Air Traffic Control defined. As a result of these developments, conditions were created to separate the activities of air traffic control from Albtransport. Instead, theNational Agency of Air Traffic(NATA) was established as an independent enterprise. In addition, during these years, governmental agreements of civil air transport were established with countries such asBulgaria, Germany,Slovenia, Italy, Russia, Austria, the UK andMacedonia.

Durrs Rail Station, the main railway station in Durrs, Albania.The Directory General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was established on 3 February 1991, to cope with the development required by the time. Albania has oneinternational airport,Tirana International Airport Nn Tereza, which is linked to 29 destinations by 14 airlines. It has seen a dramatic rise in passenger numbers and aircraft movements since the early 1990s.Railways[edit]Main articles:Rail transport in AlbaniaandHekurudha ShqiptareThe railways in Albania are administered by the national railway companyHekurudha Shqiptare(HSH) (which meansAlbanian Railways). It operates a1,435mm(4ft812in) gauge (standard gauge) rail system in Albania. All trains are hauled byCzech-builtKDdiesel-electric locomotives.The railway system was extensively promoted by thetotalitarianregime ofEnver Hoxha, during which time the use of private transport was effectively prohibited. Since the collapse of the former regime, there has been a considerable increase in car ownership andbususage. Whilst some of the country's roads are still in very poor condition, there have been other developments (such as the construction of a motorway between Tirana and Durrs) which have taken much traffic away from the railways.[citation needed]Demographics[edit]Main article:Demographics of Albania

Albanian schoolchildrenPopulation in Albania[123]

YearMillion

19712.2

19903.3

20083.1

20112.8

Source: OECD/World Bank

Depiction of regions which include a traditional presence of ethnic or linguistic groups alongside Albanians.According to the 2011 Census results, the total population of Albania is 2,821,977 with a lowFertility rateof 1.49 children born per woman.[124][125]The fall of the Communist regime in 1990 Albania was accompanied with massive migration. External migration was prohibited in Communist Albania while internal one was quite limited, hence this was a new phenomenon. Between 1991 and 2004, roughly 900,000 people have migrated out of Albania, about 600,000 of them settling inGreece.[126]Migration greatly affected Albania's internal population distribution. Population decreased mainly in the North and South of the country while increased inTiranaandDurrscenter districts.[citation needed]According to the Albanian Institute of Statistics, the population of Albania is 2,893,005 as of 1 January 2015.[1]Issues of ethnicity are a delicate topic and subject to debate. "Although official statistics have suggested that Albania is one of the most homogenous countries in the region (with an over 97 per cent Albanian majority) minority groups (such as Greeks, Macedonians, Montenegrins, Roma and Vlachs/Aromanians) have often questioned the official data, claiming a larger share in the countrys population."[127]The last census that contained ethnographic data (before the 2011 one) was conducted in 1989.[128]Albania recognizes three national minorities,Greeks,MacedoniansandMontenegrins, and two cultural minorities,AromaniansandRomani people.[129]Other Albanian minorities areBulgarians,Gorani,Serbs,Balkan Egyptians,BosniaksandJews. Regarding the Greeks, "it is difficult to know how many Greeks there are in Albania. The Greek government, it is typically claimed, says that there are around 300,000 ethnic Greeks in Albania, but most western estimates are around 200,000 mark (althoughEENputs the number at a probable 100,000)."[130][131][132][133][134]The Albanian government puts the number at only 24,243."[135]TheCIA World Factbookestimates the Greek minority at 0.9%[136]of the total population and the US State Department uses 1.17% for Greeks and 0.23% for other minorities.[137]According to the 2011 census the population of Albania declared the following ethnic affiliation:Albanians2,312,356 (82.6% of the total),Greeks24,243 (0.9%),Macedonians5,512 (0.2%),Montenegrins366 (0.01%),Aromanians8,266 (0.30%),Romani8,301 (0.3%),Balkan Egyptians3,368 (0.1%), other ethnicities 2,644 (0.1%), no declared ethnicity 390,938 (14.0%), and not relevant 44,144 (1.6%).[2]Macedonian and some Greek minority groups have sharply criticized Article 20 of the Census law, according to which a $1,000 fine will be imposed on anyone who will declare an ethnicity other than what is stated on his or her birth certificate. This is claimed to be an attempt to intimidate minorities into declaring Albanian ethnicity, according to them the Albanian government has stated that it will jail anyone who does not participate in the census or refuse to declare his or her ethnicity.[138]Genc Pollo, the minister in charge has declared that: "Albanian citizens will be able to freely express their ethnic and religious affiliation and mother tongue. However, they are not forced to answer these sensitive questions".[139]The amendments criticized do not include jailing or forced declaration of ethnicity or religion; only a fine is envisioned which can be overthrown by court.[140][141]Greek representatives form part of the Albanian parliament and the government has invited Albanian Greeks to register, as the only way to improve their status.[127]On the other hand, nationalists, various intellectuals organizations and political parties in Albania have expressed their concern that the census might artificially increase the number of Greek minority, which might be then exploited by Greece to threaten Albania's territorial integrity.[127][127][142][142][143][144][145][146][147]Language[edit]Main article:Languages of AlbaniaDistribution of languages of Albania

Albanian98.7%

Greek3%

Macedonian0.16%

Albanianis the official language of Albania. Its standard spoken and written form is revised and merged from the two main dialects,GhegandTosk, though it is notably based more on the Tosk dialect.Shkumbinriver is the rough dividing line between the two dialects. Also adialect of Greekthat preserves features now lost in standardmodern Greekis spoken in areas inhabited by theGreek minority. Other languages spoken by ethnic minorities in Albania includeVlach,Serbian,Macedonian,Bosnian,Bulgarian,Gorani, andRoma.[148]Macedonian is official in Pustec Municipality in East Albania.According to the 2011 population census, 2,765,610 or 98.767% of the population declaredAlbanianas their mother tongue ("mother tongue is defined as the first or main language spoken at home during childhood").[2]Religion[edit]Main article:Religion in AlbaniaSee also:Freedom of religion in AlbaniaAlbanian census 2011

SunniIslam57%

Bektashi Islam2%

Eastern OrthodoxChristianity7%

Catholic Christianity10%

Other Christian0.2%

Others5.5%

Undeclared14%

Atheism2.5%

Mother Teresa was one of the most influential Albanian personalitiesAccording to 2011 census, 58.79% of Albania adheres toIslam,Christianityis practiced by 17.06% of the population, making it the 2nd largest religion in the country and 24.29% of the total population is eitherirreligiousor belongs to other religious groups.[149]The Albanian Orthodox church refused to recognize the 2011 census results regarding faith, saying that 24% of the total population are Albanian Orthodox Christians rather than just 6.75%.[150]Before World War II, 70% of the population were Muslims, 20% Eastern Orthodox, and 10% Roman Catholics.[8]According to a 2010 survey, religion today plays an important role in the lives of only 39% of Albanians, and Albania is ranked among the least religious countries in the world.[151]A 2012 Pew Research Center study found that 65% of Albanian Muslims arenon-denominational Muslims.[152]The Albanians first appear in the historical record inByzantinesources of the late 11th century. At this point, they were already fully Christianized.Islamlater emerged as the majority religion during the centuries ofOttomanrule, though a significant Christian minority remained. After independence (1912) from the Ottoman Empire, the Albanian republican, monarchic and later Communist regimes followed a systematic policy of separating religion from official functions and cultural life. Albania never had an official state religion either as a republic or as a kingdom. In the 20th century, the clergy of all faiths was weakened under the monarchy, and ultimately eradicated during the 1940s and 1950s, under the state policy of obliterating all organized religion from Albanian territories.The Communist regime that took control of Albania after World War II persecuted and suppressed religious observance and institutions and entirelybanned religionto the point where Albania was officially declared to be the world's firstatheist state. Religious freedom has returned to Albania since the regime's change in 1992. Albania joined theOrganisation of the Islamic Conferencein 1992, following the fall of the communist government, but will not be attending the 2014 conference due a dispute regarding the fact that its parliament never ratified the country's membership.[153]Albanian Muslim populations (mainly secular and of theSunnibranch) are found throughout the country whereasAlbanian Orthodox Christiansas well asBektashisare concentrated in the south and Roman Catholics are found in the north of the country.[154]The first recorded Albanian Protestant was Said Toptani, who traveled around Europe, and in 1853 returned to Tirana and preached Protestantism. He was arrested and imprisoned by the Ottoman authorities in 1864. Mainline evangelical Protestants date back to the work of Congregational and later Methodist missionaries and the work of theBritish and Foreign Bible Societyin the 19th century. The Evangelical Alliance, which is known as VUSh, was founded in 1892. Today VUSh has about 160 member congregations from different Protestant denominations. VUSh organizes marches in Tirana including one against blood feuds in 2010. Bibles are provided by the Interconfessional Bible Society of Albania. The first full Albanian Bible to be printed was the Filipaj translation printed in 1990.Seventh-day Adventist Church,[155][156]The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,[157]andJehovah's Witnesses[158]also have a number of adherents in Albania.Albania was the only country in Europe whereJewishpopulation experienced growth duringthe Holocaust.[159]After the mass emigration toIsraelsince the fall of Communist regime, only 200Albanian Jewsare left in the country today.[160][161] Ardenica Monasteryin Ardenica, Albania Et'hem Bey Mosqueand Tirana Clock Tower World Headquarters of theBektashi OrderinTirana.Culture[edit]Main article:Culture of AlbaniaSee also:Tourism in AlbaniaMusic and folklore[edit]

Motra TonebyKol IdromenoMain article:Music of AlbaniaAlbanian folk music falls into three stylistic groups, with other importantmusic areasaroundShkodrandTirana; the major groupings are theGhegsof the north and southern Labs andTosks. The northern and southern traditions are contrasted by the "rugged and heroic" tone of the north and the "relaxed" form of the south.These disparate styles are unified by "the intensity that both performers and listeners give to their music as a medium for patriotic expression and as a vehicle carrying the narrative oforal history", as well as certain characteristics like the use of rhythms such as 3/8, 5/8 and 10/8.[162]The first compilation of Albanian folk music was made byPjetr Dunguin 1940.Albanian folk songs can be divided into major groups, the heroic epics of the north, and the sweetly melodiclullabies, love songs,wedding music,work songsand other kinds of song. The music of various festivals and holidays is also an important part of Albanian folk song, especially those that celebrate St. Lazarus Day, which inaugurates the springtime. Lullabies andvajtimsare very important kinds of Albanian folk song, and are generally performed by solo women.[163]Albanian language and literature[edit]

Ismail Kadareat a reading, 2007Main articles:Albanian language,Albanian literatureandList of Albanian writersAlbanian was proved to be anIndo-European languagein 1854 by the GermanphilologistFranz Bopp. The Albanian language comprises its own branch of the Indo-European language family.Some scholars believe that Albanian derives fromIllyrian[164]while others[165]claim that it derives fromDaco-Thracian. (Illyrian and Daco-Thracian, however, might have been closely related languages; seeThraco-Illyrian.)Establishing longer relations, Albanian is often compared to Balto-Slavic on the one hand and Germanic on the other, both of which share a number ofisoglosseswith Albanian. Moreover, Albanian has undergone a vowel shift in which stressed, longohas fallen toa, much like in the former and opposite the latter. Likewise, Albanian has taken the old relativejosand innovatively used it exclusively to qualify adjectives, much in the way Balto-Slavic has used this word to provide the definite ending of adjectives.The cultural renaissance was first of all expressed through the development of the Albanian language in the area of church texts and publications, mainly of the Catholic region in the North, but also of theOrthodoxin the South. The Protestant reforms invigorated hopes for the development of the local language and literary tradition when clericGjon Buzukubrought into the Albanian language theCatholic liturgy, trying to do for the Albanian language whatLutherdid for German.

Excerpt fromMesharibyGjon BuzukuMeshari(The Missal) byGjon Buzuku, published in 1555, is considered the first literary work of written Albanian. The refined level of the language and the stabilised orthography must be the result of an earlier tradition of written Albanian, a tradition that is not well understood. However, there is some fragmented evidence, pre-dating Buzuku, which indicates that Albanian was written from at least the 14th century.The earliest evidence dates from 1332AD with a Latin report from the French Dominican Guillelmus Adae,ArchbishopofAntivari, who wrote that Albanians used Latin letters in their books although their language was quite different from Latin. Other significant examples include: abaptism formula(Unte paghesont premenit Atit et Birit et spertit senit) from 1462, written in Albanian within a Latin text by the Bishop ofDurrs,Pal Engjlli; a glossary of Albanian words of 1497 by Arnold von Harff, a German who had travelled through Albania, and a 15th-century fragment of the Bible from theGospel of Matthew, also in Albanian, but written in Greek letters.

TheNational Museum of Albaniafeatures exhibits fromIllyriantimes to the fall of Communism in the 1990s.Albanian writings from these centuries must not have been religious texts only, but historical chronicles too. They are mentioned by the humanistMarin Barleti, who, in his bookRrethimi i Shkodrs(The Siege of Shkodr)(1504), confirms that he leafed through such chronicles written in the language of the people (in vernacula lingua).During the 16th to 17th centuries, thecatechismE mbsuame krishter(Christian Teachings) (1592) byLek Matrnga,Doktrina e krishter(The Christian Doctrine) (1618) andRituale romanum(1621) byPjetr Budi, the first writer of original Albanianproseand poetry, anapologyfor George Castriot (1636) byFrang Bardhi, who also published a dictionary andfolklorecreations, the theological-philosophical treatyCuneus Prophetarum(The Band of Prophets) (1685) byPjetr Bogdani, the most universal personality of AlbanianMiddle Ages, were published inAlbanian. The most famous Albanian writer is probablyIsmail Kadare.Education[edit]Main article:Education in Albania

UT logoBefore the establishment of thePeople's Republic, Albania's illiteracy rate was as high as 85%. Schools were scarce betweenWorld War IandWorld War II. When the People's Republic was established in 1945, thePartygave high priority to wiping out illiteracy. As part of a vast social campaign, anyone between the ages of 12 and 40 who could not read or write was mandated to attend classes to learn. By 1955, illiteracy was virtually eliminated among Albania's adult population.[166]Today the overall literacy rate in Albania is 98.7%; the maleliteracy rateis 99.2% and female literacy rate is 98.3%.[8]With large population movements in the 1990s to urban areas, the provision of education has undergone transformation as well. TheUniversity of Tiranais the oldest university in Albania, having been founded in October 1957.Sport[edit]

Panoramic view of Elbasan ArenaFootballis the most popular sport in Albania, both at a participatory and spectator level. The sport is governed by theFootball Association of Albania(Albanian:Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit, F.SH.F.), created in 1930, member ofFIFAand a founding member ofUEFA. Other sports played include basketball, volleyball, tennis, swimming,rugby union, and gymnastics. Albania national football team Albania national basketball team Albania national futsal teamEntertainment[edit]Main article:Radio Televizioni ShqiptarSee also:Television in AlbaniaandList of radio stations in AlbaniaRadio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) is the public radio and TV broadcaster of Albania, founded byKing Zogin 1938. RTSH runs three analogue television stations as TVSHTelevizioni Shqiptar, four digital thematic stations as RTSH, and three radio stations using the nameRadio Tirana. In addition, 4 regional radio stations serve in the four extremities of Albania. The international service broadcasts radio programmes in Albanian and seven other languages viamedium wave(AM) andshort wave(SW).[167]The international service has used the theme from the song "Keputa nj gjethe dafine" as itssignature tune. The international television servicevia satellitewas launched since 1993 and aims atAlbaniancommunities inKosovo, Serbia,Macedonia, Montenegro and northernGreece, plus the Albaniandiasporain the rest of Europe. RTSH has a past of being heavily influenced by the ruling party in its reporting, whether that party be left or right wing.According to the Albanian Media Authority, AMA, Albania has an estimated 257 media outlets, including 66 radio stations and 67 television stations, with three national, 62 local and more than 50 cable TV stations. Last years Albania has organized several shows as a part of worldwide series likeDancing with the Stars,Big Brother Albania,Albanians Got Talent,The Voice of Albania, andX Factor Albania.Health[edit]Health care has been in a steep decline since the collapse of socialism in the country, but a process of modernization has been taking place since 2000.[168]In the 2000s, there were 51 hospitals in the country, including amilitary hospitaland specialist facilities.[168]Albania has successfully eradicated diseases such asmalaria.Life expectancy is estimated at 77.59 years, ranking 51st worldwide, and outperforming a number of European Union countries, such as Hungary and the Czech Republic.[169]The most common causes of death are circulatory diseases followed by cancerous illnesses.Demographic and Health Surveyscompleted a survey in April 2009, detailing various health statistics in Albania, includingmale circumcision,abortionand more.[170]The Faculty of Medicine of theUniversity of Tiranais the main medical school in the country. There are also nursing schools in other cities.Newsweekranked Albania 57 out of 100 Best Countries in the World in 2010.[171]The general improvement of health conditions in the country is reflected in the lower mortality rate, down to an estimated 6.49 deaths per 1,000 in 2000, as compared with 17.8 per 1,000 in 1938. In 2000, average life expectancy was estimated at 74 years, compared to 38 years at the end of World War II. Albania's infant mortality rate, estimated at 20 per 1,000 live births in 2000, has also declined over the years since the high rate of 151 per 1,000 live births in 1960. There were 69,802 births in 1999 and the fertility rate in 1999 was 2.5 while the maternal mortality rate was 65 per 100,000 live births in 1993. In addition, in 1997, Albania had high immunization rates for children up to one year old: tuberculosis at 94%; diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, 99%; measles, 95%; and polio, 99.5%. In 1996, the incidence of tuberculosis was 23 in 100,000 people. In 1995 there were two reported cases of AIDS and seven cases in 1996. In 2000 the number of people living with HIV/AIDS was estimated at less than 100. The leading causes of death are cardiovascular disease, trauma, cancer, and respiratory disease.Alternative medicineis also practiced among the population in the form ofherbal remediesas the country is a large exporter of aromatic andmedicinal herbs.Cuisine[edit]Main article:Albanian cuisineThe cuisine of Albania as with mostMediterraneanandBalkannations is strongly influenced by its long history. At different times, the territory which is now Albania has been claimed or occupied by Greece, Serbia, Italy and theOttoman Turksand each group has left its mark on Albanian cuisine. The main meal ofAlbaniansis the midday meal, which is usually accompanied by asaladof fresh vegetables such as tomatoes,cucumbers, greenpeppersandoliveswitholive oil,vinegarand salt. It also includes a main dish of vegetables and meat. Seafood specialties are also common in the coastal cities ofDurrs,SarandandVlor. In high elevation localities, smoked meat and pickled preserves are common.