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| The '''Republic of Albania''' is a country in southeastern ]. It is bordered by ] in the north, ] in the east, and ] in the south, and has a coast on the ] in the west. | |||
| <div style="float:right">]</div> | |||
| '''Albania''' (<i>Shqiperia</i>, "land of the eagle") is a republic of the western ] of southeastern ], with a coastline on the ] and Ionian Seas and a population of around 3.5 million on a largely mountainous and forested area of 28,747 sq. km. ] (Tirana) is the capital, with 300,000 inhabitants: other principal cities are Durrës, Elbasan and Shkodër, each with 100,000, Vlorë (90,000) and Korçë (80,000). Albania is Europe's poorest country, with half of the economically-active population still engaged in ] and a fifth said to be working abroad. ], now a predominantly Muslim people thought to be descended largely from the area's ancient Illyrian population, also inhabit the neighboring ] province of ], ], and areas of ] and ]. | |||
| <table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" align="right" width="300px"> | |||
| Independent since ] except for periods of foreign occupation in 1916-1920 and 1939-1944, in ] Albania ended 46 years of one-party ] government and three decades of political isolation in Europe. The transition to multi-party democracy and a market economy has proven difficult as weak and sometimes corrupt governments have tried to deal with severe unemployment (estimated at 40% in the immediate aftermath of a corresponding economic contraction in 1989-1992), near-anarchy following the collapse of a fraudulent nationwide investment scheme (March 1997), widespread gangsterism, and large population movements in the form of both emigration (mostly to Greece and Italy) and later refugee influxes from the ] of 1998-1999. | |||
| <caption><font size="+1">'''Republika e Shqiperise'''</font></caption> | |||
| <tr><td style="background:#efefef;" align="center" colspan=2> | |||
| <table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"> | |||
| <tr><td align="center" width="140px">]</td> | |||
| <td align="center" width="140px">coat of arms</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td align="center" width="140px">(])</td> | |||
| <td align="center" width="140px">(Full size)</td></tr> | |||
| </table></td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td align="center" colspan=2 style="border-bottom:3px solid gray;"><font size="-1">''National ]: Xxxxx''</font></td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>Official ]</td><td>]</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>]</td><td>]</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>President</td><td>]</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>]<br> - Total <br> - % water</td><td>] <br> 28,748 ] <br> 4.7% </td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>] | |||
| <br> - Total (Year) | |||
| <br> - ] </td><td>] | |||
| <br> 3,510,484 | |||
| <br> 122/km² </td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>]</td><td>], ]</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>]</td><td>]</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>]</td><td>]+2</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>]</td><td>]</td></tr> | |||
| <tr><td>]</td><td>.AL</td></tr> | |||
| </table> | |||
| == History == | |||
| ''Main article: ]'' | |||
| Albania has been the site of several ] colonies, and was later part of the ] province of ]. After being conquered by a number of nations, it became a part of the ] in ]. | |||
| After the ], Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in ], but the country remained in unrest. Being occupied by ] during ], the (mainly communist) resistance, lead by ] seized control when the Italians left. | |||
| Until ], fives years after the death of Hoxha, Albania was an isolationist state. A multi-party ] is emerging, but the country suffers from economic problems, organised crime, and a large number of Albanian refugees from ]. | |||
| == Politics == | |||
| ''Main article: ]'' | |||
| Head of state is the president, which is elected by the ''Kuvendi Popullor'', or People's Assembly. The main part of the Assembly's 155 members are elected by the Albanians in elections every 5 years. The president is assisted by a council of ministers, which is appointed by the president. | |||
| == Districs == | |||
| ''Main article: ]'' | |||
| Albania is divided into 36 districts, or ''rrethe''. The capital city, Tirana, has a special status. The districts are: | |||
| <TABLE> | |||
| <TR><TD> | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
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| *] | |||
| *] | |||
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| *] | |||
| *] | |||
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| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| </TD><TD> | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
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| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| </TD></TR> | |||
| </TABLE> | |||
| == Geography == | |||
| ''Main article: ]'' | |||
| <div style="float: right">]</div> | |||
| Albania consists of mostly hilly and mountainous terrain, the highest mountain reaching up to 2,753 m. The country mostly has a land climate, with cold winters and hot summers. | |||
| Besides capital city Tirana, with 300,000 inhabitants, the principal cities are ], ], ], ] and ]. | |||
| == Economy == | |||
| ''Main article: ]'' | |||
| Albania is Europe's poorest country, with half of the economically-active population still engaged in ] and a fifth said to be working abroad. The country has to deal with a high unemployment rate, corruption up to high government leveels and organised crime. | |||
| Albania is aided financially from abroad, notably by ] and ]. | |||
| == Demographics == | |||
| ''Main article: ]'' | |||
| Most of the population (95%) is Albanian, but there is a sizeable ] minority. Many ethnic Albanians also live in bordering Kosovo. The language is ], although some ] is also spoken. | |||
| Since the occupation by the Ottomans, the majority of the Albanians has been ], even though relgion was prohibited during the communist era. The ] and ] are the other main religions in Albania. | |||
| == Culture == | |||
| ''Main article: ]'' | |||
| Albania's most notable writer was ]. | |||
| == Miscellaneous topics == | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | *] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| <hr align="center" noshade size="4" width="100%"> | |||
| <center>] | ]</center> | |||
Revision as of 20:32, 12 October 2002
The Republic of Albania is a country in southeastern Europe. It is bordered by Yugoslavia in the north, Macedonia in the east, and Greece in the south, and has a coast on the Adriatic Sea in the west.
| |||||
| National motto: Xxxxx | |||||
| Official language | Albanian | ||||
| Capital | Tirana | ||||
| President | Rexhep Meidani | ||||
| Area - Total - % water | Ranked 140th 28,748 km² 4.7% | ||||
| Population
- Density | Ranked 126th
122/km² | ||||
| Independence | November 28, 1912 | ||||
| Currency | Lek | ||||
| Time zone | UTC+2 | ||||
| National anthem | Hymni i Flamurit | ||||
| Internet TLD | .AL | ||||
History
Main article: History of Albania
Albania has been the site of several Greek colonies, and was later part of the Roman province of Illyricum. After being conquered by a number of nations, it became a part of the Ottoman Empire in 1478.
After the First Balkan War, Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but the country remained in unrest. Being occupied by Italy during World War II, the (mainly communist) resistance, lead by Enver Hoxha seized control when the Italians left.
Until 1990, fives years after the death of Hoxha, Albania was an isolationist state. A multi-party democracy is emerging, but the country suffers from economic problems, organised crime, and a large number of Albanian refugees from Kosovo.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Albania
Head of state is the president, which is elected by the Kuvendi Popullor, or People's Assembly. The main part of the Assembly's 155 members are elected by the Albanians in elections every 5 years. The president is assisted by a council of ministers, which is appointed by the president.
Districs
Main article: Districts of Albania
Albania is divided into 36 districts, or rrethe. The capital city, Tirana, has a special status. The districts are:
Geography
Main article: Geography of Albania
Albania consists of mostly hilly and mountainous terrain, the highest mountain reaching up to 2,753 m. The country mostly has a land climate, with cold winters and hot summers.
Besides capital city Tirana, with 300,000 inhabitants, the principal cities are Durrës, Elbasan, Shkodër, Vlorë and Korçë.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Albania
Albania is Europe's poorest country, with half of the economically-active population still engaged in agriculture and a fifth said to be working abroad. The country has to deal with a high unemployment rate, corruption up to high government leveels and organised crime.
Albania is aided financially from abroad, notably by Greece and Italy.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Albania
Most of the population (95%) is Albanian, but there is a sizeable Greek minority. Many ethnic Albanians also live in bordering Kosovo. The language is Albanian, although some Greek is also spoken.
Since the occupation by the Ottomans, the majority of the Albanians has been muslim, even though relgion was prohibited during the communist era. The Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Church are the other main religions in Albania.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Albania
Albania's most notable writer was Fan Noli.
Miscellaneous topics
- Communications in Albania
- Transportation in Albania
- Military of Albania
- Foreign relations of Albania