Albania

National name:
Republika e Shqiperise

Government
Emerging democracy.

Geography
Albania is situated on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea. Albania is composed of two major regions: a mountainous highland region constituting 70% of the land area, and a western coastal lowland region that contains nearly all of the country’s agricultural land and is the most densely populated part of Albania.

Historical Background
Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government. Although Albania’s economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU. Albania, with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been a strong supporter of the global war on terrorism.

Capital

Tirana

Government

Parliamentary republic

Language

Albanian

Religion

Islam in Albania

Area

Total 28,748 km2 (143rd) 11,100 sq mi

Population

census 2,986,952 (July 2010 est

Currency

Lek (ALL)