Albania

This article is about the modern state. For other uses, see Albania (disambiguation). Republic of Albania Republika e Shqipërisë Flag Coat of arms Anthem: Himni i Flamurit   Hymn to the Flag Location of  Albania  (green) on the European continent  (dark grey)  —  Legend Capital (and largest city) Tirana 41°20′N 19°48′E / 41.333°N 19.8°E / 41.333; 19.8 Official language(s) Albanian1 Demonym Albanian Government Parliamentary republic  -  President Bamir Topi  -  Prime Minister Sali Berisha Formation  -  Principality of Arbër 1190   -  League of Lezhë 2 March 1444   -  Independence from the Ottoman Empire 28 November 1912   -  Recognized by the Great Powers 2 December 1912   -  Current Constitution 28 November 1998  Area  -  Total 28,748 km2 (143rd) 11,100 sq mi   -  Water (%) 4.7 Population  -   census 2,986,952 (July 2010 est.)1   -  Density 111.1/km2 (63) 327.8/sq mi GDP (PPP) 2009 estimate  -  Total $24 billion(2   -  Per capita $8,0002  GDP (nominal) 2009 estimate  -  Total $12.224 billion2   -  Per capita $3,8372  Gini (2005) 26.73 (low)  HDI (2010) 0.7194 (high) (64th) Currency Lek (ALL) Time zone CET (UTC+1)  -  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2) Drives on the right ISO 3166 code AL Internet TLD .al Calling code 355 1 Greek, Macedonian and other regional languages are government-recognized minority languages. Albania (i /ælˈbeɪniə/ al-BAY-nee-ə, Albanian: Shqipëri/Shqipëria, Gheg Albanian: Shqipnia/Shqypnia), officially known as the Republic of Albania (Albanian: Republika e Shqipërisë, pronounced [ɾɛpuˈblika ɛ ʃcipəˈɾiːs]), is a country in South Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo[a] to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the west, and on the Ionian Sea to the southwest. It is less than 72 km (45 mi) from Italy, across the Strait of Otranto which links the Adriatic Sea to the Ionian Sea. Albania is a member of the United Nations, NATO, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Council of Europe, World Trade Organisation, Organisation of the Islamic Conference and one of the founding members of the Union for the Mediterranean. Albania has been a potential candidate for accession to the European Union since January 2003, and it formally applied for EU membership on 28 April 2009.5 Albania is a parliamentary democracy and a transition economy. The Albanian capital, Tirana, is home to approximately 607,467 of the country's 2,986,952 people, and it is also the financial capital of the country.6 Free-market reforms have opened the country to foreign investment, especially in the development of energy and transportation infrastructure.789 Albania was chosen as the top country in Lonely Planet's list of ten top countries for 2011.10 Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 3 Administrative divisions 4 Government, politics and armed forces 4.1 Executive branch 4.2 Legislative branch 4.3 Armed forces 5 Geography 5.1 Climate 5.2 Flora and fauna 6 Economy 7 Science and technology 8 Transport 8.1 Highways 8.2 Aviation 8.3 Railways 9 Demographics 9.1 Language 9.2 Religion 10 Culture 10.1 Music and folklore 10.2 Albanian language and literature 11 Education 12 Sport 13 Entertainment 14 Health 15 Cuisine 16 Human rights 16.1 LGBT rights 17 See also 18 Notes 19 References 20 External links // Etymology Main article: Albania (toponym) Albania is the Medieval Latin name of the country which is called Shqipëri by its inhabitants. In Medieval Greek, the country's name is Albania (Greek: Ἀλβανία) besides variants Albanitia, Arbanitia.11 The name may be derived from the Illyrian tribe of the Albani recorded by Ptolemy, the geographer and astronomer from Alexandria who drafted a map in 150 AD12 that shows the city of Albanopolis13 (located northeast of Durrës). 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.14 In his History written in 1079–1080, Byzantine historian Michael Attaliates was the first to refer to Albanoi as having taken part in a revolt against Constantinople in 1043 and to the Arbanitai as subjects of the Duke of Dyrrachium.15 During the Middle Ages, the Albanians called their country Arbër or Arbën and referred to themselves as Arbëresh or Arbnesh.1617 As early as the 16th century the placename Shqipëria and the ethnic demonym Shqiptarë gradually replaced Arbëria and Arbëresh. While the two terms are popularly interpreted as "Land of the Eagles" and "Children of the Eagles", they derive from the adverb shqip, which means "understanding each-other".1819 Under the Ottoman Empire Albania was referred to officially as Arnavutluk and its inhabitants as Arnauts.20 The word is considered to be a metathesis from the word Arvanite, which was the Medieval Greek name for the Albanians.21 History History of Albania Prehistory Prehistoric Balkans Antiquity Illyria Illyrians Macedonia (Roman province) Illyricum Middle Ages Albania in the Middle Ages Albania under the Byzantine Empire Albania under the Bulgarian Empire Albania under the Serbian Empire Principality of Arbër Kingdom of Albania Albanian Principalities League of Lezhë Venetian Albania Ottoman Albania Ottoman Albania Albanian Pashaliks Massacre of the Albanian beys Albanian National Awakening Revolts of 1833-1839 Revolt of 1843-1844 Revolt of 1847 League of Prizren League of Peja Revolt of 1910 Battle of Deçiq Revolt of 1912 Albanian Declaration of Independence Post-Independence Provisional Government Balkan Wars Principality of Albania Republic of Central Albania Republic of Korçë Republic of Mirdita Vlora War Albanian Republic Albanian Kingdom Albania under Italy Albania under Germany Albanian Resistance Liberation of Albania Communist Albania Contemporary Albania Post-Communism 1997 unrest Republic of Albania This box: view · talk · Main article: History of Albania The History of Albania emerges from the prehistoric stage from the 4th century BC, with early records of Illyria in Greco-Roman historiography. The modern territory of Albania has no counterpart in antiquity, comprising parts of the Roman provinces of Dalmatia (southern Illyricum), Macedonia (particularly Epirus Nova), and Moesia Superior. The territory remained under Roman (Byzantine) control until the Slavic migrations of the 7th century, and was integrated into the Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century. The territorial nucleus of the Albanian state forms in the Middle Ages, as the Principality of Arbër and the Kingdom of Albania. The first records of the Albanian people as a distinct ethnicity also date to this period. The area was conquered in the 15th century by the Ottoman Empire and remained under Ottoman control as part of the Rumelia province until 1912, when the first independent Albanian state was declared. The formation of an Albanian national consciousness dates to the later 19th century and is part of the larger phenomenon of rise of nationalism under the Ottoman Empire. A short-lived monarchy (1914–1925) was succeeded by an even shorter-lived first Albanian Republic (1925–1928), to be replaced by another monarchy (1928–1939), which was conquered into Fascist Italy during World War II. After the collapse of the Axis powers, Albania became a communist state, the Socialist People's Republic of Albania, which for the most part of its duration was dominated by Enver Hoxha (d. 1985). Hoxha's political heir Ramiz Alia oversaw the disintegration of the "Hoxhaist" state during the wider collapse of the Eastern Bloc in the later 1980s. The communist regime collapsed in 1990, and the Republic of Albania was founded in 1991 and the former communist party was routed in elections March 1992, amid economic collapse and social unrest. Further crisis during the 1990s, peaking in the 1997 Lottery Uprising, led to mass emigration of Albanians, mostly to Italy, Greece, Switzerland, Germany and to North America during the 1990s. Albania became a full member of NATO in 2009. The country is applying to join the European Union. Independence Provisional Government Principality of Albania Albanian Republic Albanian Kingdom Albania under Italy Albania under Germany Communist Albania Democratic Albania 1912 1912–1914 1914–1925 1925–1928 1928–1939 1939–1943 1943–1944 1944–1992 since 1992 Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg (1405–1468) Ismail Qemali, hero of Albanian independence (1912-14) President (1924-28) and King (1928-39) Zog of Albania Enver Hoxha (1944-1985) Administrative divisions Main articles: Counties of Albania, Districts of Albania, and Municipalities of Albania Counties of Albania Albania is divided into 12 administrative counties (Albanian: qark or prefekturë). These counties include 36 districts (Albanian: rreth) and 373 municipalities (Albanian: bashki or komunë). 72 municipalities have city status (Albanian: qytet). There are overall 2980 villages/communities (Albanian: fshat) in all Albania. Each district has its council which is composed of a number of municipalities. The municipalities are the first level of local governance, responsible for local needs and law enforcement.22 County Capital Districts Municipalities Cities Villages 1 Berat Berat Berat Kuçovë Skrapar 10 2 8 2 1 2 122 18 105 2 Dibër Peshkopi Bulqizë Dibër Mat 7 14 10 1 1 2 63 141 76 3 Durrës Durrës Durrës Krujë 6 4 4 2 62 44 4 Elbasan Elbasan Elbasan Gramsh Librazhd Peqin 20 9 9 5 3 1 2 1 177 95 75 49 5 Fier Fier Fier Lushnjë Mallakastër 14 14 8 3 2 1 117 121 40 6 Gjirokastër Gjirokastër Gjirokastër Përmet Tepelenë 11 7 8 2 2 2 96 98 77 7 Korçë Korçë Devoll Kolonjë Korçë Pogradec 4 6 14 7 1 2 2 1 44 76 153 72 8 Kukës Kukës Has Kukës Tropojë 3 14 7 1 1 1 30 89 68 9 Lezhë Lezhë Kurbin Lezhë Mirditë 2 9 5 2 1 2 26 62 80 10 Shkodër Shkodër Malësi e Madhe Pukë Shkodër 5 8 15 1 2 2 56 75 141 11 Tirana Tirana Kavajë Tirana 8 16 2 3 66 167 12 Vlorë Vlorë Delvinë Sarandë Vlorë 3 7 9 1 2 4 38 62 99 Government, politics and armed forces Main article: Politics of Albania Albania This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Albania Constitution Constitution Human rights Legislature Assembly Chairman Jozefina Topalli Political parties Judiciary Constitutional Court Administrative Court Court of Justice (ordinary jurisdiction) Supreme Court Executive President Bamir Topi Prime Minister Sali Berisha Cabinet Divisions Districts Counties Municipalities Elections 2001 2005 2009 Foreign policy Foreign relations Accession to European Union Other countries · Atlas Politics portal view · talk · The Albanian republic is a parliamentary democracy established under a constitution renewed in 1998. Elections are now held every four years to a unicameral 140-seat chamber, the People's Assembly. In June 2002, a compromise candidate, Alfred Moisiu, former Army General, was elected to succeed President Rexhep Meidani. Parliamentary elections in July 2005 brought Sali Berisha, an ex-Albanian communist party member, as leader of the Democratic Party, back to power. 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.23 The workforce of Albania has continued to migrate to Greece, Italy, Germany, other parts of Europe, and North America. However, the migration flux is slowly decreasing, as more and more opportunities are emerging in Albania itself as its economy steadily develops. Executive branch The head of state in Albania is the President of the Republic. The President is elected to a 5-year term by the Assembly of the Republic of Albania by secret ballot, requiring a 50%+1 majority of the votes of all deputies. The next election will run in 2012. The current President of the Republic is Bamir Topi. 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. President Bamir Topi PD 20 July 2007 Prime Minister Sali Berisha PD 9 September 2009 Legislative branch The Assembly of the Republic of Albania (Kuvendi i Republikës së Shqipërisë) is the lawmaking body in Albania. There are 140 deputies in the Assembly, which are elected through a party-list proportional representation system. The President of the Assembly (or Speaker) has two deputies and 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. Patrol boat Iliria of the Albanian Navy Armed forces Main article: Military of Albania The Albanian Armed Forces (Forcat e Armatosura të Shqipërisë) first formed after independence in 1912. Albania reduced the number of active troops from a 1988 number of 65,00024 to a 2009 number of 14,50025 with a small fleet of aircraft and sea vessels. In the 1990s, the country scrapped enormous amount of obsolete hardware, such as tanks and SAM systems from China. Today, it consists of the General Staff Headquarters, the Albanian Land Forces, Albanian Air Force, Albanian Naval Defense Forces, the Albanian Logistic Brigade and the Albanian Training and Doctrine Command. Increasing the military budget was one of the most important conditions for NATO integration. Military spending accounted for about 2.7% of GDP in 2008. Since February 2008, Albania participates officially in NATO's Operation Active Endeavor in the Mediterranean Sea.26 and received a NATO membership invitation on 3 April 2008.27 Albania became a full member of NATO on 1 April 2009. Geography Main article: Geography of Albania Satellite image of Albania Ksamil islets. Albania has a total area of 28,748 square kilometers. It lies between latitudes 39° and 43° N, and mostly between longitudes 19° and 21° E (a small area lies east of 21°). Albania's coastline is 362 kilometers long and extends along the Adriatic and Ionian 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 is Korab situated in the district of Dibër, reaching up to 2,753 metres (9,032 ft). The climate on the coast is typically Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and warm, sunny, and rather dry summers. Inland conditions vary depending on altitude but the higher areas above 1,500 m/5,000 ft are rather cold and frequently snowy in winter; here cold conditions with lying snow may linger into spring. Besides the capital city of Tirana, which has 800,000 inhabitants, the principal cities are Durrës, Korçë, Elbasan, Shkodër, Gjirokastër, Vlorë and Kukës. In Albanian grammar, a word can have indefinite and definite forms, and this also applies to city names: both Tiranë and Tirana, Shkodër and Shkodra are used. The three largest and deepest tectonic lakes of the Balkan Peninsula are partly located in Albania. Lake Shkodër in the country's northwest has a surface which can vary between 370 km2 (140 sq mi) and 530 km2, out of which one third belongs to Albania and rest to Montenegro. The Albanian shoreline of the lake is 57 km (35 mi). Ohrid Lake is situated in the country's southeast and is shared between Albania and Republic of Macedonia. It has a maximal depth of 289 meters 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 of UNESCO. Mountains in central Albania Climate See also: Climate of Albania With 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 for so small an area. The coastal lowlands have typically Mediterranean weather; 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 7 °C (45 °F). Summer temperatures average 24 °C (75 °F). In the southern lowlands, temperatures average about 5 °C (9 °F) higher throughout the year. The difference is greater than 5 °C (9 °F) 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 the Balkans. 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 and river valleys are very high, but the nights are almost always cool. Albanian landscape Average precipitation is heavy, a result of the convergence of the prevailing airflow from the Mediterranean Sea and 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. When 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 (39.4 in) to more than 1,500 millimeters (59.1 in) 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 (70.9 in) and are as high as 2,550 millimeters (100.4 in) in some northern areas. The western Albanian Alps (valley of Boga) are among the wettest areas in Europe, receiving some 3,100 mm (122.05 in) of rain annually.28 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 meters - almost unique for such a southerly latitude.29 Flora and fauna The lynx still survives in Albania.30 Although a small country, Albania is distinguished for its rich biological diversity. The variation of geomorphology, climate and terrain create favorable conditions for a number of endemic and sub-endemic species 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 kilometers (2.5 million acres) – 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 the Boreal Kingdom and is shared between the Adriatic and East Mediterranean provinces of the Mediterranean Region and the Illyrian province of the Circumboreal Region. Coastal regions and lowlands have typical Mediterranean macchia vegetation, whereas oak forests and vegetation are found on higher altitudes. Vast forests of black pine, beech and fir are found on higher mountains and alpine grasslands grow at altitudes above 1800 meters.31 Golden eagle–the national symbol of Albania.32 According to the World Wide Fund for Nature and Digital Map of European Ecological Regions by the European Environment Agency, the territory of Albania can be subdivided into three ecoregions: the Illyrian deciduous forests, Pindus Mountains mixed forests and Dinaric Alpine mixed forests. The forests are home to a wide range of mammals, including wolves, bears, wild boars and chamois. Lynx, wildcats, pine martens and polecatsdisambiguation needed are rare, but survive in some parts of the country. 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 the Dalmatian pelican, Pygmy cormorant, and the European sea sturgeon. Rocky coastal regions in the south provide good habitats for the endangered Mediterranean monk seal. Some of the most significant bird species found in the country include the golden eagle – known as the national symbol of Albania32  – vulture species, capercaillie and numerous waterfowl. The Albanian forests still maintain significant communities of large mammals such as the brown bear, gray wolf, chamois and wild boar.31 The north and eastern mountains of the country are home to the last remaining Balkan lynx – a critically endangered population of the Eurasian lynx.33 Economy Main article: Economy of Albania Oil pumps near Mallakastra Albania remains a poor country by Western European standards.34 Its GDP per capita (expressed in PPS—Purchasing Power Standards) stood at 26 percent of the EU average in 2010.35 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 and Cyprus are the only countries in Europe that recorded economic growth in the first quarter of 2009.3637 International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted 2.6% growth for Albania in 2010 and 3.2% in 2011.38 There are signs of increasing investments, and power cuts are reduced to the extent that Albania is now exporting energy.39 Albania and Croatia have discussed the possibility of jointly building a nuclear power plant at Lake Shkoder, close to the border with Montenegro, a plan that has gathered criticism from the latter due to seismicity in the area.40 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 $ 5 billion.41 However, in February 2009 Italian company Enel announced plans to build an 800 MW coal-fired power plant in Albania, to diversify electricity sources.42 Nearly 100% of the electricity is generated by ageing hydroelectric power plants, which are becoming more ineffective due to increasing droughts.42 The country has some deposits of petroleum and natural gas, but produces only 6,425 barrels of oil per day.43 Natural gas production, estimated at about 30 million cubic meters, is sufficient to meet consumer demands.41 Other natural resources include coal, bauxite, copper and iron ore. Agriculture is the most significant sector, employing some 58% 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)44 and olives. Science and technology Main article: Science and technology in Albania Expenditure for scientific research and Development in Albania does not exceed 0.18% of GDP, which marks the lowest level in Europe. Economic competitiveness and exports are low, with the economy still heavily skewed towards low technology. From 1993 human resources in sciences and technology have drastically decreased. Various surveys show that during 1991-2005, approximately 50% of the professors and research scientists of the universities and science institutions in the country have emigrated.45 However in 2009 the government approved the "National Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation in Albania"46 covering the period 2009–2015. 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 the European Union's Framework Programmes for Research, to the point where it covers 40% of research spending, among others. Transport Main article: Transport in Albania Highways SH 2 Highway (Tirana–Durrës). Currently there are three main four lane highways in Albania: the highway connecting the city of Durrës with Tirana, that connecting Durrës with Lushnje and the Albania-Kosovo Highway. The Albania-Kosovo Highway links Kosovo to Albania's Adriatic coast: the Albanian side was completed on June 2009,47 and now it takes only two hours and a half to go from the Kosovo border to Durrës. Overall the highway will be around 250 km (155 mi), when it will reach Pristina. The project was the biggest and most expensive infrastructure project ever undertaken in Albania. The cost of the highway appears to have breached EUR800 million, 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 the Adriatic–Ionian motorway, a larger regional highway connecting Croatia with Greece along the Adriatic and Ionian coasts. When all three corridors are completed Albania will have an estimated 759 kilometers of highway linking it with all its neighboring countries, Kosovo, Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, and Greece. Aviation Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza The civil air transport in Albania marked its beginnings in November 1924, when the Republic of Albania signed a Governmental Agreement with German Air Company Lufthansa. On the basis of a ten-year concession agreement, the Albanian Airlines with the name Adria Aero Lloyd Company was established.citation needed In the spring of 1925, the first domestic flights from Tirana to Shkoder and Vlora began.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 as Elbasan, Korça, Kukësi, Peshkopia and Gjirokastra, and opened up international lines to Rome, Milan, Thessaloniki, Sofia, Belgrade, and Podgorica. The construction of a more modern airport construction in present Lapraka started 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 reinforced concrete runway of 1200 400 m (1,312.34 ft), and complemented with technical equipment and appropriate buildings. During 1955–1957, the Rinasi Airport was 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, Malev, Tarom and Interflug were the air companies that started to have flights with Albania until 1960.48 During 1960–1978, several airlines ceased to operate in Albania due to the impact of the politics, resulting to 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 Airways was the first non-communist airline to commercially fly into Albania after WWII. By 1991 Albania had air links with many major European cities, including Paris, Rome, Zurich, Vienna and Budapest, but no regular domestic air service.48 A French-Albanian joint venture Ada Air, was launched in Albania's as the first private airline, in 1991. The company offered flights in a thirty-six-passenger airplane four days each week between Tirana and Bari, Italy and a charter service for domestic and international destinations.48 From 1989 to 1991, because of political changes in the Eastern European countries, Albania adhered to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), opened its air space to international flights, and had its duties of Air Traffic Control defined. As premises of these developments, conditions were created to separate the activities of air traffic control from Albtransport. Instead, the National 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 as Bulgaria, Germany, Slovenia, Italy, Russia, Austria, the UK and Macedonia. The Directory General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was established on 3 February 1991, to cope with the development required by the time. As of 2007 Albania has one international airport: Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza. The airport is linked to 29 destinations by 14 airlines. It has seen a dramatic rise in terms of passenger numbers and aircraft movements since the early 1990s. The data for 2009 is 1.3 million passengers served and an average of 44 landings and takeoffs per day. Train on the Durrës to Tiranë railway line Railways Main articles: Rail transport in Albania and Hekurudha Shqiptarë The railways in Albania are administered by the national railway company Hekurudha Shqiptare (HSH) (which means Albanian Railways). It operates a 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) gauge (standard gauge) rail system in Albania. All trains are hauled by Czech-built ČKD diesel-electric locomotives. The railway system was extensively promoted by the totalitarian regime of Enver 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 and bus usage. Whilst some of the country's roads are still in a very poor condition, there have been other developments (such as the construction of a motorway between Tirana and Durrës) which have taken much traffic away from the railways. Demographics Main article: Demographics of Albania Regions with a traditional presence of ethnic or linguistic groups other than Albanian. Tirana, Albania's capital and largest city. The Albanian population is relatively young by European standards, with a median age of 28.9 years.49 After 1990 the Albanian population has faced new phenomena like migration, which greatly affected the distribution by districts and prefectures. Districts in the North have seen a decreasing population, while Tirana and Durrës districts have increased their population, due to internal immigration.citation needed Albania's population was 3,152,600 on 1 January 2007 and 3,170,048 on 1 January 2008.50 Alternative sources estimate the population in July 2009 at 3,639,453 with an annual growth rate of 0.546%.1 Albania is a largely ethnically homogeneous country with only small minorities.51 The large majority of the population is ethnically Albanian. The exact size of ethnic minorities is not known, as the last census that contained ethnographic data was held in 1989.51 According to the latest news, the next census containing ethnographic data will begin in April 2011 with EU counsels assisting in certain fields.52 The pilot census is already being conducted, while the official one will being on April 2, 2011.50 Minorities include Greeks, Vlachs, Macedonians, Serbs, Bulgarians, Balkan Egyptians, and Roma. The size of the Greek minority is a contentious issue, with the Albanian government claiming it is only 60,000, while the Greek government is claiming 300,000. Most Western sources put the size of the Greek minority at around 200,000, or about 6% of the population,5354 while the CIA Factbook estimates the Greek minority at 3% of the total population and the US State Department uses 1.17% for Greeks and 0.23% for other minorites.55 A 2003 survey conducted by Greek scholars estimate the size of the Greek minority at around 60.000.51 A map showing dialect Language The dominant and official language is Albanian, a revised and merged form of the two main dialects, Gheg and Tosk, but with a bigger influence of Tosk as compared to the Gheg. The Shkumbin River is the dividing line between the two dialects. In the areas inhabited by the Greek minority, a dialect of Greek that preserves features now lost in standard modern Greek is spoken. Other languages spoken by ethnic minorities in Albania include Serbian, Macedonian, Romani and Aromanian.56 Religion Et'hem Bey Mosque in Tirana 10th century Church of Virgin Mary Main article: Religion in Albania See also: Freedom of religion in Albania There are no official statistics regarding religious affiliation in Albania. The CIA World Factbook gives a distribution of 70% Muslims, 20% Eastern Orthodox, and 10% Roman Catholics.57 According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, roughly 38% of Albanians are Muslim, and 36% Christian.58 According to the US State Department, estimates for active participation in religious services are between 25 and 40%.59 The Albanians first appear in the historical record in Byzantine sources of the late-11th century. At this point, they are already fully Christianised. Christianity was later overtaken by Islam, which kept the scepter of the major religion during the period of Ottoman Turkish rule from the 15th century until year 1912. 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 organised religion from Albanian territories. The Communist regime that took control of Albania after World War II persecuted and suppressed religious observance and institutions and entirely banned religion to the point where Albania was officially declared to be the world's first atheist state. Religious freedom has returned to Albania since the regime's change in 1992. Albanian Muslim populations (mainly secular and of the Sunni branch) are found throughout the country whereas Orthodox Christians are concentrated in the south and Roman Catholics are found in the north of the country. No reliable data are available on active participation in formal religious services, and estimates range from 25% to 40%.60 The first recorded Albanian Protestant was Said Toptani who travelled round Europe, who in 1853 returned to Tirana and preached Protestantism in Tirana, and was arrested and imprisoned by the Ottoman authorities in 1864. Mainline evangelical Protestants date back to the work of Methodist missionaries and the work of the British & Foreign Bible Society in the 1800s. The Evangelical Alliance, which is known as VUSh http://www.vush.org/ was founded in 1892. Today VUSh has about 160 member congregations from different Protestant denomincations. VUSh organises marches in Tirana recently 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 which was printed in 1990. There are about 4,000 active Jehovah's witnesses in Albania.61 Among other religious organizations making inroads into this nation is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or 'Mormons'). LDS involvement in Albania began with Humanitarian Aid during the 1990s. The first missionaries were sent in 1992 with the Albania Tirana Mission being opened in 1996. As of 2008, there were nearly 2,000 members of the LDS church in Albania, spread throughout ten branches with two purpose-built Chapels and one Family History Center.62 Culture Part of a series on Albanians Albanian culture Cinema  · Dress · Literature · Modern art Music · Sport · Cuisine · Mythology · Epic Poetry By region or country Albania · Australia · Bulgaria Croatia · Germany Greece · Italy Kosovo · Macedonia Montenegro · Romania Serbia · Sweden Switzerland · Ukraine · United States Varieties of Albanian Gheg · Tosk · Arvanitika Arbëresh (Italy) · Cham Religion Islam in Albania Albanian Orthodox Church Albanian Byzantine Catholic Church Roman Catholicism Protestantism in Albania Italo-Albanian Catholic Church History Origins · History v · d · e Main article: Culture of Albania Music and folklore Berat A traditional male folk group from Skrapar Main article: Music of Albania Albanian folk music falls into three sylistic groups, with other important music areas around Shkodër and Tirana; the major groupings are the Ghegs of the north and southern Labs and Tosks. 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 of oral history", as well as certain characteristics like the use of obscure rhythms such as 3/8, 5/8 and 10/8.63 The first compilation of Albanian folk music was made by Pjetër Dungu in 1940. Albanian folk songs can be divided into major groups, the heroic epics of the north, and the sweetly melodic lullabies, love songs, wedding music, work songs and 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 and vajtims are very important kinds of Albanian folk song, and are generally performed by solo women.64 Albanian language and literature Ismail Kadare at a reading, 2007 Main articles: Albanian language, Albanian literature, and List of Albanian writers Albanian was proven to be an Indo-European language in 1854 by the German philologist Franz Bopp. The Albanian language comprises its own branch of the Indo-European language family. Some scholars believe that Albanian derives from Illyrian65 while others,66 claim that it derives from Daco-Thracian. (Illyrian and Daco-Thracian, however, might have been closely related languages; see Thraco-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 of isoglosses with Albanian. Moreover, Albanian has undergone a vowel shift in which stressed, long o has fallen to a, much like in the former and opposite the latter. Likewise, Albanian has taken the old relative jos and 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 resistance was first of all expressed through the elaboration of the Albanian language in the area of church texts and publications, mainly of the Catholic confessional region in the North, but also of the Orthodox in the South. The Protestant reforms invigorated hopes for the development of the local language and literary tradition when cleric Gjon Buzuku brought into the Albanian language the Catholic liturgy, trying to do for the Albanian language what Luther did for German. Excerpt from Meshari by Gjon Buzuku Meshari (The Missal) by Gjon Buzuku, published by him in 1555, is considered to date as the first literary work of written Albanian. The refined level of the language and the stabilised orthography must be a result of an earlier tradition of writing Albanian, a tradition that is not known. But there are some fragmented evidence, dating earlier than Buzuku, which indicate that Albanian was written at least since 14th century AD. The first known evidence dates from 1332 AD and deals with the French Dominican Guillelmus Adae, Archbishop of Antivari, who in a report in Latin writes that Albanians use Latin letters in their books although their language is quite different from Latin. Of special importance in supporting this are: a baptizing formula (Unte paghesont premenit Atit et Birit et spertit senit) of 1462, written in Albanian within a text in Latin by the Bishop of Durrës, Pal Engjëlli; a glossary with Albanian words of 1497 by Arnold von Harff, a German who had travelled through Albania, and a 15th century fragment from the Bible from the Gospel of Matthew, also in Albanian, but in Greek letters. The National Museum of Albania features exhibits from Illyrian times to World War II. Albanian writings of these centuries must not have been religious texts only, but historical chronicles too. They are mentioned by the humanist Marin Barleti, who, in his book Rrethimi i Shkodrës (The Siege of Shkodër) (1504), confirms that he leafed through such chronicles written in the language of the people (in vernacula lingua). During the 16th to 17th centuries, the catechism E mbësuame krishterë (Christian Teachings) (1592) by Lekë Matrënga, Doktrina e krishterë (The Christian Doctrine) (1618) and Rituale romanum (1621) by Pjetër Budi, the first writer of original Albanian prose and poetry, an apology for George Castriot (1636) by Frang Bardhi, who also published a dictionary and folklore creations, the theological-philosophical treaty Cuneus Prophetarum (The Band of Prophets) (1685) by Pjetër Bogdani, the most universal personality of Albanian Middle Ages, were published in Albanian. The most famous Albanian writer is probably Ismail Kadare. Education Main article: Education in Albania Before the rise of Communist regime, Albania's illiteracy rate was as high as 85%. Schools were scarce between World War I and World War II. When the Communist regime gained control in 1944, it gave high priority to the wiping out of illiteracy. Strict regulations were introduced, anyone between the ages of 12 and 40 who could not read or write was mandated to attend classes to learn. Since then the country's literacy rate has improved remarkably.67 Today the overall literacy rate in Albania is 98.7%, the male literacy rate is 99.2% and female literacy rate is 98.3%.1 With large population movements in the 1990s to urban areas, the provision of education has undergone transformation as well. The University of Tirana is the oldest university in Albania, founded in October 1957. Sport Football is the most popular Sport in Albania, both at a participatory and spectator level. The Sport is governed by the Football Association of Albania (Albanian: Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit, F.SH.F.), created in 1930, member of FIFA and a founding member of UEFA. Other played Sports include Basketball, Volleyball, Rugby union, and Gymnastics. Albania national football team Albania national basketball team Albania national futsal team Albania national under-21 football team Entertainment Main article: RTSH Radio Televizioni Shqiptar, (RTSH), is Albania's public television network. RTSH runs a national television station TVSH, (standing for Televizioni Shqiptar), and two national radio stations, using the name Radio Tirana. An international service broadcasts radio programs in Albanian and seven other languages via medium wave (AM) and short wave (SW).68 The international service has used the theme from the song "Keputa një gjethe dafine" as its signature tune. Since 1999, RTSH has been a member of the European Broadcasting Union. Since 1993, RTSH has also run an international television service via satellite, aimed at Albanian language communities in Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Greece, plus the Albanian diaspora in the rest of Europe. RTSH has a past of being heavily influenced by the ruling party in its reporting, that being left or right winged. According the National Council of Radio and Television Albania has an estimated 257 media outlets, including 66 radio stations and 67 television stations, with three national, 62 local stations and more than 50 cable operators. Last years Albania has organized several shows as a part of worldwide series like "Dancing with the Stars", "Big Brother-Albania" and "Albanians-Got Talent" Health Health care has been in a steep decline after the collapse of socialism in the country, but a process of modernization has been taking place since 2000.69 As of the early 2000s, there were 51 hospitals in the country, including a military hospital and specialist facilities.69 Albania has successfully removed diseases such as malaria. Life expectancy is estimated at 77.43 years, ranking 51st worldwide, and outperforming a number of European Union countries, such as Hungary and the Czech Republic.70 The most common causes of death are circulatory disease followed by cancerous illnesses. Demographic and Health Surveys completed a survey in April 2009, detailing various health statistics in Albania, including Male Circumcision, Abortion and more.71 The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Tirana is the main medical school in the country. There are also nursing schools in other cities. Newsweek ranked Albania 57 out of 100 Best Countries in the World in 2010.72 Cuisine Main article: Albanian cuisine The cuisine of Albania – as with most Mediterranean and Balkan nations – is strongly influenced by its long history. At different times, the territory which is now Albania has been claimed or occupied by Greece, Italy and the Ottoman Turks and each group has left its mark on Albanian cuisine. The main meal of the Albanians is lunch, and it is usually accompanied by a salad of fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers and olives with olive oil, vinegar and salt. Lunch also includes a main dish of vegetables and meat. Seafood specialties are also common in the coastal areas of Durrës, Vlorë and Sarandë. In high altitude areas smoked meat and pickling is very common. Human rights Main article: Human rights in Albania LGBT rights Main article: LGBT rights in Albania Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Albania are protected under a comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation.73 Both male and female same-gender sexual activity are legal in Albania, but households headed by same-gender couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-gender couples. Albania, as a whole, is considered to be rather conservative, especially in public reactions regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) rights and visibility of LGBT people, however recent anti-discrimination legislation have made ILGA-Europe regard Albania as one of a very few countries in Europe which explicitly bans discrimination on the grounds of gender identity. 73 Albania has ratified Protocol No. 12 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, moreover Albania was a signatory to the 2007 UN Declaration on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.74 See also Albania portal Bibliography of Albania International rankings of Albania Notes a.   ^ Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Serbia and the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo. Kosovo declared independence on 17 February 2008, while Serbia claims it as part of its own sovereign territory. Kosovo is recognised by 74 of the 192 UN member states. References ^ a b c CIA World Factbook: Albania ^ a b c d "Albania". International Monetary Fund. http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2010/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2007&ey=2010&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=914&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=&pr1.x=37&pr1.y=2. Retrieved 6 October 2010.  ^ "Distribution of family income – Gini index". The World Factbook. CIA. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2172.html. Retrieved 2009-09-01.  ^ "Human Development Report 2010". United Nations. 2010. http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2010_EN_Table1.pdf. Retrieved 5 November 2010.  ^ "Albania applies for EU membership". BBC News. 28 April 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8023127.stm. Retrieved 29 April 2009.  ^ https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/al.html ^ Reports: Poverty Decreases In Albania After Years Of Growth.Dow Jones Newswires, 201-938-5500. Nasdaq.com ^ Albania plans to build three hydropower plants.People's Daily ^ Strong GDP growth reduces poverty in Albania-study. Reuters. Forbes.com ^ "Lonely Planet’s top 10 countries for 2011 - travel tips and articles - Lonely Planet". http://www.lonelyplanet.com/albania/travel-tips-and-articles/76164#. Retrieved 2 November 2010.  ^ OED ^ Madrugearu A, Gordon M. The wars of the Balkan Peninsula. Rowman & Littlefield, 2007. p.146 ^ Richard Talbert, Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World, (ISBN 0-691-03169-X), Map 49 & notes. ^ The Illyrians by J. J. Wilkes, 1992, ISBN 0631198075, page 279,"We cannot be certain that the Arbanon of Anna Comnena is the same as Albanopolis of the Albani, a place located on the map of Ptolemy (3.12)" ^ Robert Elsei. The Albanian lexicon of Arnold von Harff, Earliest reference to the existence of the Albanian language, pp. 113–122. ^ Pinocacozza.it (Italian)(Albanian) ^ Radio-Arberesh.eu (Italian) ^ Kristo Frasheri. History of Albania (A Brief Overview). Tirana, 1964. ^ Lloshi, Xhevat. "The Albanian Language". United Nations Development Programme. http://mirror.undp.org/albania/download/pdf/albanian.pdf. Retrieved 9 November 2010.  ^ Arnaut at the Free Dictionary ^ Akademia e Shkencave e RPSH. Instituti Gjuhësisë dhe i Letersisë (1982). "Studime filologjike" (in Albanian). Studime filologjike (Tirana) (36): 44. http://books.google.com/?id=mbJiAAAAMAAJ&q=Arnaut+arvanit&dq=Arnaut+arvanit.  ^ "On the Organization and Functioning of the Local Government, Republic of Albania, 2000" (PDF). http://www.moi.gov.al/english/images/pdf/qeverisja_vendore.pdf. Retrieved 2010-08-27. dead link ^ "Nato welcomes Albania and Croatia". BBC News. 1 April 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7977332.stm. Retrieved 2 April 2009.  ^ "Albania sells off its military hardware". BBC News. 17 April 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1935630.stm.  ^ "Albania to abolish conscription by 2010". SETimes.com. 21 August 2008. http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2008/08/21/feature-03. Retrieved 29 December 2009.  ^ "NATO.int". NATO.int. http://www.nato.int/issues/active_endeavour/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-27.  ^ "Albania membership Nato". NATO. http://www.nato.int/issues/nato_albania/evolution.html.  ^ Current date/time is Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:12 pm. "Qendrim.forumotion.net". Qendrim.forumotion.net. http://qendrim.forumotion.net/gjeografia-f61/tiparet-e-pergjithshme-te-klimes-t3725.htm. Retrieved 2010-08-27.  ^ "Twenty-first Century Glaciers and Climate in the Prokletije Mountains, Albania Journal Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research Publisher Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado ISSN 1523-0430 (Print) 1938-4246 (Online) Issue Volume 41, Number 4 / November 2009 DOI 10.1657/1938-4246-41.4.455 Pages 455-459 Online Date: November 30, 2009". Instaar.metapress.com. 2009-11-30. http://instaar.metapress.com/content/273213h3t4370272/. Retrieved 2010-08-27.  ^ "Conservation of the Critically Endangered Balkan Lynx". Catsg.org. http://www.catsg.org/balkanlynx/01_recovery-programme/1_7_conferences/tirana-sept-08/Tirana_Proceedings_Trajce_et_al_2008_Conservation_of_the_critically_endangered_Balkan_lynx.pdf. Retrieved 5 January 2011.  ^ a b http://www.cbd.int/doc/world/al/al-nbsap-01-p1-en.pdf ^ a b Streissguth, Thomas (2010). Albania in Pictures. Twenty-First Century Books. ISBN 0761346295. http://books.google.com/books?id=wL_-zcyLn6kC&pg=PA14&dq=The+golden+eagle+is+Albania's+national+symbol.&hl=en&ei=E04JTZP1MYOBlAfhg_j_AQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=book-thumbnail&resnum=1&ved=0CDEQ6wEwAA#v=onepage&q=The%20golden%20eagle%20is%20Albania's%20national%20symbol.&f=false.  ^ "The Balkan Lynx Conservation Compendium". Catsg.org. http://www.catsg.org/balkanlynx/20_blx-compendium/index.htm. Retrieved 29 December 2009.  ^ Albania Country Brief. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia), 1 August 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2009. ^ "Albania's GDP per capita in PPS (2008)" (PDF). Eurostat. http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/2-25062009-BP/EN/2-25062009-BP-EN.PDF. Retrieved 25 June 2009.  ^ Business: Albania, Cyprus register economic growth SEtimes.com ^ Strong economic growth potential puts Albania and Panama top of long term investment list, Propertywire.com ^ International Monetary Fund (IMF), October 9, 2010 Albania and the IMF ^ "Albania's strides to EU accession". BBC News. 11 December 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8406675.stm.  ^ "Albania, Croatia plan nuclear power plant". Balkaninsight.com. http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/18259/. Retrieved 2010-08-27. dead link ^ a b CIA – The World Factbook ^ a b Enel Albanian Joint Venture Introduces Coal In Albania's Power Mix, Business Monitor Online, 24 February 2009 ^ CIA The World Factbook: Oil producers ^ Albania Country Profile, FAO ^ Research for Development Highly Skilled Migration from Albania ^ "Strategy of Science, Technology and Innovation 2009–2015" (PDF). http://www.dsdc.gov.al/dsdc/pub/national_strategy_of_science_technology_and_innovation_final_draft_381_1.pdf. Retrieved 2010-08-27.  ^ Wynne, Alexandra. "Albania highway: Making the first move | Features | New Civil Engineer". Nce.co.uk. http://www.nce.co.uk/news/transport/albania-motorway-making-the-first-move/5203302.article#. Retrieved 29 December 2009.  ^ a b c "History of the Airport". Tirana International Airport Website. http://www.tirana-airport.com/?RoseToken=169180229114147161160144183148154169229193083155156151160214184090168180231crc339. Retrieved 2011-01-15.  ^ Women, Men and shefit's in Albania 2006, Instat, Tirana, 2007 ^ a b "Albania National Institute of Statistics official web site". http://www.instat.gov.al/.  ^ a b c Kosta Barjarba. "Migration and Ethnicity in Albania: Synergies and Interdependencies" (PDF). http://www.watsoninstitute.org/bjwa/archive/11.1/Essays/Barjarba.pdf.  ^ "Albania to hold census in 2011". http://www.balkans.com/open-news.php?uniquenumber=47384. Retrieved 22 August 2010.  ^ ''Eastern Europe at the end of the 20th century'', Ian Jeffries, p. 69. Books.google.com. 1993-06-25. ISBN 9780415236713. http://books.google.com/?id=kqCnCOgGc5AC&pg=PA68&dq=greek+minority+albania. Retrieved 2010-08-27.  ^ The Greeks: the land and people since the war. James Pettifer. Penguin, 2000. ISBN 0-14-028899-6 ^ Albania, U.S. Department of State Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Background Note November 2008. Retrieved on 14 May 2009 ^ "Languages of Albania". http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=albania. Retrieved 31 October 2010.  ^ 2009 CIA World Factbook ^ p 51 (2001). World Christian Encyclopedia. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195079639.  ^ State.gov, Freedom of Religion 2007 ^ "Albania: International Religious Freedom Report 2007". State.gov. 2007-09-14. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90160.htm. Retrieved 2010-08-27.  ^ "2008 Jehovah's Witnesses Worldwide Status Report". Watch Tower. http://www.watchtower.org/e/statistics/worldwide_report_statistics.htm. Retrieved 27 September 2009.  ^ "LDS Newsroom-Country Profile-Albania". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/contact-us/albania.  ^ Arbatsky, Yuri, cited in Koco with the footnote Translated and published by Filip Fishta in Shkolla Kombëtare (The National School; No.1, May 1939), 19, and quoted from his Preface to Pjetër Dungu's Lyra Shqiptare (see note 2). ^ "Albanian Music". Eno Koco at the University of Leeds. http://www.leeds.ac.uk/music/staff/ek/. Retrieved 28 August 2005.  ^ Encyclopedia of Indo-European Culture By J. P. Mallory, Douglas Q. Adams Edition: illustrated Published by Taylor & Francis, 1997 ISBN 1-884964-98-2, 9781884964985 ("Although there are some lexical items that appear to be shared between Romanian (and by extension Dacian) and Albanian, by far the strongest connections can be argued between Albanian and Illyrian." page 11) Concise Encyclopedia of Languages of the World By Keith Brown, Sarah Ogilvie Contributor Keith Brown, Sarah Ogilvie Edition: illustrated Published by Elsevier, 2008 ISBN 0-08-087774-5, 9780080877747 ("Albanian constitutes a single branch of the Indo-European family of languages. It is often held to be related to Illyrian, a poorly attested language spoken in the Western Balkans in classical times" page 22) ^ "The Thracian language". The Linguist List. http://linguistlist.org/forms/langs/LLDescription.cfm?code=txh. Retrieved 27 January 2008. "An ancient language of Southern Balkans, belonging to the Satem group of Indo-European. This language is the most likely ancestor of modern Albanian (which is also a Satem language), though the evidence is scanty. 1st Millennium BC – 500 AD."  ^ Zickel, Iwaskiw, 1994 ^ Radiotirana.org website (English) ^ a b "Albania-prel.pmd" (PDF). http://www.euro.who.int/document/e80089.pdf. Retrieved 29 December 2009.  ^ CIA – The World Factbook, Life Expectancy ranks ^ Albania DHS Surveys . ^ "The World's Best Countries". Newsweek. 2010-08-16. http://www.newsweek.com/feature/2010/the-world-s-best-countries.html. Retrieved 2010-08-27.  ^ a b "Albania protects LGBT people from discrimination". ILGA-Europe. 5 February 2010. http://www.ilga-europe.org/europe/news/latest_news/albania_protects_lgbt_people_from_discrimination. Retrieved 5 February 2010.  ^ "Albania page in LGBT Europe". ILGA-Europe. 8 February 2010. http://www.ilga-europe.org/europe/guide/country_by_country/albania. Retrieved 8 February 2010.  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/al.html External links https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/al.html Find more about Albania on Wikipedia's sister projects: Definitions from Wiktionary Images and media from Commons Learning resources from Wikiversity News stories from Wikinews Quotations from Wikiquote Source texts from Wikisource Textbooks from Wikibooks Official website Albania entry at The World Factbook Wikimedia Atlas of Albania Albania travel guide from Wikitravel Albania at the Open Directory Project Topographic Maps of Albania Tourism in Albania [1]  Montenegro  Kosovo Adriatic Sea  Macedonia    Albania     Ionian Sea  Greece Coordinates: 41°N 20°E / 41°N 20°E / 41; 20 v · d · eAlbania topics Symbols Flag · Coat of arms People Language  · List of Albanians · Albanian-Americans · Arbëreshë people · Arvanites · Writers · Enver Hoxha · Mother Teresa · Ismail Qemali · Sali Berisha · Skanderbeg · Ismail Kadare History Origins · Praevalitana · Epirus Nova · Middle Ages · Albania under the Bulgarian Empire · Albania under the Serbian Empire · Principality of Arbër · Kingdom of Albania · Albanian Principalities in Middle Ages · League of Lezhë · Venetian Albania · Ottoman Albania · Albanian Pashaliks · Massacre of the Albanian Beys · Albanian National Awakening · Revolts of 1833–1839 · Revolt of 1843–1844 · Revolt of 1847 · League of Prizren · League of Peja · Revolt of 1910 · Battle of Deçiq · Independence Declaration · Provisional Government of Albania · Albania during the Balkan Wars · Principality of Albania (1914–1925) · Vlora War · Republic of Mirdita · Albanian Republic (1925–1928) · Albanian Kingdom (1928–1939) · Albania under Italy (Invasion · Colonization) · Albania under Germany · Resistance · Communist Albania (1946–1992) · Post-Communist Albania (since 1992) · Timeline to 1993, 1994–Present Politics Constitution · Heads of State · Prime Minister · Parliament · Political parties · Elections (2007) · Counties · Districts · Municipalities · Foreign relations · History of Kosovo · Kosovo War · LGBT rights Geography Cities: Tirana · Cities; Mountains: Mount Dajt · Golem Korab · Dinaric Alps · Mount Korab · Tomorri Mountain; Seas: Adriatic Sea · Ionian Sea; Rivers: Drin River · Buna River · Vjosë · Black Drin; Lakes: Lake Skadar · Lake Ohrid · Lake Prespa; Plains: Çermenikë · Myzeqe · Korçë Plain · Zadrima; Capes: Cape of Gjuhëz · Cape of Rodon; National Parks: Butrint · Divjaka Pines · Lura · Prokletije · Llogara · Theth · Valbona Valley · Shebenik-Jabllanice Economy Albanian lek · International rankings of Albania · Telecommunications · Transport · Banks · Rail Transport · Tourism Military Military · Air Force · Rapid Reaction Brigade · Naval Defense Forces · Joint Forces Command · Support Command Culture Languages · Nationalism · Literature · Cinema · Cuisine · Emigration · Music · Sports · Holidays · Religion · Television · Radio · Mythology · Epic Poetry Religion Islam · Albanian Orthodox Church · Roman Catholicism · Protestanism · Byzantine Catholicism Categories Archaeological sites · Cities · Communications · Culture · Economy · Education · Geography · Government · History · Military · People · Politics · Politicians · Religion · Society · Sports · Transport · Albania stubs · Buildings and structures Portal  Geographic locale v · d · eBalkan countries Geographically fully located Albania · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Greece · Kosovo1 · Macedonia · Montenegro Significantly located Serbia · Croatia Mostly outside of the peninsula Romania · Slovenia · Turkey · Italy See also Balkans · Southeast Europe · History of the Balkans · Balkan languages (Sprachbund) · Balkanization 1 Declared independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008 and is recognised by 74 United Nations member states. v · d · eSovereign states and dependent territories of Europe Sovereign states Albania · Andorra · Armenia · Austria · Azerbaijan · Belarus · Belgium · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · Czech Republic · Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France · Georgia · Germany · Greece  · Hungary · Iceland · Ireland · Italy · Kazakhstan · Latvia · Liechtenstein · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Macedonia · Malta · Moldova · Monaco · Montenegro · Netherlands · Norway · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Russia · San Marino · Serbia · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden · Switzerland · Turkey · Ukraine · United Kingdom · Vatican City States with limited recognition Abkhazia · Kosovo · Nagorno-Karabakh · Northern Cyprus · South Ossetia · Transnistria Dependencies and other territories Denmark Faroe Islands Finland Åland Islands Norway Svalbard United Kingdom Akrotiri and Dhekelia · Gibraltar · Guernsey · Isle of Man · Jersey v · d · eCountries and territories bordering the Mediterranean Sea  Albania •  Algeria •  Bosnia-Herzegovina •  Croatia •  Cyprus •  Egypt •  France •  Gibraltar •  Greece •  Israel •  Italy •  Lebanon •  Libya •  Malta •  Monaco •  Montenegro •  Morocco •  Palestinian Authority •  Slovenia •  Spain •  Syria •  Tunisia •  Turkey •  Akrotiri / Dhekelia  Within Albania v · d · eCounties of Albania Berat - Dibër - Durrës - Elbasan - Fier - Gjirokastër - Korçë - Kukës - Lezhë - Shkodër - Tirana - Vlorë v · d · eCities in Albania Bajram Curri · Bajzë · Ballsh · Berat · Bilisht · Bulqizë · Burrel · Cërrik · Çorovodë · Delvinë · Divjakë · Durrës · Elbasan · Ersekë · Fier · Fushë-Arrëz · Fushë-Krujë · Gjirokastër · Gramsh · Himarë · Kamëz · Kavajë · Këlcyrë · Klos · Konispol · Koplik · Korçë · Krastë · Krrabë · Krujë · Krumë · Kuçovë · Kukës · Kurbnesh · Laç · Leskovik · Lezhë · Libohovë · Librazhd · Lushnjë · Maliq · Mamurras · Manëz · Memaliaj · Orikum · Patos · Peqin · Përmet · Përrenjas · Peshkopi · Pogradec · Poliçan · Pukë · Reps · Roskovec · Rrëshen · Rrogozhinë · Rubik · Sarandë · Selenicë · Shëngjin · Shijak · Shkodër · Sukth · Tepelenë · Tirana · Ulëz · Urë Vajgurore · Vau i Dejës · Vlorë · Vorë v · d · eWorld Heritage Sites in Albania Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastër · Butrint  International membership v · d · eMembers of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Albania · Belgium · Bulgaria · Canada · Croatia · Czech Republic · Denmark · Estonia · France · Germany · Greece · Hungary · Iceland · Italy · Latvia · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Netherlands · Norway · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Turkey · United Kingdom · United States v · d · eCouncil of Europe Institutions Secretary General · Committee of Ministers · Parliamentary Assembly · Congress · Court of Human Rights · Commissioner for Human Rights · Commission for the Efficiency of Justice Members Full Albania · Andorra · Armenia · Austria · Azerbaijan · Belgium · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · Czech Republic · Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France · Georgia · Germany · Greece · Hungary · Iceland · Ireland · Italy · Latvia · Liechtenstein · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Macedonia1 · Malta · Moldova · Monaco · Montenegro · Netherlands · Norway · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Russia · San Marino · Serbia · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden · Switzerland · Turkey · Ukraine · United Kingdom Observer Canada · Israel · Japan · Mexico · United States · Vatican City Former Czechoslovakia (1991–1992) · Saar (assoc. 1950–1956) 1 Provisionally referred to by the Council of Europe as "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia"; see Macedonia naming dispute. v · d · e Enlargement of the European Union Previous 1973 · 1981 · 1986 · 1995 · 2004 · 2007 · Statistics Candidates Croatia (status) · Iceland (status) · Macedonia (status) · Montenegro (status) · Turkey (status) Applied Albania (status) · Serbia (status) Potential (SAA) Bosnia and Herzegovina (status) · Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244) (status) Current membership · Criteria · Withdrawal v · d · eMembers of the Central European Free Trade Agreement Albania · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Croatia · Kosovo/UNMIK · Macedonia · Moldova · Montenegro · Serbia v · d · eOrganization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)      Albania  Armenia  Azerbaijan  Bulgaria  Georgia  Greece  Moldova  Romania  Russia  Serbia  Turkey  Ukraine v · d · eUnion for the Mediterranean Member states Albania · Algeria3 · Austria1 · Belgium1 · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bulgaria1 · Croatia2 · Cyprus1 · Czech Republic1 · Denmark1 · Egypt3 · Estonia1 · Finland1 · France1 · Germany1 · Greece1 · Hungary1 · Ireland1 · Israel · Italy1 · Jordan3 · Latvia1 · Lebanon3 · Libya3,4 · Lithuania1 · Luxembourg1 · Malta1 · Mauritania3 · Monaco · Montenegro · Morocco3 · Netherlands1 · Palestinian Authority3 · Poland1 · Portugal1 · Romania1 · Slovakia1 · Slovenia1 · Spain1 · Sweden1 · Syria3 · Tunisia3 · Turkey2 · United Kingdom1  · Bold: countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea  · Italic: countries with overseas territory bordering the sea 1 EU member  · 2 EU candidate  · 3 Arab League member  · 4 Observer member See also Euromediterranean Partnership · Euromed FTA v · d · eMember states and observers of the Francophonie Members Albania · Andorra · Armenia · Belgium (French Community) · Benin · Bulgaria · Burkina Faso · Burundi · Cambodia · Cameroon · Canada (New Brunswick • Quebec) · Cape Verde · Central African Republic · Chad · Comoros · Cyprus1 · Democratic Republic of the Congo · Republic of the Congo · Côte d'Ivoire · Djibouti · Dominica · Egypt · Equatorial Guinea · France (French Guiana • Guadeloupe • Martinique • St. Pierre and Miquelon) · Gabon · Ghana1 · Greece · Guinea · Guinea-Bissau · Haiti · Laos · Luxembourg · Lebanon · Macedonia2 · Madagascar · Mali · Mauritania · Mauritius · Moldova · Monaco · Morocco · Niger · Romania · Rwanda · St. Lucia · São Tomé and Príncipe · Senegal · Seychelles · Switzerland · Togo · Tunisia · Vanuatu · Vietnam Observers Austria · Croatia · Czech Republic · Dominican Republic · Georgia · Hungary · Latvia · Lithuania · Mozambique · Poland · Serbia · Slovakia · Slovenia · Thailand · Ukraine 1 Associate member. 2 Provisionally referred to by the Francophonie as the "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia"; see Macedonia naming dispute. v · d · eOrganisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Members Afghanistan · Albania · Algeria · Azerbaijan · Bahrain · Bangladesh · Benin · Burkina Faso · Brunei · Cameroon · Chad · Comoros · Côte d'Ivoire · Djibouti · Egypt · Gabon · Gambia · Guinea · Guinea-Bissau · Guyana · Indonesia · Iran · Iraq · Jordan · Kuwait · Kazakhstan · Kyrgyzstan · Lebanon · Libya · Maldives · Malaysia · Mali · Mauritania · Morocco · Mozambique · Niger · Nigeria · Oman · Pakistan · Palestine · Qatar · Saudi Arabia · Senegal · Sierra Leone · Somalia · Sudan · Suriname · Syria · Tajikistan · Turkey · Tunisia · Togo · Turkmenistan · Uganda · Uzbekistan · United Arab Emirates · Yemen Observers Countries and territories Bosnia and Herzegovina · Central African Republic · Russia · Thailand · Northern Cyprus (as Turkish Cypriot State) Muslim communities Moro National Liberation Front International organizations Economic Cooperation Organization · African Union · Arab League · Non-Aligned Movement · United Nations