From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Republic of Albania
Republika e Shqipërisë
|
|
|
Motto: Feja e Shqiptarit është Shqiptaria
(The faith of Albanians is Albanism)[1] (national)
Ti, Shqipëri, më jep nder, më jep emrin Shqiptar
(You Albania give me honor, you give me the name Albanian) (traditional) |
Anthem: Himni i Flamurit
("The Banner Hymn")
|
|
|
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 |
| - |
Independence from the Ottoman Empire |
28 November 1912 |
| - |
Current Constitution |
28 November 1998 |
| Area |
| - |
Total |
28,748 km2 (139th)
11,100 sq mi |
| - |
Water (%) |
4.7 |
| Population |
| - |
2009 estimate |
3,639,453[2] (129th) |
| - |
Density |
126.6/km2 (63)
327.8/sq mi |
| GDP (PPP) |
2008 estimate |
| - |
Total |
$21.864 billion[3] (110th) |
| - |
Per capita |
$7,018[3] (95th) |
| GDP (nominal) |
2008 estimate |
| - |
Total |
$12.964 billion[3] (113th) |
| - |
Per capita |
$4,089[3] (94th) |
| Gini (2005) |
26.7 (low) |
| HDI (2007) |
▲ 0.818 (high) (70th) |
| Currency |
Lek (ALL) |
| Time zone |
CET (UTC+01) |
| - |
Summer (DST) |
CEST (UTC+02) (UTC{{{utc_offset_DST}}}) |
| Drives on the |
right |
| Internet TLD |
.al |
| Calling code |
355 |
| 1 |
.^ The government maintains that the Egyptians did not meet some criteria, such as a distinct language and traditions, and instead considered them a community – rather than a distinct minority.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ The diferences between North and South (where there is a large Greek minority) has again come to the fore with the attempt by Berisha (a northener by origin) to play off the two regions against each other.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
^ Three minorities are officially recognized in Albania as national minorities – Greeks, Macedonians and Montenegrins.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
|
.^ Albania is probably the poorest and least developed country in the whole of Europe.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
^ Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Albania , translated by American Bar Association Europe and Eurasia Program (CEELI) (as of 29 January 1999).- Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.stopvaw.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ Albania is the only country in Europe without an air pollution monitoring system in place.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ It is bordered by Greece to the south, Macedonia to the east and the republics of Serbia and Montenegro to the north.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ The result was only half a state, because almost half the population and its territories were left beyond the frontiers, in Kosovo, in present-day Macedonia, and in the northern part of Greece.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
^ Under circumstances which are disputed, the Albanians spread eastwards into Kosovo, western Macedonia and Greece.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
.^ To the west, there is a 420 km coastline with the Adriatic Sea.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
It is less than 72 km (45 mi) from Italy, across the
Strait of Otranto which links the
Adriatic Sea to the
Ionian Sea.
.^ The monk seal, which is practically extinct in the Mediterranean, except for some isolated parts of the Aegean and Adriatic, is found in Albania.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Some partial programs are developed with the assistance of the UNDP, EU PHARE, the Council of Europe, USAID, several Islamic organizations and so on.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ A number of donors have expressed interest to co-operate with UNDP. Albania has demonstrated an interest in articulating and pursuing a strategy for sustainable development.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
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.
[4]
.^ However, political turbulence and a transition to a market economy have created unstable conditions in Albania in recent years.- Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.stopvaw.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
.^ On January 19th, some 3,000 people, led by opposition politicians, broke through police cordons to demonstrate in Tirana's main Skanderbeg Square.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
^ It has been estimated that in 1992, almost 200,000 people left the country.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ In the aftermath, more than 20,000 Albanians left the country with ill-constructed boats, bound for Italy.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
[5] .^ Following the opening of the country to the western world, associated to the free movement of people, Albania experienced the onset of the first cases of AIDS in its population.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Nevertheless, especially in the last two years, the country has achieved enormous progress towards reforming the agricultural sector.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Other structural measures to promote private sector development have included land reform, the privatization of many small and medium-sized enterprises, exchange and trade liberalization, and the enactment of a relatively liberal new foreign investment law.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
[6][7][8]
Etymology
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:
Αλβανία) besides variants
Albanitia,
Arbanitia.
[9]
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.
[12] 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.
[13] During the
Middle Ages, the Albanians called their country
Arbër or
Arbën and referred to themselves as
Arbëresh or
Arbnesh.
[14][15].^ The Albanian people have been fighting foreign occupation for centuries and will not accept submission without a fierce struggle.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
^ This means that they will be prepared to do the dirty work begun by Berisha, preparing a new nightmare for the Albanian people.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
^ Precisely because of this conspiracy of silence, the Albanian explosion caught most people by surprise.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
[17][18]
.^ Under the Ottoman empire from 1467 to 1912, the Albanian relationship with the Turkish rulers was somewhat different to other Balkan peoples.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
^ Albania was the last nation in the Balkans to win its independence from the Ottoman Empire and to establish itself as a nominally independent state, in 1912, as a result of the second Balkan war.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
[19]
History
Antiquity
.^ Albanian constitutes a separate branch of the Indo-European language group, spoken by some five million people in Albania, the former Yugoslavia, Greece, and elsewhere.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
^ In fact, they are the descendants of the ancient Illyrians, one of several non-Greek peoples who inhabited the Balkans to the North of Greece long before the historic records began.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
^ Regional/International Cooperation: Albania participates in the Central European Initiative, the South East European Initiative, the Black See Initiative, etc.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
[21] .^ In several other areas in the southern region road blocks set up.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
.^ Their propaganda about the Greek minority in the south of Albania does not cut any ice, because the Albanian Greeks have been in the vanguard of the uprising, something Berisha has tried (also unsuccessfully) to exploit.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
^ There have been persistent reports in the Western press that sections of the Greek ruling class is preparing for an armed intervention in Albania: .- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
^ The avalanche of propaganda accusing the insurgents of being criminals and Mafiosi, the Greek propaganda about the need to defend the Greek minority in the south of Albania (Epiros) is part of an attempt to psychologically prepare public opinion for a possible military intervention.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
Beginning in the 8th century BC, Greek colonies were established on the Illyrian coast. The most important were
Apollonia,
Avlona (modern-day
Vlorë),
Epidamnos (modern-day
Durrës), and
Lissus (modern-day
Lezhë). The rediscovered Greek city of
Buthrotum (modern-day Butrint), a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, is probably more significant today than it was when
Julius Caesar used it as a provisions depot for his troops during his campaigns in the 1st century BC. At that time, it was considered an unimportant outpost, overshadowed by Apollonia and Epidamnos.
[25]In the 4th century BC, the Illyrian king
Bardyllis united several Illyrian tribes and engaged in conflict with
Macedon to the southeast, but was defeated. Bardyllis was succeeded by
Grabos,
[26] then by
Bardyllis II,
[27] and then by
Cleitus the Illyrian,
[27] who was defeated by
Alexander the Great.
.^ Albania was the last nation in the Balkans to win its independence from the Ottoman Empire and to establish itself as a nominally independent state, in 1912, as a result of the second Balkan war.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
.^ Modern Albania dates from 29th July 1913, when the former Albanian provinces of the Turkish Empire were constituted a neutral autonomous principality under a foreign king imposed by the European powers, Prince William of Wied.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
^ But after the defeat of Nazism, Stalin agreed to allow Tito to incorporate Albania into Yugoslavia.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
.^ During the Middle Ages, modern-day Albania formed successively parts of the Byzantine, Bulgarian, Serbian and Angevin-Norman empires.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
Illyricum was later divided into the provinces of
Dalmatia and
Pannonia.
.^ Although Albania was nominally part of the Byzantine and later the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire, its mountain tribes always remained fiercely independent and central rule was never completely effective.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
Beginning in the first decades of Byzantine rule (until 461), the region suffered devastating raids by
Visigoths,
Huns, and
Ostrogoths. In the 6th and 7th centuries, the region was overrun by the Slavs.
.^ Although Albania was nominally part of the Byzantine and later the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire, its mountain tribes always remained fiercely independent and central rule was never completely effective.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
^ But when China began to make overtures to Yugoslavia in 1978, Tirana was compelled to break with Beijing and retire into almost complete isolation, with disastrous consequences.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
^ Under these circumstances, union with Yugoslavia would have meant the subordination of Albania to the ruling bureaucratic caste in Belgrade.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
The Ottomans captured Constantinople in 1453, and by 1460 most former Byzantine territories were in the hands of the Turks.
Byzantine era
.^ The uprising of workers, soldiers, peasants and students in Albania is an inspiration for the working class and youth all over the world.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
Among the leading families of the Albanian feudal nobility were the
Thopia,
Shpata,
Muzaka,
Dukagjini and
Kastrioti.
.^ These documents constituted the first effort in bringing together development and environment in Albania.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ The Albanian lands lay at the meeting point of Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
.^ During the Middle Ages, modern-day Albania formed successively parts of the Byzantine, Bulgarian, Serbian and Angevin-Norman empires.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ These names are probably quite frequent as well in Albania, in Kosovo and other regions where Albanians live.
^ All are now under the control of the rebels, whose gunboats patrol the coast, and whose militias dominate virtually the whole of southern Albania."- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
Ottoman era
.^ On the basis of the NEAP, several environmental projects and programmes are now being undertaken with the assistance of international donors such as the Environment Programme for Albania- PHARE, the National Water Strategy- PHARE, Water treatment systems in different regions.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Regional/International Cooperation: A National Waste Management Plan, carried out with the financial support of the PHARE 1993 Environment Programme for Albania.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ Under the Ottoman empire from 1467 to 1912, the Albanian relationship with the Turkish rulers was somewhat different to other Balkan peoples.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
^ In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, the Albanian lands were overrun by the Ottoman Turks.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ Albania was the last nation in the Balkans to win its independence from the Ottoman Empire and to establish itself as a nominally independent state, in 1912, as a result of the second Balkan war.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
By the 15th century, the Ottomans ruled all of the Balkan Peninsula. Many Albanians had been recruited into the
Janissary, including the feudal heir
Gjergj Kastrioti who was renamed
Skanderbeg (Iskandar Bey) by his Turkish trainers at
Edrine. After some Ottoman defeats at the hands of the
Serbs, Skanderbeg deserted and began a rebellion against the
Ottoman Empire[29].
.^ Under the Ottoman empire from 1467 to 1912, the Albanian relationship with the Turkish rulers was somewhat different to other Balkan peoples.- The meaning of the Albanian Revolution 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC easyweb.easynet.co.uk [Source type: Original source]
^ If the sexual intercourse is committed by force with the collusion of others, or repeatedly, or if serious consequences to health have been caused to the injured child, it is punishable by ten to twenty years of imprisonment.- Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.stopvaw.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ From a hidden tax system of forced reduced consumption under the previous regime, Albanians now face an open system taxation.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
Thrice the Albanians overcame sieges of Krujë (see
Siege of Krujë) led by many Ottoman commanders, including the influential
Iljaz Hoxha and his
Albanian Janissary led by
Hamza Kastrioti. However, Skanderbeg was unable to receive any of the help which had been promised him by the
popes. He later abandoned
Christianity and died in 1468, leaving no worthy successor. After his death the rebellion continued, but without its former success. The loyalties and alliances created and nurtured by Skanderbeg faltered and fell apart, and the Ottomans reconquered the territory of Albania in 1478. Shortly after the fall of
Kruje's castle, some Albanians fled to neighboring Italy, giving rise to the modern
Arbëreshë communities.
After the defeat of Skanderbeg, Albania completely transformed under Ottoman rule, and its culture and society closely resembled that of neighboring
Bosnia. The Ottomans had urbanized the landscape creating new cities,
Bazaars, garrisons and
Mosques throughout the Albanian regions.
.^ The majority of the Albanian population (more than 2/3) has settled in the Western flatland side of the country, the area of Korca and Delvina and along the river valleys.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
Converting from Christianity to Islam brought considerable advantages, including access to Ottoman trade networks, bureaucratic positions and the army. As a result many Albanians came to serve in the elite
Janissary and the administrative
Devşirme system. Among these were important historical figures, including
Iljaz Hoxha,
Hamza Kastrioti,
Köprülü Mehmed Pasha (head of the
Köprülü family of
Grand Viziers), the
Bushati family,
Sulejman Pasha,
Ethem Pasha,
Nezim Frakulla,
Ali Pasha of Tepelena,
Hasan Zyko Kamberi,
Ali-paša Šabanagić, and
Mehmet Ali ruler of
Egypt.
[30] and
Emin Pasha.
.^ The Albanian government itself noted these problems, and so developed a National Strategy on Gender Equality and Domestic Violence for 2007-2010.- Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.stopvaw.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ A 2004 Human Rights Watch Report observed that the Albanian government still has many obstacles to implementing its anti-trafficking strategy.- Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.stopvaw.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ The Department of State says this is because the Albanian government failed to make increased efforts toward protecting victims, or at least failed to provide evidence of such efforts.- Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.stopvaw.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
As Hupchik states, "Albanians had little cause of unrest" and "if anything, grew important in Ottoman internal affairs", and sometimes persecuted Christians harshly on behalf of their Turkish allies.
.^ Although Albanian women have some rights before the law, these rights are not always enforced.- Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.stopvaw.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
As a cosequene of the continuous rebellions, the Albanians got the nickname "Arnauts" by the Ottomans, which meant "stubborn". Anyway, this period saw the rising of semi-autonomous
Albanian ruled Pashaliks, and Albanians were also an important part of the Ottoman army and Ottoman administration like the case of
Köprülü family. Albania would remain a part of the Ottoman Empire as the provinces of
Shkodra,
Manastir and
Yanya until 1912.
20th century
1913 to 1928
After five hundred years of Ottoman domination, an independent Albania was proclaimed on November 28, 1912.
.^ In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, the Albanian lands were overrun by the Ottoman Turks.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
Following the eventual weakening of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans,
Serbia, Greece and
Bulgaria declared war and sought to aggrandize their respective boundaries on the remaining territories of the Empire.
.^ Actually, Albania is the only European country with a positive population growth rate.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Albania is the only country in Europe without an air pollution monitoring system in place.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ STATUS REPORT: Albania is a country where forests cover 1,0447 million ha (about 36% of the total land resources of the country).- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
In 1912 Albania, still under foreign occupation declared its independence and with the aid of
Austria-Hungary, the Great Powers drew its present borders leaving more than half of the Albanian population outside the new country.
The border between Albania and its neighbours was delineated in 1913 following the dissolution of most of the Ottoman Empire's territories in the Balkans.
.^ In its Albania 2008 Progress Report , the Commission of the European Communities said that domestic violence was “significant and increasing” due to lack of enforcement.- Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.stopvaw.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ For example, there has been a significant Bektashi community in Albania.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ It is presently estimated that two-thirds as many Albanians live in neighbouring states as in Albania itself.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
.^ It is bordered by Greece to the south, Macedonia to the east and the republics of Serbia and Montenegro to the north.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
A substantial number of Albanians thus found themselves under Serbian rule. At the same time, an uprising in the country's south by local Greeks, led to the formation of an
autonomous region inside its borders (1914). After a period of political instability caused during
World War I, the country adopted a republican form of government in 1920.
[32]1928 to 1946
Starting in 1928, but especially during the
Great Depression, the government of
King Zog, which brought law and order to the country, began to cede Albania's sovereignty to Italy. Despite some strong resistance, especially at
Durrës, Italy invaded Albania on 7 April 1939 and took control of the country, with the Italian
Fascist dictator
Benito Mussolini proclaiming Italy's figurehead King
Victor Emmanuel III of Italy as King of Albania. The nation thus became one of the first to be occupied by the
Axis Powers in
World War II.
[33] As
Hitler began his aggressions, Mussolini decided to occupy Albania as a means to compete with Hitler's territorial gains.
.^ During the Middle Ages, modern-day Albania formed successively parts of the Byzantine, Bulgarian, Serbian and Angevin-Norman empires.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
During the Italian occupation, Albania's population was subject to a policy of forced
Italianisation by the kingdom's Italian governors, in which the use of the Albanian language was discouraged in schools while the Italian language was promoted. At the same time, the colonization of Albania by Italians was encouraged.
Mussolini, in October 1940, used his Albanian base to launch an attack on Greece, which led to the defeat of the Italian forces and the Greek occupation of Southern Albania in what was seen by the Greeks as the liberation of
Northern Epirus. While preparing for the
Invasion of Russia, Hitler decided to attack Greece in December 1940 to prevent a British attack on his southern flank.
[34].^ NATIONAL PRIORITY: Selectively determining the national needs for bioproducts and setting up a related environmentally sound biotechnology.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Promoting training A separate fund, entitled the Training, Employment, and Enterprise Fund (TEEF), has been set up to provide funding for organizations which provide job training and support the development of small enterprises.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ On the other hand, post-communist Albanian society lacked the social preconditions for the creation and consolidation of a liberal democracy.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
The Front included nationalist groups, but it was dominated by communist partisans.
.^ Major Groups: The Government, the Albanian Development Fund, NGOs, the Institute of Social Services under the central government (Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs).- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ Sara German, Italian, Spanish, Scandinavian, Albanian (#44 in US popularity) (#11 in Switzerland 1997) .
^ Leonora German, Italian, Albanian (#307 in Switzerland 1997) .
.^ Decision-Making Structure: Government-Line ministries: Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Albanian Institute of Statistics, DEDAC. 2.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Finance: From the Albanian Government, IDA, IFAD, Italy, Germany, Austria.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Finance: From the Albanian Government; the EU/PHARE Programme, USAID, WB, FAO, IFAD, Islamic Development Bank; the Governments of Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, France.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
The
German Army soon drove the guerrillas into the hills and to the south.
.^ STATUS REPORT ON NATIONAL ENDOGENOUS CAPACITY BUILDING: In Albania, environmental management is as new as many other areas of the Government's activities.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Recognizing the need for monitoring and policy development capability at the local level, the Government established Regional Environmental Agencies (REAs) in each of 12 prefectures in Albania.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Home About us Contact us News Updates Advanced search ›› Directory › Europe › Albania › Albania Overview Quick search ›› .- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
Many Balli Kombëtar units cooperated with the Germans against the communists and several Balli Kombëtar leaders held positions in the German-sponsored regime.
.^ Emigration has mainly affected the southern parts of Albania.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
By November 1944, they had thrown out the Germans, one of the few
East European nations to do so without any assistance from
Soviet troops.
Enver Hoxha became the leader of the country by virtue of his position as Secretary General of the
Albanian Communist Party.
.^ Albania is a country of a high density population.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Actually, Albania is the only European country with a positive population growth rate.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ The independent Albania established on the eve of the First World War did not, however, include Kosovo and western Macedonia, which then had a combined population of about 800,000 Albanians.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
[35][36][37][38] .^ Aspirations for a state which united the Albanian people were briefly realized under the aegis of the Italians and Germans during the Second World War.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ Another project is expected to start ("Waste management in 6 Albanian municipalities; a model to be implemented in other developing countries") with the support of the LIFE Programme of the European Union.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
[39]
Communist state
The former Enver Hoxha Museum in Tirana
Tirana's Skanderbeg Square in 1988
Albania became an ally of the Soviet Union, but this came to an end in 1960 over the advent of
de-Stalinization.
.^ STATUS REPORT: Following a sharp decline after the collapse of the centralised agricultural production system, Albania became dependant on food aid imports.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Following the opening of the country to the western world, associated to the free movement of people, Albania experienced the onset of the first cases of AIDS in its population.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
Large-scale purges of officials occurred during the 1970s.
.^ STATUS REPORT ON NATIONAL ENDOGENOUS CAPACITY BUILDING: In Albania, environmental management is as new as many other areas of the Government's activities.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
The elections of March 1991 left the former Communists in power, but a general strike and urban opposition led to the formation of a coalition cabinet that included non-Communists.
[40]
Recent history – 1992 to present
.^ Multi-party elections held in March 1991 resulted in a victory for the communists, who subsequently renamed themselves the Socialist Party of Albania.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ The resignation of Albania's last communist government in June 1992 was accompanied by economic and political chaos, and it was only following the election of a new government in early 1992 that an attempt at comprehensive economic reform began.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ Therefore, according to an interim basic law that replaced the old communist-era constitution in 1991, Albania is a parliamentary republic with a unicameral legislature (the People's Assembly) elected by popular vote every four years, whereas, the Prime Minister is appointed by the President.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ On a horizontal approach which considers settlements from the administrative point of view, it is estimated that of the population as a whole is settled in 1/10 of the country's surface (coastal regions), whereas 1/5 of the population is settled in more than 1/3 of the territory.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ The income tax for 1996 is planned to increase by 4% with those earning less than 10,000 lek per month (approx.100 US$) exempted.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
The state institutions collapsed and an
EU military mission led by Italy was sent to stabilize the country. In summer 1997, Berisha was defeated in elections, winning just 25 seats out of a total of 156. His return to power in the elections of 3 July 2005 ended eight years of Socialist Party rule. In 2009, Albania – along with
Croatia – joined
NATO.
Government, politics and armed forces
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.
.^ New elections held in spring 1992 led to the formation of a coalition government headed by the opposition Democratic Party.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ At the last elections in July 2005 it won two seats in parliament.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ In the July 2005 elections there were no Roma candidates for mayor for a single municipality or commune, although the main parties did include some Roma candidates in their lists for the local councils.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
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.
[43]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.
.^ Therefore, according to an interim basic law that replaced the old communist-era constitution in 1991, Albania is a parliamentary republic with a unicameral legislature (the People's Assembly) elected by popular vote every four years, whereas, the Prime Minister is appointed by the President.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
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.
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.
.^ Therefore, according to an interim basic law that replaced the old communist-era constitution in 1991, Albania is a parliamentary republic with a unicameral legislature (the People's Assembly) elected by popular vote every four years, whereas, the Prime Minister is appointed by the President.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ A centralized state policy is followed regarding the prevention and control of outbreaks of transmissible diseases.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ International cooperation to accelerate sustainable development in developing countries and related domestic policies 3.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
Armed forces
Albanian Navy warship
Iliria
.^ The independent Albania established on the eve of the First World War did not, however, include Kosovo and western Macedonia, which then had a combined population of about 800,000 Albanians.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ The total number of unemployed, who are mainly in urban areas, numbered around 19.5% of the domestic labor force in 1994, and 14% in 1995.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ From a hidden tax system of forced reduced consumption under the previous regime, Albanians now face an open system taxation.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
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 Joint Forces Command, the
Albanian Support Command and the
Albanian Training and Doctrine Command.
.^ The free trade policy brought about a new geographical distribution of trading partners with Italy, Greece, Germany and Turkey becoming the most important ones.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ Agriculture and associated rural economic activities presently account for over 50% of GDP and employment in Albania.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Since the plan was developed at a very early stage in Albania's democratic transition, it lacks reliability with respect to data and participation of the main sectors in the Albania of today.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
[46] and received a NATO membership invitation on 3 April 2008.
[47] Albania became a full member of NATO on 1 April, 2009.
Geography
Satellite image of Albania.
.^ Other data Albania covers 28,748 km2 (34.8% constituting of forests, 15% of pasture, 24.3% of agricultural land and 4% of lakes) .- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
Its coastline is 362 kilometers long and extends along the
Adriatic and
Ionian Seas.
.^ To the west, there is a 420 km coastline with the Adriatic Sea.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
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.
.^ Tirana, its capital, is one of the most densely populated cities in Europe (5,000 inhabitants/km2 )and a high land use intensity.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ Tirana, its capital, is one of the most densely populated cities in Europe (5,000 inhabitants/km2 )and a high land use intensity.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
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 km
2 (140 sq mi) and 530 km
2, 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.
.^ The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora has not been signed.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
Because of its natural and historical value, Ohrid Lake is under the protection of
UNESCO.
.^ In this regard, forests play a very important role in the protection of soil throughout the country.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Albania is a water-rich country, and much of its economic activity is dependent on the utilization of water resources.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ The western flatland side of the country which constitutes 21% of the territory, holds 53% of the entire population of Albania.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
About 3.000 different species of plants grow in Albania, many of which are used for medicinal purposes.
.^ The monk seal, which is practically extinct in the Mediterranean, except for some isolated parts of the Aegean and Adriatic, is found in Albania.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ The mountain alpine forest ecosystems are also rich in biodiversity.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Regional/International Cooperation: A National Waste Management Plan, carried out with the financial support of the PHARE 1993 Environment Programme for Albania.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Recognizing the need for monitoring and policy development capability at the local level, the Government established Regional Environmental Agencies (REAs) in each of 12 prefectures in Albania.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
The forests are home to a wide range of mammals, including
wolves,
bears,
wild boars and
chamois.
Lynx,
wildcats,
pine martens and
polecats are rare, but survive in some parts of the country.
Climate
.^ Albania is a country of a high density population.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ The number of abortions in the country is still very high and many mothers lose their lives following the complications from abortion or during labour.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Migration is particularly high in the mountainous northern regions of the country, where the pressure to search for arable land is particularly high.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
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.
.^ OVERVIEW The demise of communism was later and more disorderly in Albania than in other post communist European countries.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
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.
.^ The hilly zones and the river valleys at the Western flatland side are home to almost 1/3 of the entire population, while the mountainous zones hold only 2% of the population as a whole.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
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 to more than 1,500 millimeters 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.
.^ It is estimated that the privatisation of state farm and co-operatives has resulted in about 500,000 farms of an average size of 1,4 ha.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Correspondingly, there is some provision of schools and classes for the Greek and Macedonian national minorities, where education in minority language is available, to varying degrees.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
.^ The majority of the Albanian population (more than 2/3) has settled in the Western flatland side of the country, the area of Korca and Delvina and along the river valleys.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
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.
Flora and Fauna
The
lynx still survives in Albania
Golden eagle – the national symbol of Albania
.^ The rivers of Albania are short in length and have small hydrographical basins because of the meridional position of the country.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Albania is a water-rich country, and much of its economic activity is dependent on the utilization of water resources.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Additional comments relevant to this chapter Considering the small size of the country, Albania is rich in biodiversity.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ The higher areas are dominated by beech and pine forests and preserve a large number of endemic and sub-endemic plant species.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
The total number of plants is over 3250 species, approximately 30% of the entire flora species found in Europe. Coastal regions and lowlands have typical Mediterranean
macchia vegetation, whereas
oak forests and vegetation are found on higher altitudes.
.^ The mountain alpine forest ecosystems are also rich in biodiversity.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ The higher areas are dominated by beech and pine forests and preserve a large number of endemic and sub-endemic plant species.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
[49]
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.
.^ Consequently, there may be some minor inconsistencies among the formats of the different country profiles.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ The Dalmatian Pelican is a threatened species which has its only nesting site in the Karavasta Lagoon.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ The monk seal, which is practically extinct in the Mediterranean, except for some isolated parts of the Aegean and Adriatic, is found in Albania.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
Some of the most significant bird species found in the country include the
golden eagle – known as the national symbol of Albania –
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.
[49] .^ On the other hand, the central mountainous region of the country which constitutes 48% of the entire territory, holds almost 26% of the population as a whole.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ The hilly zones and the river valleys at the Western flatland side are home to almost 1/3 of the entire population, while the mountainous zones hold only 2% of the population as a whole.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Illegal construction due to migration from the North-Eastern parts of the country became very common in the years of transition to the market economy.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
[50]Economy
.^ Actually, Albania is the only European country with a positive population growth rate.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Following the opening of the country to the western world, associated to the free movement of people, Albania experienced the onset of the first cases of AIDS in its population.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ OVERVIEW The demise of communism was later and more disorderly in Albania than in other post communist European countries.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
[51] .^ GDP per capita (current US$) .- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Albania's main challenge is to preserve its hard-won success in macro-economic stabilization while turning it into sustainable growth.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ The average waste generated per capita per day is reported to be 0,4 kg.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ Actually, Albania is the only European country with a positive population growth rate.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Following the opening of the country to the western world, associated to the free movement of people, Albania experienced the onset of the first cases of AIDS in its population.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ STATUS REPORT: Following the postwar period, the population of Albania has increased at a rate of more than 2% annually which has been incompatible with the natural resources and economic development of the country.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
[53][54] .^ Although electrification of the whole country was completed since 1970, power shortages are very frequent.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ However, the inadequate and poorly maintained infrastructure in each of the water-using sectors and the absence of institutional co-ordination has resulted in the lack of water supplies becoming a key constraint to many economic activities and to satisfying basic social needs.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
[55]
.^ Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The University of Tirana, the Faculty of Natural Sciences, the Institute of Nuclear Research Tirana, Albania.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
[56] .^ Egyptians are not recognized as either a national or a linguistic minority – although they would like their status to be acknowledged as such.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ Initially, there were no small contractors in Albanias rural areas, especially the mountainous project area, and sub-projects were carried out by communes.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Some members of the Roma and Vlach/Aromanian minorities would like to be considered national rather than linguistic minorities.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
[57] However, in February 2009 Italian company
Enel announced plans to build an 800 MW
coal-fired power plant in Albania, to diversify electricity sources.
[58] Nearly 100% of the electricity is generated by ageing hydroelectric power plants, which are becoming more ineffective due to increasing droughts.
[58]
The country has some deposits of
petroleum and
natural gas, but produces only 6,425 barrels of oil per day.
[59] .^ According to approximate calculations, foreign investments in the end of 1995, were estimated to have reached 210 million US$, excluding investment in oil exploration estimated to be about 200 million US$.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
[57] Other natural resources include coal,
bauxite,
copper and
iron ore.
.^ Other data Public sector investment has increased from about 7.1% of GDP of 1993, to about 8.6% of 1995 GDP. This increase was accompanied by an increase in public investment.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Agriculture and associated rural economic activities presently account for over 50% of GDP and employment in Albania.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ About 50% of the labour force is employed in agriculture and forestry (705,000 people in primary production and additional 100,000 in related sectors) and two thirds of the population live in rural areas.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
Transport
In the early 1990s, the rock-strewn roadways, unstable rail lines and obsolete telephone network crisscrossing Albania represented the remnants of the marked improvements that were made after
World War II.
Enver Hoxha's
xenophobia and lust for control had kept Albania isolated, however, as the communications revolution transformed the wider world into a
global village. Even internal travel amounted to something of a luxury for many Albanians during communism's ascendancy.
Highways
SH 2—Tirana's overpass from Durrës
Currently the major cities of the country are linked with first class national roads. There is a four lane highway connecting the city of Durrës with Tirana and the city of Durrës with the city of
Lushnje. Albania is partaking in the construction of what it sees as three major corridors of transportation.
The major priority as of present is the full completion of the four lane
Durrës-Pristina highway which will link
Kosovo with Albania's Adriatic coast.
.^ It is bordered by Greece to the south, Macedonia to the east and the republics of Serbia and Montenegro to the north.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
Indeed the roads in northwestern Albania remain in poor condition as of summer 2009. It takes approximately 1h 30' to drive the 35 km (22 mi) from the border of Montenegro to Shkodër.
[citation needed]There has been much discussion, debate, and interest in the 170 km (106 mi) Durrës–Kukës–Morinë Highway Albanian highway to Kosovo, which is intended to create a new, super-fast connection between Durrës on the Adriatic coast to
Morinë at the border of Kosovo. The current drive time between Kukës and Durrës is now 2 hours. The whole will be around 250 km (155 mi), when completed to Pristina. The objective for constructing the road, according to the transport ministry, is to reduce transport costs and accidents, and improve traffic flow. It is the biggest, 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. Currently there is a display in Tirana's centre on Bvld Dëshmorët e Kombit.
.^ It is bordered by Greece to the south, Macedonia to the east and the republics of Serbia and Montenegro to the north.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
.^ The loggerhead turtle has been found along the Ionian coasts where the narrow virgin beaches are suitable sites for laying eggs.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Illegal construction due to migration from the North-Eastern parts of the country became very common in the years of transition to the market economy.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
By the end of the decade it is expected that the majority of the sections of these three corridors will have been built.[citation needed] When all three corridors are completed Albania will have an estimated 759 kilometers of highway linking it with its neighbors.
Aviation
.^ Cooperation at regional level in air transport and civil aviation .- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
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]
.^ Cooperation at regional level in air transport and civil aviation .- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ Smaller scale biotechnology lines were also installed in other institutions such as the Institute of Potatoes and Vegetables, Biomass Station, etc.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ A new problem has recently been raised by construction wastes which are left at the site after the completion of buildings.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Developing countries: You may wish to describe any new national mechanisms for capacity building - and any changes in technical cooperation.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Research needs focus on: 1) updating the scientific information; 2) installation of new equipment; 3) development of appropriate technical and practical skills by research staffs.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
During 1955–1957, the Rinasi Airport was constructed for military purposes. Later, its administration was shifted to the Ministry of Transport.
.^ In some cases, the State was unable to properly manage the biotechnology production lines which resulted in their privatization such as the case of the Antibiotic Enterprise in Tirana.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Access to international training for air transport sector .- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ N TABLE VI. RATING OF ACTIVITIES IN THE AIR AND MARITIME TRANSPORT SECTORS IN THE SMALL ISLANDS DEVELOPING STATES (SIDS) .- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
Aeroflot,
Jat,
Malev,
Tarom and
Interflug were the air companies that started to have flights with Albania until 1960.
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,
Zürich,
Vienna and
Budapest, but no regular domestic air service.
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.
.^ Actually, Albania is the only European country with a positive population growth rate.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Following the opening of the country to the western world, associated to the free movement of people, Albania experienced the onset of the first cases of AIDS in its population.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ OVERVIEW The demise of communism was later and more disorderly in Albania than in other post communist European countries.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ These activities include job creation for women, and access to opportunities for obtaining financial support and the collection and analysis of data specific to women.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ N TABLE VI. RATING OF ACTIVITIES IN THE AIR AND MARITIME TRANSPORT SECTORS IN THE SMALL ISLANDS DEVELOPING STATES (SIDS) .- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
Instead, the National Agency of Air Traffic (NATA) was established as an independent enterprise.
.^ Cooperation at regional level in air transport and civil aviation .- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ These have been co-financed by the World Bank, EU/PHARE, Italy and Germany.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ The major bilateral donors are Italy, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands and the Kuwait Fund.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
The Directory General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was established on 3 February 1991, to cope with the development required by the time.
.^ The only international airport is located in Tirana.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
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 average waste generated per capita per day is reported to be 0,4 kg.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
Train on the Durrës to Tiranë railway line
Railways
.^ STATUS REPORT: During the former regime, agriculture in particular made considerable use of toxic chemicals mainly fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ STATUS REPORT: During the communist regime in the country, the totalitarian State pursued the policy of producing everything relying on its "own efforts".- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ STATUS REPORT: During the former regime, agriculture in particular made considerable use of toxic chemicals mainly fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ Road infrastructure is still very poor, old and not well maintained.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ The number of abortions in the country is still very high and many mothers lose their lives following the complications from abortion or during labour.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Another project is expected to start ("Waste management in 6 Albanian municipalities; a model to be implemented in other developing countries") with the support of the LIFE Programme of the European Union.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
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.
Demographics
Regions with a traditional presence of ethnic or linguistic groups other than Albanian.
Tirana, Albania's capital and largest city.
.^ The average life expectancy of the population is 71.4 years.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Almost one third of the population is under 14 years of age.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
[62] .^ Migration abroad started only in 1990 following the reduction of the control on population movement.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
Districts in the North have seen a decreasing population, while
Tirana and
Durrës districts have increased their population.
[citation needed] Albania's population was 3,152,600 on 1 January 2007 and 3,170,048 on 1 January 2008.
[2] Alternative sources estimate the population in July 2009 at 3,639,453 with an annual growth rate of 0.546%.
[63] .^ Actually, Albania is the only European country with a positive population growth rate.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ The rivers of Albania are short in length and have small hydrographical basins because of the meridional position of the country.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Additional comments relevant to this chapter Considering the small size of the country, Albania is rich in biodiversity.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
[64] .^ The majority of the Albanian population (more than 2/3) has settled in the Western flatland side of the country, the area of Korca and Delvina and along the river valleys.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ Other minorities, in particular Roma and Egyptians, appear to be outside the system.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ Albania OVERVIEW Country Data MINORITIES Egyptians Greeks Macedonians Roma RESOURCES Minority Based & Advocacy Organizations Sources and Further Reading top of page powered by the webbler © MRG 2005 :: Contact us :: Sitemap :: Accessibility .- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ Minority groups include Greeks 59,000, Macedonians 4,700 (1989 Census; the 2001 Census had no question concerning ethnicity), Roma, Vlachs/Aromanians, Macedonians, Egyptians, Serbs and Montenegrins.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
[65] The size of the Greek minority is contentious, 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 ~6% of the population,
[66][67] while the
CIA Factbook estimates the Greek minority at 3% of the total population.
.^ Main languages: Albanian, Greek, Romani, Aromanian, Macedonian .- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
Many Albanians are also fluent in English, Italian, Greek, etc.
Religion
Church of Virgin Mary. It was built in the 10th century
.^ Following the opening of the country to the western world, associated to the free movement of people, Albania experienced the onset of the first cases of AIDS in its population.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ STATUS REPORT: Following the postwar period, the population of Albania has increased at a rate of more than 2% annually which has been incompatible with the natural resources and economic development of the country.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
[68] .^ Emigration was forbidden, whereas the population movement from the rural to urban regions was under state control and very much restricted.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ STATUS REPORT: Following the postwar period, the population of Albania has increased at a rate of more than 2% annually which has been incompatible with the natural resources and economic development of the country.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
[69]
A recent study by the
Pew Research Center puts the percentage of
Muslims in Albania at 79.9%,
[70] with the remaining 20% consisting of Christians. The CIA World Factbook gives a distribution of 70% Muslims, 20% Eastern Orthodox, and 10% Roman Catholics.
[71] According to the
World Christian Encyclopedia, roughly 39% of Albanians are Muslim, and 35% Christian
[72]The Albanians first appear in the historical record in
Byzantine sources of the late-11th century. At this point, they are already fully Christianised.
.^ Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: During the 1996-98 period, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food's agricultural policy, analysis and programme management capacities will continue to be strengthened.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ D. Prior environmental impact assessment, systematic observation and follow-up of major projects, including systematic incorporation of results in decision-making.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ STATUS REPORT: During the communist regime in the country, the totalitarian State pursued the policy of producing everything relying on its "own efforts".- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
Albania never had an official state religion either as a republic or as a kingdom.
.^ STATUS REPORT: During the communist regime in the country, the totalitarian State pursued the policy of producing everything relying on its "own efforts".- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ Following the opening of the country to the western world, associated to the free movement of people, Albania experienced the onset of the first cases of AIDS in its population.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ The respective campaigns for the control and the eradication of these infections were organized by the Ministry of Health and Environment Protection through the Institute of Public Health and the technical assistance of the World Health Organization.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ STATUS REPORT: During the communist regime in the country, the totalitarian State pursued the policy of producing everything relying on its "own efforts".- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ Main religions: Islam (mainly Sunni) Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Roman Catholicism .- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ The Albanian lands lay at the meeting point of Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ Soil erosion, deforestation, and pollution from fertilizers and pesticides runoff are notable throughout large portions of the country, and are economically significant since approx.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ In fact, no accurate data regarding migration is available, but the massive "exodus" from the rural areas is a virtual certainty.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Since the plan was developed at a very early stage in Albania's democratic transition, it lacks reliability with respect to data and participation of the main sectors in the Albania of today.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
[73]
There are about 4,000 active
Jehovah's witnesses in Albania.
[74] .^ NATIONAL PRIORITY: Transformation of the Committee of Environmental Protection into an independent body of the same importance as the other ministries dealing with different development issues .- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
.^ During the transition period, the Health Care System inherited considerable deficiencies from the former system and initially relied almost completely on medical supplies from humanitarian aid.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
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 Church in Albania, spread throughout ten branches with two purpose-built Chapels and one Family History Center.
[75]Culture
Music and folklore
A traditional male folk group from Skrapar
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, gentle and exceptionally beautiful" 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.
[76] 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 (
the llazore), which inaugurates the springtime. Lullabies and
laments are very important kinds of Albanian folk song, and are generally performed by solo women.
[77]Albanian language and literature
Some scholars believe that Albanian derives from
Illyrian[78] while others,
[79] 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.
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.
.^ For the first time (1995) since the transition, Albanians did not consume as much as they produced.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ The involvement of Albanian women in decision-making in both politics and management is generally low, although 1995 saw a slight improvement in some indicators.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ Consequently, there may be some minor inconsistencies among the formats of the different country profiles.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
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.
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). Despite the obstacles generated by the
Counter-Reformation which was opposed to the development of national languages in Christian
liturgy[citation needed], this process went on uninterrupted.
.^ During the Middle Ages, modern-day Albania formed successively parts of the Byzantine, Bulgarian, Serbian and Angevin-Norman empires.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ The Albanians are most probably the descendants of the ancient Illyrians who were colonized after the seventh century BCE by the Greeks and subsequently by the Romans.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
The most famous Albanian writer is probably
Ismail Kadare.
Education
Before the 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 over took the country in 1944, the regime wanted to wipe out illiteracy. The regulations became so strict that anyone between the ages of 12 and 40 who could not read or write was mandated to attend classes to learn. Since these times of struggle the country's literacy rate has improved remarkably.
[80] Today the overall literacy rate in Albania is 98.7%, the male literacy rate is 99.2% and female literacy rate is 98.3%.
[63] Since the rather large population movements in the 1990s to urban areas, education has moved as well. Thousands of teachers moved to urban areas to follow students. The
University of Tirana is the first university in Albania and was founded in October 1957.
Administrative divisions
Albania is divided into 12 administrative divisions called (
Albanian: official
qark/
qarku, but often
prefekturë/
prefektura) Counties, 36 districts and 351 municipalities.
.^ E. The Government supports the establishment and improvement of local, national, subregional and regional, as necessary, regulatory and monitoring programmes to control effluent discharge.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ The power of the district governments was reduced in early 1993 through a reorganization which created 12 prefectures above the district level and also devoted power to 47 municipalities and 32 communes.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
^ The secretariat is responsible for preparing legislation for structures and functioning of the local government, for determining relations with national government and advocating the interest of municipalities at the national level.- Country Profile - Albania 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.un.org [Source type: Academic]
Sport
Entertainment
Radio Televizioni Shqiptar, (
RTSH), is Albania's leading 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 programmes in Albanian and seven other languages via
medium wave (AM) and
short wave (SW).
[81] 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.
.^ It is bordered by Greece to the south, Macedonia to the east and the republics of Serbia and Montenegro to the north.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
^ Under circumstances which are disputed, the Albanians spread eastwards into Kosovo, western Macedonia and Greece.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
According the National Council of Radio and Television Albania has an estimated 257 media outlets, including 66 radio stations and 65 television stations, with three national and 62 local stations.
Health
.^ In spring 1997 Albania descended into anarchy following the collapse of widespread pyramid saving schemes and the country remained unstable for some years until the early 2000s.- Minority Rights Group International : Albania : Albania Overview 19 January 2010 8:47 UTC www.minorityrights.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
[82] 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.
[83] The most common causes of death are circulatory disease followed by cancerous illnesses.
The medical school, Faculty of Medicine at Tirana University, is in Tirana. There are also nursing schools in many other cities.
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.
Human rights in Albania
LGBT rights in Albania
International rankings
Demographic
Economic
Environmental
Globalization
Geographic
Peace
Political
See also
Notes and references
Notes:
References:
- ^ Understanding the war in Kosovo Authors Florian Bieber, Židas Daskalovski Editors Florian Bieber, Židas Daskalovski Publisher Routledge, 2003 ISBN 0714653918, 9780714653914 page 188 link [1]
- ^ a b "Albania National Institute of Statistics official web site". http://www.instat.gov.al/.
- ^ a b c d "Albania". International Monetary Fund. http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2009/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2006&ey=2009&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=914&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=&pr.x=71&pr.y=12. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
- ^ Albania applies for EU membership, BBC News, 28 April 2009. Retrieved on 29 April 2009
- ^ Population stats from tirana.gov.al (Albanian)
- ^ Reports: Poverty Decreases In Albania After Years Of Growth.Dow Jones Newswires, 201-938-5500.http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=200904231403dowjonesdjonline000935&title=reports-poverty-decreases-in-albania-after-years-of-growth
- ^ Albania plans to build three hydropower plants.People's Daily
- ^ Strong GDP growth reduces poverty in Albania-study.Reuters.http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2009/04/23/afx6330798.html
- ^ 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.
- ^ http://www.pinocacozza.it/ (Italian)(Albanian)
- ^ http://www.radio-arberesh.eu/ (Italian)
- ^ Kristo Frasheri. History of Albania (A Brief Overview). Tirana, 1964.
- ^ "Flags Of The World, Albania". http://www.fotw.us/flags/al.html#ori.
- ^ Albanian Etymological Dictionary by Vladimir E. Orel, Brill 1998
- ^ Arnaut at the Free Dictionary
- ^ "Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs September 2007". http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3235.htm.
- ^ "Encyclopedia Britannica – Messapic language". http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9052237/Messapic-language.
- ^ Appian, The Foreign Wars, III, 1.2
- ^ Wilkes, J. J. The Illyrians, 1992, ISBN 0631198075, Page 96,"... 25 Enchelei
- ^ The Illyrians (The Peoples of Europe) by John Wilkes,1996, ISBN-9780631198079, page 111.
- ^ An Inventory of Archaic and Classical Poleis by Mogens Herman, ISBN 0198140991, 2004, page 343, "Bouthroton (Bouthrotios)"
- ^ Harding, p. 93. Grabos became the most powerful Illyrian king after the death of Bardylis in 358.
- ^ a b "The Journal of Hellenic Studies by Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies (London, England)", 1973, p. 79. Cleitus was evidently the son of Bardylis II the grandson of the very old Bardylis who had fallen in battle against Phillip II in 385 BC.
- ^ Wilkes, J. J. The Illyrians, 1992, p. 120, ISBN 0631198075,page 129,"... mainly because no coins are known to have been issued by Illyrian rulers of a later period such as Agron, Teuta, Scerdilaidas, etc. ...
- ^ a b Library of Congress Country Study <http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/altoc.html> of Albania
- ^ Research Institute for European and American Studies. The Balkan Muslim Presence
- ^ The Balkans (Nationalism, War and the Great Powers, 1804–1999) – by Misha Glenny
- ^ Young, Antonia (1997). Albania. Clio Press. ISBN 1851092609.
- ^ The Balkans by Misha Glenny page 418
- ^ Creveld, Martin van (July–October 1972). In the Shadow of Barbarossa: Germany and Albania, January–March 1941. 7. pp. 22–230. http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-0094(197207%2F10)7%3A3%2F4%3C221%3AITSOBG%3E2.0.CO%3B2-E. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
- ^ Sarner. Rescue in Albania: One Hundred Percent of Jews in Albania Rescued from the Holocaust, 1997.
- ^ "Muslim Family Who Hid 26 Jews in Albania from the Nazis Honored by ADL" Anti-Defamation League
- ^ Escape Through the Balkans: the Autobiography of Irene Grunbaum (University of Nebraska Press, 1996)
- ^ Shoah Research Center – Albania.
- ^ Israeli Historians Study How Albanian Jews Escaped Holocaust http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,356717,00.html
- ^ Albania. World Almanac & Book of Facts, 2008, pp467–545, (AN 28820955)
- ^ "Thousands fear as blood feuds sweep Albania". Telegraph.co.uk. 3 June 2007.
- ^ "In Albanian Feuds, Isolation Engulfs Families ". The New York Times. 10 July 2008.
- ^ BBC News. "Nato welcomes Albania and Croatia", "BBC News", 2 April 2009. Retrieved on 2 April 2009.
- ^ Albania sells off its military hardware, BBC News, 2002
- ^ "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, [2]
- ^ "Albania membership Nato". NATO. http://www.nato.int/issues/nato_albania/evolution.html.
- ^ http://qendrim.forumotion.net/gjeografia-f61/tiparet-e-pergjithshme-te-klimes-t3725.htm
- ^ a b http://www.cbd.int/doc/world/al/al-nbsap-01-p1-en.pdf
- ^ "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 http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/roundup/2009/05/15/roundup-bs-03
- ^ Strong economic growth potential puts Albania and Panama top of long term investment list http://www.propertywire.com/news/related-stories/albania-panama-long-term-investment-200807201344.html
- ^ Albania's Economy shakes off it's shackles, 23 January 2003, BBC News.
- ^ Albania, Croatia plan nuclear power plant.
- ^ 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
- ^ 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.
- ^ Women, Men and shefit's in Albania 2006, Instat, Tirana, 2007
- ^ a b CIA World Factbook: Albania
- ^ Kosta Barjarba. "Migration and Ethnicity in Albania: Synergies and Interdependencies" (PDF). http://www.watsoninstitute.org/bjwa/archive/11.1/Essays/Barjarba.pdf.
- ^ Albania, U.S. Department of State Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Background Note November 2008. Retrieved on 14 May 2009
- ^ Eastern Europe at the end of the 20th century, Ian Jeffries, p. 69
- ^ The Greeks: the land and people since the war. James Pettifer. Penguin, 2000. ISBN 0140288996
- ^ [3]-Freedom of Religion 2007
- ^ "Albania". International Religious Freedom Report 2009. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, United States Department of State. 26 October 2009. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127295.htm. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
- ^ Miller, Tracy, ed (October 2009) (PDF). Mapping the Global Muslim Population: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World's Muslim Population. Pew Research Center. http://pewforum.org/newassets/images/reports/Muslimpopulation/Muslimpopulation.pdf. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
- ^ 2009 CIA World Factbook
- ^ p 51 (2001). World Christian Encyclopedia. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195079639.
- ^ Albania: International Religious Freedom Report 2007
- ^ "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 1884964982, 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 0080877745, 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
- ^ Institute for Economics and Peace 2009 Global Peace Index page 11
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/ælˈbeɪniə/ (help·info) al-BAY-nee-ə (Albanian: Shqipëri/Shqipëria, Gheg Albanian: Shqipnia or Shqypnia), officially the Republic of Albania (Albanian: Republika e Shqipërisë, pronounced [ɾɛpuˈblika ɛ ʃcipəˈɾiːs]), is a country in South Eastern Europe.^ 
![Sign at the Albanian - Macedonian border crossing on the southern shore of Lake Ohrid [Photo: Rolf Palmberg]](http://images-mediawiki-sites.thefullwiki.org/00/3/7/3/85874482625259579.jpg)
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