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Republic of Albania

Motto: "You, Albania, give me honor, give me the name Albanian"
Location of  Albania  (green)on the European continent  (dark grey)  —  [Legend]
Location of  Albania  (green)

on the European continent  (dark grey)  —  [Legend]

Capital
and largest city
Tirana
Official languages Albanian1
Ethnic groups
95% Albanians, 3-6% Greeks,
2% others
Government Parliamentary republic
ISO 3166 code AL
  1. Greek, Macedonian and other regional languages, are government-recognized minority languages.

Albania (officially called Republic of Albania) is an independent republic in Southeastern Europe, with an area of 28,748 square kilometres (11,100 sq mi). The capital is Tirana, and other important cities are Durrës, Elbasan and Vlora. Over 3 million people live in Albania. The most Albanians are Muslims with 55%, 23% Eastern Orthodox and 15% Roman Catholics.

Albania is next to Kosovo, Montenegro, Greece and Macedonia. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea in the west, and a coast on the Ionian Sea in the southwest. The official language is Albanian. The national anthem is Hymni i Flamurit.

History

Poliçan, Albania 2019 07
Building in Albania

Albania was the southern part of Illyria during the Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages the Albanians were ruled by many foreign countries, including the Byzantine and Venetian Empires and during the 16th century resistance to the Ottoman Empire's rule was led by the Albanian national hero Skanderberg.

After four centuries of Turkish domination, finally in the 20th century an independent Albania was created. In 1939 Albania was conquered by fascist Italy and was part of the Kingdom of Italy until 1943. After World War II Albania became independent again, under communist rule. It was ruled by Enver Hoxha, who died in 1985. Ramiz Alia took over and also later became President when, in 1992, Albania returned to democracy, it now has friendly relations with the European Union, which it has applied to join.

Divisions

Albania is divided into 12 counties. These counties include 36 districts and 373 municipalities

AlbaniaNumberedPrefectures
Counties of Albania
County Capital Districts Municipalities Cities Villages
1 Berat Berat Berat
Kuçovë
Skrapar
10
2
8
2
1
2
122
18
105
2 Dibër Peshkopi Bulqizë
Dibër
Mat
7
14
10
1
1
2
63
141
76
3 Durrës Durrës Durrës
Krujë
6
4
4
2
62
44
4 Elbasan Elbasan Elbasan
Gramsh
Librazhd
Peqin
20
9
9
5
3
1
2
1
177
95
75
49
5 Fier Fier Fier
Lushnjë
Mallakastër
14
14
8
3
2
1
117
121
40
6 Gjirokastër Gjirokastër Gjirokastër
Përmet
Tepelenë
11
7
8
2
2
2
96
98
77
7 Korçë Korçë Devoll
Kolonjë
Korçë
Pogradec
4
6
14
7
1
2
2
1
44
76
153
72
8 Kukës Kukës Has
Kukës
Tropojë
3
14
7
1
1
1
30
89
68
9 Lezhë Lezhë Kurbin
Lezhë
Mirditë
2
9
5
2
1
2
26
62
80
10 Shkodër Shkodër Malësi e Madhe
Pukë
Shkodër
5
8
15
1
2
2
56
75
141
11 Tirana Tirana Kavajë
Tirana
8
16
2
3
66
167
12 Vlorë Vlorë Delvinë
Sarandë
Vlorë
3
7
9
1
2
4
38
62
99

Cities

This is a list of the largest cities in Albania.

Rank City 2001 Census 2011 census
1 Tirana 352,581 421,286
2 Durrës 113,465 115,550
3 Vlorë 85,180 79,948
4 Elbasan 95,554 79,810
5 Shkodër 85,798 74,876
6 Fier 56,297 57,198
7 Korçë 58,911 51,683
8 Berat 45,572 36,467
9 Lushnjë 38,336 31,424
10 Kavajë 28,149 20,312

Armed forces

The Albanian Armed Forces were first formed after independence in 1912. Albania reduced the number of active troops from 65,000 in 1988 to 14,500 in 2009. The military now is mostly a small fleet of aircraft and sea vessels.

Geography

Albania has a total area of 28,748 square kilometers. Albania's coastline length is 476 km (296 mi). It goes along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. On the coast there are mild, wet winters and warm, sunny, and rather dry summers.

70% of the country is mountains. The highest mountain is Korab.

Albania is bordered by Greece, the Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo, which is a state not recognized by Serbia and some other countries. A short stretch of sea separates Albania from the far southeast of Italy.

Flora and fauna

Aquila chrysaetos 3 (Martin Mecnarowski)
Golden eagle is the national symbol of Albania

Although a small country, Albania has a lot of variety in plants and animals. The total number of plants is over 3250 species. There are over 350 bird species, 330 freshwater and marine fish and 80 mammal species. The Golden Eagle is the national symbol of Albania.

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See also

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