| Republic of Albania
Republika e Shqipërisë (Albanian)
| |
|---|---|
Motto: Ti Shqipëri, më jep nder, më jep emrin Shqipëtar
You Albania, give me honour, give me the name Albanian | |
Anthem: Himni i Flamurit
"Hymn to the Flag" | |
.svg)
Location of Albania (green)
in the World (grey)
| |
| Capital and largest city | Tirana 41°19′N 19°49′E |
| Official languages | Albanian |
| Recognised minority languages | Greek, Aromanian, Macedonian, others |
| Demonym | Albanian |
| Government | Unitary parliamentaryconstitutional republic |
| Ilir Meta | |
| Edi Rama | |
| Legislature | Kuvendi |
| Formation | |
| 1190 | |
| February 1272 | |
| 1368 | |
| 2 March 1444 | |
• Proclamation of independence from the Ottoman Empire
| 28 November 1912 |
• Principality of Albania (Recognised)
| 29 July 1913 |
• Albanian Republic(1st republic)
| 31 January 1925 |
| 1 September 1928 | |
• People's Republic of Albania (2nd republic)
| 11 January 1946 |
• People's Socialist Republic of Albania(3rd republic)
| 28 December 1976 |
• Republic of Albania (4th republic)
Current constitution | 29 April 1991 28 November 1998 |
| Area | |
• Total
| 28,748 km2(11,100 sq mi) (140th) |
• Water (%)
| 4.7 |
| Population | |
• January 2017 estimate
| 2,876,591[1] |
• 2011 census
| 2,821,977[2] |
• Density
| 98/km2 (253.8/sq mi) (63rd) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2018 estimate |
• Total
| $38.154 billion[3] |
• Per capita
| $13,274[3] |
| GDP (nominal) | 2018 estimate |
• Total
| $15.289 billion[3] |
• Per capita
| $5,319[3] |
| Gini (2013) | 34.5[4] medium |
| HDI (2015) |  0.764[5]high · 75th |
| Currency | Lek (ALL) |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
• Summer (DST)
| CEST (UTC+2) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
| Drives on the | right |
| Calling code | 355 |
| ISO 3166 code | AL |
| Internet TLD | .al |
Albania (/ælˈbeɪniə, ɔːl-/ (
listen) a(w)l-BAY-nee-ə; Albanian: Shqipëri/Shqipëria; Gheg Albanian: Shqipni/Shqipnia or Shqypni/Shqypnia),[6] officially the Republic of Albania (Albanian: Republika e Shqipërisë, pronounced [ɾɛpuˈblika ɛ ʃcipəˈɾiːsə]), is a country in Southeastern Europe. The country spans 28,748 square kilometres (11,100 square miles) and had a total population of 3 million people as of 2016. It is a unitary parliamentary constitutional republic with the capital in Tirana, the country's most populous city and main economic and commercial centre. The country's other major cities include Durrës, Vlorë, Sarandë, Shkodër, Berat, Korçë, Gjirokastër and Fier.
listen) a(w)l-BAY-nee-ə; Albanian: Shqipëri/Shqipëria; Gheg Albanian: Shqipni/Shqipnia or Shqypni/Shqypnia),[6] officially the Republic of Albania (Albanian: Republika e Shqipërisë, pronounced [ɾɛpuˈblika ɛ ʃcipəˈɾiːsə]), is a country in Southeastern Europe. The country spans 28,748 square kilometres (11,100 square miles) and had a total population of 3 million people as of 2016. It is a unitary parliamentary constitutional republic with the capital in Tirana, the country's most populous city and main economic and commercial centre. The country's other major cities include Durrës, Vlorë, Sarandë, Shkodër, Berat, Korçë, Gjirokastër and Fier.
Albania lies in the southwestern portion of the Balkan Peninsula bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo[a] to the northeast, the Republic of Macedoniato the east, and Greece to the south and southeast. Most of the country is mountainous, including the Albanian Alps in the north, the Korab Mountains in the east, the Ceraunian Mountains in the south and the Skanderbeg Mountains in the center. The country's coast touches the Adriatic Sea to the west and the Ionian Sea to the southwest that forms the Albanian Riviera. It is less than 72 km (45 mi) from Italy across the Strait of Otranto, which connects the Adriatic to the Ionian.
Previously in classical antiquity, Albania has been populated by various Illyrian, Thracian and Greek tribes, as well as several Greek colonies established in the Illyrian coast. In the third century BC, the region was annexed by the Roman Empire and became an integral part of the Roman provinces of Dalmatia, Macedoniaand Illyricum. The unified Principality of Arbër emerged in 1190, established by archon Progon in the Krujë, within the Byzantine Empire. In the late thirteenth century, Charles of Anjou conquered the Albanian territories from the Byzantines and established the medieval Kingdom of Albania, extending from Durrës along the coast to Butrint in the south. In the mid-fifteenth century, it was conquered by the Ottomans.
The modern nation state of Albania emerged in 1912 following the defeat of the Ottomans in the Balkan Wars.[7] The modern Kingdom of Albania was invaded by Italy in 1939, which formed Greater Albania, before becoming a Nazi German protectorate in 1943.[8] After the defeat of Nazi Germany, a Communist state titled the People's Socialist Republic of Albania was founded under the leadership of Enver Hoxha and the Party of Labour. The country experienced widespread social and political transformations in the communist era, as well as isolation from much of the international community. In the aftermath of the Revolutions of 1991, the Socialist Republic was dissolved and the fourth Republic of Albania was established.
Albania is a democratic and developing country with an upper-middle income economy. The tertiary sector dominates the country's economy followed by the secondary and primary sector.[9] Following the end of communism in 1990, the country went through a process of transition from a centralized economy to a market-based economy.[10][11][12] It also provides universal health care and free primary and secondary education to its citizens.[5]
The country is a member of the United Nations, World Bank, UNESCO, NATO, WTO, COE, OSCE and OIC. It is also an official candidate for membership in the European Union.[13] In addition it is one of the founding members of the Energy Community, including the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperationand Union for the Mediterranean.