# Albania

| Republic of Albania*Republika e Shqipërisë*  (Albanian) |
| --- |
|
Flag

 Coat of arms

 |
| **Motto:"Ti, Shqipëri, më jep nder, më jep emrin Shqiptar"* (in Albanian) "You, Albania, give me honor, give me the name Albanian" |
| **Anthem:Himni i Flamurit*   (in Albanian) "Hymn to the Flag"  |
| Location of  Albania  (green)on the European continent  (dark grey)  —  [Legend] |
| Capitaland largest city | Tirana ﻿ / ﻿ |
| Official languages | Albanian1 |
| Ethnic groups  | 98.2% Albanians 1.8% others |
| Religion (2023) | * 50.67% Islam
* 16.02% Christianity
* 13.83% Non-denominational
* 3.55% Atheism
* 0.15% other
* 15.77% undeclared
 |
| Demonym(s) | Albanian |
| Government | Parliamentary republic |
|  |
| • President  | Bajram Begaj |
| • Prime Minister  | Edi Rama |
| • Chairperson of the Parliament  | Gramoz Ruçi |
|  |
| Formation |
|  |
| • Illyria  | 2000 B.C |
| • Komani Kruja Culture  | ~700 |
| • Principality of Arbër  | 1190 |
| • League of Lezhë  | 2 March 1444 |
| • Independence from the Ottoman Empire  | 28 November 1912 |
| • Recognized by the Great Powers  | 2 December 1912 |
| • Current Constitution  | 28 November 1998 |
|  |
| Area |
| • Total | 28,748 km2 (11,100 sq mi) (143rd) |
| • Water (%) | 4.7 |
| Population |
| • 2011 estimate | 2,994,667 (136th) |
| • 2001 census | 3,069,275 |
| • Density | 111.1/km2 (287.7/sq mi) (63rd) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2011 estimate |
| • Total | $25.035 billion |
| • Per capita | $7,780 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2011 estimate |
| • Total | $13.292 billion |
| • Per capita | $4,131 |
| Gini (2005) | 26.7 low |
| HDI (2023) |  0.810 very high · 71st |
| Currency | Lek (ALL) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | 355 |
| ISO 3166 code | AL |
| Internet TLD | .al |
| 1. Greek, Macedonian and other regional languages, are government-recognized minority languages.
 |

**Albania** (/ælˈbeɪniə/ (listen) *al-BAY-nee-ə*; Albanian: *Shqipëri*), officially called the **Republic of Albania** is an independent country located in Southeast Europe, more specifically it is located in the Balkans. The capital is Tirana, and other important cities are Durrës, Elbasan and Vlora. Over 3 million people live in the area of 28,748 square kilometres (11,100 sq mi) that Albanians call their home. The majority of Albanians are Muslim with 55%, 23% Eastern Orthodox and 15% Roman Catholics.

Albania is next to Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Greece. 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 (Gjuha Shqipe). The national anthem is *Hymni i Flamurit*.

## History

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* (real name Gjergj Kastrioti). After four centuries of Turkish domination, an independent Albania was finally created in the 20th century. 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 ended communism, and 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

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.

Durrës
Tirana

| **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. In 2010 forced conscription was abolished.

## 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 North Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo. A short stretch of sea separates Albania from the far southeast of Italy.

## Flora and fauna

The Lynx still survives in 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 double-headed eagle is the national symbol of Albania.

## Related pages

* Albania at the Olympics
* Albania national football team
* List of rivers of Albania

## Other websites

* National Tourism Organization Albania's official website for travel & tourism information.