Albania

Albania(/ælˈbeɪniə,ɔːl-/a(w)l-BAY-nee-ə;Albanian:ShqipëriorShqipëria),officially theRepublic of Albania(Albanian:Republika e Shqipërisë),is a country inSoutheast Europe. It is located in theBalkans, on theAdriaticandIonian Seaswithin theMediterranean Sea, and sharesland borderswithMontenegroto the northwest,Kosovoto the northeast,North Macedoniato the east andGreeceto the south. With an area of 28,748 km(11,100 sq mi), it has a varied range of climatic, geological, hydrological and morphological conditions. Albania's landscapes range from rugged snow-capped mountains in theAlbanian Alpsand theKorab,Skanderbeg,PindusandCeraunian Mountains, to fertile lowland plains extending from theAdriaticandIonianseacoasts.Tiranais the capital and largest city in the country, followed byDurrës,Vlorë, andShkodër.
In ancient times, theIllyriansinhabited northern and central regions of Albania, whilstEpirotesinhabited the south. Several important ancientGreek colonieswere also established on the coast. TheIllyrian kingdomcentred in what is now Albania was the dominant power before therise of Macedon.In the 2nd century BC, theRoman Republicannexed the region, and after the division of theRoman Empireit became part ofByzantium. The first knownAlbanianautonomous principality,Arbanon, was established in the 12th century. TheKingdom of Albania,Principality of AlbaniaandAlbania Venetawere formed between the 13th and 15th centuries in different parts of the country, alongside other Albanian principalities and political entities. In the late 15th century, Albaniabecame partof theOttoman Empire. In 1912, the modern Albanian statedeclared independence. In 1939,Italyinvaded theKingdom of Albania, which becameGreater Albania, and then aprotectorateofNazi GermanyduringWorld War II.After the war, thePeople's Socialist Republic of Albaniawas formed, which lasted until theRevolutions of 1991concluded with thefall of communism in Albaniaand eventually the establishment of the current Republic of Albania.
Since its independence in 1912, Albania has undergone a diverse political evolution, transitioning from amonarchyto acommunist regimebefore becoming asovereignparliamentaryconstitutional republic. Governed by aconstitutionprioritising the separation of powers, the country's political structure includes aparliament, a ceremonialpresident, a functionalprime ministerand a hierarchy of courts. Albania is adeveloping countrywith anupper-middle incomeeconomydriven by the service sector, with manufacturing andtourismalso playing significant roles.After the dissolution of its communist system the country shifted fromcentralised planningto anopenmarket economy.Albanian citizens haveuniversal health careaccess and free primary and secondary education. The country is an official candidate for membership in the European Union.
The historical origins of the term "Albania" can be traced back tomedieval Latin, with its foundations believed to be associated with theIllyrian tribeof theAlbani. This connection gains further support from the work of the Ancient Greek geographerPtolemyduring the 2nd century AD, where he included the settlement ofAlbanopolissituated to the northeast ofDurrës.The presence of a medieval settlement namedAlbanonor Arbanon hints at the possibility of historical continuity. The precise relationship among these historical references and the question of whether Albanopolis was synonymous with Albanon remain subjects of scholarly debate.
The Byzantine historianMichael Attaliates, in his 11th-century historical account, provides the earliest undisputed reference to the Albanians, when he mentions them having taken part in a revolt againstConstantinoplein 1079.He also identifies the Arbanitai as subjects of the Duke ofDyrrachium.In the Middle Ages, Albania was denoted asArbëriorArbëniby its inhabitants, who identified themselves asArbëreshëorArbëneshë.Albanians employ the termsShqipëriorShqipëriafor their nation, designations that trace their historical origins to the 14th century.But only in the late 17th and early 18th centuries did these terms gradually supersedeArbëriaandArbëreshëamong Albanians.These two expressions are widely interpreted to symbolise "Children of the Eagles" and "Land of the Eagles".
Mesolithic habitation in Albania has been evidenced in several open air sites which during that period were close to the Adriatic coastline and in cave sites. Mesolithic objects found in a cave near Xarrë includeflintandjasperobjects along with fossilised animal bones, while those discoveries at Mount Dajt comprise bone and stone tools similar to those of theAurignacian culture.TheNeolithicera in Albania began around 7000 BC and is evidenced in finds which indicate domestication of sheep and goats and small-scale agriculture. A part of the Neolithic population may have been the same as the Mesolithic population of the southern Balkans like in theKonispolcave where the Mesolithic stratum co-exists with Pre-Pottery Neolithic finds.Cardium potteryculture appears in coastal Albania and across the Adriatic after 6500 BC, while the settlements of the interior took part in the processes which formed theStarčevo culture.The Albanianbitumenmines ofSelenicëprovide early evidence of bitumen exploitation in Europe, dating to Late Neolithic Albania (from 5000 BC), when local communities used it as pigment for ceramic decoration,waterproofing, andadhesivefor reparing broken vessels. The bitumen of Selenicë circulated towards eastern Albania from the early 5th millennium BC. First evidence of its overseas trade export comes from Neolithic and Bronze Age southernItaly. The high-quality bitumen of Selenicë has been exploited throughout all the historical ages since the Late Neolithic era until today.
TheIndo-Europeanisationof Albania in the context of the IE-isation of the western Balkans began after 2800 BC. The presence of the Early Bronze Agetumuliin the vicinity of laterApolloniadates to 2679±174 calBC (2852-2505 calBC). These burial mounds belong to the southern expression of the Adriatic-Ljubljana culture (related to laterCetina culture) which moved southwards along the Adriatic from the northern Balkans. The same community built similar mounds in Montenegro (Rakića Kuće) and northern Albania (Shtoj).The firstarchaeogeneticfind related to the IE-isation of Albania involves a man with predominantlyYamnaya ancestryburied in a tumulus of northeastern Albania which dates to 2663–2472 calBC.During the Middle Bronze Age, Cetina culture sites and finds appear in Albania. Cetina culture moved southwards across the Adriatic from theCetina valleyofDalmatia. In Albania, Cetina finds are concentrated around southernLake Shkodërand appear typically in tumulus cemeteries like in Shkrel and Shtoj and hillforts like Gajtan (Shkodër) as well as cave sites like Blaz, Nezir and Keputa (central Albania) and lake basin sites like Sovjan (southeastern Albania).
The incorporated territory of Albania was historically inhabited byIndo-European peoples, amongst them numerousIllyrianandEpirotetribes. There were also severalGreek colonies. The territory referred to asIllyriacorresponded roughly to the area east of theAdriatic Seain theMediterranean Seaextending in the south to the mouth of theVjosë.The first account of the Illyrian groups comes fromPeriplus of the Euxine Sea, a Greek text written in the 4th century BC.TheBrygeswere also present in central Albania, while the south was inhabited by the EpiroteChaonians, whose capital was atPhoenice.Other colonies such asApolloniaandEpidamnoswere established by Greek city-states on the coast by the 7th century BC.
The IllyrianTaulantiwere a powerful Illyrian tribe that were among the earliest recorded tribes in the area. They lived in an area that corresponds much of present-day Albania. Together with the Dardanian rulerCleitus,Glaucias, the ruler of the Taulantian kingdom, fought againstAlexander the Greatat theBattle of Peliumin 335 BC. As the time passed, the ruler of Ancient Macedonia,Cassander of Macedoncaptured Apollonia and crossed the riverGenusus(Albanian:Shkumbin) in 314 BC. A few years later Glaucias laid siege to Apollonia and captured the Greek colony ofEpidamnos.
The IllyrianArdiaeitribe, centred in Montenegro, ruled over most of the territory of northern Albania. TheirArdiaean Kingdomreached its greatest extent underKing Agron, the son ofPleuratus II. Agron extended his rule over other neighbouring tribes as well.Following Agron's death in 230 BC, his wife,Teuta, inherited the Ardiaean kingdom. Teuta's forces extended their operations further southwards to the Ionian Sea.In 229 BC, Rome declared waron the kingdom for extensively plundering Roman ships. The war ended in Illyrian defeat in 227 BC. Teuta was eventually succeeded byGentiusin 181 BC.Gentius clashed with the Romans in 168 BC, initiating theThird Illyrian War. The conflict resulted in Roman conquest of the region by 167 BC. The Romans split the region into three administrative divisions.
TheRoman Empirewas split in 395 upon the death ofTheodosius Iinto anEasternandWestern Roman Empirein part because of the increasing pressure from threats during theBarbarian Invasions. From the 6th century into the 7th century, theSlavscrossed theDanubeand largely absorbed the indigenous Greeks, Illyrians and Thracians in theBalkans; thus, the Illyrians were mentioned for the last time in historical records in the 7th century.
In the 11th century, theGreat Schismformalised the break of communion between theEastern OrthodoxandWestern Catholic Churchthat is reflected in Albania through the emergence of a Catholic north and Orthodox south. The Albanian people inhabited the west ofLake Ochridaand the upper valley ofRiver Shkumbinand established thePrincipality of Arbanonin 1190 under the leadership ofProgon of Kruja.The realm was succeeded by his sonsGjinand Dhimitri.
Upon the death of Dhimiter, the territory came under the rule of the Albanian-GreekGregory Kamonasand subsequently under theGolem of Kruja.In the 13th century, the principality was dissolved.Arbanon is considered to be the first sketch of an Albanian state, that retained asemi-autonomousstatus as the western extremity of theByzantine Empire, under the ByzantineDoukaiofEpirusorLaskaridsofNicaea.
Towards the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th centuries,SerbsandVenetiansstarted to take possession over the territory.Theethnogenesisof the Albanians is uncertain; however, the first undisputed mention of Albanians dates back in historical records from 1079 or 1080 in a work byMichael Attaliates, who referred to theAlbanoias having taken part in a revolt againstConstantinople.At this point the Albanians were fully Christianised.
After the dissolution of Arbanon,Charles of Anjouconcluded an agreement with the Albanian rulers, promising to protect them and their ancient liberties. In 1272, he established theKingdom of Albaniaand conquered regions back from theDespotate of Epirus. The kingdom claimed all of central Albania territory fromDyrrhachiumalong the Adriatic Sea coast down toButrint. A Catholic political structure was a basis for the papal plans of spreadingCatholicismin the Balkan Peninsula. This plan found also the support ofHelen of Anjou, a cousin of Charles of Anjou. Around 30 Catholic churches and monasteries were built during her rule mainly in northern Albania.Internal power struggles within the Byzantine Empire in the 14th century enabled Serbs' most powerful medieval ruler,Stefan Dusan, to establish ashort-lived empirethat included all of Albania except Durrës.
In 1367, Albanian rulers established theDespotate of Arta. During that time, severalAlbanian principalitieswere created, notably thePrincipality of Albania,Principality of Kastrioti,Lordship of BeratandPrincipality of Dukagjini. In the first half of the 15th century, theOttoman Empireinvaded most of Albania, and theLeague of Lezhëwas held underSkanderbegas a ruler, who became the national hero of the Albanian medieval history.
With thefall of Constantinople, the Ottoman Empire continued an extended period of conquest and expansion with its borders going deep intoSoutheast Europe. They reached theAlbanian Ionian Sea Coastin 1385 and erected their garrisons acrossSouthern Albaniain 1415 and then occupied most of Albania in 1431.Thousands of Albanians consequently fled to Western Europe, particularly toCalabria,Naples,RagusaandSicily, whereby others sought protection at the often inaccessibleMountains of Albania.The Albanians, as Christians, were considered aninferior classof people, and as such they were subjected to heavytaxesamong others by theDevshirmesystem that allowed theSultanto collect a requisite percentage of Christian adolescents from their families to compose theJanissary.The Ottoman conquest was also accompanied with the gradual process ofIslamisationand the rapid construction of mosques.
A prosperous and longstanding revolution erupted after the formation of theLeague of Lezhëuntil thefall of Shkodërunder the leadership ofGjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, who consistently defeated major Ottoman armies led bySultansMurad IIandMehmed II. Skanderbeg managed to unite several of the Albanian principalities, amongst them theArianitis,Dukagjinis,ZahariasandThopias, and establish a centralised authority over most of the non-conquered territories, becoming theLord of Albania.The Ottoman Empire's expansion ground to a halt during the time that Skanderbeg's forces resisted, and he has been credited with being one of the main reasons for the delay of Ottoman expansion intoWestern Europe, giving the Italian principalities more time to better prepare for theOttoman arrival.However, the failure of most European nations, with the exception of Naples, in giving him support, along with the failure of Pope Pius II's plans to organise a promised crusade against the Ottomans meant that none of Skanderbeg's victories permanently hindered the Ottomans from invading the Western Balkans.
Despite his brilliance as a military leader, Skanderbeg's victories were only delaying the final conquests. The constant Ottoman invasions caused enormous destruction to Albania, greatly reducing the population and destroying flocks of livestock and crops. Besides surrender, there was no possible way Skanderbeg would be able to halt the Ottoman invasions despite his successes against them. His manpower and resources were insufficient, preventing him from expanding the war efforts and driving the Turks from the Albanian borders. Albania was therefore doomed to face an unending series of Ottoman attacks until it eventually fell years after his death.
When the Ottomans were gaining a firm foothold in the region, Albanian towns were organised into four principalsanjaks. The government fostered trade by settling a sizeable Jewish colony of refugees fleeing persecution in Spain. The city ofVlorësaw passing through its ports imported merchandise from Europe such as velvets, cotton goods, mohairs, carpets, spices and leather fromBursaandConstantinople. Some citizens of Vlorë even had business associates throughout Europe.
The phenomenon of Islamisation among the Albanians became primarily widespread from the 17th century and continued into the 18th century.Islam offered them equal opportunities and advancement within the Ottoman Empire. However, motives for conversion were, according to some scholars, diverse depending on the context though the lack of source material does not help when investigating such issues.Because of increasing suppression of Catholicism, most Catholic Albanians converted in the 17th century, while Orthodox Albanians followed suit mainly in the following century.
Since the Albanians were seen as strategically important, they made up a significant proportion of theOttoman militaryand bureaucracy. Many Muslim Albanians attained important political and military positions and culturally contributed to the broaderMuslim world.Enjoying this privileged position, they held various high administrative positions with over two dozen AlbanianGrand Viziers. Others included members of the prominentKöprülü family,Zagan Pasha,Muhammad Ali of EgyptandAli Pasha of Tepelena. Furthermore, two sultans,Bayezid IIandMehmed III, both had mothers of Albanian origin.
TheAlbanian Renaissancewas a period with its roots in the late 18th century and continuing into the 19th century, during which the Albanian people gathered spiritual and intellectual strength for an independent cultural and political life within anindependent nation. ModernAlbanian cultureflourished too, especiallyAlbanian literatureandarts, and was frequently linked to the influences of theRomanticismandEnlightenmentprinciples.Prior to therise of nationalism, Ottoman authorities suppressed any expression of national unity or conscience by the Albanian people.
The victory of Russia over the Ottoman Empire following theRussian-Ottoman Warsresulted the execution of theTreaty of San Stefanowhich assigned Albanian-populated lands to their Slavic and Greek neighbours. However, theUnited KingdomandAustro-Hungarian Empireconsequently blocked the arrangement and caused theTreaty of Berlin. From this point, Albanians started to organise themselves with the goal to protect and unite the Albanian-populated lands into a unitary nation, leading to the formation of theLeague of Prizren. The league had initially the assistance of the Ottoman authorities whose position was based on the religious solidarity of Muslim people and landlords connected with theOttoman administration. They favoured and protected the Muslim solidarity and called for defence of Muslim lands simultaneously constituting the reason for titling the leagueCommittee of the Real Muslims.
Approximately 300 Muslims participated in the assembly composed by delegates from Bosnia, theadministratorof theSanjak of Prizrenas representatives of the central authorities and no delegates fromVilayet of Scutari.Signed by only 47 Muslim deputies, the league issued theKararnamethat contained a proclamation that the people from northern Albania,EpirusandBosnia and Herzegovinaare willing to defend theterritorial integrityof the Ottoman Empire by all possible means against the troops ofBulgaria,SerbiaandMontenegro.
Ottomans authorities cancelled their assistance when the league, underAbdyl Frashëri, became focused on working towards Albanian autonomy and requested merging fourvilayets, includingKosovo,Shkodër,MonastirandIoannina, into a unified vilayet, theAlbanian Vilayet. The league used military force to prevent the annexing areas ofPlavandGusinjeassigned to Montenegro. After several successful battles with Montenegrin troops, such as theBattle of Novšiće, the league was forced to retreat from their contested regions. The league was later defeated by the Ottoman army sent by the sultan.
Albaniadeclared independencefrom the Ottoman Empire on 28 November 1912, accompanied by the establishment of theSenateandGovernmentby theAssembly of Vlorëon 4 December 1912.Its sovereignty was recognised by theConference of London. On 29 July 1913, theTreaty of Londondelineated the borders of the country and its neighbors, leaving many Albanians outside Albania, predominantlypartitionedbetweenMontenegro,Serbia, andGreece.
Headquartered in Vlorë, theInternational Commission of Controlwas established on 15 October 1913 to take care of the administration of Albania until its own political institutions were in order.TheInternational Gendarmeriewas established as thePrincipality of Albania's first law enforcement agency. In November, the first gendarmerie members arrived in the country. Prince of AlbaniaWilhelm of Wied(Princ Vilhelm Vidi)was selected as the first prince of the principality.On 7 March, he arrived in the provisional capital ofDurrësand began to organise his government, appointingTurhan Pasha Përmetito form the first Albanian cabinet.
In November 1913, the Albanian pro-Ottoman forces had offered the throne of Albania to the Ottoman war minister of Albanian origin,Ahmed Izzet Pasha.The pro-Ottoman peasants believed that the new regime was a tool of the six ChristianGreat Powersand local landowners, who owned half of the arable land.
In February 1914, theAutonomous Republic of Northern Epiruswas proclaimed inGjirokastërby the localGreek populationagainst incorporation to Albania. This initiative was short-lived, and in 1921 the southern provinces were incorporated into the Albanian Principality.Meanwhile, therevolt of Albanian peasantsagainst the new regime erupted under the leadership of the group of Muslim clerics gathered aroundEssad Pasha Toptani, who proclaimed himself the savior of Albania and Islam.To gain the support of theMirditaCatholic volunteers from northern Albania, PrinceWiedappointed their leader,Prênk Bibë Doda, foreign minister of the Principality of Albania. In May and June 1914, the International Gendarmerie was joined byIsa Boletiniand his men, mostly fromKosovo,and the rebels defeated northernMirditaCatholics, capturing most of Central Albania by the end of August 1914.Prince Wied's regime collapsed, and he left the country on 3 September 1914.
Theinterwar periodin Albania was marked by persistent economic and social difficulties, political instability and foreign interventions.AfterWorld War I, Albania lacked an established government and internationally recognised borders, rendering it vulnerable to neighboring entities such as Greece, Italy, and Yugoslavia, all of which sought to expand their influence.This led to political uncertainty, highlighted in 1918 when theCongress of DurrëssoughtParis Peace Conferenceprotection but was denied, further complicating Albania's position on the international stage. Territorial tensions escalated as Yugoslavia, particularly Serbia, sought control of northern Albania, while Greece aimed dominance in southern Albania. The situation deteriorated in 1919 when the Serbs launched attacks on Albanian inhabitants, among others inGusinjeandPlav, resulting inmassacres and large-scale displacement.Meanwhile, Italian influence continued to expand during this time, driven by economic interests and political ambitions.
Fan Noli, renowned for hisidealism, became prime minister in 1924, with a vision to institute a Western-style constitutional government, abolish feudalism, counter Italian influence, and enhance critical sectors, including infrastructure, education and healthcare.He faced resistance from former allies, who had assisted in the removal ofZogfrom power, and struggled to secure foreign aid to implement his agenda. Noli's decision to establish diplomatic ties with the Soviet Union, an adversary of the Serbian elite, ignited allegations ofbolshevismfrom Belgrade.This in turn led to increased pressure from Italy and culminated in Zog's restoration to authority. In 1928, Zog transitioned Albania from a republic to a monarchy that garnered backing fromFascist Italy, with Zog assuming the title of King Zog I. Key constitutional changes dissolved the Senate and established a unicameral National Assembly while preserving Zog's authoritative powers.
In 1939, Italy underBenito Mussolinilaunched a military invasion of Albania, resulting to the exile of Zog and the creation of anItalian protectorate.AsWorld War IIprogressed, Italy aimed to expand its territorial dominion in the Balkans, including territorial claims on regions of Greece (Chameria), Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo. These ambitions laid the foundation ofGreater Albania, which aimed to unite all areas with Albanian-majority populations into a single country.In 1943, as Italy's control declined,Nazi Germanyassumed control of Albania, subjecting Albanians to forced labour, economic exploitation and repression underGerman rule.The tide shifted in 1944 when Albanian partisan forces, under the leadership ofEnver Hoxhaand other communist leaders, successfully liberated Albania from German occupation.
The establishment of thePeople's Republic of Albaniaunder the leadership ofEnver Hoxhawas a significant epoch in modern Albanian history.Hoxha's regime embracedMarxist–Leninist ideologiesand implementedauthoritarianpolicies, including prohibition of religious practices, severe restrictions on travel, and abolition of private property rights.It was also defined by a persistent pattern of purges, extensive repression, instances of betrayal, and hostility to external influences.Any form of opposition or resistance to his rule was met with expeditious and severe consequences, such as internal exile, extended imprisonment, and execution.The regime confronted a multitude of challenges, including widespread poverty, illiteracy, health crises and gender inequality.In response, Hoxha initiated a modernisation initiative aimed at attaining economic and social liberation and transforming Albania into an industrial society.The regime placed a high priority on the diversification of the economy through Soviet-style industrialisation, comprehensive infrastructure development such as the introduction of a transformativerailway system, expansion of education and healthcare services, elimination of adult illiteracy, and targeted advancements in areas such as women's rights.
Albania's diplomatic history under Hoxha was characterised by notable conflicts.Initially aligned with Yugoslavia as a satellite state, the relationship deteriorated as Yugoslavia aimed to incorporate Albania within its territory.Subsequently, Albania established relations with the Soviet Union and engaged trade agreements with other Eastern European countries, but experienced disagreements over Soviet policies, leading to strained ties with Moscow and diplomatic separation in 1961.Simultaneously, tensions with the West heightened due to Albania's refusal to hold free elections and allegations of Western support foranti-communist uprisings. Albania's enduring partnership was with China; it sided with Beijing during theSino-Soviet conflict, resulting in severed ties with the Soviet Union and withdrawal from theWarsaw Pactin response to the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. But their relations stagnated in 1970, prompting both to reassess their commitment, and Albania actively reduced its dependence on China.
Under Hoxha's regime, Albania underwent a widespread campaign targeting religious clergy of various faiths, resulting in public persecution and executions, particularly targeting Muslims, Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox adherents.In 1946, religious estates underwent nationalisation, coinciding with the closure or transformation of religious institutions into various other purposes.This culminated in 1976, when Albania became the world's first constitutionally atheist state.Under this regime, citizens were forced to renounce their religious beliefs, adopt a secular way of life, and embrace socialist ideology.
After four decades of communism paired with therevolutions of 1989, Albania witnessed a notable rise in political activism, particularly among students, which led to a transformation in the prevailing order. After the firstmulti-party electionsof1991, the communist party maintained a stronghold in the parliament until its defeat in theparliamentary elections of 1992directed by theDemocratic Party.Considerable economic and financial resources were devoted topyramid schemesthat were widely supported by the government. The schemes swept up somewhere between one sixth and one third of the population of the country.Despite theInternational Monetary Fund's warnings,Sali Berishadefended the schemes as large investment firms, leading more people to redirect their remittances and sell their homes and cattle for cash to deposit in the schemes.
The schemes began to collapse in late 1996, leading many of the investors to join initially peaceful protests against the government, requesting their money back. The protests turned violent in February 1997 as government forces responded by firing on the demonstrators. In March, the Police and Republican Guard deserted, leaving their armories open. These were promptly emptied by militias and criminal gangs. The resultingcivil warcaused a wave of evacuations of foreign nationals and refugees.
The crisis led bothAleksandër MeksiandSali Berishato resign from office in the wake of the general election. In April 1997,Operation Alba, a U.N. peacekeeping force led by Italy, entered Albania with two goals: to assist with the evacuation of expatriates and secure the ground for international organisations. The main international organisation involved was theWestern European Union'smultinationalAlbanian Policeelement, which worked with the government to restructure thejudicial systemand simultaneously the Albanian police.
After itscommunist systemdisintegrated, Albania embarked on an active path towardsWesternisationwith the ambition to obtain membership in theEuropean Union(EU) and theNorth Atlantic Treaty Organisation(NATO).A notable milestone was reached in 2009, when the country attainedmembershipin NATO, marking a pioneering achievement among the nations ofSoutheast Europe.In adherence to its vision for further integration into the EU, itformally appliedfor membership on 28 April 2009.Another milestone was reached on 24 June 2014, when the country was grantedofficial candidate status.
Edi Ramaof theSocialist Partywon both the2013and2017 parliamentary elections. Asprime minister, he implemented numerous reforms focused onmodernisingtheeconomy, as well as democratising state institutions, including thejudiciaryandlaw enforcement. Unemployment has steadily declined, with Albania achieving the 4th-lowestunemployment ratein the Balkans.Rama has also placedgender equalityat the centre of his agenda; since 2017 almost 50% of the ministers have been female, the largest number of women serving in the country's history.During the2021 parliamentary elections, the ruling Socialist Party led by Rama secured its third consecutive victory, winning nearly half of votes and enough seats in parliament to govern alone.
On 26 November 2019, a 6.4magnitudeearthquakeravaged Albania, with theepicentreabout 16 km (10 mi) southwest of the town ofMamurras.The tremor was felt inTiranaand in places as far away asTaranto, Italy, andBelgrade, Serbia, while the most affected areas were the coastal city ofDurrësand the village ofKodër-Thumanë.Comprehensive response to the earthquake included substantial humanitarian aid from theAlbanian diasporaand various countriesaround the world.
On 9 March 2020,COVID-19was confirmed to have spread to Albania.From March to June 2020, the government declared astate of emergencyas a measure to limit the virus's spread.The country's COVID-19vaccination campaignstarted on 11 January 2021, but as of 11 August 2021, the total number of vaccines administered in Albania was 1,280,239 doses.
On 21 September 2024, it was reported that Prime Minister Rama was planning to create theSovereign State of the Bektashi Order, a sovereignmicrostatefor the Order within Tirana.
Albania lies along theMediterranean Seaon theBalkan PeninsulainSouthandSoutheast Europe, and has an area of 28,748 km(11,100 sq mi).It is bordered by theAdriatic Seato the west,Montenegroto the northwest,Kosovoto the northeast,North Macedoniato the east,Greeceto the south, and theIonian Seato the southwest. It is between latitudes42°and39° Nand longitudes21°and19° E. Geographic coordinates includeVërmoshat 42° 35' 34" northern latitude as the northernmost point,Konispolat 39° 40' 0" northern latitude as the southernmost,Sazanat 19° 16' 50" eastern longitude as the westernmost, andVërnikat 21° 1' 26" eastern longitude as the easternmost.Mount Korab, rising at 2,764 m (9,068.24 ft)above the Adriatic, is the highest point, while the Mediterranean Sea, at 0 m (0.00 ft), is the lowest. The country extends 148 km (92 mi) from east to west and around 340 km (211 mi) from north to south.
Albania has a diverse and varied landscape with mountains and hills that traverse its territory in various directions. The country is home to extensive mountain ranges, including theAlbanian Alpsin the north, theKorab Mountainsin the east, thePindus Mountainsin the southeast, theCeraunian Mountainsin the southwest, and theSkanderbeg Mountainsin the centre. In the northwest is theLake of Shkodër, Southern Europe's largest lake.Towards thesoutheastemerges theLake of Ohrid, one of the world's oldest continuously existing lakes.Farther south, the expanse includes theLargeandSmall Lake of Prespa, some of the Balkans' highest lakes. Rivers rise mostly in the east and discharge into the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The country's longest river, measured from mouth to source, is theDrin, which starts at the confluence of its two headwaters, theBlackandWhite Drin. Of particular concern is theVjosë, one of Europe's last intact large river systems.
In Albaniaforest coveris around 29.% of the total land area, equivalent to 788,900 hectares (ha) of forest in 2020, up from 788,800 hectares (ha) in 1990. Of the naturally regenerating forest 11% was reported to beprimary forest(consisting of native tree species with no clearly visible indications of human activity) and around 0% of the forest area was found within protected areas. For the year 2015, 97% of the forest area was reported to be underpublic ownership, 3%private ownershipand 0% with ownership listed as other or unknown.
Theclimate of Albaniaexhibits a distinguished level of variability and diversity due to the differences in latitude, longitude and altitude.Albania experiences aMediterraneanandContinental climate, characterised by the presence of four distinct seasons.According to theKöppen classification, Albania encompasses five primary climatic types, spanning from Mediterranean andsubtropicalin the western half tooceanic,continentalandsubarcticin the eastern half of the country.The coastal regions along theAdriaticandIonian Seasin Albania are acknowledged as the warmest areas, while the northern and eastern regions encompassing theAlbanian Alpsand theKorab Mountainsare recognised as the coldest areas in the country.Throughout the year, the average monthly temperatures fluctuate, ranging from −1°C(30°F) during the winter months to 21.8 °C (71.2 °F) in the summer months. Notably, the highest recorded temperature of 43.9 °C (111.0 °F) was observed inKuçovëon 18 July 1973, while the lowest temperature of −29 °C (−20 °F) was recorded in Shtyllë,Librazhdon 9 January 2017.
Albania receives most of theprecipitationin winter months and less in summer months.The average precipitation is about 1,485 millimetres (58.5 inches).The mean annual precipitation ranges between 600 and 3,000 millimetres (24 and 118 inches) depending on geographical location.Thenorthwesternandsoutheastern highlandsreceive the intenser amount of precipitation, whilst thenortheasternandsouthwestern highlandsas well as theWestern Lowlandsthe more limited amount.TheAlbanian Alpsin the far north of the country are considered to be among the most humid regions of Europe, receiving at least 3,100 mm (122.0 in) of rain annually.Fourglacierswithin these mountains were discovered at a relatively low altitude of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), which is extremely rare for such a southerly latitude.
Abiodiversity hotspot, Albania possesses an exceptionally rich and contrastingbiodiversityon account of its geographical location at the centre of theMediterranean Seaand the great diversity in itsclimatic, geological andhydrologicalconditions.Because of remoteness, the mountains and hills of Albania are endowed with forests, trees and grasses that are essential to the lives for a wide variety of animals, among others for two of the mostendangered speciesof the country, thelynxandbrown bear, as well as thewildcat,grey wolf,red fox,golden jackal,Egyptian vultureandgolden eagle, the latter constituting the national animal of the country.
The estuaries, wetlands and lakes are extraordinarily important for thegreater flamingo,pygmy cormorantand the extremely rare and perhaps the most iconic bird of the country, thedalmatian pelican.Of particular importance are theMediterranean monk seal,loggerhead sea turtleandgreen sea turtlethat use to nest on the country's coastal waters and shores.
In terms ofphytogeography, Albania is part of theBoreal Kingdomand stretches specifically within theIllyrianprovince of theCircumborealandMediterranean Region. Its territory can be subdivided into four terrestrialecoregionsof thePalearctic realmnamely within theIllyrian deciduous forests,Balkan mixed forests,Pindus Mountains mixed forestsandDinaric Mountains mixed forests.
Approximately 3,500 different species of plants can be found in Albania which refers principally to aMediterraneanandEurasiancharacter. The country maintains a vibrant tradition of herbal and medicinal practices. At the minimum 300 plants growing locally are used in the preparation of herbs and medicines.The trees within the forests are primarilyfir,oak,beechandpine.
Albania has been an active participant in numerous international agreements and conventions aimed at strengthing its commitment to the preservation and sustainable management of biological diversity. Since 1994, the country is a party to theConvention on Biological Diversity(CBD) and its associatedCartagenaandNagoya Protocols.To uphold these commitments, it has developed and implemented a comprehensiveNational Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan(NBSAP).Furthermore, Albania has established a partnership with theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN), advancing its conservation efforts on both national and international scales. Guided by the IUCN, the country has made substantial progress in the foundation ofprotected areaswithin its boundaries, encompassing 12national parksamong othersButrint,Karaburun-Sazan,Llogara,PrespaandVjosa.
As a signatory to theRamsar Convention, Albania has granted special recognition upon four wetlands, designating them as Wetlands of International Importance, includingBuna-Shkodër,Butrint,KaravastaandPrespa.The country's dedication to protection extends further into the sphere ofUNESCO'sWorld Network of Biosphere Reserves, operating within the framework of theMan and the Biosphere Programme, evidenced by its engagement in theOhrid-Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve.Furthermore, Albania is host to two naturalWorld Heritage Sites, which encompass the Ohrid region and both theGashi RiverandRrajcaas part ofAncient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe.
Theprotected areas of Albaniaare areas designated and managed by theAlbanian government. There are 12national parks, 4ramsar sites, 1biosphere reserveand 786 other types of conservation reserves in Albania.Located in the north, the Albanian Alps National Park, comprising the formerTheth National ParkandValbonë Valley National Park, is surrounded amidst the towering peaks of theAlbanian Alps. In the east, portions of the ruggedKorab,NemërçkaandShebenikMountains are conserved within the boundaries ofFir of Hotovë-Dangëlli National Park,Shebenik National ParkandPrespa National Park, with the latter encompassing Albania's share of theGreatandSmall Lakes of Prespa.
To the south, theCeraunian Mountainsdefine theAlbanian Ionian Sea Coast, shaping the landscape ofLlogara National Park, which extends into theKaraburun Peninsula, forming theKaraburun-Sazan Marine Park. Further southward liesButrint National Park, occupying a peninsula surrounded by the Lake of Butrint and theChannel of Vivari. In the west, stretching along theAlbanian Adriatic Sea Coast, theDivjakë-Karavasta National Parkboasts the extensiveLagoon of Karavasta, one of the largest lagoon systems in the Mediterranean Sea. Notably, Europe's first wild river national park,Vjosa National Park, safeguards theVjosa Riverand its primary tributaries, which originates in thePindusMountains and flows to the Adriatic Sea.Dajti Mountain National Park,Lurë-Dejë Mountain National ParkandTomorr Mountain National Parkprotect the mountainous terrain of the centre of Albania, including theTomorrandSkanderbeg Mountains.
Environmental issues in Albania notably encompassairandwater pollution,climate changeimpacts,waste managementshortcomings,biodiversity lossand imperative fornature conservation.
Climate change is predicted to exert significant impacts on the quality of life in Albania.Albania is one of the European countries most at risk and vulnerable tonatural disasters.Natural disasters, such asfloods,forest fires, andlandslides, are increasing in Albania due to climate change, causing significant damage.Rising sea levels are anticipated to negatively impact coastal communities and the tourism industry.
In 2023 Albania emitted 7.67 million tonnes ofgreenhouse gases,equivalent to 2.73 tonnes per person,making it a relatively low emitting country. Albania has pledged a 20.9% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, andnet zeroby 2050.
The country has a moderate and improving performance in theEnvironmental Performance Indexwith an overall ranking of 62 out of 180 countries in 2022.However, Albania's ranking has decreased since its highest placement at position 15 in the Environmental Performance Index of 2012.
Since declaring independence in 1912, Albania has experienced a significant political transformation, traversing through distinct periods that included a monarchical rule, a communist regime and the eventual establishment of a democratic order.In 1998, Albania transitioned into asovereignparliamentaryconstitutional republic, marking a fundamental milestone in its political evolution.Its governance structure operates under aconstitutionthat serves as the principal document of the country.The constitution is grounded in the principle of theseparation of powers, with three arms of government that encompass the legislative embodied in theParliament, the executive led by thePresidentas the ceremonialhead of stateand thePrime Ministeras the functionalhead of government, and the judiciary with a hierarchy of courts, including theconstitutionalandsupreme courtsas well as multipleappealandadministrative courts.
Albania's legal system is structured to protect its people's political rights, regardless of their ethnic, linguistic, racial, or religious affiliations.Despite these principles, there are significant human rights concerns in Albania that demand attention.These concerns include issues related to the independence of the judiciary, the absence of a free media sector and the enduring problem of corruption within various governmental bodies, law enforcement agencies and other institutions.As Albania pursues its path towards EU membership, active efforts are being made to achieve substantial improvements in these areas to align with EU criteria and standards.
Emerging from decades of isolation during the communism, Albania has adopted aforeign policyorientation centred on active cooperation and engagement in international affairs. At the core of Albania's foreign policies lie a set of objectives, which encompass the commitment to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the cultivation of diplomatic ties with other countries, advocating forinternational recognition of Kosovo, addressing the concerns related to theexpulsion of Cham Albanians, pursuing Euro-Atlantic integration and protecting the rights of the Albanians inKosovo,Greece,Italy,Montenegro,North Macedonia,Serbiaand thediaspora.
The external affairs of Albania underscore the country's dedication to regional stability and integration into major international institutions.Albania became a member of theUnited Nations(UN) in 1955, shortly after emerging from a period of isolation during the communist era.The country reached a major achievement in its foreign policy by securing NATO membership in 2009.Since obtaining candidate status in 2014, the country has also embarked on a comprehensive reform agenda to align itself with European Union (EU) accession standards, with the objective of becoming an EU member state.
Albania and Kosovo maintain a fraternal relationship strengthened by their substantial cultural, ethnical and historical ties.Both countries foster enduring diplomatic ties, with Albania actively supporting Kosovo's development and international integration efforts.Its fundamental contribution toKosovo's path to independenceis underscored by its earlyrecognition of Kosovo's sovereigntyin 2008.Furthermore, both governments hold annual joint meetings, displayed by the inaugural meeting in 2014, which serves as an official platform to enhance bilateral cooperation and reinforce their joint commitment to policies that promote the stability and prosperity of the broader Albanian region.
TheAlbanian Armed Forcesconsist ofLand,AirandNaval Forcesand constitute the military and paramilitary forces of the country. They are led by acommander-in-chiefunder the supervision of theMinistry of Defenceand by thePresidentas the supreme commander during wartime. However, in times of peace its powers are executed through thePrime Ministerand theDefence Minister.
The chief purpose of the armed forces of Albania is the defence of the independence, thesovereigntyand theterritorial integrityof the country, as well as the participation in humanitarian, combat, non-combat and peace support operations.Military serviceis voluntary since 2010 with the age of 19 being the legal minimum age for the duty.
Albania has committed to increase the participations in multinational operations.Since the fall of communism, the country has participated in six international missions but only one United Nations mission inGeorgia, where it sent three military observers. Since February 2008, Albania has participated officially in NATO'sOperation Active Endeavorin theMediterranean Sea.It was invited to join NATO on 3 April 2008, and it became a full member on 2 April 2009.
Albania reduced the number of active troops from 65,000 in 1988 to 14,500 in 2009.The military now consists mainly of a small fleet of aircraft and sea vessels. Increasing the military budget was one of the most important conditions forNATOintegration. As of 1996 military spending was an estimated 1.5% of the country's GDP, only to peak in 2009 at 2% and fall again to 1.5%.
Albania is defined within a territorial area of 28,748 km(11,100 sq mi) in theBalkan Peninsula. It is informally divided into three regions, theNorthern,CentralandSouthern Regions. Sinceits Declaration of Independencein 1912, Albania has reformedits internal organisation21 times. Presently, the primaryadministrative unitsare the twelve constituentcounties(qarqe/qarqet), which hold equal status under the law.Counties had previously been used in the 1950s and were recreated on 31 July 2000 to unify the 36districts(rrathë/rrathët) of that time.The largest county in Albania by population isTirana Countywith over 800,000 people. The smallest county, by population, isGjirokastër Countywith over 70,000 people. The largest county, by area, isKorçë Countyencompassing 3,711 square kilometres (1,433 sq mi) of the southeast of Albania. The smallest county, by area, isDurrës Countywith an area of 766 square kilometres (296 sq mi) in the west of Albania.
The counties are made up of 61 second-level divisions known asmunicipalities(bashki/bashkia).The municipalities are the first level of local governance, responsible for local needs andlaw enforcement.They unified and simplified the previous system ofurbanandrural municipalitiesorcommunes(komuna/komunat) in 2015.For smaller issues oflocal government, the municipalities are organised into 373administrative units(njësia/njësitë administrative). There are also 2980 villages (fshatra/fshatrat), neighborhoods or wards (lagje/lagjet), and localities (lokalitete/lokalitetet) previously used as administrative units.
Albania's transition from a socialistplanned economyto a capitalistmixed economyhas been largely successful.The country has adevelopingmixed economy classified by theWorld Bankas anupper-middle income economy. In 2016, it had the fourth-lowestunemployment ratein theBalkanswith an estimated value of 14.7%. Its largest trading partners are Italy, Greece, China, Spain, Kosovo and the United States. Thelek(ALL) is the country's currency and ispeggedat approximately 132.51 lek per euro.
The cities ofTiranaandDurrësconstitute the economic and financial heart of Albania due to their high population, modern infrastructure and strategic geographical location. The country's most important infrastructure facilities take course through both of the cities, connecting the north to the south as well as the west to the east. Among the largestcompaniesare the energy distribution public companyOSHEE, steel producer Kurum, oil cdompanies like Kastrati,Albpetrol, andARMO, the mineralAlbChrome, the investmentBALFIN Groupand the telecommunications companiesOne AlbaniaandVodafone.
In 2012, Albania'sGDP per capitastood at 30% of theEuropean Unionaverage, whileGDP (PPP) per capitawas 35%.In the first quarter of 2010, after theGreat Recession, Albania was one of three countries in Europe to record economic growth.TheInternational Monetary Fundpredicted 2.6% growth for Albania in 2010 and 3.2% in 2011.According toForbes, as of December 2016, theGross Domestic Product (GDP)was growing at 2.8%. The country had atrade balanceof −9.7% andunemployment rateof 14.7%.Foreign direct investmenthas increased significantly in recent years as the government has embarked on an ambitious programme to improve the business climate through fiscal and legislative reforms.
Agriculture in the country is based on small to medium-sized family-owned dispersed units. It remains a significant sector of theeconomy of Albania. It employs 41%of the population, and about 24.31% of the land is used for agricultural purposes. One of the earliest farming sites in Europe has been found in the southeast of the country.As part of the pre-accession process of Albania to theEuropean Union, farmers are being aided throughIPAfunds to improve Albanian agriculture standards.
Albania produces significant amounts of fruits (apples,olives, grapes, oranges, lemons,apricots,peaches,cherries,figs,sour cherries,plums, andstrawberries),vegetables(potatoes, tomatoes,maize, onions, and wheat),sugar beets, tobacco, meat,honey,dairy products, traditional medicine andaromatic plants. Further, the country is a worldwide significant producer ofsalvia,rosemaryandyellow gentian.The country's proximity to theIonian Seaand theAdriatic Seagive the underdeveloped fishing industry great potential. TheWorld BankandEuropean Communityeconomists report that, Albania's fishing industry has good potential to generate export earnings because prices in the nearby Greek and Italian markets are many times higher than those in the Albanian market. The fish available off the coasts of the country arecarp,trout,sea bream,musselsandcrustaceans.
Albania has one of Europe's longest histories ofviticulture.Today's region was one of the few places where vine was naturally grown during the ice age. The oldest found seeds in the region are 4,000 to 6,000 years old.In 2009, the nation produced an estimated 17,500 tonnes of wine.
Albania's secondary sector has undergone many changes and diversification since the communist regime collapsed. It is very diversified, fromelectronics,manufacturing,textiles, tofood,cement,mining,andenergy. TheAntea Cementplant inFushë-Krujëis considered one of the nation's largest industrial greenfield investments.Albanian oil and gas is one of the most promising, albeit strictly regulated, sectors of its economy. Albania has thesecond-largest oil depositsin theBalkan peninsulaafterRomania, and the largestoil reservesin Europe. TheAlbpetrolcompany is owned by the Albanian state and monitors the state petroleum agreements in the country. The textile industry has seen an extensive expansion by approaching companies from theEuropean Union(EU) in Albania. According to theInstituti i Statistikës (INSTAT), as of 2016, textile production had an annual growth of 5.3% and an annual turnover of around 1.5 billion euros.
Albania is a significant minerals producer and ranks among the world's leadingchromiumproducers and exporters.The nation is also a notable producer of copper, nickel, and coal.TheBatra mine,Bulqizë mine, andThekna mineare among the most recognised Albanian mines still in operation.
Thetertiary sectorrepresents the fastest growing sector of the country's economy. 36% of the population work in the service sector which contributes to 65% of the country's GDP.Ever since the end of the 20th century, thebanking industryis a major component of the tertiary sector and remains in good conditions overall due toprivatisationand the commendablemonetary policy.
Previously one of the mostisolatedand controlled countries in the world,telecommunication industryrepresents nowadays another major contributor to the sector. It developed largely through privatisation and subsequent investment by both domestic and foreign investors.Eagle,VodafoneandTelekom Albaniaare the leadingtelecommunications service providersin the country.
Tourism is recognised as an industry of national importance and has been steadily increasing since the beginnings of the 21st century.It directly accounted for 8.4% of GDP in 2016 though including indirect contributions pushes the proportion to 26%.In the same year, the country received approximately 4.74 million visitors mostly from across Europe and the United States as well.
The increase of foreign visitors has been dramatic. Albania had only 500,000 visitors in 2005, and an estimated 4.2 million in 2012, an increase of 740 percent. In 2015, summer tourism increased by 25 percent from 2014, according to the country's tourism agency.In 2011,Lonely Planetnamed Albania as a top travel destination,whileThe New York Timesplaced Albania as number 4 global tourist destination in 2014.
The bulk of the tourist industry is concentrated along theAdriaticandIonian Seain the west of the country. But theAlbanian Rivierain the southwest has the most scenic and pristine beaches; its coastline has a considerable length of 446 kilometres (277 miles).The coast has a distinctive character, rich in varieties of virgin beaches, capes, coves, covered bays, lagoons, small gravel beaches, sea caves, and many landforms. Some parts of this seaside are very clean ecologically, including unexplored areas, which are very rare within theMediterranean.Other attractions include the mountainous areas such as theAlbanian Alps,Ceraunian MountainsandKorabMountains but also the historical cities ofBerat,Durrës,Gjirokastër,Sarandë,ShkodërandKorçë.
Transportation in Albania is managed within the functions of theMinistry of Infrastructure and Energyand entities such as theAlbanian Road Authority(ARRSH), responsible for the construction and maintenance of thehighwaysandmotorwaysin Albania, as well as theAlbanian Aviation Authority(AAC), with the responsibility of coordinating civil aviation and airports in the country.
Theinternational airportofTiranais the premier air gateway to the country, and is also the principal hub for Albania's nationalflag carrierairline,Air Albania. The airport carried more than 3.3 million passengers in 2019 with connections to many destinations in other countries aroundEurope,AfricaandAsia.The country plans to progressively increase the number of airports especially in the south with possible locations inSarandë,GjirokastërandVlorë.
Thehighwaysandmotorways in Albaniaare properly maintained and often still under construction and renovation. TheAutostrada 1(A1) is an integral transportation corridor and the country's longest motorway. It is planned to linkDurrëson the Adriatic Sea acrossPristinain Kosovo with thePan-European Corridor Xin Serbia.TheAutostrada 2(A2) is part of theAdriatic–Ionian Corridoras well as thePan-European Corridor VIIIand connectsFierwithVlorë.TheAutostrada 3(A3) is under construction and after its completion will connectTiranaandElbasanwith the Pan-European Corridor VIII. When all three corridors are completed, Albania will have an estimated 759 kilometres (472 mi) of highway, linking it with all neighboring countries.
Durrësis the busiest and largestseaportin the country, followed byVlorë,ShëngjinandSarandë. As of 2014, it is as one of the largest passenger ports on theAdriatic Sea, with annual passenger volume of about 1.5 million. The principal ports serve a system of ferries connecting Albania with islands and coastal cities in Croatia, Greece, and Italy.
The rail network is administered by the national railway companyHekurudha Shqiptare, which was extensively promoted by Hoxha. There has been considerable increase in private car ownership and bus usage while rail use decreased since the end of communism. A new railway line from Tirana and its airport to Durrës is planned. The location of this railway, connecting Albania's most populated urban areas, makes it an important economic development project.
In Albania, education is secular, free,compulsory, and based on three levels.The academic year is apportioned into two semesters, beginning in September or October and ending in June or July.Albanianis theprimary languageof instruction in the country'sacademic institutions.The study of a firstforeign languageis mandatory and taught most often at elementary and bilingual schools.Languages taught in schools are English, Italian, French and German.Albania has aschool life expectancyof 16 years and aliteracy rateof 98.7%, with 99.2% for men and 98.3% for women.
Compulsory primary education is divided into two levels, elementary and secondary school, from grade one to five and six to nine, respectively.Pupils are required to attend school from the age six until they turn 16. Upon successful completion of primary education, all pupils are entitled to attend high schools, specialising in any field, including arts, sports, languages, sciences, and technology.
Tertiary education is optional and has undergone a thorough reformation and restructuring in compliance with the principles of theBologna Process. There are a significant number of private and publicinstitutions of higher educationin Albania's major cities.Tertiary education is organised into three successive levels, thebachelor,master, anddoctorate.
Theconstitution of Albaniaguarantees its citizens equal, free, anduniversal health care.The health care system is organised intoprimary,secondary, andtertiary healthcare, and is in a process of modernisation and development.Thelife expectancyat birth in Albania is 77.8 years, ranking37thin the world and surpassing severaldeveloped countries.The averagehealthy life expectancyis 68.8 years, ranking 37th in the world.The country'sinfant mortality ratewas estimated at 12 per 1,000 live births in 2015. In 2000, the country had the world's 55th-best healthcare performance, as defined by theWorld Health Organisation(WHO).
Cardiovascular diseaseis the principal cause of death in Albania, accounting for 52% of deaths.Accidents, injuries,malignantandrespiratory diseasesare other primary causes of death.Neuropsychiatric diseasehas also increased due to recent demographic, social, and economic changes in the country.
In 2009, Albania had a fruit and vegetable supply of 886 grams per capita per day, the fifth-highest supply in Europe.Compared to other developed and developing countries, Albania has a relatively low rate ofobesity, probably thanks to theMediterranean diet.According to2016 WHO data, 21.7% of adults in the country are clinicallyoverweight, with aBody mass index(BMI) score of 25 or more.
Due to its location and natural resources, Albania has a wide variety ofenergy resources, ranging from gas, oil, and coal towind,solar,water, and otherrenewablesources.According to theWorld Economic Forum's 2023 Energy Transition Index (ETI), the country ranked 21st globally, highlighting the progress in its energy transition agenda.Currently, Albania's electricity generation sector depends onhydroelectricity, ranking fifth in the world in percentage terms.Increasing risks of river floods and droughts due toclimate changeis expected to put electricity generation at risk.TheDrin, in the north, hosts fourhydroelectric power stations, includingFierza,Koman,SkavicaandVau i Dejës. Two other power stations, such as theBanjëandMoglicë, are along theDevollin the south.
Albania has considerable oil deposits. It has the 10th-largest oil reserves in Europe and the 58th in the world.The country's main petroleum deposits are located around theAlbanian Adriatic Sea CoastandMyzeqePlain within theWestern Lowlands, where the country's largest reserve is located.Patos-Marinza, also located within the area, is the largest onshoreoil fieldin Europe.TheTrans Adriatic Pipeline(TAP), part of the plannedSouthern Gas Corridor, runs for 215 kilometres (134 miles) across Albania's territory before entering theAlbanian Adriatic Sea Coastapproximately 17 kilometres (11 miles) northwest ofFier.
Albania'swater resourcesare particularly abundant in all the regions of the country and compriselakes,rivers, springs, and groundwater aquifers.The country's available average quantity offresh wateris estimated at 129.7 cubic metres (4,580 cubic feet) per inhabitant per year, one of the highest rates in Europe.According to data presented by theJoint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation(JMP) in 2015, about 93% of the country's total population had access toimproved sanitation.
Thefreedom of pressandspeech, and the right to free expression is guaranteed in theconstitution of Albania.Albania was ranked 84th on thePress Freedom Indexof 2020 compiled by theReporters Without Borders, with its score steadily declining since 2003.Nevertheless, in the 2020 report ofFreedom in the World, theFreedom Houseclassified the freedoms of press and speech in Albania as partly free from political interference and manipulation.
Radio Televizioni Shqiptar(RTSH) is thenational broadcastercorporation of Albania operating numerous television and radio stations in the country.The three major private broadcaster corporations areTop Channel,Televizioni KlanandVizion Pluswhose content are distributed throughout Albania and beyond its territory inKosovoand otherAlbanian-speakingterritories.
Albanian cinema has its roots in the 20th century and developed after the country'sdeclaration of independence.The firstmovie theaterexclusively devoted to showingmotion pictureswas built in 1912 inShkodër.During thePeople's Republic of Albania, Albanian cinema developed rapidly with the inauguration of theKinostudio Shqipëria e Rein Tirana.In 1953, the Albanian-Sovietepic film, theGreat Warrior Skanderbeg, was released chronicling the life and fight of the medieval Albanian heroSkanderbeg. It went on to win the international prize at the1954 Cannes Film Festival. In 2003, theTirana International Film Festivalwas established, the largest film festival in the country. TheDurrës Amphitheatreis host to theDurrës International Film Festival, the second largest film festival.
After thefall of communismin 1991, human resources in sciences and technology in Albania have drastically decreased. As of various reports, during 1991 to 2005 approximately 50% of the professors and scientists of the universities and science institutions in the country have left Albania.In 2009, thegovernmentapproved the National Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation in Albania covering the period 2009 to 2015.It aims to triple public spending onresearch and developmentto 0.6% of GDP and augment the share ofGDEfrom foreign sources, including the framework programmes for research of theEuropean Union, to the point where it covers 40% of research spending, among others. Albania was ranked 84th in theGlobal Innovation Indexin 2024.
Telecommunication represents one of the fastest growing and dynamic sectors in Albania.Vodafone Albania,Telekom AlbaniaandAlbtelecomare the three large providers ofmobileandinternetin Albania.As of theElectronic and Postal Communications Authority(AKEP) in 2018, the country had approximately 2.7 million active mobile users with almost 1.8 million active broadband subscribers.Vodafone Albania alone served more than 931,000 mobile users, Telekom Albania had about 605,000 users and Albtelecom had more than 272,000 users.InJanuary 2023, Albania launched itsfirst two satellites,Albania 1andAlbania 2, intoorbit, in what was regarded as a milestone effort in monitoring the country's territory and identifying illegal activities.Albanian-American engineerMira Murati, the Chief Technology Officer of research organisationOpenAI, played a substantial role in the development and launch of artificial intelligence services such asChatGPT,CodexandDALL-E.In December 2023, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced plans for collaboration between the Albanian government and ChatGPT, facilitated by discussions with Murati.Rama emphasised the intention to streamline the alignment of Albanian laws with the regulations of the European Union, aiming to reduce costs associated with translation and legal services.
The demographic statistics of Albania, as revealed by the 2023 census conducted by theInstituti i Statistikave(INSTAT), indicated a population of 2,402,113, with a notable decline from the 2,821,977 recorded in the 2011 census.The decrease in inhabitants began after the disintegration of the communist regime in Albania and is associated with significant shifts within the political, economic, and social structure of Albania.A principal factor in this transition incorporates a decline in fertility rates coupled with an increase in emigration, both contributing to persistent demographic changes and challenges.It is forecast that the population will continue shrinking for the next decade at least, depending on the actual rates and the level of migration.Currently, the population density of Albania is measured at 83.6 inhabitants per square kilometer with a varied distribution of inhabitants across different regions.The counties ofTiranaandDurrësshowcase substantial concentrations of people, accounting for about 41% of the overall demographic of Albania, with 32% residing in Tirana and 9% in Durrës.Conversely, more peripheral and rural counties such asGjirokastërandKukëspresent significantly lower population densities, with each aiding 3% to the overall population.
Historically, the Albanian people have established several communities in many regions throughout Southern Europe. TheAlbanian diasporahas been formed since the late Middle Ages, when they emigrated to escape either various socio-political difficulties or the Ottoman conquest of Albania.Following the fall of communism, large numbers of Albanians have migrated to countries such as Australia, Canada, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Albanianminoritiesare present in the neighbouring territories such as the west of North Macedonia, the southeast of Montenegro, Kosovo in its entirety and parts of southern Serbia. Altogether, the number of ethnic Albanians living abroad is estimated to be higher than the total population inside Albania. As much as a third of those born in the country's borders now live outside of it, making Albania one of the countries with the highest rate of outmigration relative to its population in the world.In 2022 the birth rate was 20% lower than in 2021, largely due to emigration of people of childbearing age.
Subsequent to the collapse of communism in 1991, Albania has undergone a remarkable transformation in its urban landscape, emerging as one of the fastest urbanising countries in Europe.At the forefront of this transformation is theTirana-Durrësagglomeration, a densely populated urban corridor situated along thewestern coast of Albania.This corridor has become the primary locus of population growth and settlement development, attracting a significant influx of internal migrants from the country's peripheral areas.Despite an overall decline of the country's total population, the proportion of the urban demographic has consistently progressed from 47% in 2001 to 65% in 2023.This sustained increase, coupled with the concentration in the Tirana-Durrës region, has led to a spread of regional imbalances, with the peripheral areas, particularlyDibërandKukës, experiencing severe depopulation.
Theofficial languageof the country isAlbanianwhich is spoken by the vast majority of the country's population.Its standard spoken and written form is revised and merged from the two main dialects,GhegandTosk, though it is notably based more on the Tosk dialect. TheShkumbinriver is the rough dividing line between the two dialects. Among minority languages,Greekis the second most-spoken language in the country, with 0.5 to 3% of the population speaking it as first language, mainly in the country's south where its speakers are concentrated.Other languages spoken by ethnic minorities in Albania includeAromanian,Serbian,Macedonian,Bosnian,Bulgarian,Gorani, andRoma.Macedonian is official in the Pustec Municipality in East Albania. According to the 2011 population census, 2,765,610 or 98.8% of the population declaredAlbanianas theirmother tongue.Because of large migration flows from Albania, over half of Albanians during their life learn a second language. The main foreign language known is English with 40.0%, followed by Italian with 27.8% and Greek with 22.9%. The English speakers were mostly young people, the knowledge of Italian is stable in every age group, while there is a decrease of the speakers of Greek in the youngest group.
Among young people aged 25 or less, English, German and Turkish have seen rising interest after 2000. Italian and French have had a stable interest, while Greek has lost much of its previous interest. The trends are linked with cultural and economic factors.
Young people have shown a growing interest in theGerman languagein recent years.Some of them go to Germany for studying or various experiences. Albania and Germany have agreements for cooperating in helping young people of the two countries know both cultures better.Due to a sharp rise in economic relations with Turkey, interest in learning Turkish, in particular among young people, has been growing on a yearly basis.
Designated national and cultural minorities in Albania include Aromanian, Greek, Macedonian, Montenegrin, Serb, Roma, Egyptian, Bosnian and Bulgarian peoples, as well as Gorani and Jews as other minority groups.The 2023 census recorded the ethnic composition asAlbanians2,186,917 (91,04% of the total),Greeks23,485 (0,98%),Macedonians2,281 (0,09%),Montenegrins511 (0,02%),Aromanians2,459 (0,1%),Roma9,813 (0.4%),Balkan Egyptians12,375 (0,5%),Bosnians2,963 (0,12%),Serbians584 (0,02%),Bulgarians7,057 (0,29%), mixed ethnicities 770 (0.03%), other ethnicities 3,798 (0.15%), and 134,451 (5.60%) with unspecified ethnicity, out of a total population of 2,402,113.
Contrary to official statistics that show an Albanian majority, the minority groups have frequently disputed the official numbers, asserting a higher percentage of the country's population. The Greek government claimed there were an estimation of 300,000 ethnic Greeks in Albania.TheCIA World Factbookestimates the Greek minority to constitute 0.9%of the population. The US State Department estimates that Greeks make up 1.17%, and other minorities 0.23%, of the population.The latter questioned the validity of the 2011 census data about the Greek minority, as measurements had allegedly been affected by boycott.
Albania is asecularand religiously diverse country with noofficial religion.Freedom of religion,beliefandconscienceare guaranteed under the country'sconstitution.As of the 2023 Census, there were 1,101,718 (45.86%)Sunni Muslims, 201,530 (8.38%)Catholics, 173,645 (7.22%)Eastern Orthodox, 115,644 (4.81%)Bektashi Muslims, 9,658 (0.4%)Evangelicals, 3,670 (0.15%) of other religions, 332,155 (13.82%) believers without denomination, 85,311 (3.55%) Atheists and 378,782 (15.76%) did not provide an answer.Albania is nevertheless ranked among the least religious countries in the world.Religion constitute an important role in the lives of only 39% of the country's population.In another report, 56% considered themselves religious, 30% considered themselves non-religious, while 9% defined themselves as convinced atheists. 80% believed in God.
TheMuslim Albaniansare spread throughout the country.OrthodoxandBektashisare mostly found in the south, whereasCatholicsmainly live in the north.In 2008, there were 694Catholicchurches and 425orthodoxchurches, 568 mosques and 70bektashitakyasin the country.
Duringmodern times, the Albanian republican, monarchic and later communist regimes followed a systematic policy of separating religion from official functions and cultural life. The country has never had anofficial religioneither as a republic or as a kingdom. In the 20th century, the clergy of all faiths was weakened under the monarchy and ultimately eradicated during the 1950s and 1960s, under the state policy of obliterating all organised religion from the territories of Albania. Thecommunist regimepersecuted and suppressed religious observance and institutions and entirelybanned religion. The country was then officially declared to be the world's firstatheist state. Religious freedom has returned, however, since theend of communism.
Islam survived communist era persecution and reemerged in the modern era as a practised religion in Albania.Some smaller Christian sects in Albania includeEvangelicalsand severalProtestantcommunities includingSeventh-day Adventist Church,Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsandJehovah's Witnesses.The first recorded Protestant of Albania was Said Toptani, who travelled around Europe and returned toTiranain 1853, where he preachedProtestantism. The firstevangelical Protestantsappeared in the 19th century and the Evangelical Alliance was founded in 1892. Nowadays, it has 160 member congregations from different Protestant denominations. Following mass emigration to Israel after the fall of communism, there are only 200 AlbanianJewsleft in the country.
The red and blacknational coloursare displayed on theflag of Albaniathat is adorned with adouble-headed eagleas the foremost recognisednational symbol of Albania.With the black eagle portraying bravery and strength, the red field symbolises the fortitude and sacrifices of the Albanian people.The eagle is linked with the legacy of the national heroGjergj Kastrioti, renowned as Skanderbeg, who led a prosperousresistance movementagainst Ottoman rule.Rooted in the Middle Ages, it emerged as aheraldicsymbolin thePrincipality of Arbërand among notable Albanian dynasties such as theDukagjini,Kastrioti,MuzakaandThopiaclans.Amid theAlbanian Renaissance, marking the resurgence of Albanian national identity and aspirations for independence, the Albanian eagle regained its prominence.Its importance reached its culmination withAlbania's declaration of independencein 1912, whenIsmail Qemaliraised it as the national flag inVlorë.
Thecoat of arms of Albaniais an adaptation of the flag of Albania and the seal of Skanderbeg.The coat comprises the black double-headed eagle positioned at the centre of a red field.Above the eagle, it carries thehelmet of Skanderbegthat is crowned with the head of a golden horned goat.Ti Shqipëri, më jep nder, më jep emrin Shqipëtar, which translates to "You Albania, give me honour, give me the name Albanian", is thenational motto of Albania.It finds its foundation in the legacy ofnational poetNaim Frashëri, who held a renowned role during the Albanian Renaissance.Thenational anthem of Albania, "Himni i Flamurit", was composed byAsdreniand adopted as such following Albania's independence in 1912.
Albanian traditional clothing, with its contrasting variations for the northernGhegand southernTosk Albanians, is a testament to Albania's history, cultural diversity and ethnic identity.Gheg men wear a light-colored shirt paired with wide loose-fitting trousers referred to as the Tirq. These trousers are securely fastened by a wide woven belt, the Brez. An integral component of their costume is theXhamadan, a woolen red velvet vest adorned with folkloric motifs and gold patterns.They also wear a distinctive dome-shaped hat known as theQeleshe, crafted from wool, with its origins tracing back to theIllyrians.Conversely, Tosk men opt for theFustanella, a knee-length garment designated as the national costume, typically white with pleats, accompanied by a white shirt. They also wear a beige or dark blue Xhamadan reminiscent of the Gheg attire. To complete their attire, men wear knee-high socks referred to asÇorapeand leather shoes known asOpinga.
The attire of Gheg and Tosk women is renowned for its rich palette of colors and intricate filigree detailing, displayed across various components including ear ornaments, finger rings, necklaces, belt buckles and buttons. Key components include a long, light-toned shirt paired with an apron, often accompanied by a woolen or felt mantle referred to as the Xhoka. Additional upper garments, such as the Dollama or Mintan, may be layered, along with a headscarf known as Kapica or Shall. A distinctive variation incorporates a pair of aprons, including the Pështjellak at the rear and the Paranik at the front. Integral to the traditional attire of Gheg women is the ancientXhubleta.Dedicated efforts have been undertaken to preserve and promote the dress, acknowledging its significance as an emblem of Albanian heritage.As a testament to its importance, the Xhubleta has been inscribed on theUNESCOIntangible Cultural Heritage List.The distinctive bell-shaped garment is fashioned in black and enriched with embroidered ethnic Albanian motifs, showcasing the remarkable craftsmanship of northern Albania.Its crafting process involves multiple intricate stages, encompassing the preparation of shajak fabric and the precise cutting techniques.
Theartistic historyof Albania has been particularly influenced by a multitude of ancient and medievalpeople, traditions and religions. It covers a broad spectrum with mediums and disciplines that include painting,pottery, sculpture,ceramicsand architecture all of them exemplifying a great variety in style and shape, in different regions and period.
The rise of theByzantineandOttoman Empirein theMiddle Ageswas accompanied by a corresponding growth inChristianandIslamic artin the lands of Albania which are apparent in examples of architecture and mosaics throughout the country.Centuries later, theAlbanian Renaissanceproved crucial to the emancipation of the modern Albanian culture and saw unprecedented developments in all fields of literature and art whereas artists sought to return to the ideals ofImpressionismandRomanticism.However,Onufri,Kolë Idromeno,David Selenica,Kostandin Shpatarakuand theZografi Brothersare the most eminent representatives of Albanian art.
Thearchitecture of Albaniareflects the legacy of various civilisations tracing back to theclassical antiquity. Major cities in Albania have evolved from within the castle to include dwellings, religious and commercial structures, with constant redesigning of town squares and evolution of building techniques. Nowadays, the cities and towns reflect a whole spectrum of variousarchitectural styles. In the 20th century, many historical as well assacredbuildings bearing the ancient influence were demolished during thecommunist era.
Ancient architectureis found throughout Albania and most visible inByllis,Amantia,Phoenice,Apollonia,Butrint,Antigonia,ShkodërandDurrës. Considering the long period of rule of theByzantine Empire, they introduced castles, citadels, churches and monasteries with spectacular wealth of visiblemuralsandfrescos. Perhaps the best known examples can be found in the southern Albanian cities and surroundings ofKorçë,Berat,VoskopojëandGjirokastër. Involving the introduction ofOttoman architecturethere was a development of mosques and other Islamic buildings, particularly seen in Berat and Gjirokastër.
A productive period ofHistoricism,Art NouveauandNeoclassicismmerged into the 19th century, best exemplified inKorçë. The 20th century brought new architectural styles such as the modernItalian style, which is present inTiranasuch as theSkanderbeg Squareand Ministries. It is also present in Shkodër,Vlorë,SarandëandDurrës. Moreover, other towns received their present-day Albania-unique appearance through various cultural or economic influences.
Socialist classicismarrived during thecommunist erain Albania after theSecond World War. At this period many socialist-styled complexes, wide roads and factories were constructed, while town squares were redesigned and numerous of historic and important buildings demolished. Notable examples of that style include theMother Teresa Square,Pyramid of Tirana,Palace of Congressesand so on.
Three Albanianarchaeologicalsites are included in the list ofUNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include the ancient remains of Butrint, the medievalHistoric Centres of Berat and Gjirokastër, andNatural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid regionsite shared withNorth Macedoniasince 2019.Furthermore, the royalIllyrian tombs, the remains ofApollonia, the ancientAmphitheatreof Durrës and theFortress of Bashtovëhas been included on the tentative list of Albania.
Throughout the centuries,Albanian cuisinehas been widely influenced byAlbanian culture,geographyandhistory, and as such, different parts of the country enjoy specificregional cuisines. Cooking traditions especially vary between the north and the south, owing to differingtopographyandclimatethat essentially contribute to the excellent growth conditions for a wide array of herbs, fruits, and vegetables.
Albanians produce and use many varieties of fruits such aslemons, oranges,figs, and most notably,olives, which are perhaps the most important element of Albanian cooking. Spices and other herbs such asbasil,lavender,mint,oregano,rosemary, andthymeare widely used, as are vegetables such as garlic, onions,peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, as well aslegumesof all types.
With a coastline along theAdriaticandIonianin theMediterranean Sea, fish,crustaceans, and seafood are a popular and an integral part of the Albanian diet. Otherwise,lambis the traditional meat for different holidays andreligious festivalsfor bothChristiansandMuslims, although poultry, beef, and pork are also in plentiful supply.
Tavë kosi("soured milkcasserole") is thenational dishof Albania, consisting of lamb and rice baked under a thick, tart veil ofyoghurt.Fërgesëis another national dish, made up of peppers, tomatoes, andcottage cheese. Pite is also popular, a baked pastry with a filling of a mixture ofspinachand gjizë (curd) or mish (ground meat).
Petulla, a traditional fried dough, is also a popular speciality, and is served withpowdered sugarorfeta cheeseand different sorts offruit jams.Fliaconsists of multiplecrêpe-like layers brushed with cream and served with sour cream.Krofne, similar toBerliner doughnuts, are filled with jam, or chocolate and often eaten during winter.
Coffee is an integral part of the Albanian lifestyle. The country has more coffee houses per capita than any other country in the world.Tea is also enjoyed both at home or outside at cafés, bars, or restaurants. Çaj Mali (Sideritistea) is enormously beloved, and a part of the daily routine for most Albanians. It is cultivated across Southern Albania and noted for its medicinal properties.Black teais also popular.
Albanian wineis also common throughout the country, and has been cultivated for thousands of years. Albania has a long and ancient history of wine production, and belongs to theOld World of wine producing countries.
Albanian folk music is a prominent part of the national identity, and continues to play a major part in overallAlbanian music. Folk music can be divided into two stylistic groups, mainly the northernGhegvarieties, and southernLabandToskvarieties. Northern and southern traditions are contrasted by a rugged tone from the north, and the more relaxed southern form of music.
Many songs concern events fromAlbanian historyandculture, including traditional themes of honour, hospitality, treachery, and revenge. The first compilation of Albanian folk music was made by twoHimariotmusicians,Neço Mukaand Koço Çakali, in Paris, during their work with Albanian sopranoTefta Tashko-Koço. Severalgramophonecompilations were recorded at the time by the three artists, which eventually led to the recognition ofAlbanian iso-polyphonyas aUNESCOIntangible Cultural Heritage.
Festivali i Këngësis a traditional Albanian song contest organised by the national broadcasterRadio Televizioni Shqiptar(RTSH). The festival is celebrated annually since its inauguration in 1962 and has launched the careers of some of Albania's most successful singers includingVaçe ZelaandParashqevi Simaku.It is significantly a music competition among Albanian performers presenting unreleased songs in premiere, composed by Albanian authors and voted by juries or by public.
Contemporary artistsRita Ora,Bebe Rexha,Era Istrefi,Dua Lipa,Ava Max,Bleona,Elvana Gjata,Ermonela Jaho, andInva Mulahave achieved international recognition for their music,while sopranoErmonela Jahohas been described by some as the "world's most acclaimed soprano".Albanian opera singerSaimir Pirguwas nominated for the 2017Grammy Award.
The cultural renaissance was first of all expressed through the development of theAlbanian languagein the area of church texts and publications. The Protestant reforms invigorated hopes for the development of the local language and literary tradition, when clericGjon Buzukutranslated theCatholic liturgyinto Albanian, trying to do for Albanian whatMartin Lutherhad done for German.Meshari(The Missal) written byGjon Buzukuwas published in 1555 and is considered one of the first literary work of written Albanian during the Middle Ages. The refined level of the language and the stabilised orthography must be the result of an earlier tradition of written Albanian, a tradition that is not well understood. However, there is some fragmented evidence, pre-dating Buzuku, which indicates that Albanian was written from at least the 14th century.
Albanian writings from these centuries must not have been religious texts only, but historical chronicles too. They are mentioned by the humanistMarin Barleti, who in his bookSiege of Shkodër(Rrethimi i Shkodrës) from 1504, confirms that he leafed through such chronicles written in the language of the people (in vernacula lingua) as well as his famous biography ofSkanderbegHistoria de vita et gestis Scanderbegi Epirotarum principis(History of Skanderbeg) from 1508. TheHistory of Skanderbegis still the foundation of Skanderbeg studies and is considered an Albanian cultural treasure, vital to the formation of Albanian national self-consciousness.
During the 16th and the 17th centuries, thecatechism(E mbësuame krishterë) (Christian Teachings) from 1592 written byLekë Matrënga, (Doktrina e krishterë) (The Christian Doctrine) from 1618 and (Rituale romanum) 1621 byPjetër Budi, the first writer of original Albanianproseand poetry, anapologyfor George Castriot (1636) byFrang Bardhi, who also published a dictionary andfolklorecreations, the theological-philosophical treatyCuneus Prophetarum(The Band of Prophets) (1685) byPjetër Bogdani, the most universal personality of AlbanianMiddle Ages, were published inAlbanian. The most famous Albanian writer in the 20th and 21st century is probablyIsmail Kadare.
Albania participated at theOlympic Games in 1972for the first time. The country made their Winter Olympic Games debut in2006. Albania missed the next four games, two of them due to the 1980 and 1984 boycotts, but returned for the 1992 games inBarcelona. Since then, Albania have participated in all games. Albania normally competes in events that include swimming, athletics, weightlifting, shooting and wrestling. The country have been represented by theNational Olympic Committee of Albaniasince 1972. The nation has participated at theMediterranean Gamessince the games of1987in Syria. The Albanian athletes have won a total of 43 (8 gold, 17 silver and 18 bronze) medals from1987to2013.
Popular sports in Albania includefootball, weightlifting,basketball, volleyball, tennis, swimming,rugby unionand gymnastics. Football is by far the most popular sport in Albania. It is governed by theFootball Association of Albania(Albanian:Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit, F.SH.F.), which has membership inFIFAandUEFA.
TheAlbania national football team, ranking 51st in theWorldin 2017 (highest 22nd on 22 August 2015) have won the1946 Balkan Cupand theMalta Rothmans International Tournament 2000, but had never participated in any majorUEFAorFIFAtournament, untilUEFA Euro 2016, Albania's first ever appearance at the continental tournament and at a major men's football tournament. Albania scored their first ever goal in a major tournament and secured their first ever win in European Championship when they beatRomaniaby 1–0 in aUEFA Euro 2016match on 19 June 2016.The most successful football clubs areSkënderbeu,KF Tirana,Dinamo Tirana,PartizaniandVllaznia.
Weightlifting is one of the most successful individual sport for the Albanians, with the national team winning medals at theEuropean Weightlifting Championshipsand the rest international competitions. Albanian weightlifters have won a total of 16 medals at theEuropean Championshipswith 1 of them being gold, 7 silver and 8 bronze. In theWorld Weightlifting Championships, the Albanian weightlifting team has won in1972a gold in2002a silver and in2011a bronze medal.
Nearly 60% of women in rural areas suffer physical or psychological violence and nearly 8% are victims of sexual violence. 
Protection orders are often violated.
In 2014 the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) reported that the number of female murder victims is still high.The Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination has raised concerns regarding the family registration law that discriminates against women. As a result, heads of households, who are overwhelmingly men, have the right to change family residency without their partners' permission.
In 2015, the associationILGA-Europeranked Albania 19th in terms of LGBT rights out of 49 observed European countries.Meanwhile, on the latest report in 2022, lack of progress caused Albania to be ranked the 28th country in Europe, among 49 countries observed.
Wikimedia Atlas of Albania
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