Introduction to Albania
The Republic of Albania is located in the Western Balkans, in an area of 28,748 sq. km, and is bordered by the Republic of Montenegro to the north, to the east by both Kosovo and Macedonia, and by Greece to the south, overlooking its coast on the Ionian and the Adriatic Sea, and up along the coast to about 400 km. Albania is characterized by rugged mountain topography which constitutes about 70% of the country, while the remainder is a fertile plain land suitable for agriculture.
Albania is a member of the United Nations Organization since 1955, became member of the OIC in 1992, and is also a member in many regional and international organizations while presently it is seeking to join the European Union.
Albania celebrates its National Day on 28 November each year to mark its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912 by its founder Mr. Ismail Qemali.
Albania enjoys a Mediterranean climate, where in the coastal areas prevails mild weather, wet and dry winter and hot summers, while areas along the chains and the foothills of the Alps have a very cold continental climate with snow in the winter and mild summer, with rainfall ranging at in land rates low of 1.000 millimetres to more than 1.500 millimetres per year, with increased precipitation in the north of the country.
In spite of the frequent rainfall, Albania enjoys plenty of sunshine, and is the second country in Europe after Spain in terms of the annual average number of the days of sunshine, and the climate is generally gentle and suitable for all outdoor activities.
Average Temperatures in the city of Tirana
To get the Tirana weather forecast , please click on the following link:
http://www.weather.com/weather/today/Tirana+ALXX0002:1:AL
• Illustrative maps
Map showing the location of Albania in the Balkans
Map showing the most important cities in the Republic of Albania
Map showing the shape of the terrain of the Republic of Albania
There are four large lakes in Albania, each with its own distinctive characteristics and aesthetic character.
- Lake Shkodra (located on the border between Albania and Montenegro)
- Lake Fierza(located in north-eastern Albania)
- Lake Ohrid (located between Albania and Macedonia) border
- Lake Prespa (located between Albania, Greece and Macedonia) border
Albania has abundant water resources, and abound rivers and streams, the most important of which are:
- Drini River, with a length of 285 km
- Seman River, with a length of 281 km
- Viosa River, with a length of 272 km
- Shkumbini River, with a length of 182 km
- Mat River, and a length of 115 km
- Buna River, with a length of 44 km
Albanian society
Albania has a population of about 3 million people, with an estimated population density of about 113 people per square kilometre. The population is growing at an annual rate of 0.73%. The average life expectancy for women is 75 years and 69 years for men.
The Albanian ethnicity is the majority of the population, and there are some other ethnic minorities, namely:
- The Greek minority
- Roma minority
- Arumun minority (Original Romania)
- Montenegrin minority
- Macedonian minority
Tirana is the capital and the country's largest city with a population of about 800,000 people.
Albanian language is the official language. It is one of the Indo-European languages. The Albanian alphabet consists of 36 characters. The most important dialects are "Geg" in the north and "Tosk" in the south and many Albanians speak Italian and English.
Albania has a state of harmony and peaceful coexistence between different faiths. Muslims account for more than 70% of the total population, while Orthodox Christians make up for about 20% of the population, and Catholics 10%. It is worth mentioning that in 1967 - the period that witnessed the peak of the tyranny of the communist era and totalitarian governance, religious practice was been banned all over Albania, but after the fall of communism in the early 90’ Albanians returned to practice religion freely.
Albanian Lek at the average exchange rate 133 Lek / 1 euro
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