Country Info

Official Name:

Republika e Shqiperise

short form: Shqiperia

int'l long form: Republic of Albania

int'l short form: Albania

ISO Country Code: al

Time:

Local Time = UTC +1h (in Summer UTC +2)

Capital City: Tirana (pop. 600 000)

Other Cities: Durres (200 000), Shkoder (81 000), Vlore (72 000, 2005 est.)

Government:

Type: Parliamentary Republic.

Constitution: Adopted by popular referendum 28 November 1998.

Independence:28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire).

Geography:

Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea.

Area: 28 748 sq. km.

Terrain: Situated in the southwestern region of the Balkan Peninsula, Albania is predominantly mountainous but flat along its Adriatic Sea coastline.

Highest peak: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2764 m.

Climate: Mediterranean, Mild temperate--short, soft, wet winters; hot and dry summers.

People:

Nationality: Albanian(s)

Population: 3.5 million.

Ethnic groups: Albanian 98.6%, Greeks 1.17%, others 0.23% (Vlachs, Roma, Serbs, Montenegrins, Macedonians, Egyptians, and Bulgarians).

Official Language: Albanian.

Literacy: 86.5%; male: 93.3%, female: 79.5%

Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower.

Agriculture products: Wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products.

Industries: Food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower.

Exports partners: Italy 72.4%, Greece 10.5%, Serbia and Montenegro 5%

Imports partners: Italy 29.3%, Greece 16.4%, Turkey 7.5%, China 6.6%, Germany 5.4%, Russia 4%

Currency: Lek (ALL)

National Day                           28 November

UN Member                                in 14 December 1955

National Anthem               Himni i Flamurit 

Domain TLD                TLD .al

International Tel Code              +355