Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years
of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty
democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive
governments have tried to deal with high unemployment,
widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure,
powerful organized crime networks, and combative political
opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic
development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991,
but deficiencies remain. International observers judged
elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of
political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in
1997. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and
its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime
and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the
size of government. The election, and particularly the orderly
transition of power, was considered an important step forward.
Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is
still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal
economy and an inadequate energy and transportation
infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in
managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is
continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU. Albania, with
troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been a strong supporter of
the global war on terrorism.
Location:
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic
Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro
Area:
28,748 sq km
Border countries:
Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro
172 km, Serbia 115 km
Climate:
mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters;
hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter
Geography:
strategic location along Strait of Otranto
(links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)
Population:
3,581,655
Nationality:
Albanian(s)
Ethnic groups:
Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Roma
(Gypsy), Serb, Macedonian, Bulgarian)
note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged
from 1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek
organization)
Religions:
Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman
Catholic 10%
note: percentages are estimates; there are no available current
statistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches
were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in
November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice
Languages:
Albanian (official - derived from Tosk
dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects
Government type:
emerging democracy
Capital:
Tirana (Tirane)
Time zone:
GMT/UTC +01:00
National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 November (1912)
Currency:
lek (ALL)
Communications:
Telephones – main lines in use: 255,000;
despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines
remains the lowest in Europe with roughly seven lines per 100
people; however, cellular telephone use is widespread and
generally effective
Transportation:
Airports: 11, Railways: 447 km, Roadways:
18,000 km, Waterways: 43 km