Economy and tourism

Natural resources

Albania has large supplies of water. The hydrographic network is 4,900 km long. Per sq km is 1.43 million m³ of water and 15,000 m³ of water per capita per year. Currently, approximately 85% of the needs for electrical energy is supplied by hydroelectric plants. The country is rich in minerals, especially chrome ore, iron ore, bauxite.

Fauna and flora

Albania has about 3,290 species of plants in the wild and 35% of the surface is covered with forests. 10,000 hectares of national parks (Theti, Dajti, Divkaja, Bredhi i Drenoves, Lura and Llogara) have a high ecological and tourist value. The animal world is rich in some rare species: brown bear, wild goat, wild cat, lynx, pelican.

Tourism

Albania holds everything needed for a rapid development of tourism. Studies were conducted so that this would be oriented towards eco-tourism to preserve harmony between economic development, nature and national cultural traditions and values. The number of tourists grows every year, attracted by the numerous curiosities and amazing natural wealth, but also because of social and cultural values.

The following "sites" (monuments, landscapes and building complexes) in Albania are included on the UNESCO World Heritage site: Butrint, Gjirokaster, Berat and the Ohrid lake.

Some major attractions include:

• The view of Tirana from the Cemetery of Martyrs, which is also the monument for Mother Teresa.
• The Scutarimeer (that separates Albania from Montenegro) located in Shkodra. The town is dominated by the ruins of the Rozafa Fortress, one of the ancient Illyrian castles. The fortress on a rocky hill and from here there is a spectacular view over the surrounding countryside, the lake and the Lead Mosque. The Mesi Bridge, 8 km from Shkodra, is also worth a visit.
• The medieval city wall in Durres leading from the Venetian tower at the harbor to the amphitheater from the second century BC.
• The excavations in Apollonia. Here was in Roman times a large, wealthy city. The amphitheater and several parts of the Roman city can be visited.
• The Mosque Mirahor to 1466 in Korça.
• The excavations at Butrint in a theater, the Temple of Aesculapius, the Nypheum, the Lion Gate, the Altar of Dionysus and Roman houses and baths. The nearby tourist resort Ksamil presents a beautiful view over the lake of  Butrint.
• Vlora. This city has not only an important port but is also of great historical importance. In this city was proclaimed in 1912 the independent Albanian state and here, the rst convention of the rst national government took place. Major attractions in Vlora are the Muradiye Mosque, designed by the famous architect Mimar Sinan, and the tourist center Liria, from where a magnicent view over the beach and the city.
• The medieval town of Kruja. The city lies on a hilltop north of Tirana.
• Gjirokaster, with castle and beautiful mosque.

Climate

Albania is divided into two climate zones:

• 1. along the coast of Albania there is a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and wet, mild winters.

• 2. in the inland and mountainous areas there is a continental climate with warm summers and snow rich winters.

The average maximum temperature in summer ranges from 25-35° C. July is the warmest month, the average temperature over about 25° C. in spring and autumn the days are cooler and the nights chilly. The coldest month is January, with an average temperature of 7° C in Tirana. In the higher areas in summer also the evenings may be cool.
There is relatively high precipitation in Albania, averaging 1,300 mm per year. In the north, the total precipitation is up to 2,000 mm per year. Most precipitation falls from October to May The driest month is July, the wettest are November and December.