About Albania

Albania is a country still relatively unknown to tourists. This small, sunny country has suffered for years poverty, blood feuds and communist dictatorship. Albania is the poorest country in continental Europe but as one of the few European countries has its own culture, consisting of a mix of Southern charm and a somewhat naive inefficiency. Moreover, the country has a fascinating history, a wonderful and unspoiled nature, beautiful beaches, delicious local cuisine and hospitable people with a creative spirit.

Location

Albania is situated in southeastern Europe on the Adriatic Sea (west) and the Ionian sea (in the southwest) and has borders with Greece (in the southeast), Macedonia (east), Serbia and Kosovo (in the northeast) and Montenegro (in the northwest). Albania has a total border of 1,082 km, of which 362 km to the sea.

Surface

The total land area is 28,750 km ². This is 1.14 times smaller than Belgium. Albania is divided into 12 provinces (prefectures).

Politics

Albania is a member of the United Nations, NATO, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization, the Organization of Islamic Conference and one of the founding members of the Union for the Mediterranean. On April 28, 2009, the country has officially applied for EU membership.Albania is a parliamentary democracy. The Albanian capital Tirana, with 895,000 inhabitants, is also the financial capital of the country.

Albanian capital: Tirana with 850,000 – 900,000 inhabitants