Albania

Albania, a country that had deteriorated under years of political strife, has emerged from a poor economy to become a more modern society. Pushing ahead with reforms over freedom of the press, rights for ethnic minorities and raising standards within elections to become internationally accepted are just some of the ways in which Albania continues to improve.

Tourism is a growing part of the country's industry as many of its coastal areas are unspoiled and boast enticing beaches. The capital city of Tirana, a sprawling metropolis in the valley of Dajti Mountain, is ever growing, along with the cities of Purrës, Elbasan, Shkodër, Gjirokasfër, Vlorë, Korcë and Kukës.

Geography:

Albania is a Balkan country in South-Eastern Europe. Montenegro borders Albania in the North, the Serbian province of Kosovo is on the North-East, the Republic of Macedonia is to the East, and Greece is to the South.

The country has an expansive coastline, with the Adriatic Sea to the West and the Ionian Sea to the East. The majority of the country, however, is mountainous and mostly inaccessible. The highest mountain is the Korab which reaches just over nine thousand feet in altitude.

The climate is Continental, especially at high altitudes where there are cold winters and hot summers.

Government:

The Republic of Albania is a parliamentary representative democratic country. The Prime Minister, who is appointed by the President, is the Head of Government. While Executive power is only available to the Government, legislative power is available to both the Government and to Albania's Parliament, the Assembly of the Republic of Albania (Kuvendi i Republikës së Shqipërisë). The Assembly has 140 Deputies within it; 100 are elected directly and 40 are chosen by parties on the basis of proportional representation.

The President is elected through secret ballot for a five year term and appoints the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, or the Prime Minister as the position more commonly known. The Prime Minister then nominates Ministers to the President who appoints them based on the PM's recommendations. The People's Assembly has to pass approval of the choices of the Ministers before it can become finalised.

Foreign Relations:

Albania awaits entrance to the European Union, and is hoping for an invitation to join NATO at some point in the near future.

The country's relationship with its neighbours had been somewhat strained in the turbulent years of Albania's past, but now the Government is doing all it can to strengthen ties with others.

Transportation:

Throughout the past two decades, Albania has started to slowly but surely redevelop its transport network. Once, the government had even banned ownership of cars. There are no rail connections to neighbouring countries – the one to Montenegro being out of use.

Once, sprawling country roads, which were poorly maintained and often crowded with people, made up the majority of Albania 's roads. Now, there are roads connecting each major city within the country, with plans for connections to neighbouring countries and many other major road developments within the country itself.

There is but one international airport, the Tirana International Airport: Nënë Tereza . With connections to 29 different destinations, it had become obvious that another would be needed to serve the growing numbers of passengers. There is currently one airport planned for opening in 2008 in Kukes, with one more in development and plans for another 3 still in the air.

Did You Know?

• Albania's natural resources include: petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber and hydropower.
• Albanian is the official language of Albania, while Greek, Vlach, Romani, and Slavic dialects are all spoken within the country too.
• Albania's National Holiday is the 28th November which marks its Independence Day in 1912.

© Written by E.J.Clarke.