Albania

1190 – Establishment of the Principality of Arbanon

1479 – Ottoman Empire gains control over Albania

28 November 1912 – Declaration of Independence from the Ottoman Empire (date of modern state formation)

1939–1944 – Italian and German occupation during World War II

1946 – People’s Republic of Albania established under communist rule

1991 – Fall of communism; transition to democracy

2009 – Albania joins NATO

2014 – Granted EU candidate status

Borders: Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Greece
Coastline: Adriatic Sea, Ionian Sea
Landscape: Mountainous interior, coastal plains, river valleys
Major Rivers: Drin, Vjosë, Shkumbin
Notable Features: Albanian Alps, Lake Shkodër, Lake Ohrid

Location: Southeastern Europe (Balkans)
Capital: Tirana
Language: Albanian
Currency: Albanian Lek (ALL)
Population: ~2.8 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Central European Time (CET, UTC+1); Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2)

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Albanian; minorities include Greeks, Macedonians, Roma
Religion: Islam (Sunni and Bektashi), Albanian Orthodox, Roman Catholic (last updated: 2021)
Urban Population: ~60% (last updated: 2023)
Population Trends: Declining population due to emigration and low birth rates (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Rich folklore, traditional music and dance, hospitality
Cuisine: Byrek (savory pastry), tavë kosi (baked lamb with yogurt), seafood, raki (fruit brandy)
Arts: Traditional polyphonic singing, handicrafts, literature
Sports: Football (soccer), basketball, weightlifting

Economy Type: Upper-middle-income developing economy
GDP: Approx. $20 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Agriculture, energy, tourism, textiles, mining
Key Exports: Textiles, footwear, minerals, oil, medicinal plants
Unemployment Rate: ~11% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Notes: Candidate for EU membership; significant remittances from diaspora

Government Type: Parliamentary republic
Head of State: President Bajram Begaj (last updated: April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Edi Rama (last updated: April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral Parliament (Kuvendi)
Constitution: In effect since 1998

Tirana: Skanderbeg Square, National History Museum
Berat: UNESCO-listed city with historic Ottoman architecture
Gjirokastër: Stone city, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Albanian Riviera: Beaches along the Ionian Sea
Natural Beauty: Llogara Pass, Theth National Park, Lake Komani

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 3 (last updated: 2023)