Facts About Albania

A country in southeastern Europe, Albania is located in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula. Lying along the Adriatic Sea, it stands bounded by Greece in the south-east, Montenegro in the north, partially-recognized Kosovo in the northeast and the Republic of Macedonia in the east. The narrow coastal plain that spread over most of the country gives rise to mountains that are as much as 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) high. Albania is one of the smallest as well as the poorest countries of Europe. However, it is slowly making the transition to open-market economy and moving on the road to progress. In case you want to know more about Albania, make use of the information provided below.

Fun & Interesting Facts about Albania 

• The official name of Albaniais the ‘Republic of Albania.
• Albania was earlier known as ‘People's Socialist Republic of Albania’.
• The official language of AlbaniaisAlbanian. However, Greek is also widely spoken there.
• People of Albania mainly belong to Islam, Albanian Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism.
• The currency of Albania is Lek.
• The capital of Albania is Tirana.
• Albania follows the system of Parliamentary Democracy.
• Albania gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912.
• Albania is a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Council of Europe as well as World Trade Organization.
• Albania is believed to be a potential candidate for membership in the European Union.
• The highest point in Albania is Mount Korab (2,753 m).
• The local name of Albania is ‘Shqiperia’, which can be translated to ‘Land of the Eagles’.
• The emblem on Albania's flag comprises of a two-headed eagle.
• Albanoi tribe, which used to inhabit the region around Durres, gave Albania its name.
• In the early times, Albania used to be known as Illyria.
• The capital city of Albania has been inhabited since Neolithic times and was developed in the 17^thcentury.
• The ancient city of Butrint is a World Heritage Site.
• The city of Berat is a designated "Museum City".
• Albania had become a Christian country by the 2^nd century. It was only in the 15^th century that Ottoman Turks introduced Islam here.
• ‘Meshari’ was the first book published in Albania, written by a Catholic priest in 1555.
• Albania is one of the only majority Muslim nations in Europe.
• Food processing, textiles and clothing, lumber and oil form the major industries of Albania.
• Albania is one of the poorest and least-developed countries in Europe.
• Tirana, Durrës, Elbasan, Shkodër and Vlorë are the largest cities in Albania, in terms of population.
• Albania is one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries in the world.
• In Albania, nodding the head means no, and shaking the head means yes.