Country profile: Albania

Facts and statistics on Albania including history, population, politics, geography, economy, religion and climate


Potted histoy of the country: The Illyrians were the earliest known inhabitants. The area came under Roman control after a defeat in 165BC, and later became part of the Byzantine empire. It was subsequently ruled by the Ottoman Turks before independence in 1912. King Zog, then Italy, were subsequent rulers; the end of the second world war saw a Stalinist-style communist state under Enver Hoxha.

Political pressure points: Albania has been a parliamentary democracy since 1991. However, the late 1990s saw political instability, an influx of ethnic Albanian refugees from Kosovo and collapse of the economy due to a pyramid selling scheme. A stabilisation and association agreement with the EU – the first step to membership – will focus on law reform and anti-corruption measures.

Population mix: Albanian 98%, Greeks, Macedonians, Bulgarians, Roma, Serbs, Montenegrins, Vlahs 2%

Religious make up: Muslim 65%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Catholic 10%

Main languages: Albanian, principal dialects Gheg and Tosk

Living national icons: Inva Mula (soprano), Patrick Nuo (singer, model) Romela Begaj (weightlifter) Lorik Cana (footballer), Erald Dervishi (chess), Ismail Kadare (writer)

Landscape and climate: In south-eastern Europe, Albania lies in the western part of the Balkan peninsula. Much of the country is mountainous, and more than a third of it is forest. Its coastline extends along the Adriatic and Ionian seas. There are also three large lakes, with Shkodra the largest in the Balkans.

Highest point: Mount Korabi 2,751 metres

Area covered by water: 521 square miles

Healthcare and disease: The government provides basic medical care for the whole population, but facilities are poor, especially outside Tirana. Mortality figures are good for the region, but 60% of men still smoke regularly, compared with 18% of women, and rates of hepatitis are high. It is not advisable to drink the tap water or unpasteurised milk.

Average life expectancy (m/f): 73/79

Average number of children per mother: 2.1

Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births: 92

Infant deaths per 1,000 births: 17

Adults HIV/Aids rate: 0.02%

Doctors per 1,000 head of population: 1.2

Adult literacy rate: 99% (m 99.3%/f 98.4%)

Economic outlook: Since communism ended, Albania has been one of the poorest countries in Europe, hampered by lack of inward investment. Much of its income is from remittances sent to their families by Albanians working abroad.

Main industries: Tourism, mining, energy generation, construction and food-processing

Key crops/livestock: Wheat, maize, potatoes, tomatoes, watermelons and grapes, poultry and sheep

Key exports: Textiles, footwear, metals and metallic ores, crude oil, vegetables, fruit, tobacco

GDP: £4,646m (113th)

GDP per head: £1,465

Unemployment rate: 13.8%

Proportion of global carbon emissions: 0.02%

Most popular tourist attractions: The museum city Berat, the Rozafa Fortress, the Ionian coast.

Local recommendation: In the south-west of the country, there's the ancient port of Butrint, in operation from Hellenistic to Ottoman times. It is one of the richest archaeological sites in the Adriatic.

Traditional dish: Tavë kosi (baked lamb with yoghurt)

Foreign tourist visitors per year: 747,837

Media freedom index (ranked out of 173): 79

Did you know that … In Albania, nodding the head means "no", and shaking the head means "yes".

National anthem:
For the Lord Himself has said
That nations vanish from the earth
But Albania shall live on
Because for her, it is for her that we fight

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/country-profile/albania