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Albania

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Albania is a country located in Southeast Europe.

Location Albania Europe
Location Albania Europe

It sits on the Balkan Peninsula near the coast. The land touches both the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. These waters are part of the much larger Mediterranean Sea. Albania shares its land borders with four neighbors. To the northwest is Montenegro and to the northeast is Kosovo. It also borders North Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south.

The landscape of Albania is very varied and beautiful. You can find rugged, snow-capped mountains in the high hills. These include the Albanian Alps and the Korab mountains.

Valbona nga Kukaj
Valbona nga Kukaj

There are also the Skanderbeg, Pindus, and Ceraunian mountain ranges. Near the sea, the land changes into fertile lowland plains.

Gjipe beach, Albania
Gjipe beach, Albania

These plains stretch out from the coastlines of the two seas.

Many different groups of people have lived here throughout history. Long ago, several Illyrian tribes lived in this land. These included the Ardiaei, Bylliones, and many others.

Kamenicë Tumulus, Albania 2018 02
Kamenicë Tumulus, Albania 2018 02

Ancient Greeks also built colonies along the coast. One famous Greek colony was called Apollonia.

Parku Arkeologjik i Apollonisë 04
Parku Arkeologjik i Apollonisë 04

Later, the region became part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires.

Albania has seen many big changes over the centuries. In the 15th century, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg led a resistance against the Ottoman Empire. He led military campaigns for over twenty years.

Krujë-KrujaAlbania 2016
Krujë-KrujaAlbania 2016

The country eventually declared its independence in 1912.

Ismail Qemali (portrait)
Ismail Qemali (portrait)

The 20th century brought many different types of rule. This included a monarchy and a communist regime under Enver Hoxha.

Enver Hoxha (portret)
Enver Hoxha (portret)

Today, Albania is a parliamentary constitutional republic. It has a parliament and a prime minister who helps run the country. The economy is growing and uses an open market system. Tourism is a very important part of how the country works. In 2024, over 11 million visitors came to see the country.

Albania is also working toward joining the European Union.

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🖼️ Images & Media (57)
File:Coat of arms of Albania.svg
Coat of arms of Albania.svg
Hymni i Flamurit instrumental.ogg
File:Location Albania Europe.png
Location Albania Europe.png
File:Kamenicë Tumulus, Albania 2018 02.jpg
Kamenicë Tumulus, Albania 2018 02.jpg
File:The City and the Prokletije from the castle.jpg
The City and the Prokletije from the castle.jpg
File:Parku Arkeologjik i Apollonisë 04.jpg
Parku Arkeologjik i Apollonisë 04.jpg
File:Krujë-KrujaAlbania 2016.jpg
Krujë-KrujaAlbania 2016.jpg
File:Venezia_-_Ex_Scola_degli_albanesi_(sec._XV)_-_Foto_Giovanni_Dall%27Orto,_12-Aug-2007_-_11_-_Maometto_II_assedia_Scutari.jpg
Venezia_-_Ex_Scola_degli_albanesi_(sec._XV...
File:Albanian Principalities, ca. 1390 (modern Albania).png
Albanian Principalities, ca. 1390 (modern...
File:Ismail Qemali (portrait).jpg
Ismail Qemali (portrait).jpg
File:Fan Stilian Noli.jpg
Fan Stilian Noli.jpg
File:Enver Hoxha (portret).jpg
Enver Hoxha (portret).jpg

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