View source for Albania

{{Infobox country
| native_name = {{native name|sq|Republika e Shqipërisë}}
| conventional_long_name = Republic of Albania
| common_name = Albania
| national_motto = <br />''"Ti, Shqipëri, më jep nder, më jep emrin Shqiptar"''<br /><small>{{in lang|sq}}<br />"You, Albania, give me honor, give me the name Albanian"</small>
| national_anthem = {{lang|sq|[[Himni i Flamurit]]}}{{Spaces|2}}<br /><small>{{in lang|sq}}<br />"Hymn to the Flag"</small><br />[[File:Hymni i Flamurit instrumental.ogg|National anthem of Albania]]
| image_flag = Flag of Albania.svg
| image_coat = Coat of arms of Albania.svg
| symbol_type = Coat of arms
| image_map = Europe-Albania.svg
| map_caption = {{map caption|location_color=green|region=Europe|region_color=dark grey|legend=Location Albania Europe.png}}
| official_languages = [[Albanian language|Albanian]]<sup>1</sup>
| capital = [[Tirana]]
| coordinates              = {{Coord|41|19|N|19|49|E|type:city}}
| largest_city = capital
| government_type = [[Parliamentary republic]]
| ethnic_groups = 98.2% [[Albanians]]<br>1.8% others
| religion               = {{ublist|item_style=white-space;
 |50.67% [[Islam in Albania|Islam]]
 |16.02% [[Christianity]]
 |13.83% [[Non-denominational]]
 |3.55% [[Atheism]]
 |0.15% other
 |15.77% undeclared<ref name="Census 2023"/>
}}
| religion_year          = 2023
| leader_title1 = [[List of heads of state of Albania|President]]
| leader_name1 = [[Bajram Begaj]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Bajram Begaj– President of the Republic of Albania|url=http://president.al/?p=87&lang=en|publisher=Institution of the President of the Republic of Albania|accessdate=30 October 2016}}</ref>
| leader_title2 = [[List of Prime Ministers of Albania|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name2 = [[Edi Rama]]
| leader_title3 = [[Chairperson of the Parliament of Albania|Chairperson of the Parliament]]
| leader_name3=[[Gramoz Ruçi]]
| area_rank = 143rd
| area_km2 = 28748
| area_sq_mi = 11100 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
| percent_water = 4.7
| population_estimate = 2,994,667
| population_estimate_year = 2011
| population_estimate_rank = 136th
| population_census = 3,069,275
| population_census_year = 2001
| population_density_km2 = 111.1
| population_density_sq_mi = 327.8 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
| population_density_rank = 63rd
| GDP_PPP_year = 2011
| GDP_PPP = $25.035&nbsp;billion<ref name=imf2>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2011/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=28&pr.y=3&sy=2011&ey=2016&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=914&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=|title=Albania|publisher=International Monetary Fund|access-date=1 November 2011}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_rank = 
| GDP_PPP_per_capita = $7,780<ref name=imf2/>
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 
| GDP_nominal_year = 2011
| GDP_nominal = $13.292&nbsp;billion<ref name=imf2/>
| GDP_nominal_rank = 
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = $4,131<ref name=imf2/>
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 
| Gini = 26.7
| Gini_ref = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2172.html|title=Distribution of family income – Gini index|work=The World Factbook|publisher=CIA|accessdate=1 September 2009|archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5rRcwIiYs?url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2172.html|archivedate=23 July 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Gini_year = 2005
| HDI_year = 2011
| HDI = 0.739
| HDI_change = increase
| HDI_ref = <ref name="HDI">{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2010_EN_Table1.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2010|year=2010|publisher=United Nations|accessdate=5 November 2010|archive-date=21 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121150504/http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2010_EN_Table1.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| HDI_rank = 70th
| sovereignty_type = [[History of the Albanian state|Formation]]
| established_event1 = [[Illyria]]
| established_date1 = 2000 B.C
| established_event2 = Komani Kruja Culture
| established_date2 = ~700
| established_event3 = [[Principality of Arbër]]
| established_date3 = 1190
| established_event4 = [[League of Lezhë]]
| established_date4 = 2 March 1444
| established_event5 = Independence from the [[Ottoman Empire]]
| established_date5 = 28 November 1912
| established_event6 = [[Treaty of London (1913)|Recognized by the Great Powers]]
| established_date6 = 2 December 1912
| established_event7 = [[Constitution of Albania|Current Constitution]]
| established_date7 = 28 November 1998
| currency = [[Albanian lek|Lek]]
| currency_code = ALL
| time_zone = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset = +1
| time_zone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset_DST = +2
| demonym = Albanian
| drives_on = right
| cctld = [[.al]]
| calling_code = [[Telephone numbers in Albania|355]]
| footnote1 = [[Greek language|Greek]], [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]] and other regional languages, are government-recognized minority languages.
}}

'''Albania''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-Albania.ogg|æ|l|ˈ|b|eɪ|n|i|ə}} {{respell|al|BAY|nee-ə}}; {{lang-sq|Shqipëri}}), officially called the '''Republic of Albania''' is an independent [[country]] located in [[Southeast Europe]], more specifically it is located in the [[Balkans]]. The [[Capital (city)|capital]] is [[Tirana]], and other important cities are [[Durrës]], [[Elbasan]] and [[Vlora]]. Over 3 million people live in the area of {{convert|28748|km2|sqmi}} that Albanians call their home. The majority of Albanians are [[Islam|Muslim]] with 55%, 23% [[Eastern Orthodox]] and 15% [[Roman Catholic]]s.

Albania is next to  [[Montenegro]], [[Serbia]], [[North Macedonia]], [[Kosovo]] and [[Greece]]. It has a [[coast]] on the [[Adriatic Sea]] in the west, and a coast on the [[Ionian Sea]] in the southwest. The [[official language]] is [[Albanian language|Albanian]](Gjuha Shqipe). The [[national anthem]] is ''[[Hymni i Flamurit]]''.

==History==
{{Main|History of Albania}}
Albania was the southern part of ''Illyria'' during the [[Roman Empire]]. In the Middle Ages the Albanians were ruled by many foreign countries, including the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] and [[Venice|Venetian]] Empires and during the 16th century resistance to the [[Ottoman Empire]]'s rule was led by the Albanian national hero ''Skanderberg'' but his real name was Gjergj Kastrioti. After four centuries of Turkish domination, finally in the 20th century an  independent Albania was created. In 1939 Albania was conquered by fascist [[Italy]] and was part of the Kingdom of Italy until 1943. After [[World War II]] Albania became independent again, under [[communism|communist]] rule. It was ruled by [[Enver Hoxha]], who died in 1985. [[Ramiz Alia]] took over and also later became president when, in 1992, Albania returned to democracy, and it now has friendly  relations with the [[European Union]], which it has applied to join.

==Divisions==
Albania is divided into 12 counties. These counties include 36 [[Districts of Albania|districts]] and 373 [[Municipalities of Albania|municipalities]] 
[[File:AlbaniaNumberedPrefectures.svg|left|250px|Counties of Albania]]

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! !! [[Counties of Albania|County]]
! Capital
! [[Districts of Albania|Districts]]
! [[Municipalities of Albania|Municipalities]]
! [[List of cities in Albania|Cities]]
! Villages
|-
| 1 || [[Berat County|Berat]]
| [[Berat]]
| [[Berat District|Berat]]<br />[[Kuçovë District|Kuçovë]]<br />[[Skrapar District|Skrapar]]
| 10<br />2<br />8
| 2<br />1<br />2
| 122<br />18<br />105
|-
| 2 || [[Dibër County|Dibër]]
| [[Peshkopi]]
| [[Bulqizë District|Bulqizë]]<br />[[Dibër District|Dibër]]<br />[[Mat District|Mat]]
| 7<br />14<br />10
| 1<br />1<br />2
| 63<br />141<br />76
|-
| 3 || [[Durrës County|Durrës]]
| [[Durrës]]
| [[Durrës District|Durrës]]<br />[[Krujë District|Krujë]]
| 6<br />4
| 4<br />2
| 62<br />44
|-
| 4 || [[Elbasan County|Elbasan]]
| [[Elbasan]]
| [[Elbasan District|Elbasan]]<br />[[Gramsh District|Gramsh]]<br />[[Librazhd District|Librazhd]]<br />[[Peqin District|Peqin]]
| 20<br />9<br />9<br />5
| 3<br />1<br />2<br />1
| 177<br />95<br />75<br />49
|-
| 5 || [[Fier County|Fier]]
| [[Fier]]
| [[Fier District|Fier]]<br />[[Lushnjë District|Lushnjë]]<br />[[Mallakastër District|Mallakastër]]
| 14<br />14<br />8
| 3<br />2<br />1
| 117<br />121<br />40
|-
| 6 || [[Gjirokastër County|Gjirokastër]]
| [[Gjirokastër]]
| [[Gjirokastër District|Gjirokastër]]<br />[[Përmet District|Përmet]]<br />[[Tepelenë District|Tepelenë]]
| 11<br />7<br />8
| 2<br />2<br />2
| 96<br />98<br />77
|-
| 7 || [[Korçë County|Korçë]]
| [[Korçë]]
| [[Devoll District|Devoll]]<br />[[Kolonjë District|Kolonjë]]<br />[[Korçë District|Korçë]]<br />[[Pogradec District|Pogradec]]
| 4<br />6<br />14<br />7
| 1<br />2<br />2<br />1
| 44<br />76<br />153<br />72
|-
| 8 || [[Kukës County|Kukës]]
| [[Kukës]]
| [[Has District|Has]]<br />[[Kukës District|Kukës]]<br />[[Tropojë District|Tropojë]]
| 3<br />14<br />7
| 1<br />1<br />1
| 30<br />89<br />68
|-
| 9 || [[Lezhë County|Lezhë]]
| [[Lezhë]]
| [[Kurbin District|Kurbin]]<br />[[Lezhë District|Lezhë]]<br />[[Mirditë District|Mirditë]]
| 2<br />9<br />5
| 2<br />1<br />2
| 26<br />62<br />80
|-
| 10 || [[Shkodër County|Shkodër]]
| [[Shkodër]]
| [[Malësi e Madhe District|Malësi e Madhe]]<br />[[Pukë District|Pukë]]<br />[[Shkodër District|Shkodër]]
| 5<br />8<br />15
| 1<br />2<br />2
| 56<br />75<br />141
|-
| 11 || [[Tirana County|Tirana]]
| [[Tirana]]
| [[Kavajë District|Kavajë]]<br />[[Tirana District|Tirana]]
| 8<br />16
| 2<br />3
| 66<br />167
|-
| 12 || [[Vlorë County|Vlorë]]
| [[Vlorë]]
| [[Delvinë District|Delvinë]]<br />[[Sarandë District|Sarandë]]<br />[[Vlorë District|Vlorë]]
| 3<br />7<br />9
| 1<br />2<br />4
| 38<br />62<br />99
|}

==Cities ==

{{Main|List of cities and towns in Albania}}

This is a list of the largest [[city|cities]] in Albania.

[[File:Durres view.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Durrës]]]]
[[File:07Tirana04.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Tirana]]]]
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="align left"
|-
! align="right" |'''Rank'''
! align="left" |'''City''' 
! align="right" |'''2001 Census'''<ref name="world">[https://archive.today/20121205081249/http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&des=wg&geo=-16&srt=1pnn&col=abcdefghinoq&msz=1500&pt=c&va=&srt=p1nn Albania: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population]  [[World Gazetteer]].2009-12-01</ref>
! align="right" |'''2011 census'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://census.al/Resources/Data/Census2011/Instat_print+.pdf|title=census.al|website=census.al}}{{Dead link|date=January 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|-
| align="right"|1
|'''[[Tirana]]'''                                                                          
| align="right"|352,581
| align="right"|421,286
|-
| align="right"|2
|'''[[Durrës]]'''
| align="right"|113,465
| align="right"|115,550
|-
| align="right"|3
|'''[[Vlorë]]'''
| align="right"|85,180
| align="right"|79,948
|-
| align="right"|4
|'''[[Elbasan]]'''
| align="right"|95,554
| align="right"|79,810
|-
| align="right"|5
|'''[[Shkodër]]'''
| align="right"|85,798
| align="right"|74,876
|-
| align="right"|6
|'''[[Fier]]'''
| align="right"|56,297
| align="right"|57,198
|-
| align="right"|7
|'''[[Korçë]]'''
| align="right"|58,911	
| align="right"|51,683
|-
| align="right"|8
|'''[[Berat]]'''
| align="right"|45,572
| align="right"|36,467
|-
| align="right"|9
|'''[[Lushnjë]]'''
| align="right"|38,336
| align="right"|31,424
|-
| align="right"|10
|'''[[Kavajë]]'''
| align="right"|28,149	
| align="right"|20,312
|}

== Art ==

[[Ibrahim Kodra]] is an Albanian artist recognized as one of the great painters of the [[20th century]], on par with [[Pablo Picasso]]. As the founder of an innovative interpretation of [[Cubism]], Kodra exhibited and collaborated with [[Pablo Picasso]], significantly contributing to the evolution of modern art. His works, present in major [[national museums]], the [[Italian Parliament]] (La Grande Pace), and the [[Vatican Museums]], are characterized by a rigorous geometric and metaphysical aesthetic, consolidating his position as a central figure in the history of art in [[Europe]].

==Armed forces==
The [[Military of Albania|Albanian Armed Forces]] were first formed after independence in 1912. Albania reduced the number of active troops from 65,000 in 1988<ref>{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1935630.stm |work=BBC News | title=Albania sells off its military hardware | date=17 April 2002}}</ref> to 14,500 in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2008/08/21/feature-03 |title=Albania to abolish conscription by 2010 |publisher=SETimes.com |date=21 August 2008 |accessdate=29 December 2009}}</ref> In 2010 forced conscription was abolished.

==Geography==
Albania has a total area of 28,748 square kilometers. Albania's coastline length is {{convert|476|km|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Albania pdf">{{cite web|author=R. Eftimi|url=http://aguas.igme.es/igme/publica/tiac-02/ALBANIA-I.pdf|title=SOME CONSIDERATIONS ON SEAWATER-FRESHWATER RELATIONSHIP IN ALBANIAN COASTAL AREA|publisher=ITA Consult|access-date=2012-04-18|archive-date=2011-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504034347/http://aguas.igme.es/igme/publica/tiac-02/ALBANIA-I.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{rp|240}} It goes along the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic]] and [[Ionian Sea]]s. On the coast there are mild, wet winters and warm, sunny, and rather dry summers.

70% of the country is mountains. The highest mountain is [[Mount Korab|Korab]].

Albania is bordered by [[Greece]], the [[Republic of Macedonia|Republic of North Macedonia]], [[Montenegro]] and [[Kosovo]]. A short stretch of [[sea]] separates Albania from the far southeast of [[Italy]].

==Flora and fauna==
[[File:Lynx lynx poing.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Lynx]] still survives in Albania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catsg.org/balkanlynx/01_recovery-programme/1_7_conferences/tirana-sept-08/Tirana_Proceedings_Trajce_et_al_2008_Conservation_of_the_critically_endangered_Balkan_lynx.pdf |title=Conservation of the Critically Endangered Balkan Lynx |publisher=Catsg.org |accessdate=5 January 2011}}</ref>]]

Although a small country, Albania has a lot of variety in plants and animals. The total number of plants is over 3250 species. There are over 350 bird species, 330 freshwater and marine fish and 80 mammal species. The [[Double-headed eagle]] is the national symbol of Albania.

==Related pages==
*[[Albania at the Olympics]]
*[[Albania national football team]]
*[[List of rivers of Albania]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Other websites ==
{{commons}}
{{wiktionary|Albania}}
* [https://www.forum-al.com National Tourism Organization] Albania's official website for travel & tourism information.

{{Albania topics}}
{{Europe}}
{{European Union}}
{{North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Albania| ]]
[[Category:European Union candidate states]]
[[Category:Members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]]