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{{About|the modern state}} {{About|the modern state}}
{{Infobox country {{Infobox country
|conventional_long_name = Republic of Albania |conventional_long_name = КОСОВО ЈЕ СРБИЈА
|native_name = ''{{small|{{lang|sq|Republika e Shqipërisë}}}}'' |native_name = КОСОВО ЈЕ СРБИЈА
|common_name = Albania |common_name = КОСОВО ЈЕ СРБИЈА
|image_flag = Flag of Albania.svg |image_flag = КОСОВО ЈЕ СРБИЈА
|image_coat = Albania state emblem.svg |image_coat = КОСОВО ЈЕ СРБИЈА
|symbol_type = Coat of arms |symbol_type = КОСОВО ЈЕ СРБИЈА
|national_motto = КОСОВО ЈЕ СРБИЈА
|national_motto = ''Ti Shqipëri, më jep nder, më jep emrin Shqipëtar''<br>{{small|You Albania, give me honour, give me the name Albanian}}
|national_anthem = '']''<br>{{small|"Albanian National Anthem"}}<br><center>]</center>
|image_map = Europe-Albania.svg
|map_caption = {{map caption |location_color=green |region=Europe |region_color=dark grey |legend=Location Albania Europe.png}}
|capital = ]
|largest_city = ]
| latd = 41 | latm = 19 | lats = 44 | latNS = N
| longd = 19 | longm = 49 | longs = 04 | longEW = E
|official_languages = ]
|demonym = ]
|government_type = {{nowrap|] ]}} ]
|leader_title1 = ]
|leader_name1 = ]
|leader_title2 = ]
|leader_name2 = ]
|legislature = '']''
|sovereignty_type = ]
|established_event1 = ]
|established_date1 = 1190
|established_event2 = ]
|established_date2 = February 1272
|established_event3 = ]
|established_date3 = 1368
|established_event4 = ]
|established_date4 = 2 March 1444
|established_event5 = Proclamation of independence from {{nowrap|the ]}}
|established_date5 = 28 November 1912
|established_event6 = ] {{small|(Recognised)}}
|established_date6 = 29 July 1913
|established_event7 = ] {{small|(1st republic)}}
|established_date7 = 31 January 1925
|established_event8 = ]
|established_date8 = 1 September 1928
|established_event9 = Under ]<br>Under ]
|established_date9 = 7 April 1939<br>29 November 1944
|established_event10 = ] {{small|(2nd republic)}}
|established_date10 = 11 January 1946
|established_event11 = ] {{small|(3rd republic)}}
|established_date11 = 28 December 1976
|established_event12 = Republic of Albania {{small|(4th republic)}}<br>{{nowrap|]}}
|established_date12 = 29 April 1991<br><br>28 November 1998
|area_km2 = 28748
|area_sq_mi = 11100
|area_rank = 143rd
|percent_water = 4.7
|population_estimate = 2,886,026<ref name="Statistics">{{cite web |publisher=Republic of Albania Institute of Statistics |title=Population of Albania 1 January 2016 |url=http://www.instat.gov.al/al/themes/popullsia/publications/books/2016/popullsia-e-shqipërisë,-1-janar-2016.aspx}}</ref>
|population_estimate_year = 2016
|population_census = 2,821,977<ref name="Population and Housing Census 2011">{{cite web |title=Population and Housing Census 2011 |url=http://www.instat.gov.al/en/themes/population/publications/books/2012/main-results-of-population-and-housing-census-2011.aspx |publisher=INSTAT (Albanian Institute of Statistics)}}</ref>
|population_census_year = 2011
|population_density_km2 = 98
|population_density_sq_mi = 254
|population_density_rank = 63rd
|GDP_PPP_year = 2016
|GDP_PPP = $34.282&nbsp;billion<ref name=imf2>{{cite web |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2015/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=103&pr.y=16&sy=2016&ey=2016&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=512%2C672%2C914%2C962%2C612%2C674%2C614%2C676%2C311%2C548%2C213%2C556%2C911%2C678%2C912%2C867%2C313%2C682%2C419%2C684%2C513%2C273%2C316%2C868%2C913%2C921%2C339%2C948%2C638%2C943%2C514%2C686%2C218%2C688%2C963%2C518%2C616%2C728%2C223%2C558%2C516%2C278%2C918%2C692%2C748%2C694%2C618%2C449%2C624%2C564%2C522%2C565%2C622%2C283%2C626%2C853%2C628%2C288%2C228%2C293%2C924%2C566%2C233%2C964%2C632%2C453%2C636%2C968%2C634%2C922%2C238%2C714%2C662%2C862%2C960%2C716%2C611%2C456%2C321%2C722%2C243%2C942%2C248%2C718%2C469%2C724%2C253%2C813%2C642%2C199%2C643%2C733%2C644%2C524%2C819%2C361%2C646%2C362%2C648%2C364%2C915%2C732%2C652%2C366%2C328%2C734%2C258%2C463%2C656%2C923%2C654%2C738%2C336%2C578%2C263%2C537%2C268%2C742%2C944%2C866%2C534%2C369%2C536%2C744%2C429%2C186%2C433%2C925%2C343%2C869%2C439%2C746%2C916%2C926%2C664%2C466%2C826%2C298%2C967%2C927%2C443%2C846%2C917%2C299%2C544%2C582%2C446%2C474%2C666%2C754%2C668%2C698&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC&grp=0&a= |title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects |publisher=Imf.org |date=14 September 2006 |accessdate=7 October 2014}}</ref>
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $12,484<ref name=imf2/>
|GDP_nominal_year = 2016
|GDP_nominal = $12.204&nbsp;billion<ref name="imf2"/>
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $4,444<ref name=imf2/>
|Gini_year = 2013
|Gini = 34.5<!-- number only -->
|Gini_ref =<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/income-gini-coefficient |title=Income Gini coefficient |work=World Bank |publisher=UNDP |accessdate=3 July 2015 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5rRcwIiYs?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cia.gov%2Flibrary%2Fpublications%2Fthe-world-factbook%2Ffields%2F2172.html |archivedate=23 July 2010 |deadurl=no |df=dmy }}</ref>
|HDI_year = 2014<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year -->
|HDI_change = increase<!-- increase/decrease/steady -->
|HDI = 0.733<!-- number only -->
|HDI_ref =<ref name="HDI">{{cite web |url=http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/hdr_2015_statistical_annex.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2015 |year=2015 |publisher=United Nations |accessdate=14 December 2015}}</ref>
|HDI_rank = 85th
|currency = ]
|currency_code = ALL
|time_zone = ]
|utc_offset = +1
|time_zone_DST = ]
|utc_offset_DST = +2
|date_format = dd/mm/yyyy
|drives_on = right
|calling_code = ]
|country_code = AL
|cctld = ]
|footnote_a = ], Greek, ] and other regional languages are government-recognised minority languages.
}}

'''Albania''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-Albania.ogg|æ|l|ˈ|b|eɪ|n|i|ə|,_|ɔː|l|-}}, {{respell|a(w)l|BAY|nee-ə}}; {{lang-sq|Shqipëri/Shqipëria}}; {{lang-aln|Shqipni/Shqipnia, Shqypni/Shqypnia<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/fialuurivoghels00junggoog|title=Fialuur i voghel scc...p e ltinisct mle...un prei P. Jak Junkut t' Scocniis ...|first=|last=Giacomo Jungg|date=1 January 1895|publisher=N'Sckoder t' Scc...pniis|accessdate=23 July 2016|via=Internet Archive}}</ref>}}), officially the '''Republic of Albania''' ({{lang-sq|Republika e Shqipërisë}}, {{IPA-sq|ɾɛpuˈblika ɛ ʃcipəˈɾiːsə|pron}}), is a country in ], bordered by ] to the northwest, ] to the northeast,{{efn|name=status}} the ] to the east, and ] to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the ] to the west and on the ] to the southwest. It is less than {{convert|72|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from Italy, across the ] which connects the Adriatic Sea to the Ionian Sea.

The present territory of Albania was part of the Roman provinces of ], ] and ]. After the collapse of the ] in Europe following the ],<ref name="cia">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/al.html |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |title=The World Factbook: Albania |accessdate=21 June 2013}}</ref> Albania declared independence in 1912 and was ] the following year. The ] was invaded by ] in 1939, which formed ], before becoming a ] in 1943.<ref>Zolo, D. ''Invoking Humanity: War, Law and Global Order'', Continuum International Publishing Group, 27 August 2002, 224 pages. p. 180 </ref> The following year, a ] ] was established under the leadership of ] and the ]. Albania experienced widespread social and political transformations in the communist era, as well as isolation from much of the international community. In 1991, the Socialist Republic was ] and the Republic of Albania was established.

Albania is a ]. The country's capital, ], is its financial and industrial heartland, with a population of about 800,000.<ref name="Statistics"/><ref name="Albanian 2011 census">{{cite web|url=http://census.al/Resources/Data/Census2011/Instat_print%20.pdf |title=Population and Housing Census in Albania |year=2011 |publisher=Institute of Statistics of Albania |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112022139/http://census.al/Resources/Data/Census2011/Instat_print%20.pdf |archivedate=12 January 2012 }}</ref> ] reforms have opened the country to foreign investment, especially in the development of energy and transportation infrastructure.<ref>Reports: Poverty Decreases In Albania After Years Of Growth. Dow Jones Newswires, 201-938-5500 201-938-5500 201-938-5500.</ref><ref>Albania plans to build three hydropower plants. People's Daily</ref><ref>Strong GDP growth reduces poverty in Albania-study. ]. {{wayback|df=yes|url=http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2009/04/23/afx6330798.html |date=20120117160122 }}</ref> Albania has a high ] and provides universal health care system and free primary and secondary education to its citizens.<ref name="HDI" /> Albania is an upper-middle income economy with the service sector dominating the country's economy, followed by the industrial sector and agriculture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/country/albania/|title=The world bank|publisher=|accessdate=13 September 2014}}</ref>

Albania is a member of the United Nations, ], the ], the ], the ] and the ]. It is one of the founding members of the ], ] and the ]. It is also an ] for membership in the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8023127.stm |accessdate=29 April 2009 |publisher=BBC News |title=Albania applies for EU membership |date=28 April 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430184517/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8023127.stm |archivedate=30 April 2009 |deadurl=no |df=dmy }}</ref>
{{TOC limit|3}}

== History ==
{{Main article|Illyrians|History of Albania|Origin of the Albanians}}
The history of Albania emerged from the ] from the 4th century BC, with early records of ] in ].

=== Etymology ===
''Albania'' is the ] name of the country. The country is called ''Shqipëri'' by its people. The name may be derived from the ] of the Albani recorded by ], the geographer and astronomer from ] who drafted a map in 150&nbsp;AD that shows the city of ] located northeast of ].<ref>Madrugearu A, Gordon M. The wars of the ]. Rowman & Littlefield, 2007. p. 146.</ref><ref>{{Barrington|49 & notes}}</ref>

The name may have a continuation in the name of a medieval settlement called Albanon and Arbanon, although it is not certain this was the same place.<ref>The Illyrians by J. J. Wilkes, 1992, ISBN 978-0-631-19807-9, page 279,"We cannot be certain that the Arbanon of Anna Comnena is the same as Albanopolis of the Albani, a place located on the map of Ptolemy (3.12)"</ref> In his ''History'' written in 1079–1080, the ] historian ] was the first to refer to '']'' as having taken part in a revolt against ] in 1043 and to the ''Arbanitai'' as subjects of the Duke of ].<ref>Robert Elsei. ''The Albanian lexicon of Dion Von Kirkman. Earliest reference to the existence of the Albanian language'', pp. 113–122.</ref> During the ], the Albanians called their country ''Arbëri'' or ''Arbëni'' and referred to themselves as ] or ''Arbënesh''.<ref> {{it icon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radio-arberesh.eu/|title=Radio-Arberesh.eu|author=Casanova|publisher=|accessdate=13 September 2014}}</ref>

As early as the 17th century the placename ''Shqipëria'' and the ethnic demonym ''Shqiptarë'' gradually replaced ''Arbëria'' and ''Arbëresh''. The two terms are ] interpreted as "Land of the Eagles" and "Children of the Eagles".<ref>Kristo Frasheri. ''History of Albania (A Brief Overview)''. Tirana, 1964.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mirror.undp.org/albania/download/pdf/albanian.pdf|title=The Albanian Language|last=Lloshi|first=Xhevat|publisher=United Nations Development Programme|accessdate=9 November 2010}}</ref>

=== Prehistory ===
The first traces of human presence in Albania, dating to the ] and ] eras, were found in the village of Xarrë, near ] and ] near ].<ref name="Prendi">F. Prendi, "The Prehistory of Albania", ''The Cambridge Ancient History'', 2nd edn., vol. 3, part 1: '''', ed. John Boardman et al. (Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1982), 189–90.</ref> The objects found in a cave near Xarrë include flint and jasper objects and fossilized animal bones, while those found at Mount Dajt comprise bone and stone tools similar to those of the ]. The Paleolithic finds of Albania show great similarities with objects of the same era found at Crvena Stijena in Montenegro and north-western Greece.<ref name="Prendi"/>

=== Antiquity ===
{{See also|Illyria|Illyrians|Ardiaei|Albanoi|Albanopolis|List of rulers in Illyria}}
In ancient times, the territory of modern Albania was mainly inhabited by a number of ] tribes. This territory was known as ], corresponding roughly to the area east of the Adriatic sea to the mouth of the ] river in the south.<ref>The Illyrians (The Peoples of Europe) by John Wilkes, 1996, ISBN 978-0-631-19807-9, page 92, "Appian's description of the Illyrian territories records a southern boundary with Chaonia and Thesprotia, where ancient Epirus began south of river Aoous (Vjose)" </ref><ref>Cambridge University Press. . 2000. ISBN 0-521-23447-6, page 261,"...&nbsp;down to the mouth of Aous"</ref> The first account of the Illyrian groups comes from '']'', an ancient Greek text written in the middle of the 4th century BC.<ref>The Illyrians (The Peoples of Europe) by John Wilkes, 1996, page&nbsp;94</ref> The south was inhabited by the Greek tribe of the ],<ref>{{harvnb|Hammond|1998}}; {{harvnb|Lewis|Boardman|1994|pp=430, 434}}; {{harvnb|Boardman|Hammond|1982|p=284}}; {{harvnb|Wilkes|1995|p=104}}; {{harvnb|Encyclopædia Britannica ("Epirus")|2013}}.</ref> whose capital was at ], while numerous colonies, such as ], ] and ], were established by Greek city-states on the coast by the 7th century BC.<ref>{{harvnb|Wilkes|1995|p=96}}; {{harvnb|Wilson|2006|p=594}}; {{harvnb|Chamoux|2003|p=97}}.</ref>

One of the most powerful tribes that ruled over modern Albania was the ]. The Ardiaen Kingdom reached its greatest extent under ], son of ]. Agron extended his rule over other neighboring tribes as well.<ref>{{Cite book|title = A History of Macedonia: 336-167 B.C|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=qpb3JdwuDQIC|publisher = Clarendon Press|date = 1 January 1972|isbn = 978-0-19-814815-9|first = Nicholas Geoffrey Lemprière|last = Hammond|first2 = Frank William|last2 = Walbank}}</ref> After Agron's death in 230 BC, his wife Teuta inherited the&nbsp;Ardiaean kingdom. Teuta's forces extended their operations further southward into the&nbsp;], defeating the combined&nbsp;Achaean&nbsp;and&nbsp;Aetolian&nbsp;fleet in the&nbsp;]&nbsp;and capturing the island of ], which put them in position to breach the important&nbsp;trade routes&nbsp;between the mainland of&nbsp;Greece&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Greek cities in Italy.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Women Rulers Throughout the Ages: An Illustrated Guide|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=x3BzmTdQLioC|publisher = ABC-CLIO|date = 1 January 1999|isbn = 978-1-57607-091-8|first = Guida Myrl|last = Jackson-Laufer|pages = 382–383}}</ref> In 229 BC, Rome declared war<ref>{{Cite book|title = The History of Rome|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=j74oAAAAYAAJ|publisher = D. Appleton & Company|date = 1 January 1846|page = 259}}</ref> on Illyria for extensively plundering Roman ships. The war ended in Illyrian defeat in 227&nbsp;BC. Teuta was eventually succeeded by&nbsp;]&nbsp;in 181&nbsp;BC.<ref>{{Cite book|title = The Illyrians|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=4Nv6SPRKqs8C|publisher = Wiley|date = 9 January 1996|isbn = 978-0-631-19807-9|first = John|last = Wilkes|page = 189}}</ref> Gentius clashed with the Romans in 168&nbsp;BC, initiating the ]. The conflict resulted in Roman victory and the end of Illyrian independence by 167&nbsp;BC. After his defeat, the Roman split the region into three administrative divisions.<ref>Marjeta Šašel Kos, "The Illyrian King Ballaeus – Some Historical Aspects", ''Épire, Illyrie, Macédoine: Mélanges offerts au professeur Pierre Cabanes'', ed. Danièle Berranger (Clermont-Ferrand: Presses Universitaires Blaise Pascal, 2007), 127.</ref>

<gallery mode=packed heights=140px style="text-align:center">
Byllis-01-Alb.jpg|Ruins of the Illyrian city of ]
Thesauròs_di_Phoinike.jpg|The treasury of ]
Apollonia,_Albania_-_panorama_(by_Pudelek).JPG|Ruins of ancient ]
Parku_Kombëtar_i_Amantias_(v._2010).jpg|Arched entrance in ]

</gallery>

=== Middle Ages ===
{{Main article|Albania in the Middle Ages}}{{See also|Principality of Arbanon|Kingdom of Albania (medieval)|Albanian principalities}}
] established ] after he conquered a part the ].]] The territory now known as Albania remained under Roman (]) control until the ] from 7th century,<ref name="BideleuxJeffries2007">{{cite book|last1=Bideleux|first1=Robert|last2=Jeffries|first2=Ian|title=Balkans: A Post-Communist History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G6iBAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA25|date=24 January 2007|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-58328-7|page=25|quote=From AD 548 onward, the lands now known as Albania began to be overrun from the north by ever-increasing&nbsp;...}}</ref> and was captured by the ] in the 9th century. After the weakening of the ] and the ] in the middle and late 13th century, some of the territory of modern-day Albania was captured by the ]. In general, the invaders destroyed or weakened Roman and ] cultural centers in the lands that would become Albania.<ref name="Barbarian Invasions">{{cite web | editor= Raymond Zickel |editor2=Walter R. Iwaskiw | year= 1994 | title= "The Barbarian Invasions and the Middle Ages," Albania: A Country Study | url=http://countrystudies.us/albania/15.htm| accessdate=9 April 2008 }}</ref>

The territorial nucleus of the Albanian state formed in the Middle Ages, as the ] and the ].
The ] or '''Albanon''' (]: Arbër or Arbëria), was the first ] during the ], it was established by '']'' ] in the region of ], in c. 1190. Progon, the founder, was succeeded by his sons Gjin and Dhimitri, the latter which attained the height of the realm. After the death of Dhimiter, the last of the ], the principality came under the ] ]<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Jr9DAAAAYAAJ|title=Illyrisch-albanische Forschungen|last1=Jireček|first1=Konstantin|last2=Thopia|year=1916|page=239|quote=Griechen Gregorios Kamonas}}</ref><ref name=Abulafia>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=bclfdU_2lesC&pg=PA786|title=The New Cambridge Medieval History: Volume 5, C.1198-c.1300|isbn=9780521362894|last1=Abulafia|first1=David|last2=McKitterick|date=1999-10-21|page=786|quote=Greco-Albanian lord Gregorios Kamonas}}</ref> Lord or Prince ('']'') of ]<ref name=Genealogist>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=J7pnAAAAMAAJ&q=gregorios+kamonas|title=The Genealogist|year=1980|page=40}}</ref>, and later ]. The Principality was dissolved in 1255.<ref name=Clements31>Clements 1992, p. 31 ''"By 1190, Byzantium's power had so receded that the archon Progon succeeded in establishing the first Albanian state of the Middle Ages, a principality"''</ref><ref name="PickardÇeliku2008">Pickard-Çeliku 2008, p. 16</ref><ref name="Norris1993">Norris 1993, p. 35</ref> Pipa and Repishti conclude that Arbanon was the first sketch of an "Albanian state", and that it retained semi-autonomous status as the western extremity of an empire (under the ] of ] or the ] of ]).<ref>Pipa-Repishti 1983, pp.&nbsp;7–8</ref> The Kingdom of Albania was established by ] in the Albanian territory he conquered from the Despotate of Epirus in 1271. He took the title of "]" in February 1272. The kingdom extended from the region of Durrës (then known as Dyrrhachium) south along the coast to Butrint. After the creation of the kingdom, a Catholic political structure was a good basis for the papal plans of spreading Catholicism in the Balkans. This plan found also the support of ], a cousin of Charles of Anjou, who was at that time ruling territories in North Albania. Around 30 Catholic churches and monasteries were built during her rule in North Albania and in Serbia.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Regnum Albaniae, the Papal Curia, and the Western Visions of a Borderline Nobility|last = Etleva|first = Lala|publisher = Cambridge University Press|year = 2008|isbn = |location = |pages = |url = http://www.etd.ceu.hu/2009/mphlae01.pdf}}</ref> During 1331–55, the ] wrestled control over Albania. After the dissolution of the Serbian Empire, several Albanian principalities were created, and among the most powerful were the Balsha, Thopia, Kastrioti, Muzaka and Arianiti. In the first half of the 14th century, the ] invaded most of Albania. But in 1444, the Albanian principalities were united under ], (Albanian: Gjergj Kastrioti, Skenderbeu) the national hero of Albania.

=== Ottoman Albania ===
{{Main article|Ottoman Albania}}
] for 20 years ] deserted and began a rebellion that halted Ottoman advance into Europe for 25 years.]]
] was self-ruler of ] and ] during the first half of the 19th century.]]
At the dawn of the establishment of the ] in Southeast Europe, the geopolitical landscape was marked by scattered kingdoms of small principalities. The Ottomans erected their garrisons throughout southern Albania by 1415 and occupied most of Albania by 1431.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Licursi |first=Emiddio Pietro|title=Empire of Nations: The Consolidation of Albanian and Turkish National Identities in the Late Ottoman Empire, 1878–1913 |url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/72122169/7/Pashko-Vasa|archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate= |edition= |series= |volume= |origyear=|year=2011 |publisher= Columbia University |location= New York |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |doi_inactivedate= |bibcode= |id=|page=19 |pages= |nopp= |at= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= By 1415, after a chaotic interregnum, Sultan Mehmet I sent the military to erect the first Ottoman garrisons throughout southern Albania, establishing direct military authority in the region&nbsp;... l jurisdiction over most of Albania&nbsp;... |postscript=<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->{{inconsistent citations}} }}</ref> However, in 1443 a great and longstanding ] out under the lead of the Albanian national hero ], which lasted until 1479, many times defeating major ] armies led by the sultans ] and ]. ] united initially the Albanian princes, and later on established a centralized authority over most of the non-conquered territories, becoming the ruling Lord of Albania. He also tried relentlessly but rather unsuccessfully to create a European coalition against the Ottomans. He thwarted every attempt by the Turks to regain Albania, which they envisioned as a springboard for the invasion of Italy and western Europe. His unequal fight against the mightiest power of the time won the esteem of Europe as well as some support in the form of money and military aid from Naples, the Papacy, Venice, and Ragusa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/12472/Albania/42646/The-decline-of-Byzantium|title=Albania :: The decline of Byzantium – Encyclopedia Britannica|work=Encyclopedia Britannica|accessdate=13 September 2014}}</ref>
With the arrival of the Turks, Islam was introduced in Albania as a third religion. This conversion caused a massive emigration of Albanians to the Christian European countries.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OKEal7FHClUC&pg=PA7&dq=ottomans+converted+muslims+albania&hl=en&sa=X&ei=98U5VImdBaK6ygO-qYKQAQ&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=ottomans%20converted%20muslims%20albania&f=false |title=Communism, Health and Lifestyle: The Paradox of Mortality Transition in Albania by Arjan Gjonca |publisher=Google Books.au |date=31 July 2011 |accessdate=11 October 2014|isbn=978-1-59884-337-8}}</ref>
Along with the ], Muslim Albanians occupied an outstanding position in the Ottoman Empire, and were the main pillars of Ottoman Porte's policy in the Balkans.<ref>Clayer, Nathalie. " Albania ." Encyclopaedia of Islam, THREE. Edited by: Gudrun Krämer, Denis Matringe, Rokovet, John Nawas, Everett Rowson. Brill Online, 2012. Reference. 18 December 2012<http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-3/albania-COM_23054></ref>

Enjoying this privileged position in the empire, Muslim Albanians held various high administrative positions, with over two dozen ] of Albanian origin, such as Gen. ], who commanded the Ottoman forces during the ]; Gen. ], who led the Ottoman armies during the ]; and, later, ] of Egypt.<ref name="Arnawutluḳ - Brill Reference" >" Arnawutluḳ." Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition. Brill Online, 2012. Reference. 2 January 2009.</ref>

In the 15th century, when the Ottomans were gaining a firm foothold in the region, Albanian towns were organised into four principal ]. The government fostered trade by settling a sizeable Jewish colony of refugees fleeing persecution in Spain (at the end of the 15th century). ] saw passing through its ports imported merchandise from Europe such as velvets, cotton goods, mohairs, carpets, spices and leather from ] and ]. ] was notably one of the most powerful autonomous Muslim Albanian rulers, he ruled over the ], and even attempted to rival the ] in the seas.]] Some citizens of Vlorë even had business associates throughout Europe.<ref name="Arnawutluḳ - Brill Reference"/>
] was an effective and influential ] ] of ] origin.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/?id=jBBYD2J2oE4C&pg=PA487&lpg=PA487&dq=Koprulu+mehmed+pasha#v=onepage&q=koprulu%2C%20Mehmed%20Pasha&f=false |title=Conflict and Conquest in the Islamic World: A Historical Encyclopedia |publisher=Google Books.au |date=31 July 2011 |accessdate=25 March 2013|isbn=978-1-59884-337-8}}</ref>]]
Albanians could also be found throughout the empire in Iraq, Egypt, Algeria and across the ], as vital military and administrative retainers.<ref>H. T. Norris, Islam in the Balkans: Religion and Society Between Europe and the Arab World, p. 196.</ref> This was partly due to the ] system. The process of Islamization was an incremental one, commencing from the arrival of the Ottomans in the 14th century (to this day, a minority of Albanians are Catholic or Orthodox Christians, though the vast majority became Muslim). ] holders, the bedrock of early Ottoman control in Southeast Europe, were not necessarily converts to Islam, and occasionally rebelled; the most famous of these rebels is ] (his figure would rise up later on, in the 19th century, as a central component of the Albanian national identity). The most significant impact on the Albanians was the gradual Islamisation process of a large majority of the population, although it became widespread only in the 17th century.<ref name="referenceworks.brillonline">Clayer, Nathalie. " Albania ." Encyclopaedia of Islam, THREE. Edited by: Gudrun Krämer, Denis Matringe, John Nawas, Everett Rowson. Brill Online, 2012. 2 April 2012<http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-3/albania-COM_23054></ref>

Mainly ] converted in the 17th century, while the ] Albanians followed suit mainly in the following century. Initially confined to the main city centres of ] and ], by this period the countryside was also embracing the new religion.<ref name="referenceworks.brillonline"/> The motives for conversion according to some scholars were diverse, depending on the context. The lack of source material does not help when investigating such issues.<ref>Clayer, Nathalie. " Albania ." Encyclopaedia of Islam, THREE. Edited by: Gudrun Krämer, Denis Matringe, John Nawas, Everett Rowson. Brill Online, 2012. Reference. 17 April 2012 <http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-3/albania-COM_23054></ref>

Albania remained under Ottoman control as part of the ] province until 1912, when ] was ].

=== Era of nationalism and League of Prizren ===
] from inside the courtyard]]
] requested by the League of Prizren]]
The ] was formed on 1 June 1878, in ], ] of Ottoman Empire. At first the Ottoman authorities supported the League of Prizren, whose initial position was based on the religious solidarity of Muslim ] and people connected with the ]. The Ottomans favoured and protected Muslim solidarity, and called for defense of Muslim lands, including present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina. This was the reason for naming the league ''The Committee of the Real Muslims'' ({{lang-sq|Komiteti i Myslimanëve të Vërtetë}}).<ref>{{Citation |last=Kopecek |first=Michal |authorlink= |first2= Ahmed|last2= Ersoy|first3=Maciej|last3=Gorni |first4=Vangelis |last4= Kechriotis |first5= Boyan |last5= Manchev |first6= Balazs |last6= Trencsenyi |first7= Marius |last7= Turda |author-separator= |editor= |editorn= |editorn-last= |editorn-first= |editor-link= |editorn-link= |others= |title= Discourses of collective identity in Central and Southeast Europe (1770–1945)|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=k5Vsjg508EYC&pg=PA349&dq=%22albanian+vilayet%22+%22Greater+albania%22#v=onepage&q&f=false|archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate= 18 January 2011 |edition= |series= |volume= 1|year=2006 |publisher=Central European University Press |location= Budapest, Hungary|isbn=963-7326-52-9 |oclc= |doi= |doi_inactivedate= |bibcode= |page= 348 |pages= |nopp= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= The position of the League in the beginning was based on religious solidarity. It was even called ''Komiteti i Myslimanëve të Vërtetë'' (The Committee of the Real Muslims)&nbsp;... decisions are taken and supported mostly by landlords and people closely connected with Ottoman administration and religious authorities.. |ref= }}</ref> The League issued a decree known as ]. Its text contained a proclamation that the people from "northern Albania, Epirus and Bosnia" are willing to defend the "territorial integrity" of the Ottoman Empire "by all possible means" against the troops of the ], ] and ]. It was signed by 47 Muslim deputies of the League on 18 June 1878.<ref name="albanianhistory.net">{{cite web |url= http://www.albanianhistory.net/texts19/AH1878_2.html|title= 1878 The Resolutions of the League of Prizren|first= Robert |last= Elsie|authorlink= Robert Elsie |work= |publisher= |location= |page= |pages= |at= |language= |trans_title= |doi= |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.albanianhistory.net%2Ftexts19%2FAH1878_2.html&date=2011-02-19 |archivedate=20 February 2011 |accessdate= 20 February 2011 |quote=On 10 June 1878,&nbsp;... The League of Prizren, Alb. Lidhja e Prizrenit,&nbsp;... On 13 June 1878, the League submitted an eighteen-page memorandum to Benjamin Disraeli, the British representative at the Congress of Berlin |ref= |separator= |postscript=}}</ref> Around 300 Muslims participated in the assembly, including delegates from Bosnia and mutasarrif (]) of the ] as representatives of the central authorities, and no delegates from ].<ref>{{Citation |last=Kopeček |first=Michal |authorlink= |first2= Ahmed|last2= Ersoy|first3=Maciej|last3=Gorni | first4=Vangelis |last4= Kechriotis |first5= Boyan |last5= Manchev |first6= Balazs |last6=Trencsenyi |first7= Marius |last7= Turda |author-separator= |editor= |editor2= |editor2-last= |editor2-first= |editor-link= |editor2-link= |others= |title= Discourses of collective identity in Central and Southeast Europe (1770–1945)|url= https://books.google.com/?id=k5Vsjg508EYC&pg=PA349&dq=%22albanian+vilayet%22+%22Greater+albania%22#v=onepage&q&f=false|archiveurl= |archivedate= |format= |accessdate= 18 January 2011 |edition= |series= |volume= 1|origyear= |year=2006 |publisher=Central European University Press |location= Budapest, Hungary|language= |isbn=963-7326-52-9 |oclc= |doi= |doi_inactivedate= |bibcode= |id= |page=347 |pages= |nopp= |at= |chapter= Program of the Albanian League of Prizren |chapterurl= |quote= there were no delegates from Shkodra villayet and a few Bosnian delegates also participated. Present was also mutasarrif (administrator of sandjak) of Prizren as representative of the central authorities |laysummary= |laydate= |separator= |postscript= |lastauthoramp= |ref= }}</ref>

The Ottomans cancelled their support when the League, under the influence of ], became focused on working toward Albanian autonomy and requested merging of four Ottoman vilayets (], ], ] and ]) into a new '']'' of the ] (the ]). The League used military force to prevent the annexing areas of ] and ] assigned to Montenegro by the ]. After several successful battles with Montenegrin troops such as in ], under the pressure of the ], the League of Prizren was forced to retreat from their contested regions of Plav and Gusinje and later on, the league was defeated by the Ottoman army sent by the Sultan.<ref name="League of Prizren">{{cite web|title=Albanian League|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/12553/Albanian-League|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica|accessdate=5 January 2012}}</ref>
The ], the Ottoman defeat in the ] and the advance of Montenegrin, Serbian and Greek forces into territories claimed as Albanian, led to the ] by ] in ], on 28 November 1912.

=== Independence ===
{{Main article|Albanian Declaration of Independence}}
{{Further information|Albanian Revolt of 1912|Independent Albania|Treaty of London (1913)|Principality of Albania|Peasant Revolt in Albania|Albania during the Balkan Wars|Albania during World War I}}
] after being captured by ] in August 1912 after defeating the Ottoman forces holding the city. This led to the ] shortly after.]]
At the ] in ] on 28 November 1912<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.albanianhistory.net/texts20_1/AH1920.html |title=Ismail Kemal bey Vlora: Memoirs |first=Ismail |last=Qemali |work= |publisher= |location= |page= |pages= |at= |language= |trans_title= |doi= |accessdate=23 January 2011 |quote=...&nbsp;November 15th–28th, 1912&nbsp;... |ref= |separator= |postscript= |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617232905/http://www.albanianhistory.net/texts20_1/AH1920.html |archivedate=17 June 2010 }}</ref> Congress participants constituted the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.albanianhistory.net/texts20_1/AH1920.html |title=Ismail Kemal bey Vlora: Memoirs |first=Ismail |last=Qemali |work= |publisher= |location= |page= |pages= |at= |language= |trans_title= |doi= |accessdate=23 January 2011 |quote=...&nbsp;On the resumption of the sitting, I was elected President of the Provisional Government, with a mandate to form a Cabinet&nbsp;... |ref= |separator= |postscript= |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617232905/http://www.albanianhistory.net/texts20_1/AH1920.html |archivedate=17 June 2010 }}</ref> The assembly of eighty-three leaders meeting in ] in November 1912 declared Albania an independent country and set up a provisional government. The ] was established on the second session of the assembly held on 4 December 1912. It was a government of ten members, led by ] until his resignation on 22 January 1914.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Giaro
| first = Tomasz
| title = Modernisierung durch Transfer zwischen den Weltkriegen
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=dmrRCdTQBTcC&pg=PA185&dq=Provisional+government+of+vlore+december+4+1912&hl=en&ei=x5k9TeLYM83A8QO_qMisCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Provisional%20government%20of%20vlore%20december%204%201912&f=false
| accessdate = 24 January 2011
| year = 2007
| publisher = Vittorio Klosterman GmbH
| location = Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| isbn = 978-3-465-04017-0
| page = 185
| chapter = The Albanian legal and constitutional system between the World Wars
| quote =...&nbsp;a provisional government, consisting of ten members and led by Vlora, was formed on 4 December.}}</ref> The Assembly also established the ] ({{lang-sq|Pleqësi}}) with an advisory role to the government, consisting of 18 members of the Assembly.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Giaro
| first = Tomasz
| title = Modernisierung durch Transfer zwischen den Weltkriegen
| trans_title =
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=dmrRCdTQBTcC&pg=PA185&dq=Provisional+government+of+vlore+december+4+1912&hl=en&ei=x5k9TeLYM83A8QO_qMisCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Provisional%20government%20of%20vlore%20december%204%201912&f=false
| accessdate = 24 January 2011
| year = 2007
| publisher = Vittorio Klosterman GmbH
| location = Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| isbn = 978-3-465-04017-0
| page = 185
| chapter = The Albanian legal and constitutional system between the World Wars
| quote = From its own members congress elected a senate (Pleqësi), composed of 18 members, which assumed advisory role to the government.}}</ref>

] and his cabinet during the celebration of the first anniversary of independence in ] on 28 November 1913.]]Albania's independence was recognized by the ] on 29 July 1913, but the drawing of the borders of the newly established ] ignored the demographic realities of the time. The ] was established on 15 October 1913 to take care of the administration of newly established Albania until its own political institutions were in order.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.cecl.gr/RigasNetwork/databank/REPORTS/r23/ZAHARIA.html| title = The post – 1989 constitutional course of south east Europe
| first = Perikli| last = Zaharia| date = 24 March 2003| publisher = Centre for European Constitutional Law
| location = Athens| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cecl.gr%2FRigasNetwork%2Fdatabank%2FREPORTS%2Fr23%2FZAHARIA.html&date=2011-01-21
| archivedate = 22 January 2011| accessdate = 22 January 2011}}</ref> Its headquarters were in ].<ref>{{Citation |last= Jelavich |first= Barbara |author-separator= |editorn= |editorn-last= |editorn-first= |editorn-link= |title=History of the Balkans: Twentieth century |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hd-or3qtqrsC&pg=PA100&dq=albanian+congress+in+trieste+1913&hl=en&ei=Su45Tdn6K4al8QPo7ajBCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false |archiveurl= |archivedate= |format= |accessdate= 21 January 2011 |edition= |series= |volume=2 |origyear= 1983 |year= 1999 |publisher= The Press Syndicate of University of Cambridge |location= Cambridge, United Kingdom |language= |isbn= 0-521-27459-1 |oclc= |doi= |doi_inactivedate= |bibcode= |id= |page= 101|pages= |nopp= |at= |chapter= The end of Ottoman rule in Europe |chapterurl= |quote= the International Commission&nbsp;... had headquarters in Vlorë|laysummary= |laydate= |separator= |postscript= |lastauthoramp= |ref= }}</ref> The ] was established as the first ] of the ]. At the beginning of November the first gendarmerie members arrived in Albania. ] was selected as the first prince.<ref>{{Citation |last=Seton-Watson |first=R.W. |author2= J. Dover Wilson |author3=Alfred E. Zimmern |author4= Arthur Greenwood |author-separator= |editor= |editorn= |editorn-last= |editorn-first= |editor-link= |editorn-link= |others= |title= The War and Democracy |url=http://www.gutenberg.org/files/10668/10668.txt |archiveurl= |archivedate= |format= |accessdate= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= 10 January 2004 |origyear= 1915 |publisher= MacMillan And Co. Ltd.; 1st Edition |location= London |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |doi_inactivedate= |bibcode= |page= |pages= |nopp= |at= |chapter= III Germany |chapterurl= |quote=Prince William of Wied, the first Prince of Albania |laysummary= |laydate= |separator= |postscript= |lastauthoramp= |ref= }}</ref>

In November 1913 the Albanian pro-Ottoman forces had offered the throne of Albania to the Ottoman war minister of Albanian origin, ].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.albanianphotography.net/en/dmm.html | title= Albania under prince Wied | first= Robert | last= Elsie | authorlink= Robert Elsie | archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.albanianphotography.net%2Fen%2Fdmm.html&date=2011-01-25 |quote=pro-Ottoman forces&nbsp;... were opposed to the increasing Western influence&nbsp;... In November 1913, these forces,&nbsp;... , had offered the vacant Albanian throne to General Izzet Pasha&nbsp;... War Minister who was of Albanian origin. |archivedate= 25 January 2011 | accessdate= 25 January 2011 }}</ref> The pro-Ottoman peasants believed that the new regime of the Principality of Albania was a tool of the six Christian ]s and local landowners that owned half of the arable land.<ref>{{Citation |last= Jelavich |first= Barbara |title=History of the Balkans: Twentieth century |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hd-or3qtqrsC&pg=PA100&dq=albanian+congress+in+trieste+1913&hl=en&ei=Su45Tdn6K4al8QPo7ajBCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false |archiveurl= |archivedate= |format= |accessdate= 25 January 2011 |edition= |series= |volume=2 |origyear= 1983 |year= 1999 |publisher= The Press Syndicate of University of Cambridge |location= Cambridge, United Kingdom |language= |isbn= 0-521-27459-1 |oclc= |doi= |doi_inactivedate= |bibcode= |id= |page=103 |pages= |nopp= |at= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= peasants..willing listeners to Ottoman propaganda&nbsp;... attached the new regime as a tool of the beys and Christian powers |laysummary= |laydate= |separator= |postscript= |lastauthoramp= |ref= }}</ref>

On 28 February 1914, the ] was proclaimed in Gjirokastër by the local Greek population against incorporation to Albania. This initiative was short lived and in 1921 the southern provinces were finally incorporated to the Albanian Principality.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Bowden|first1=William|title=Epirus Vetus : the archaeology of a late antique province|date=2003|publisher=Duckworth|location=London|isbn=978-0-7156-3116-4|page=28|url=https://books.google.com/books?hl=el&id=IjsbAAAAYAAJ&dq=autonomous+republic+of+northern+epirus+1914&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=%22+Autonomous+Republic+of+Northern+Epirus.%22|quote=the Greek Epirote population of the area refused to be incorporated into the new Albanian state and in February 1914 declared the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus&nbsp;... in 1921 Albania was recognised as an independent sovereign state, with its borders established on their present lines.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=ed|first1=Gregory C. Ference,|title=Chronology of 20th century eastern European history|date=1994|publisher=Gale Research|location=Detroit |isbn=978-0-8103-8879-6|page=9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RSLsAAAAMAAJ&q=%22February+28+George+Zographos,+a+former+foreign+minister+of+Greece,+proclaims+at+Gjirokaster+the+establishment+of+the+Autonomous+Republic+of+Northern+Epirus%22&dq=%22February+28+George+Zographos,+a+former+foreign+minister+of+Greece,+proclaims+at+Gjirokaster+the+establishment+of+the+Autonomous+Republic+of+Northern+Epirus%22&hl=el&sa=X&ved=0CBsQ6AEwAGoVChMIuKmTsKPZyAIVhr8UCh0u0gXX|quote=February 28 George Zographos, a former foreign minister of Greece, proclaims at Gjirokaster the establishment of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus, with Zographos as president. He notifies the International Commission that his government has been established because the Great Powers have not provided the Greeks in southern Albania any guarantees for the protection of the life, property and religious freedom, and ethnic existence.}}</ref> Meanwhile, the ] against the new Albanian regime erupted under the leadership of the group of Muslim clerics gathered around ], who proclaimed himself the savior of Albania and Islam.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.albaniainbrief.com/Albanian%20History/Fighting%20for%20amputated%20Albania.htm
| title = The Efforts to settle amputated Albania state
| publisher = albaniainbrief.com
| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.albaniainbrief.com%2FAlbanian%2520History%2FFighting%2520for%2520amputated%2520Albania.htm&date=2011-01-28
| archivedate = 28 January 2011
| accessdate = 28 January 2011
| quote = Thousands of muslim peasants,&nbsp;... were exploited by their leaders Haxhi Qamili, Arif Hiqmeti, Musa Qazimi and Mustafa Ndroqi,&nbsp;... to rebel
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = Vickers | first = Miranda | title = The Albanians: a modern history | publisher = I.B.Tauris | year = 1999 |quote= He gathered round him a group of discontented Muslim priests&nbsp;... and proclaimed himself the savior of Albania and the Champion of Islam.| page=81 |isbn = 978-1-86064-541-9 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=IzI0uOZ2j6gC}}</ref> In order to gain support of the ] Catholic volunteers from the northern mountains, Prince of Wied appointed their leader, ], to be the foreign minister of the ]. In May and June 1914 the International Gendarmerie joined by ] and his men, mostly from Kosovo,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.albanianphotography.net/en/dmm.html | title= Albania under prince Wied | first= Robert | last= Elsie | authorlink= Robert Elsie | archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.albanianphotography.net%2Fen%2Fdmm.html&date=2011-01-25 |quote=...&nbsp;mostly volunteers from Kosova under their leader Isa Boletini |archivedate= 25 January 2011 | accessdate= 25 January 2011 }}</ref> and northern ] Catholics were defeated by the rebels who captured most of Central Albania by the end of August 1914.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.albanianphotography.net/en/dmm.html | title= Albania under prince Wied | first= Robert | last= Elsie| authorlink= Robert Elsie | archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.albanianphotography.net%2Fen%2Fdmm.html&date=2011-01-25 |quote=Panic broke out in Durrës, and the royal family sought refuge on an Italian vessel&nbsp;... |archivedate= 25 January 2011 | accessdate= 25 January 2011 }}</ref> The regime of Prince of Wied collapsed and he left the country on 3 September 1914.<ref>{{cite book| last = Springer| first =Elisabeth|author2=Leopold Kammerhofer | title =Archiv und Forschung| publisher =Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag| year =1993| page =346| isbn =3-486-55989-3 }}</ref>

=== Republic and monarchy ===
], King of ]]]
{{Main article|Albanian Republic|Kingdom of Albania (1928–39)}}
The short-lived ] (1914–1925) was succeeded by the first ] (1925–1928). In 1925 the four-member Regency was abolished and ] was elected president of the newly declared republic. ] was endorsed officially as the country's permanent capital.<ref>{{Cite book|title = The Albanians: A Modern History|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=IzI0uOZ2j6gC|publisher = I.B.Tauris|date = 1 January 1999|isbn = 978-1-86064-541-9|first = Miranda|last = Vickers|page = 118}}</ref> Zogu led an authoritarian and conservative regime, the primary aim of which was the maintenance of stability and order. Zogu was forced to adopt a policy of cooperation with Italy. A pact had been signed between Italy and Albania on 20 January 1925 whereby Italy gained a monopoly on shipping and trade concessions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title = The Albanians: A Modern History|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=IzI0uOZ2j6gC|publisher = I.B.Tauris|date = 1 January 1999|isbn = 978-1-86064-541-9|first = Miranda|last = Vickers}}</ref>

The Albanian republic was eventually replaced by another ] in 1928. In order to extend his direct control throughout the entire country, Zogu placed great emphasis on the construction of roads. Every male Albanian over the age of 16 years was legally bound to give ten days of free labor each year to the state.<ref name=":0" /> King Zogu remained a conservative, but initiated reforms. For example, in an attempt at social modernization, the custom of adding one's region to one's name was dropped. Zogu also made donations of land to international organisations for the building of schools and hospitals. The armed forces were trained and supervised by Italian instructors. As a counterweight, Zogu kept British officers in the ] despite strong Italian pressure to remove them. The kingdom was supported by the ] and the two countries maintained close relations until Italy's sudden ] in 1939. Albania was occupied by ] and ] by ] during World War II.

=== World War II ===
{{Main article|Albanian Kingdom (1939–43)|Albanian resistance during World War II}}
] during World War II]]
After being ], from 1939 until 1943 the ] was a ] and a ] of ] governed by the Italian King ] and his government. After the Axis' ] in April 1941, territories of Yugoslavia with substantial Albanian population were annexed to Albania: most of Kosovo,{{efn|name=status}} as well as Western Macedonia, the town of ] in Central Serbia and a strip of Eastern Montenegro.<ref name="BogdaniLoughlin2007">{{cite book|last1=Bogdani|first1=Mirela|last2=Loughlin|first2=John|title=Albania and the European Union: The Tumultuous Journey Towards Integration and Accession|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=32Wu8H7t8MwC&pg=PA230|date=15 March 2007|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=978-1-84511-308-7|page=230}}</ref> In November 1941, the small Albanian Communist groups established an&nbsp;Albanian Communist Party&nbsp;in Tirana of 130 members under the leadership of ] and an eleven-man Central Committee. The party at first had little mass appeal, and even its youth organization netted few recruits. After March 1943, the ] formed its first and second regular battalions, which subsequently became brigades, to operate along with existing smaller and irregular units. Resistance to the occupation grew rapidly as signs of Italian weakness became apparent. At the end of 1942, guerrilla forces numbered no more than 8,000 to 10,000. By the summer of 1943, when the Italian effort collapsed, almost all of the mountainous interior was controlled by resistance units.<ref>{{cite web|title=World War II|url=http://countrystudies.us/albania/151.htm|website=countrystudies.us|publisher=U.S. Library of Congress}}{{PD-notice}}</ref>] march in ] 29 November 1944]]

After the capitulation of Italy in 1943, Nazi Germany occupied Albania too. The nationalist ], which had fought against Italy, formed a "neutral" government in Tirana, and side by side with the Germans fought against the communist-led ].<ref name="Morrock2010">{{cite book|last=Morrock|first=Richard|title=The Psychology of Genocide and Violent Oppression: A Study of Mass Cruelty from Nazi Germany to Rwanda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CZtnAbKkOmIC&pg=PA55|date=11 October 2010|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-5628-4|page=55|quote=The nationalist Balli Kombetar, which had fought against Italy, made a deal with the German invaders, and formed a "neutral" government in Tirana which&nbsp;...}}</ref> The Center for Relief to Civilian Populations (Geneva) reported that Albania was one of the most devastated countries in Europe. 60,000 houses were destroyed and about 10% of the population was left homeless.The communist partisans had regrouped and gained control of much of southern Albania in January 1944. However, they were subject to German attacks driving them out of certain areas. In the Congress of Përmet, the NLF formed an Anti-Fascist Council of National Liberation to act as Albania's administration and legislature. By the last year in WWII Albania fell into a civil war-like state between the communists and nationalists. The communist partisans however defeated the last Balli Kombëtar forces in southern Albania by mid-summer 1944. Before the end of November, the main German troops had withdrawn from ], and the communists took control by attacking it. The partisans entirely liberated Albania from German occupation on 29 November 1944. A provisional government, which the communists had formed at&nbsp;Berat&nbsp;in October, administered Albania with Enver Hoxha as prime minister.

=== Communist Albania ===
{{main article|People's Socialist Republic of Albania}}
], the dictator of Albania during 1945 - 1985]]
By the end of ], the main military and political force in the country, the Communist party, sent forces to northern Albania against the nationalists to eliminate its rivals. They faced open resistance in Nikaj-Mertur, Dukagjin and Kelmend (Kelmendi was led by ]).<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IJ2s9sQ9bGkC&pg=PA431&dq=Anti+Communist+Uprising+albania&hl=en&sa=X&ei=G5bhUsjnD9GThgefw4GYCQ&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Anti%20Communist%20Uprising%20albania&f=false |title=The Albanians: An Ethnic History from Prehistoric Times to the Present – Edwin E. Jacques – Google Books |publisher=Books.google.me |date=28 November 1912 |accessdate=15 February 2014}}</ref> On 15 January 1945, a clash took place between partisans of the first Brigade and nationalist forces at the Tamara Bridge, resulting in the defeat of the nationalist forces . About 150 Kelmendi<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0WP5UXsrAP4C&pg=PA12&dq=prenk+cali&hl=en&sa=X&ei=gyXhUu3mJLSzsQSXkYAI&redir_esc=y#v=snippet&q=communism%20kelmend&f=false |title=Live to Tell: A True Story of Religious Persecution in Communist Albania – Zef Pllumi – Google Books |publisher=Books.google.me |date=28 November 1948 |accessdate=15 February 2014}}</ref> people were killed or tortured. This event was the starting point of many other issues which took place during Enver Hoxha's dictatorship. Class struggle was strictly applied, human freedom and human rights were denied.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}} Kelmend region was isolated both by the border and by lack of roads for another 20 years, the institution of agricultural cooperative brought about economic decline. Many Kelmendi people fled, some were executed trying to cross the border.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}}
].]]

After the liberation of Albania from Nazi occupation, the country became a ], the ] (renamed "the People's Socialist Republic of Albania" in 1976), which was led by ] and the ].{{citation needed|date=May 2015}}

The socialist reconstruction of Albania was launched immediately after the annulling of the monarchy and the establishment of a "]". In 1947, Albania's first railway line was completed, with the second completed eight months later. New land reform laws were passed granting the land to the workers and peasants who tilled it. Agriculture became ], and production increased significantly, leading to Albania's becoming agriculturally self-sufficient. By 1955, illiteracy was eliminated among Albania's adult population.<ref>''40 Years of Socialist Albania'', Dhimiter Picani</ref>
] overlooking the peaks of ]. By 1983 a total of 173,371 ] were scattered throughout the country.<ref></ref>]]
During this period Albania became industrialized and saw rapid economic growth, as well as unprecedented progress in the areas of education and health.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}} The average annual rate of Albania's national income was 29% higher than the world average and 56% higher than the European average.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dalakoglou|first=Dimitris|title=The Road from Capitalism to Capitalism |url= http://www.academia.edu/1934474/The_Road_from_Capitalism_to_Capitalism_Infrastructures_of_Post_Socialism_in_Albania|accessdate=11 November 2012}}</ref> Albania's Communist ] did not allow taxes on individuals; instead, taxes were imposed on cooperatives and other organizations, with much the same effect.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pano|first=Aristotel|title=Panorama of the Economic-Social Development of Socialist Albania |url=http://www.revolutionarydemocracy.org/archive/panorama.htm|accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref>

Religious freedoms were severely curtailed during the Communist period, with all forms of worship being outlawed. In August 1945, the Agrarian Reform Law meant that large swaths of property owned by religious groups (mostly Islamic ]) were nationalized, along with the estates of monasteries and dioceses. Many believers, along with the ] and many ], were arrested and executed. In 1949, a new Decree on Religious Communities required that all their activities be sanctioned by the state alone.<ref>Library of Congress Country Studies, Albania: Hoxha's Antireligious Campaign</ref>

In 1967, after hundreds of mosques and dozens of Islamic libraries containing priceless manuscripts were destroyed, Hoxha proclaimed Albania the "world's first ]".<ref>Kombësia dhe feja në Shqipëri, 1920–1944 / Roberto Morocco dela Roka ; e përktheu nga origjinali Luan Omari.</ref><ref name = "Elsie p27">{{Cite book|title=Historical Dictionary of Albania|last=Elsie|first=Robert|publisher=]|year=2010|isbn=978-0-8108-6188-6|edition=2nd|series=Historical Dictionaries of Europe, No. 75|location=Lanham, MD, and Plymouth|page=}}</ref> The country's churches had not been spared either, and many were converted into cultural centers for young people. A 1967 law banned all "fascist, religious, warmongerish, antisocialist activity and propaganda." Preaching religion carried a three to ten years prison sentence. Nonetheless, many Albanians continued to practice their beliefs secretly. The Hoxha dictatorship's anti-religion crusade attained its most fundamental legal and political expression a decade later: "The state recognizes no religion," declared Communist Albania's 1976 constitution, "and supports and carries out atheistic propaganda in order to implant a scientific materialistic world outlook in people."<ref name = "Elsie p27" />

Hoxha's political successor ] oversaw the dismemberment of the "]" state during the breakup of the ] in the later 1980s.

=== Post-Communist Albania ===
{{main article|Fall of communism in Albania|Pyramid schemes in Albania|Albanian civil war of 1997}}
After protests beginning in 1989 and reforms made by the communist government in 1990, the People's Republic was dissolved in 1991–92 and the Republic of Albania was founded. The communists retained a stronghold in parliament after popular support in the elections of 1991. However, in March 1992, amid liberalization policies resulting in economic collapse and social unrest, a new front led by the new ] took power.
[[File:Vlore, Money Lenders, 1997.jpg|thumb|220x220px|
Albanian civil unrest of 1997, ].
]]
In the following years, much of the accumulated wealth of the country was invested in ] pyramid banking schemes, which were widely supported by government officials. The schemes swept up somewhere between one-sixth to one-third of the country's population.<ref>Jarvis, Christopher. 2000. "." Finance and Development, Vol 37:1</ref><ref>Bezemer, Dirk. 2001. "Post-socialist Financial Fragility: The Case of Albania." Cambridge Journal of Economics. Vol 25: 1–25.</ref> Despite IMF warnings in late 1996, then president ] defended the schemes as large investment firms, leading more people to redirect their remittances and sell their homes and cattle for cash to deposit in the schemes.<ref>Musaraj, Smoki. 2011. "Tales from Albarado: The Materiality of Pyramid Schemes in Post-socialist Albania." ''Cultural Anthropology'', Vol 26(1): 84–110.</ref> The schemes began to collapse in late 1996, leading many of the investors into initially peaceful protests against the government, requesting their money back. The protests turned violent in February as government forces responded with fire. In March the police and Republican Guard deserted, leaving their armories open. They were promptly emptied by militias and criminal gangs. The ] caused a wave of evacuations of foreign nationals<ref>]</ref><ref>]</ref> and of refugees.<ref>The ] was mostly to ], ], ], ] and North America.</ref>

The crisis led Prime Minister ] to resign on 11 March 1997, followed by President ] in July in the wake of the June General Election. In April 1997, ], a UN peacekeeping force led by Italy, entered the country with two goals: assistance in evacuation of expatriates and to secure the ground for international organizations. This was primarily WEU MAPE, who worked with the government in restructuring the judicial system and police. The Socialist Party won the elections in 1997, and a degree of political stabilization followed.

In 1999, the country was affected by the ], when a great number of Albanians from Kosovo found refuge in Albania.

Albania became a full member of ] in 2009, and has ] to join the ]. In 2013, the Socialist Party won the national elections. In June 2014, the Republic of Albania became an official candidate for accession to the European Union.

== Geography ==
{{Main article|Geography of Albania}}
Albania has a total area of {{convert|28748|km2|0|abbr=off}}. It lies between latitudes ] and ] (]-]) and between longitudes ] and ] (]-]). 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}}</ref>{{rp|240}} and extends along the ] and ]s. The lowlands of the west face the Adriatic Sea.

The 70% of the country that is mountainous is rugged and often inaccessible from the outside. The highest mountain is ] situated in the former ], reaching up to {{convert|2764|m|ft}}. The climate on the coast is typically ] with mild, wet winters and warm, sunny, and rather dry summers.

Inland conditions vary depending on elevation, but the higher areas above 1,500&nbsp;m/5,000&nbsp;ft are rather cold and frequently snowy in winter; here cold conditions with snow may linger into spring. Besides the capital city of ], which has 420,000 inhabitants, the principal cities are ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. In Albanian grammar, a word can have indefinite and definite forms, and this also applies to city names: both ''Tiranë'' and ''Tirana'', ''Shkodër'' and ''Shkodra'' are used.

The three largest and deepest tectonic lakes of the ] are partly located in Albania. ] in the country's northwest has a surface which can vary between {{convert|370|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and 530&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, out of which one third belongs to Albania and the rest to Montenegro. The Albanian shoreline of the lake is {{convert|57|km|0|abbr=on}}. ] is situated in the country's southeast and is shared between Albania and Republic of Macedonia. It has a maximal depth of 289&nbsp;meters and a variety of unique flora and fauna can be found there, including "living fossils" and many endemic species. Because of its natural and historical value, Ohrid Lake is under the protection of ]. There is also Butrinti Lake which is a small tectonic lake. It is located in the national park of Butrint.

<gallery mode=packed heights=140px style="text-align:center">
Valbona_Haze_Panorama.jpg|View of the ]
Lake_Skadar,_Shkoder_Albania_2016.jpg|The ]
</gallery>

=== Climate ===
]
With its coastline facing the Adriatic and Ionian seas, its highlands backed upon the elevated Balkan landmass, and the entire country lying at a latitude subject to a variety of weather patterns during the winter and summer seasons, Albania has a high number of climatic regions relative to its landmass. The coastal lowlands have typically Mediterranean climate; the highlands have a Mediterranean continental climate. In both the lowlands and the interior, the weather varies markedly from north to south.

The lowlands have mild winters, averaging about {{convert|7|°C|0|abbr=on}}. Summer temperatures average {{convert|24|°C|0|abbr=on}}. In the southern lowlands, temperatures average about {{convert|5|C-change|0|abbr=on}} higher throughout the year. The difference is greater than {{convert|5|C-change|0|abbr=on}} during the summer and somewhat less during the winter.

Inland temperatures are affected more by differences in elevation than by latitude or any other factor. Low winter temperatures in the mountains are caused by the continental air mass that dominates the weather in Eastern Europe. Northerly and northeasterly winds blow much of the time. Average summer temperatures are lower than in the coastal areas and much lower at higher elevations, but daily fluctuations are greater. Daytime maximum temperatures in the interior basins and ]s are very high, but the nights are almost always cool.

Average ] is heavy, a result of the convergence of the prevailing airflow from the ] and the continental air mass. Because they usually meet at the point where the terrain rises, the heaviest rain falls in the central uplands. Vertical currents initiated when the Mediterranean air is uplifted also cause frequent thunderstorms. Many of these storms are accompanied by high local winds and torrential downpours.

When the continental air mass is weak, Mediterranean winds drop their moisture farther inland. When there is a dominant continental air mass, cold air spills onto the lowland areas, which occurs most frequently in the winter. Because the season's lower temperatures damage olive trees and citrus fruits, groves and orchards are restricted to sheltered places with southern and western exposures, even in areas with high average winter temperatures.

Lowland rainfall averages from {{convert|1000|mm|in|1|sp=us}} to more than {{convert|1500|mm|in|1|sp=us}} annually, with the higher levels in the north. Nearly 95% of the rain falls in the winter.

Rainfall in the upland mountain ranges is heavier. Adequate records are not available, and estimates vary widely, but annual averages are probably about {{convert|1800|mm|in|1|sp=us}} and are as high as {{convert|2550|mm|in|1|sp=us}} in some northern areas. The western Albanian Alps (valley of Boga) are among the wettest areas in Europe, receiving some {{convert|3100|mm|1|abbr=on}} of rain annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://qendrim.forumotion.net/gjeografia-f61/tiparet-e-pergjithshme-te-klimes-t3725.htm |title=Tiparet e pergjithshme te klimes |publisher=Qendrim.forumotion.net |date=20 December 2009 |accessdate=5 May 2013}}</ref> The seasonal variation is not quite as great in the coastal area.

The higher inland mountains receive less precipitation than the intermediate uplands. Terrain differences cause wide local variations, but the seasonal distribution is the most consistent of any area.

<gallery heights=130px mode=packed>
File:Crystal_blue_ksamil.jpg|] in the ]
File:Kuchishte_lake.jpg|Alpine Mediterranean in Leqinat lake
File:Bokërrimat_e_Muzinës.jpg|] in Bokërrimat e Muzinës
File:Liqeni_i_Xhemës_-_Valbonë_01.jpg|] in James Lake
</gallery>

In 2009, an expedition from University of Colorado discovered four small glaciers in the "Cursed" mountains in North Albania. The glaciers are at the relatively low level of {{convert|2000|m|ft}}, almost unique for such a southerly latitude.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://instaar.metapress.com/content/273213h3t4370272/ |title=Twenty-first Century Glaciers and Climate in the Prokletije Mountains, Albania Journal Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research Publisher Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado ISSN 1523-0430 (Print) 1938–4246 (Online) Issue Volume 41, Number 4 / November 2009 DOI 10.1657/1938-4246-41.4.455 Pages 455–459 Online Date: 30 November 2009|publisher=Instaar.metapress.com |date=30 November 2009 |accessdate=27 August 2010}}</ref>

=== Flora and Fauna ===
] 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 is distinguished for its rich ] diversity. The variation of geomorphology, climate and terrain create favorable conditions for a number of endemic and sub-endemic species with 27 endemic and 160 subendemic vascular plants present in the country. The total number of plants is over 3250 species, approximately 30% of the entire flora species found in Europe.

Over a third of the territory of Albania&nbsp;– about {{convert|10000|km2|0|abbr=off}};– is forested and the country is very rich in flora. About 3,000 different species of plants grow in Albania, many of which are used for medicinal purposes. ], Albania belongs to the ], the ] and the Illyrian province of the ]. Coastal regions and lowlands have typical Mediterranean ] vegetation, whereas ] forests and vegetation are found on higher elevations. Vast forests of ], ] and ] are found on higher mountains and alpine ] grow at elevations above 1800&nbsp;meters.<ref name="cbd.int">http://www.cbd.int/doc/world/al/al-nbsap-01-p1-en.pdf</ref>

] – national symbol of Albania<ref name="Streissguth">{{cite book|last=Streissguth|first=Thomas |url=https://books.google.com/?id=wL_-zcyLn6kC&pg=PA14&dq=The+golden+eagle+is+Albania's+national+symbol.#v=onepage&q=The%20golden%20eagle%20is%20Albania's%20national%20symbol.&f=false|title=Albania in Pictures |publisher=Twenty-First Century Books |year=2010|isbn=978-0-7613-4629-6}}</ref>]] According to the ] and Digital Map of European Ecological Regions by the ], the territory of Albania can be subdivided into three ]s: the ], ] and ] mixed forests. The forests are home to a wide range of mammals, including ], bears, ]s and ]. ], ]s, ]s and ] are rare, but survive in some parts of the country.

There are around 760 vertebrate species found so far in Albania. Among these there are over 350 bird species, 330 freshwater and marine fish and 80 mammal species. There are some 91 globally threatened species found within the country, among which the ], ], and the ]. Rocky coastal regions in the south provide good habitats for the endangered ].

Some of the most significant bird species found in the country include the ]&nbsp;– known as the national symbol of Albania<ref name="Streissguth"/> &nbsp;– ] species, ] and numerous ]. The Albanian forests still maintain significant communities of large mammals such as the ], ], ] and ].<ref name="cbd.int"/> The north and eastern mountains of the country are home to the last remaining ]&nbsp;– a critically endangered population of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catsg.org/balkanlynx/20_blx-compendium/index.htm |title=The Balkan Lynx Conservation Compendium|publisher=Catsg.org |accessdate=29 December 2009}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{Main article|Demographics of Albania|Arbëreshë people|Arvanites}}
]
According to the 2011 Census results, the total population of Albania is 2,821,977 with a low ] of 1.49 children born per woman.<ref>Albania: People, CIA World Factbook, 2012. Retrieved on 6 April 2012</ref><ref>, Instat, Tirana, 2007 {{wayback|df=yes|url=http://www.instat.gov.al/graphics/doc/downloads/publikime/femrameshkuj2006.pdf |date=20120321061241 }}</ref> The fall of the Communist regime in 1990 Albania was accompanied with massive migration. External migration was prohibited outright in Communist Albania while internal migration was quite limited, hence this was a new phenomenon. Between 1991 and 2004, roughly 900,000 people have migrated out of Albania, about 600,000 of them settling in Greece.<ref>"". Migration Policy Institute.</ref> Migration greatly affected Albania's internal population distribution. Population decreased mainly in the North and South of the country while it increased in ] and ] center districts.{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}} According to the Albanian Institute of Statistics, the population of Albania is 2,893,005 as of 1 January 2015.<ref name="Statistics"/>

Issues of ethnicity are a delicate topic and subject to debate. "Although official statistics have suggested that Albania is one of the most homogenous countries in the region (with an over 97 per cent Albanian majority) minority groups (such as Greeks, Macedonians, Montenegrins, Roma and Vlachs/Aromanians) have often questioned the official data, claiming a larger share in the country's population.]"<ref name="EUDO"/> The last census that contained ethnographic data (before the 2011 one) was conducted in 1989.<ref name="barjaba">{{cite web|url=http://www.watsoninstitute.org/bjwa/archive/11.1/Essays/Barjarba.pdf |author=Kosta Barjarba |title=Migration and Ethnicity in Albania: Synergies and Interdependencies |format=PDF |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114034650/http://www.watsoninstitute.org/bjwa/archive/11.1/Essays/Barjarba.pdf |archivedate=14 November 2012 }}</ref>

Albania recognizes three national minorities, ], ] and ], and two cultural minorities, ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,COUNTRYPROF,ALB,,4954cdfe1a,0.html |title=World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples&nbsp;– Albania : Overview |publisher=Unhcr.org |date=11 May 2005 |accessdate=5 May 2013}}</ref> Other Albanian minorities are ], ], ], ], ] and ]s. Regarding the Greeks, "it is difficult to know how many Greeks there are in Albania. The Greek government, it is typically claimed, says that there are around 300,000 ethnic Greeks in Albania, but most western estimates are around 200,000 mark (although ''EEN'' puts the number at a probable 100,000)."<ref name="RFE/RL Research Report: Weekly Analyses from the RFE/RL Research Institute">{{cite book|title=RFE/RL Research Report: Weekly Analyses from the RFE/RL Research Institute|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RxgkAQAAIAAJ|accessdate=22 December 2012|year=1993|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Incorporated|quote=Albanian officials alleged that the priest was promoting irredentist sentiments among Albania's Greek minority&nbsp;– estimated at between 60,000 and 300,000.}}</ref><ref name="BideleuxJeffries2006">{{cite book|author1=Robert Bideleux|author2=Ian Jeffries|title=The Balkans: A Post-Communist History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5jrHOKsU9pEC&pg=PA49|accessdate=6 September 2013|date=15 November 2006|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-203-96911-3|page=49|quote=The Albanian government claimed that there were only 60,000, based on the biased 1989 census, whereas the Greek government claimed that there were upwards of 300,000. Most Western estimates were around the 200,000 mark&nbsp;...}}</ref><ref name="Ramet1998">{{cite book|author=Sabrina P. Ramet|title=Nihil Obstat: Religion, Politics, and Social Change in East-Central Europe and Russia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZvMi6paTOlcC&pg=PA222|accessdate=6 September 2013|year=1998|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=978-0-8223-2070-8|page=222|quote=that between 250,000 and 300,000 Orthodox Greeks reside in Albania}}</ref><ref name="Jeffries2002">{{cite book|author=Ian Jeffries|title=Eastern Europe at the Turn of the Twenty-first Century: A Guide to the Economies in Transition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L7PBtDujYt0C&pg=PA69|accessdate=6 September 2013|year=2002|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-23671-3|page=69|quote=It is difficult to know how many ethnic Greeks there are in Albania. The Greek government, it is typically claimed, says that there are around 300,000 ethnic Greeks in Albania, but most Western estimates are around the 200,000 mark.}}</ref><ref name="Publications2008">{{cite book|author=Europa Publications|title=The Europa World Year Book 2008|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Oabsu05rJNoC|accessdate=22 December 2012|date=24 June 2008|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1-85743-452-1|quote=...&nbsp;and Greece formally annulled claims to North Epirus (southern Albania), where there is a sizeable Greek minority.&nbsp;... strained by concerns relating to the treatment of ethnic Greeks residing in Albania (numbering an estimated 300,000)&nbsp;...}}</ref> The Albanian government puts the number at only 24,243."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.instat.gov.al/media/180932/1.1.13.xls |title= Census 2011 Data: Resident population by ethnic and cultural affiliation |publisher= The Institute of Statistics of Republic of Albania|accessdate=5 April 2014}}</ref> The ] estimates the Greek minority at 0.9%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/al.html|title=Albania|publisher=|accessdate=13 September 2014}}</ref> of the total population and the US State Department uses 1.17% for Greeks and 0.23% for other minorities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3235.htm|title=Albania|work=U.S. Department of State|accessdate=13 September 2014}}</ref> However, the latter questions the validity of the data about the Greek minority, due to the fact that measurements have been affected by boycott.<ref>{{cite web|title=International Religious Freedom Report for 2014: Albania|url=http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/238560.pdf |page=5 |website=www.state.gov|publisher=United States, Department of State|accessdate=20 October 2015|quote=Ethnic Greek minority groups had encouraged their members to boycott the census, affecting measurements of the Greek ethnic minority and membership in the Greek Orthodox Church.}}</ref>

According to the 2011 census the population of Albania declared the following ethnic affiliation: ] 2,312,356 (82.6% of the total), ] 24,243 (0.9%), ] 5,512 (0.2%), ] 366 (0.01%), ] 8,266 (0.30%), ] 8,301 (0.3%), ] 3,368 (0.1%), other ethnicities 2,644 (0.1%), no declared ethnicity 390,938 (14.0%), and not relevant 44,144 (1.6%).<ref name="Population and Housing Census 2011"/>

Macedonian and some Greek minority groups have sharply criticized Article 20 of the Census law, according to which a $1,000 fine will be imposed on anyone who will declare an ethnicity other than what is stated on his or her birth certificate. This is claimed to be an attempt to intimidate minorities into declaring Albanian ethnicity, according to them the Albanian government has stated that it will jail anyone who does not participate in the census or refuse to declare his or her ethnicity.<ref>{{cite web|title=Macedonians and Greeks Join Forces against Albanian Census|url=http://www.balkanchronicle.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1364:macedonians-and-greeks-join-forces-against-albanian-census&catid=83:balkans&Itemid=460|publisher=balkanchronicle|accessdate=24 September 2011}}</ref> Genc Pollo, the minister in charge has declared that: "Albanian citizens will be able to freely express their ethnic and religious affiliation and mother tongue. However, they are not forced to answer these sensitive questions".<ref>{{cite news|title=Albania passes census law|url=http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/18561/2/|newspaper=MINA}}</ref> The amendments criticized do not include jailing or forced declaration of ethnicity or religion; only a fine is envisioned which can be overthrown by court.<ref>{{cite web|title=Census Legislation|url=http://census.al/census2011/Legislation.aspx?lang=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.instat.gov.al/media/151356/aw_nr_10_442__date_7.7.2011pdf.pdf |title=ÿþMicrosoft Word&nbsp;– Law Nr 10442 date 07.07.2011.doc |format=PDF |accessdate=25 March 2013}}</ref>

Greek representatives form part of the Albanian parliament and the government has invited Albanian Greeks to register, as the only way to improve their status.<ref name="EUDO"/> On the other hand, nationalists, various intellectuals organizations and political parties in Albania have expressed their concern that the census might artificially increase the number of Greek minority, which might be then exploited by Greece to threaten Albania's territorial integrity.<ref name="EUDO">{{cite web|title=The politics of numbers and identity in Albania|url=http://eudo-citizenship.eu/news/citizenship-news/582-the-politics-of-numbers-and-identity-in-albania|publisher=EUDO Observatory on Citizenship}}</ref><ref name="Maria Karathanos, Constantine Callaghan">{{cite web|author1=Maria Karathanos |author2=Constantine Callaghan |title=Ethnic tensions in Albania|url=http://www.athensnews.gr/issue/13458/46617|publisher=Athensnews|accessdate=7 January 2013 |quote=...&nbsp;in line with Albanian nationalist sentiment alleging that the census poses a threat to Albanian territorial integrity}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Likmeta|first=Besar|title=Albania Nationalist Leader Resigns from Top Justice Job|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/albania-nationalist-leader-resigns-from-top-justice-job|publisher=Balkannsight|accessdate=7 January 2013}}</ref><ref name="BalkanChronicle">{{cite web | title=Census stirs Balkan melting pot | date=20 October 2011 | url=http://www.balkanchronicle.com/index.php/world/world-news/balkans/1638-census-stirs-balkan-melting-pot |quote=...&nbsp;nationalist critics are up in arms at efforts to provide an accurate picture of Albania's ethnic breakdown, seeing a plot to weaken the state&nbsp;... The group has denounced the ethnicity section of the national census, and Spahiu warns the results could upset Albania's "good model" of ethnic and religious tolerance&nbsp;...}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Some Albanians consider changing nationality for profit|url=http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/articles/2011/06/27/reportage-01|newspaper=SETimes}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Courts in Albania suspend changing nationality to Greek|url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2011/03/17/nb-06|newspaper=SETimes}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Greek Consul Statement Angers Albanian MPs|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/greek-consul-statement-angers-albanian-mps|newspaper=BalkanInsight}}</ref>

=== Language ===
{{main article|Albanian language|Illyrian languages|Arbëresh language|Arvanitika language}}
]
] is the official language of Albania. Its standard spoken and written form is revised and merged from the two main dialects, ] and ], though it is notably based more on the Tosk dialect. ] river is the rough dividing line between the two dialects. Also a ] that preserves features now lost in standard ] is spoken in areas inhabited by the ]. Other languages spoken by ethnic minorities in Albania include ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=albania |title=Languages of Albania |accessdate=31 October 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123044546/http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=Albania |archivedate=23 January 2009 }}</ref> Macedonian is official in the Pustec Municipality in East Albania.

Albanians are considered a polyglot nation and people. Due to immigration and past colonialism, Albanians generally speak more than 2 languages. English, Italian and Greek are by far the most widely spoken foreign languages, which are increasing due to migration return, and new Greek and Italian communities in the country. La Francophonie states 320,000 French speakers can be found in Albania. Other spoken languages include Serbian, Romanian, German, Turkish and Aromanian. Albanians in neighbouring Kosovo and Macedonia are often fluent in Albanian and Serbian, Turkish, Slavic Macedonian, and other former Yugoslav languages.

According to the 2011 population census, 2,765,610 or 98.767% of the population declared ] as their mother tongue ("mother tongue is defined as the first or main language spoken at home during childhood").<ref name="Population and Housing Census 2011"/>
<!--Do not removed this div, it is used to separate Demographics from Religion when the page gets rendered in the browser. Previously the map showing the Demographics of Albania, looked like was part of the Religion paragraph-->

=== Religion ===
{{Main article|Mother Teresa|Religion in Albania|Freedom of religion in Albania|Islam in Albania|Christianity in Albania|Judaism in Albania}}
]]]
According to the 2011 census, 58.79% of Albania adheres to ], making it the largest religion in the country; Christianity is practiced by 17.06% of the population, and 24.29% of the total population is either non-religious, belongs to other religious groups, or are 'undeclared'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.instat.gov.al/media/177358/njoftim_per_media_-_fjala_e_drejtorit_te_instat_ines_nurja_per_rezultatet_finale_te_census_2011.pdf |title=Presentation of the main results of the Census of Population and Housing 2011. |format=PDF |accessdate=15 August 2014}}</ref> Both the Albanian Orthodox church and the ] refused to recognize the 2011 census results regarding faith, with the Orthodox claiming that 24% of the total population are Albanian Orthodox Christians rather than just 6.75%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shqiptarja.com/home/1/kisha-ortodokse-censusi-fshehu-17-te-besimtareve-137234.html|title=Shqiptarja.com - Kisha Ortodokse: Censusi fshehu 17% të besimtarëve|publisher=|accessdate=23 July 2016}}</ref> Before World War II, 70% of the population were Muslims, 20% Eastern Orthodox, and 10% Roman Catholics.<ref name="cia"/> According to a 2010 survey, religion today plays an important role in the lives of only 39% of Albanians, and Albania is ranked among the least religious countries in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/128210/Gallup-Global-Reports.aspx |title=Gallup Global Reports |publisher=Gallup.com |accessdate=25 March 2013}}</ref> A 2012 Pew Research Center study found that 65% of Albanian Muslims are ].<ref>"Chapter 1: Religious Affiliation". The World's Muslims: Unity and Diversity. Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project. 9 August 2012</ref>

The Albanians first appeared in the historical record in ] sources of the late 11th century. At this point, they were already fully Christianized. ] came for the first time in the 9th century to the region which is known as Albania today.<ref>{{Cite book|author1=Jørgen Nielsen |author2=Samim Akgönül |author3=Ahmet Alibašić |author4=Egdunas Racius |title=Yearbook of Muslims in Europe|chapter=Albania|page=23|volume=5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ia5AAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA351&lpg=PA351&dq=yearbook+islam+europa+albania&source=bl&ots=NfP5NcIwYX&sig=VvUvHqlH8VrkDQyN-CUgs0UweoA&hl=de&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjFgv7GkbzLAhWCBSwKHXbmABAQ6AEIJjAA#v=onepage&q=albania&f=false|accessdate=2016-03-12|publisher=Brill|year=2013|location=Leiden, Boston, New York}}</ref> It later emerged as the majority religion during the centuries of ] rule, though a significant Christian minority remained. After independence (1912) from the Ottoman Empire, the Albanian republican, monarchic and later Communist regimes followed a systematic policy of separating religion from official functions and cultural life. Albania never had an official state religion either as a republic or as a kingdom. In the 20th century, the clergy of all faiths was weakened under the monarchy, and ultimately eradicated during the 1950s and 1960s, under the state policy of obliterating all organized religion from Albanian territories.

The Communist regime that took control of Albania after World War II persecuted and suppressed religious observance and institutions and entirely ] to the point where Albania was officially declared to be the world's first ]. Religious freedom has returned to Albania since the regime's change in 1992. Albania joined the ] in 1992, following the fall of the communist government, but will not be attending the 2014 conference due a dispute regarding the fact that its parliament never ratified the country's membership.<ref name="Mejdini">{{cite news|url=http://gazeta-shqip.com/lajme/2014/02/17/shqiperia-refuzon-organizaten-islamike-jo-pjese-e-aktivitetit-ne-teheran/|title=Shqipëria refuzon Organizatën Islamike, jo pjesë e aktivitetit në Teheran|last=Mejdini|first=Fatjona|date=17 February 2014|publisher=Shqip|language=Albanian|accessdate=10 May 2014}}</ref> Albanian Muslim populations (mainly secular and of the ] branch) are found throughout the country whereas ] as well as ]s are concentrated in the south and Roman Catholics are found in the north of the country.<ref name="International Religious Freedom Report 2007">{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90160.htm |title=Albania: International Religious Freedom Report 2007 |publisher=State.gov |date=14 September 2007 |accessdate=27 August 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828091818/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90160.htm |archivedate=28 August 2010 |deadurl=no |df=dmy }}</ref>

The first recorded Albanian Protestant was Said Toptani, who traveled around Europe, and in 1853 returned to Tirana and preached Protestantism. He was arrested and imprisoned by the Ottoman authorities in 1864. Mainline evangelical Protestants date back to the work of Congregational and later Methodist missionaries and the work of the ] in the 19th century. The Evangelical Alliance, which is known as VUSh, was founded in 1892. Today VUSh has about 160 member congregations from different Protestant denominations. VUSh organizes marches in Tirana including one against blood feuds in 2010. {{bar box
|width=270px
|float=left
|url=http://www.instat.gov.al/media/177358/njoftim_per_media_-_fjala_e_drejtorit_te_instat_ines_nurja_per_rezultatet_finale_te_census_2011.pdf|title=Albanian census 2011
|bars=
{{bar percent|]|MediumSeaGreen|56}}
{{bar percent|Undeclared|Gray|14}}
{{bar percent|]|DarkOrchid|10}}
{{bar percent|] |MediumOrchid|7}}
{{bar percent|Others|YellowGreen|5.5}}
{{bar percent|Atheism|DarkGray|2.5}}
{{bar percent|]|LimeGreen|2}}
{{bar percent|Other Christian|DodgerBlue|0.2}}
}}Bibles are provided by the Interconfessional Bible Society of Albania. The first full Albanian Bible to be printed was the Filipaj translation printed in 1990.

],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ted-adventist.org/countries/europe/albania |title=Albania |publisher=TED Adventist |accessdate=25 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Famous British celebrity visits ADRA Albania|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/albania/famous-british-celebrity-visits-adra-albania}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web|title=LDS Newsroom-Country Profile-Albania |url=http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/contact-us/albania |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825075459/http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/contact-us/albania |archivedate=25 August 2010 }}</ref> and ]<ref>{{cite book|title=2015 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses|publisher=Watch Tower Society|page=178}}</ref> also have a number of adherents in Albania.

Albania was the only country in Europe where ] population experienced growth during ].<ref>Samer, Haroey (1997), "Rescue in Albania: One Hundred Percent of Jews in Albania Rescued from Holocaust", The Jews of Albania, California: Brunswick Press, archived from the original on 2008-05-10, retrieved 21 October 2012</ref> After the mass emigration to Israel since the fall of Communist regime, only 200 ] are left in the country today.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3997848,00.html |title=1st chief rabbi inaugurated in Albania – Israel Jewish Scene, Ynetnews |publisher=Ynetnews.com |accessdate=15 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= Ariel Scheib |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/albania.html |title=Albania Virtual Jewish Tour |publisher=Jewish Virtual Library |accessdate=15 February 2014}}</ref>

According to 2008 statistics from the religious communities in Albania, there are 1119 churches and 638 mosques in the country. The Roman Catholic mission declared 694 Catholic churches. The Christian Orthodox community, 425 Orthodox churches. The Muslim community, 568 mosques and 70 Bektashi tekkes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Korrieri online – Shqip |url=http://www.korrieri.com/index.php?k=1&i=15799 |date=23 May 2005 |accessdate=2015-11-17 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050523030433/http://www.korrieri.com/index.php?k=1&i=15799 |archivedate=23 May 2005 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Në Shqipëri P. ka 1119 kisha dhe 638 xhami|url = https://ateistet.org/lm1108237w|website = Ateistët|accessdate = 2015-11-17}}</ref>

== Government and Politics ==
{{Main article|Politics of Albania|Law of Albania}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}}
The Albanian republic is a parliamentary democracy established under a constitution renewed in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|title=Albania 1998 (rev. 2008)|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Albania_2008?lang=en|website=Constitute|accessdate=16 February 2015}}</ref> Elections are held every four years to the 140-seat ] ]. In June 2002, a compromise candidate, ], former ], was elected to succeed President ]. After parliamentary elections in July 2005, ], the leader of the Democratic Party, became prime minister, while on 20 July 2007 Bamir Topi became president. The current Albanian president ] was elected by Parliament in July 2012.

The Euro-Atlantic integration of Albania has been the ultimate goal of the post-communist governments. Albania's EU membership bid has been set as a priority by the European Commission.

Albania, along with Croatia, joined NATO on 1 April 2009, becoming the 27th and 28th members of the alliance.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7977332.stm |accessdate=2 April 2009 |work=BBC News |title=Nato welcomes Albania and Croatia |date=1 April 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090405163510/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7977332.stm |archivedate=5 April 2009 |deadurl=no |df=dmy }}</ref>

=== Executive branch ===
]
] ]]]
The head of state in Albania is the ] of the Republic. The President is elected to a 5-year term by the Assembly by secret ballot, requiring a 50%+1 majority of the votes of all deputies. The current President of the Republic is Bujar Nishani elected in July 2012.

The President has the power to guarantee observation of the constitution and all laws, act as commander in chief of the armed forces, exercise the duties of the Assembly of the Republic of Albania when the Assembly is not in session, and appoint the Chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister).

Executive power rests with the Council of Ministers (cabinet). The Chairman of the Council (prime minister) is appointed by the president; ministers are nominated by the president on the basis of the prime minister's recommendation. The People's Assembly must give final approval of the composition of the Council. The Council is responsible for carrying out both foreign and domestic policies. It directs and controls the activities of the ministries and other state organs.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!align=left|]
|]||] ||24 July 2012
|-
!align=left|]
|]||]||15 September 2013
|}

=== Legislative branch ===
{{Main article|Assembly of the Republic of Albania}}

The ] (''Kuvendi i Republikës së Shqipërisë'') is the lawmaking body in Albania. There are 140 deputies in the Assembly, which are elected through a ] system. The President of the Assembly (or Speaker), who has two deputies, chairs the Assembly. There are 15 permanent commissions, or committees. Parliamentary elections are held at least every four years.

The Assembly has the power to decide the direction of domestic and foreign policy; approve or amend the constitution; declare war on another state; ratify or annul international treaties; elect the President of the Republic, the Supreme Court, and the Attorney General and his or her deputies; and control the activity of state radio and television, state news agency and other official information media.

=== Armed forces ===
{{main article|Armed Forces of Albania}}
{| class="toccolours" style="float:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em; border:1px #ddd solid;"
|+ '''Albania Armed Forces'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="width:125px;"|]<br /><small>]<br /></small>
| style="width:125px;"|]<br /><small>]<br /></small>
|}

The ] (''Forcat e Armatosura të Shqipërisë'') were first formed after the country declared its independence in 1912. Albania reduced the number of active troops from 65,000 in 1988 to 14,500 in 2009.<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><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> The military now consists mainly of a small fleet of aircraft and sea vessels. In the 1990s, the country scrapped enormous amounts of obsolete hardware from China, such as tanks and ].

The armed forces currently include the ], the ], the ] and the ]. Increasing the military budget was one of the most important conditions for ] integration. Military spending has generally been lower than 1.5% since 1996, only to peak in 2009 at 2% and fall again to 1.5%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Albanian military expenditure as % of GDP|url=https://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_&met_y=ms_mil_xpnd_gd_zs&idim=country:ALB&dl=en&hl=en&q=military+expenditure+of+albania#!ctype=l&strail=false&bcs=d&nselm=h&met_y=ms_mil_xpnd_gd_zs&scale_y=lin&ind_y=false&rdim=region&idim=country:ALB&ifdim=region&hl=en_US&dl=en&ind=false|publisher=World Bank}}</ref> Since February 2008, Albania has participated officially in NATO's ] in the ].<ref> {{wayback|df=yes|url=http://www.nato.int/issues/active_endeavour/index.html |date=20110830210539 }}</ref> It was invited to join NATO on 3 April 2008, and it became a full member on 2 April 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Albania membership Nato |publisher=NATO |url=http://www.nato.int/issues/nato_albania/evolution.html |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728003727/http://www.nato.int/issues/nato_albania/evolution.html |archivedate=28 July 2011 }}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main article|Administrative divisions of Albania}}

Albania is divided into 12 administrative counties ({{lang-sq|qark or prefekturë}}). Since June 2015, these counties are divided into 61 municipalities ({{lang-sq|bashki}}). These counties were further divided in 36 districts ({{lang-sq|rreth}}) which became defunct in 2000.<ref name="terref"> {{wayback|url=http://www.reformaterritoriale.al/en/roadmap/history |date=20150524170836 |df=y }}</ref> The government introduced a new administrative division to be implemented in 2015 whereby municipalities are reduced to 61 in total, while rural ones called ''komuna'' are abolished. The defunct municipalities will be known as Neighborhoods or Villages ({{lang-sq|Lagje / Fshat}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.top-channel.tv/lajme/artikull.php?id=292404|title=Ndarja administrative, njësitë vendore në lagje dhe fshatra}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shekulli.com.al/web/p.php?id=38109&kat=88|title=Ndarja e re, mbeten 28 bashki, shkrihen komunat - Shekulli Online|publisher=|accessdate=23 July 2016}}</ref> There are overall 2980 villages/communities ({{lang-sq|fshat}}) in all Albania, formerly known as localities ({{lang-sq|lokalitete}}). The municipalities are the first level of local governance, responsible for local needs and law enforcement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moi.gov.al/english/images/pdf/qeverisja_vendore.pdf |title=On the Organization and Functioning of the Local Government, Republic of Albania, 2000 |format=PDF |accessdate=27 August 2010 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5sskA8M0G?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.moi.gov.al%2Fenglish%2Fimages%2Fpdf%2Fqeverisja_vendore.pdf |archivedate=20 September 2010 |deadurl=yes |df=dmy }}</ref>

As part of the reform, major town centers in Albania are being physically redesigned and façades painted to reflect a more Mediterranean look.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shekulli.com.al/web/p.php?id=38109&kat=88 |title=Ndarja e re, mbeten 28 bashki, shkrihen komunat &#124; Shekulli Online |publisher=Shekulli.com.al |date=10 January 2014 |accessdate=15 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reformaterritoriale.al/ |title=Reforma Territoriale – KRYESORE |publisher=Reformaterritoriale.al |accessdate=15 August 2014}}</ref>

== Crime and law enforcement ==
Law enforcement in Albania is primarily the responsibility of the ]. Albania also has a counter-terrorism unit called ].
Homicide is a problem in the country, especially ] in rural areas of the north and domestic crime.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gendercide.org/case_honour.html |title=Gendercide Watch: "Honour" Killings and Blood Feuds |publisher=Gendercide.org |accessdate=25 March 2013}}</ref> In 2014 about 3000 Albanian families were estimated to be involved in blood feuds and this had since the fall of Communism led to the deaths of 10,000 people.<ref name=spiegel_06June2014>{{cite news|title='We'll Get You': An Albanian Boy's Life Ruined by Blood Feuds|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/blood-feuds-still-prevalent-in-albania-a-973498.html|accessdate=12 June 2014|work=]|publisher=Spiegel Online GmbH|date=6 June 2014}}</ref>

== Science and technology ==
{{Main article|Science and technology in Albania}}
From 1993 human resources in sciences and technology have drastically decreased. Various surveys show that during 1991–2005, approximately 50% of the professors and research scientists of the universities and science institutions in the country have emigrated.<ref name="dfid">{{cite web|url=http://www.dfid.gov.uk/R4D/SearchResearchDatabase.asp?OutputID=177440|title=Research for Development|publisher=|accessdate=13 September 2014}}</ref>

However, in 2009 the government approved the "National Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation in Albania"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dsdc.gov.al/dsdc/pub/national_strategy_of_science_technology_and_innovation_final_draft_381_1.pdf |title=Strategy of Science, Technology and Innovation 2009–2015 |format=PDF |accessdate=27 August 2010}}</ref> covering the period 2009–15. It aims to triple public spending on research and development (R&D) to 0.6% of GDP and augment the share of gross domestic expenditure on R&D from foreign sources, including via the ]'s Framework Programmes for Research, to the point where it covers 40% of research spending, among others.

== Economy ==
{{Main article|Economy of Albania}}
{{See also|Agriculture in Albania}}
] the capital and economic hub of Albania.]]
]
Albania's transition from a socialist ] to free-market capitalism has been largely successful.<ref name="worlddiplomacy">{{cite web | url=http://www.worlddiplomacy.org/Countries/Albania/InfoAlb.html | title=Albania | publisher=World Diplomacy | accessdate=1 August 2014}}</ref> There are signs of increasing investments, and power cuts are reduced to the extent that Albania is now exporting energy.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8406675.stm |publisher=BBC News |title=Albania's strides to EU accession |date=11 December 2009}}</ref> In 2012, its ] (expressed in ]) stood at 30% of the EU average, while AIC (Actual Individual Consumption) was 35%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/2-12122013-BP/EN/2-12122013-BP-EN.PDF|format=PDF|title=GDP per capita in purchasing power standards in 2012|publisher=Eurostat |accessdate=14 December 2013}}</ref> Still, Albania has shown potential for economic growth, as more and more businesses relocate there and consumer goods are becoming available from emerging market traders as part of the current massive global cost-cutting exercise. Albania, Cyprus, and Poland are the only countries in Europe that recorded economic growth in the first quarter of 2010.<ref>Business: Albania, Cyprus register economic growth </ref><ref>Strong economic growth potential puts Albania and Panama top of long term investment list, </ref> ] (IMF) predicted 2.6% growth for Albania in 2010 and 3.2% in 2011.<ref>International Monetary Fund (IMF), 9 October 2010. </ref> Albania and Croatia have discussed the possibility of jointly building a nuclear power plant at Lake ], close to the ] with Montenegro, a plan that has gathered criticism from Montenegro due to seismicity in the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/18259/ |title=Albania, Croatia plan nuclear power plant |publisher=Balkaninsight.com |accessdate=27 August 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328065915/http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/18259 |archivedate=28 March 2010 }}</ref> In addition, there is some doubt whether Albania would be able to finance a project of such a scale with a total national budget of less than $5&nbsp;billion.<ref name="cia" /> However, in February 2009 Italian company ] announced plans to build an 800 MW coal-fired power plant in Albania, to diversify electricity sources.<ref name="diversify">, Business Monitor Online, 24 February 2009 {{wayback|df=yes|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/energy-utilities/utilities-industry-electric-power/11935171-1.html |date=20120219093411 }}</ref> Nearly 100% of the electricity is generated by ageing hydroelectric power plants, which are becoming more ineffective due to increasing droughts.<ref name="diversify" /> However, there have been many private investments in building new hydroelectric power plants such as ] and the Ashta hydropower plant. The country has large deposits of petroleum and natural gas, and produced 26,000 barrels of oil per day in the first quarter of 2014 (BNK-TC).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1383301/bankers-petroleum-operational-update-for-the-second-quarter-2014 |title=Bankers Petroleum Ltd. &#124; Bankers Petroleum Operational Update for the Second Quarter 2014 |publisher=Newswire.ca |accessdate=15 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2241rank.html?countryName=Albania&countryCode=al&regionCode=eur&rank=77#al |title=CIA The World Factbook: Oil producers |deadurl=no |accessdate=23 June 2013}}</ref> Natural gas production, estimated at about 30 million m<sup>3</sup>, is sufficient to meet consumer demands.<ref name="cia"/>]]] Other natural resources include coal, ], copper and iron ore.Albania has the largest onshore oil reserves in Europe. Albania's crude output amounted to more than 1.2&nbsp;million tonnes in 2013, including 1.06&nbsp;million by Canada's Bankers Petroleum, 87,063 tonnes from Canada's Stream Oil and 37,406 tonnes by Albpetrol on its own. Three foreign firms produced the rest.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/05/06/albania-crude-idINL6N0NS55T20140506|title = INTERVIEW-Albania to auction 13 blocks for oil exploration|date = |accessdate = |website = |publisher = }}</ref>] ] is the most significant sector, employing a significant proportion of the labor force and generating about 21% of GDP. Agriculture in Albania employs 47.8% of the population and about 24.31% of the land is used for agricultural purposes. Domestic farm products accounted for 63% of household expenditures and 25% of exports in 1990. As part of the pre-accession process of Albania to the EU, farmers are being aided through IPA 2011 funds to improve Albanian agriculture standards.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/albania/ipa/2011/pf_7_agriculture_ipard_like_measures.pdf|title = IPA National Programme 2011 for Albania Project Fiche 7: Support to Agriculture and Rural Development|date = |accessdate = |website = ec.europa.eu|publisher = }}</ref> Albania produces significant amounts of tobacco, ]s, wheat, maize, potatoes, ], fruits, ]s, grapes; meat, ], ]s, and traditional medicine and ], ] (13th largest producer in the world)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/es/ess/top/topproduction.html?lang=en&country=3&year=2005|title=Albania Country Profile|publisher=|accessdate=13 September 2014}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.factfish.com/statistic-country/albania/sour%20cherries,%20production%20quantity|title=factfish Sour cherries, production quantity for Albania|publisher=|accessdate=23 July 2016}}</ref> Albania's proximity to the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea give the underdeveloped fishing industry great potential. World Bank and European Community economists report that Albania's fishing industry has good potential to generate export earnings because prices in the nearby Greek and Italian markets are many times higher than those in the Albanian market. The fish available off the coasts of Albania are carp, trout, sea bream, mussels, and crustaceans.

"] is gaining a fair share of Albania's GDP with visitors growing every year. {{As of|2014}} exports seem to gain momentum and have increased 300% from 2008, although their contribution to the GDP is still moderate ( the exports per capita ratio currently stands at 1100 $ ) . Although Albania's growth has slowed in 2013 tourism is expanding rapidly and foreign investments are becoming more common as the government continues the modernization of Albania's institutions."<ref name="worlddiplomacy"/>

=== Tourism ===
{{Main article|Tourism in Albania|Albanian Riviera}}
] and Vuno in southern Albania. It’s a secluded beach that is at the end of a canyon called Gjipe Canyon.]]
A large part of Albania's national income comes from tourism. Tourism – {{As of|2013|lc=y}} – funds 10% of its gross domestical product, and this is expected to increase. Albania welcomed around 4.2&nbsp;million visitors in 2012, mostly from neighbouring countries and the ]. In 2011, Albania was recommended as a top travel destination, by ].<ref name="Lonely Planet's top 10">{{cite web|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/albania/travel-tips-and-articles/76164 |title=Lonely Planet's top 10 countries for 2011&nbsp;– travel tips and articles&nbsp;– Lonely Planet |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104050258/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/albania/travel-tips-and-articles/76164 |archivedate=4 November 2010 |deadurl=no |accessdate=7 August 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref> In 2014, Albania was nominated number 4 global touristic destination by the '']''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/01/10/travel/2014-places-to-go.html?_r=0|title=52 Places to Go in 2014 |work=The New York Times|date=5 September 2014}}</ref> The number of tourists has increased by 20% for 2014 as well.

The bulk of the tourist industry is concentrated along the ] and the ] coast. The latter has the most beautiful and pristine beaches, and is often called the ]. Albanian seaside has a considerable length of 360&nbsp;km, including even the lagoon area which you find within. The seaside has a particular character because it is rich in varieties of sandy beaches, capes, coves, covered bays, lagoons, small gravel beaches, sea caves etc. Some parts of this seaside are very clean ecologically, which represent in this prospective unexplored areas, very rare in ] area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://albania.al/explore/natural-heritage/coast-line |title=Coastline &#124; Visit Albania &#124; The Official website of Albanian Tourism |publisher=Albania.al |accessdate=15 August 2014}}</ref>

] in the south of Albania]]The increase in foreign visitors is dramatic, Albania had only 500,000 visitors in 2005, while in 2012 had an estimated 4.2&nbsp;million tourists, an increase of 740% in only 7 years. Several of the country's main cities are situated along the pristine seashores of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. An important gateway to the ], Albania's ever-growing road network provides juncture to reach its neighbors in north south, east, and west. Albania is within close proximity to all the major European capitals with short two- or three-hour flights that are available daily. Tourists can see and experience Albania's ancient past and traditional culture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://albania.al/about-albania |title=About Albania &#124; Visit Albania &#124; The Official website of Albanian Tourism |publisher=Albania.al |accessdate=15 August 2014}}</ref>

Seventy percent of Albania's terrain is mountainous and there are valleys that spread in a beautiful mosaic of forests, pastures, springs framed by high peaks capped by snow until late summer spreads across them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.albanian-mountains.com |title=Albanian Mountain Tourism |publisher=albanian-mountains.com |accessdate=15 August 2014}}</ref>

], part of the Prokletije or Accursed Mountains range in Northern Albania bearing the highest mountain peak.
The most beautiful mountainous regions that can be easily visited by tourists are ], ], ], ], ], ], Lake Koman, ] and ].

==== National parks and World Heritage Sites ====
{{See also|List of national parks in Albania|List of World Heritage Sites in Albania}}
]]]
] with cafes in the Citadel]]
]]]
] in autumn, part of the ]]]
]]]
]]]
Albania offers many places for hiking, the most spectacular landscapes being those of the national parks.

One of the most impressive mountain national parks is the {{convert|4000|ha|acre|adj=on}} Tomorr National Park, established south of the ] river in the Tomorr Range just east of the beautiful museum-city of ], and overlooking the city of Polican. Other important mountain national parks are: Theth (Thethi) National Park in the Shale basin around Theth (2630 hectares)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/albania/theth-valbone |title=Theth & Valbonë |publisher=Lonely Planet |accessdate=15 August 2014}}</ref>
Dajti (Daiti) National Park, 3300 hectares of the mountain overlooking the capital, Tirana and ], in the Valbona Gorge from the gorge entrance through to Rrogam and the surrounding mountains.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://albaniatourism.info/hiking-in-albania |title=Hiking and trekking in Albania &#124; Albania Tourism Information |publisher=Albaniatourism.info |accessdate=15 August 2014}}</ref>

Although relatively small, Albania is home to a large number of lakes. Three of the largest lakes are Shkodra, Ohrid and Prespa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://albania.al/explore/natural-heritage/rivers-and-lakes |title=Rivers and Lakes &#124; Visit Albania &#124; The Official website of Albanian Tourism |publisher=Albania.al |accessdate=15 August 2014}}</ref>

There are a number of associations of the tourism industry such as ATA, Unioni, etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ata.org.al |title=Kryefaqa |publisher=Ata.org.al |accessdate=15 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sondortravel.com |title=Tour Operator Albania |publisher=Sondor Travel |accessdate=15 August 2014}}</ref>

Albania is home to two World Heritage Sites (Berat and Gjirokastër are listed together)
*], an ] and ] city
*], a well-preserved ] medieval town
*], the 'town of a thousand and one windows'
The following is the UNESCO Tentative List of Albania:<ref>http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/state=al</ref>
*Gashi River and Rrajca (latter part of ]) under primeval beech forests of the Carpathians and the ancient beech forests of Germany
*]
*]
*]
*Ancient City of ]

Most of the international tourists going to Albania are from Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Greece, and Italy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtkrs.gov.al/web/Treguesit_statistikore_te_turizmit_30_1.php |title=Treguesit statistikorë të turizmit |publisher=Mtkrs.gov.al |accessdate=15 February 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110085946/https://www.mtkrs.gov.al/web/Treguesit_statistikore_te_turizmit_30_1.php |archivedate=10 January 2014 |df=dmy }}</ref> Foreign tourists mostly come from Eastern Europe, particularly from Poland, and the Czech Republic, but also from Western European countries such as Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Scandinavia, and others.

<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lajme.shqiperia.com/lajme/artikull/iden/1046860598/titulli/Turizmi-ne-Shqiperi-reklama-per-Evropen-Lindore|title=Turizmi ne Shqiperi: Reklama per Evropen Lindore|publisher=|accessdate=13 September 2014}}</ref>

== Transport ==
{{Main article|Transport in Albania}}

=== Highways ===
{{Main article|Highways in Albania}}
] with ] river flowing nearby.]]
Currently, there are three main motorways in Albania: the dual carriageway connecting Durrës with ], the ], and the ].

The A1 ] links Kosovo to Albania's Adriatic coast: the Albanian side was completed in June 2009,<ref>{{cite web|last=Wynne |first=Alexandra |url=http://www.nce.co.uk/news/transport/albania-motorway-making-the-first-move/5203302.article# |title=Albania highway: Making the first move |publisher=Nce.co.uk |accessdate=29 December 2009}}</ref> and now it takes only two hours and a half to go from the Kosovo border to ]. Overall the highway will be around {{convert|250|km|0|abbr=on}} when it reaches ]. The project was the biggest and most expensive infrastructure project ever undertaken in Albania. The cost of the highway appears to have breached €800&nbsp; million, although the exact cost for the total highway has yet to be confirmed by the government.

Two additional highways will be built in Albania in the near future: ], which will link Albania with the Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria, and the north-south highway, which corresponds to the Albanian side of the ], a larger regional highway connecting Croatia with Greece along the ] and ] coasts. When all three corridors are completed Albania will have an estimated 759&nbsp; kilometers of highway linking it with all its neighboring countries: Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, and Greece.

=== Aviation ===
Aviation in Albania marked its beginning in March 1926 when German airline Adria Aero Lloyd begin service between Tirana, ], ] and ]. By 1924, the company had obtained a monopoly for all domestic routes. The project proved unprofitable, however, and Adria Aero Lloyd sold its concession to the Italian company ], which started air service in 1935 to several domestic and international destinations.<ref> by Robert Elsie, pages 5 and 6</ref> The company, now in Italian hands, expanded its flights to other cities, such as ], ], ], ] and ], and opened up international lines to Rome, ], ], ], Belgrade, and ].{{Citation needed|date=May 2016}}

The construction of a more modern airport in ] started in 1934 and was completed by the end of 1935. This new airport, which was later officially named "Airport of Tirana", was constructed in conformity with optimal technological parameters of that time, with a reinforced concrete runway of {{convert|2700|m|0|abbr=on}}, and complemented with technical equipment and appropriate buildings. In 1938, Yugoslav carrier ] introduced regular commercial flights linking Tirana with ] with a landing in ].<ref> at europeanairlines.no</ref>
]]]
During 1955–57, the ] was constructed for military purposes. Later, its administration was shifted to the Ministry of Transport. On 25 January 1957 the State-owned Enterprise of International Air Transport (Albtransport) established its headquarters in Tirana. ], ], ], ] and ] were the air companies that started to have flights with Albania until 1960.<ref name="Tirana International Airport Website">{{cite web |url=http://www.tirana-airport.com/?RoseToken=169180229114147161160144183148154169229193083155156151160214184090168180231crc339 | title=History of the Airport | accessdate=15 January 2011 | publisher=Tirana International Airport Website}}</ref>

During 1960–78, several airlines ceased to operate in Albania due to the self-imposed isolationism of the Communist government under Enver Hoxha, resulting in a decrease of influx of flights and passengers. In 1977 Albania's government signed an agreement with Greece to open the country's first air links with non-communist Europe. As a result, ] was the first non-communist airline to commercially fly into Albania after World War II. By 1991 Albania had air links with many major European cities, including Paris, Rome, ], Vienna and ], but no regular domestic air service.<ref name="Tirana International Airport Website"/>

A French–Albanian joint venture ], was launched in Albania as the first private airline, in 1991. The company offered flights in a thirty-six-passenger airplane four days a week between Tirana and ], Italy and a charter service for domestic and international destinations.<ref name="Tirana International Airport Website"/>

From 1989 to 1991, because of political changes in the Eastern European countries, Albania adhered to the ] (ICAO), opened its air space to international flights, and had its duties of Air Traffic Control defined. As a result of these developments, conditions were created to separate the activities of air traffic control from Albtransport. Instead, the National Agency of Air Traffic (NATA) was established as an independent enterprise. In addition, during these years, governmental agreements of civil air transport were established with countries such as Bulgaria, Germany, Slovenia, Italy, Russia, Austria, the UK and Macedonia.

The Directory General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was established on 3 February 1991, to cope with the development required by the time. Albania has one ], ], which is linked to 29 destinations by 14 airlines. It has seen a dramatic rise in passenger numbers and aircraft movements since the early 1990s.

=== Railways ===
{{Main article|Rail transport in Albania|Hekurudha Shqiptare}}

The railways in Albania are administered by the national railway company '']'' (HSH) (which means ''Albanian Railways''). It operates a {{RailGauge|1435 mm}} gauge (standard gauge) rail system in Albania. All trains are hauled by Czech-built ] ]s.

The railway system was extensively promoted by the ] regime of ], during which time the use of private transport was effectively prohibited. Since the collapse of the former regime, there has been a considerable increase in car ownership and bus usage. Whilst some of the country's roads are still in very poor condition, there have been other developments (such as the construction of a motorway between Tirana and Durrës) which have taken much traffic away from the railways.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}

== Education ==
{{Main article|Education in Albania}}

Before the establishment of the ], Albania's illiteracy rate was as high as 85%. Schools were scarce between ] and ]. When the People's Republic was established in 1945, the ] gave high priority to wiping out illiteracy. As part of a vast social campaign, anyone between the ages of 12 and 40 who could not read or write was mandated to attend classes to learn. By 1955, illiteracy was virtually eliminated among Albania's adult population.<ref>Zickel, Iwaskiw, 1994</ref>

Today the overall literacy rate in Albania is 98.7%; the male ] is 99.2% and female literacy rate is 98.3%.<ref name="cia"/> With large population movements in the 1990s to urban areas, the provision of education has undergone transformation as well. The ] is the oldest university in Albania, having been founded in October 1957.

<gallery mode=packed heights=160px style="text-align:center">
PANO_20140921_230437.jpg|360° panoramic view of Mother Teresa Square by night with University of Tirana campus at the center
</gallery>

== Culture ==
{{Main article|Culture of Albania}}

=== Art ===
]'' by ]|270x270px]]
]Albanian art has a long and eventful history. Albania, a country of southeastern Europe, has a unique culture from that of other European countries. The Ottoman Empire ruled over Albania for nearly five centuries, which greatly affected the country's artwork and artistic forms. After Albania's joining with the Ottoman Empire in 1478, Ottoman influenced art forms such as mosaics and muralpaintings became prevalent, and no real artistic change occurred until Albanian Liberation in 1912.

Following mosaics and murals of antiquity and the Middle Ages, the first paintings were icons Byzantine Orthodox tradition. Albanian earliest icons date from the late thirteenth century and generally estimated that their artistic peak reached in the eighteenth century. Among the most prominent representatives of the Albanian iconographic art were Onufri and David Selenica. The museums of Berat, Korca and Tirana good collections remaining icons. By the end of the Ottoman period, the painting was limited mostly to folk art and ornate mosques.<ref name="www.albanianart.net index_al">{{Cite web|title = Robert Elsie: Arti Shqiptar|url = http://www.albanianart.net/index_al.html|website = www.albanianart.net|accessdate = 2015-11-22}}</ref>

Paintings and sculpture arose in the first half of the twentieth century and reached a modest peak in the 1930s and 1940s, when the first organized art exhibitions at national level.<ref name="www.albanianart.net index_al"/> Contemporary Albanian artwork captures the struggle of everyday Albanians, however new artists are utilizing different artistic styles to convey this message. Albanian artists continue to move art forward, while their art still remains distinctively Albanian in content. Though among Albanian artist post-modernism was fairly recently introduced, there is a number of artists and works known internationally. Among most famous Albanian post-modernist are considered ], ], and ].

=== Music and folklore ===
{{Main article|Music of Albania|Albanian traditional clothing}}]
]
Albanian folk music falls into three stylistic groups, with other important ]s around ] and ]; the major groupings are the ]s of the north and southern Labs and ]. The northern and southern traditions are contrasted by the "rugged and heroic" tone of the north and the "relaxed" form of the south. Southern instrumental music includes the sedate kaba, an ensemble-driven by a clarinet or violin alongside accordions and llautës. The kaba is an improvised and melancholic style with melodies that Kim Burton describes as "both fresh and ancient", "ornamented with swoops, glides and growls of an almost vocal quality", exemplifying the "combination of passion with restraint that is the hallmark of Albanian culture."

These disparate styles are unified by "the intensity that both performers and listeners give to their music as a medium for patriotic expression and as a vehicle carrying the narrative of ]", as well as certain characteristics like the use of rhythms such as 3/8, 5/8 and 10/8.<ref>Arbatsky, Yuri, cited in Koco with the footnote ''Translated and published by Filip Fishta in Shkolla Kombëtare (The National School; No.1, May 1939), 19, and quoted from his Preface to ]'s Lyra Shqiptare (see note 2).''</ref> The first compilation of Albanian folk music was made by two Himariots song artists ] and ] in 1929 and 1931 in Paris during their interpretations with the Albanian song diva Tefta Tashko Koço. Several gramophone compilations were recorded in those years by this genial trio of Albanian artists which eventually led to the recognition of the Himariot Isopolyphonic Music as an UNESCO World Heritage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shekulli.com.al/m/post.php?id=362126#sthash.CGPYx8MA.dpbs|title=Kujtimet për Koço Çakalin, themeluesin e këngës himariote|publisher=|accessdate=23 July 2016}}</ref>

Albanian folk songs can be divided into major groups, the heroic epics of the north, and the sweetly melodic lullabies, love songs, wedding music, work songs and other kinds of song. The music of various festivals and holidays is also an important part of Albanian folk song, especially those that celebrate St. Lazarus Day, which inaugurates the springtime. Lullabies and ]s are very important kinds of Albanian folk song, and are generally performed by solo women.<ref name="koco">{{cite web|title=Albanian Music |work=Eno Koco at the University of Leeds |url=http://www.leeds.ac.uk/music/staff/ek/ |accessdate=28 August 2005 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050828104120/http://www.leeds.ac.uk/music/staff/ek/ |archivedate=28 August 2005 |deadurl=no |df=dmy }}</ref>

=== Albanian language and literature ===
{{Main article|Albanian language|Albanian literature|List of Albanian writers}}
]'' ] 1508]]
]'' by ] 1555]]

Albanian was proved to be an ] in 1854 by the German ] ]. The Albanian language comprises its own branch of the Indo-European language family.

Most scholars argue that Albanian derives from ]<ref>Encyclopedia of Indo-European Culture By J. P. Mallory, Douglas Q. Adams Edition: illustrated Published by Taylor & Francis, 1997 ISBN 978-1-884964-98-5, ISBN 978-1-884964-98-5 (''"Although there are some lexical items that appear to be shared between Romanian (and by extension Dacian) and Albanian, by far the strongest connections can be argued between Albanian and Illyrian."'' page 11)
Concise Encyclopedia of Languages of the World By Keith Brown, Sarah Ogilvie Contributor Keith Brown, Sarah Ogilvie Edition: illustrated Published by Elsevier, 2008 ISBN 978-0-08-087774-7, ISBN 978-0-08-087774-7 (''"Albanian constitutes a single branch of the Indo-European family of languages.at a reading, 2007]] It is often held to be related to Illyrian, a poorly attested language spoken in the Western Balkans in classical times"'' page 22)</ref> while some others<ref>{{cite web|url=http://linguistlist.org/forms/langs/LLDescription.cfm?code=txh |title=The Thracian language |publisher=The Linguist List |accessdate=27 January 2008 |quote=An ancient language of Southern Balkans, belonging to the Satem group of Indo-European. This language is the most likely ancestor of modern Albanian (which is also a Satem language), though the evidence is scanty. 1st Millennium BC&nbsp;– 500&nbsp;AD. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203035926/http://linguistlist.org/forms/langs/LLDescription.cfm?code=txh |archivedate=3 February 2008 |deadurl=yes |df=dmy }}</ref> claim that it derives from ]-]. (Illyrian and Daco-Thracian, however, might have been closely related languages; see ].)

Establishing longer relations, Albanian is often compared to Balto-Slavic on the one hand and Germanic on the other, both of which share a number of ]es with Albanian. Moreover, Albanian has undergone a vowel shift in which stressed, long ''o'' has fallen to ''a'', much like in the former and opposite the latter. Likewise, Albanian has taken the old relative ''jos'' and innovatively used it exclusively to qualify adjectives, much in the way Balto-Slavic has used this word to provide the definite ending of adjectives.

The cultural renaissance was first of all expressed through the development of the Albanian language in the area of church texts and publications, mainly of the Catholic region in the North, but also of the ] in the South. The Protestant reforms invigorated hopes for the development of the local language and literary tradition when cleric ] brought into the Albanian language the ], trying to do for the Albanian language what ] did for German.

'']'' (The Missal) by ], published in 1555, is considered the first literary work of written Albanian. The refined level of the language and the stabilised orthography must be the result of an earlier tradition of written Albanian, a tradition that is not well understood. However, there is some fragmented evidence, pre-dating Buzuku, which indicates that Albanian was written from at least the 14th century.

]]]The earliest evidence dates from 1332&nbsp;AD with a Latin report from the French Dominican Guillelmus Adae, ] of ], who wrote that Albanians used Latin letters in their books although their language was quite different from Latin. Other significant examples include: a ] (''Unte paghesont premenit Atit et Birit et spertit senit'') from 1462, written in Albanian within a Latin text by the Bishop of ], ]; a glossary of Albanian words of 1497 by Arnold von Harff, a German who had travelled through Albania, and a 15th-century fragment of the Bible from the ], also in Albanian, but written in Greek letters.
] ]]
Albanian writings from these centuries must not have been religious texts only, but historical chronicles too. They are mentioned by the humanist ], who, in his book ] (1504), confirms that he leafed through such chronicles written in the language of the people (''in vernacula lingua'') as well as his famous biography of Skanderbeg ] (1508). The History of Skanderbeg is still the foundation of Scanderbeg studies and is considered an Albanian cultural treasure, vital to the formation of Albanian national self-consciousness.

During the 16th to 17th centuries, the ] ''E mbësuame krishterë'' (Christian Teachings) (1592) by ], ''Doktrina e krishterë'' (The Christian Doctrine) (1618) and ''Rituale romanum'' (1621) by ], the first writer of original Albanian ] and poetry, an ] for George Castriot (1636) by ], who also published a dictionary and ] creations, the theological-philosophical treaty '']'' (The Band of Prophets) (1685) by ], the most universal personality of Albanian ], were published in ]. The most famous Albanian writer is probably ].

=== Sports ===
{{Main article|Albania national football team}}
Popular sports in Albania include ], weightlifting, basketball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, ], and gymnastics. Football is the most popular sport in Albania. It is governed by the ] ({{lang-sq|Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit}}, F.SH.F.), which was created in 1930 and has membership in ] and ].

Football arrived in Albania early in the 20th century when the inhabitants of the northern city of ] were surprised to see a strange game being played by students at a Christian mission. The sport swiftly grew in popularity in a country then under Ottoman Empire rule.
Albania was the winner of the ] and the ], but had never participated in any major ] or ] tournament, until ], Albania's first ever appearance at the continental tournament and at a major men's football tournament. Albania scored their first ever goal in a major tournament and secured their first ever win in European Championship when they beat ] by 1–0 in a ] match on 19 June 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/19/albania-vs-romania-euro-2016---live/|title=Euro 2016: Albania 0-1 Romania - Armando Sadiku scores the only goal to seal his country's first ever win at a major competition|work=telegraph.co.uk|accessdate=19 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/romania-0-1-albania-armando-8233364|title=Romania 0-1 Albania - Sadiku scores landmark goal to provide last 16 hope|date=19 June 2016|work=mirror.co.uk|accessdate=19 June 2016}}</ref>

=== Media ===
{{See also|Television in Albania|Top Channel| Tv Klan| Digitalb|List of radio stations in Albania}}
Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) is the public radio and TV broadcaster of Albania, founded by ] in 1938. RTSH runs three analogue television stations as TVSH ''Televizioni Shqiptar'', four digital thematic stations as RTSH, and three radio stations using the name ''Radio Tirana''. In addition, 4 regional radio stations serve in the four extremities of Albania.The international service broadcasts radio programmes in Albanian and seven other languages via ] (AM) and ] (SW).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://picasaweb.google.es/ec2adn/RadioTiranaBroadcastingSchedules/photo#5187887711939456834 |title=Radio Tirana's Broadcasting Schedule as of 2007&nbsp;– RadioTirana.org |publisher=Picasaweb.google.es |date=25 October 2008 |accessdate=5 May 2013}}</ref> The international service has used the theme from the song "Keputa një gjethe dafine" as its ]. The international television service ] was launched since 1993 and aims at ] communities in Kosovo, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and northern Greece, plus the Albanian ] in the rest of Europe. RTSH has a past of being heavily influenced by the ruling party in its reporting, whether that party be left or right wing.

According to the Albanian Media Authority, AMA, Albania has an estimated 257 media outlets, including 66 radio stations and 67 television stations, with three national, 62 local and more than 50 cable TV stations.
Last years Albania has organized several shows as a part of worldwide series like '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''.

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main article|Albanian cuisine}}

The cuisine of Albania&nbsp;– as with most ] and ] nations&nbsp;– is strongly influenced by its long history. At different times, the territory which is now Albania has been claimed or occupied by Greece, Serbia, Italy and the ]s and each group has left its mark on Albanian cuisine. The main meal of ] is the midday meal, which is usually accompanied by a ] of fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, ]s, green ] and ]s with ], vinegar and salt. It also includes a main dish of vegetables and meat. Though it is used in several dishes, pumpkins are more commonly displayed and traditionally given as gifts throughout Albania, especially in the region of Berat. Seafood specialties are also common in the coastal cities of ], ] and ]. In high elevation localities, smoked meat and pickled preserves are common.

<gallery mode=packed heights=120px style="text-align:left">
Cannolo_siciliano_with_chocolate_squares.jpg|Cannoli very popular in Arbëreshë Regions
TaratorBg.jpg|] is a chilled yogurt and cucumber drink
Albanian_Byrek.jpg|Byrek
Albanian_Baklava.jpg|Albanian Baklava
Speca_te_mbushura_me_mish.JPG|Stuffed Paprika with rice and tomato sauce
</gallery>

=== Health ===
Health care has been in a steep decline since the collapse of socialism in the country, but a process of modernization has been taking place since 2000.<ref name="hospitals">{{cite web|url=http://www.euro.who.int/document/e80089.pdf |title=Albania-prel.pmd |format=PDF |accessdate=29 December 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091227181701/http://www.euro.who.int/document/E80089.pdf |archivedate=27 December 2009 |deadurl=no |df=dmy }}</ref> In the 2000s, there were 51 hospitals in the country, including a ] and specialist facilities.<ref name="hospitals"/> Albania has successfully eradicated diseases such as ].

Life expectancy is estimated at 77.59 years, ranking 51st worldwide, and outperforming a number of European Union countries, such as Hungary and the Czech Republic.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html?countryName=Albania&countryCode=al&regionCode=eu&rank=51#al|title=CIA&nbsp;– The World Factbook|publisher=|accessdate=13 September 2014}}</ref> The most common causes of death are circulatory diseases followed by cancerous illnesses. ] completed a survey in April 2009, detailing various health statistics in Albania, including ], abortion and more.<ref name="Albania DHS Surveys">{{cite web|url=http://www.measuredhs.com/countries/metadata.cfm?surv_id=327&ctry_id=72&SrvyTp=ctry&cn=Albania|title=Albania DHS Surveys|publisher=|accessdate=13 September 2014}}</ref>

The general improvement of health conditions in the country is reflected in the lower mortality rate, down to an estimated 6.49 deaths per 1,000 in 2000, as compared with 17.8 per 1,000 in 1938. In 2000, average life expectancy was estimated at 74 years, compared to 38 years at the end of World War II. Albania's infant mortality rate, estimated at 20 per 1,000 live births in 2000, has also declined over the years since the high rate of 151 per 1,000 live births in 1960. There were 69,802 births in 1999 and the fertility rate in 1999 was 2.5 while the maternal mortality rate was 65 per 100,000 live births in 1993. In addition, in 1997, Albania had high immunization rates for children up to one year old: tuberculosis at 94%; diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, 99%; measles, 95%; and polio, 99.5%. In 1996, the incidence of tuberculosis was 23 in 100,000 people. In 1995 there were two reported cases of AIDS and seven cases in 1996. In 2000 the number of people living with HIV/AIDS was estimated at less than 100. The leading causes of death are cardiovascular disease, trauma, cancer, and respiratory disease.

== See also ==
{{portal|Tirana}}
* ]
* ]
* ]
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* ]
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* ]
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* {{books-inline|Albania}}

== Notes ==
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== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
* ''History of the Party of Labor of Albania''. Tirana: Institute of Marxist–Leninist Studies, 1971. 691 p.
* {{cite book|last1=Abrahams|first1=Fred|title=Modern Albania: From Dictatorship to Democracy in Europe|date=2015|publisher=NYU Press|isbn=978-0-8147-0511-7|page=384}}

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Revision as of 22:39, 9 October 2016

This article is about the modern state. For other uses, see Albania (disambiguation).

{{Infobox country |conventional_long_name = КОСОВО ЈЕ СРБИЈА |native_name = КОСОВО ЈЕ СРБИЈА |common_name = КОСОВО ЈЕ СРБИЈА |image_flag = КОСОВО ЈЕ СРБИЈА |image_coat = КОСОВО ЈЕ СРБИЈА |symbol_type = КОСОВО ЈЕ СРБИЈА |national_motto = КОСОВО ЈЕ СРБИЈА