Project: Albania/Country
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| Flag of Albania |
Contents |
Location
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Albania is located in Southeastern Europe. It is situated in the Balkans, along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, which together for the northernmost arm of the Mediterranean Sea. The country shares land borders with Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, North Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the south.
See Also: Geography of Albania
Administrative Divisions
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The administrative divisions of Albania comprise 12 counties (run by a prefect and a county council), 61 municipalities (run by a mayor and a municipal council), and 373 administrative units. Parts of the administrative units are still further divided into Albania's 2,972 villages. Since its 1912 Declaration of Independence, Albania has reorganized its administrative divisions 21 times.
See Also: Administrative Divisions of Albania
Tirana is Albania's capital and largest city, followed by Durrës, Vlorë, and Shkodër.
History
The Albanians first carved out their own autonomous region with the establishment of the Principality of Arbër in the 12th century This was followed by the formation of the Kingdom of Albania and the Principality of Albania between the 13th and 14th centuries.
The 15th century saw Albania fall under Ottoman rule, a period that lasted nearly five centuries. During this time, many Albanians, referred to as Arnauts, rose to high-ranking positions within the empire, particularly in the Southern Balkans and Egypt. The 18th and 19th centuries were characterized by significant cultural developments attributed to an Albanian Renaissance. This period of intellectual and spiritual growth culminated in the declaration of independence in 1912 following the defeat of the Ottomans in the Balkan Wars.
The 20th century brought new challenges as Italy invaded the Kingdom of Albania, forming Greater Albania before it became a protectorate of Nazi Germany. Post World War II, Enver Hoxha established the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania. The fall of communism in Albania was marked by the Revolutions of 1991, leading to the establishment of the current Republic of Albania.
Historical Timeline
- 1190 The Principality of Arbër
- 1272 The Kingdom of Albania
- 1368 The Princedom of Albania
- 1415 Conquest by the Ottoman Empire
- 1913 The Principality of Albania
- 1925 The Republic of Albania (1st Republic)
- 1928 The Kingdon of Albania
- 1939 The Italian Protectorate of Albania
- 1943 German occupation of Albania
- 1944 The Democratic Government of Albania
- 1946 People's Socialist Republic of Albania (2nd Republic)
- 1976 People's Socialist Republic of Albania (3rd Republic)
- 1991 Republic of Albania (4th Republic)
See also: History of Albania
Ethnicities
According to official statistics, Albania is predominantly inhabited by Albanians, who make up over 97% of the population. However, these figures have been contested by minority groups who claim a larger share of the population. The diverse tapestry of Albania’s population includes not only Albanians but also Greeks, Macedonians, Montenegrins, Aromanians, Romani, Egyptians, Bosnians, Bulgarians, and Serbs. Additionally, the Gorani people and Jews also form part of this multicultural nation.
See Also: Albanians
Languages
Albanian, the official language of the country, is spoken by a significant majority of the population. Greek, the second most prevalent language, is primarily spoken by the country’s Greek minority. A myriad of other languages echo through the streets of Albania, reflecting its rich cultural diversity. These include Aromanian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Gorani, Macedonian, Roma, and Serbian, each representing different ethnic minorities. As for foreign languages, English is the most prominent, followed closely by Italian.
See also: Albanian Language
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Religions
In the Middle Ages, when the Albanian people first emerged in historical records, Christianity was the predominant faith. However, the religious fabric of the country began to change in the late 9th century with the arrival of Islam, brought by Arab raiders along the eastern Adriatic coast. Over centuries of Ottoman rule, Islam gradually became the majority religion, although a substantial Christian minority persisted.
The 20th century brought significant challenges to religious institutions in Albania. Under the monarchy, and more drastically during the 1950s and 1960s, all forms of organized religion were suppressed by state policy. The communist regime went so far as to ban religion entirely, declaring Albania the world’s first atheist state.
With the fall of communism came a resurgence of religious freedom. The country’s constitution now guarantees freedom of religion, belief, and conscience. Despite this, Albania remains one of the least religious countries globally.
In contemporary Albania, Islam has reestablished itself as the most widely practiced religion, accounting for approximately 58% of the population. Christianity also maintains a presence, with smaller sects such as Evangelicals, Seventh-day Adventists, Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses making up about 17% of the population. The Jewish community in Albania has significantly dwindled following mass emigration to Israel after communism’s fall, with only about 200 Albanian Jews remaining in the country.
See Also: Religion in Albania
See Also: Demographics of Albania
Albanian Naming Conventions
In Albania, a complete name usually consists of a given name; the given name of the individual's father, which is seldom included except in official documents; and a family name or surname (most commonly patrilineal). They are invariably given in the Western name order, or given name followed by family name.
See Also: Albanian Names
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