Albania
Country in Southeast Europe / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Albania?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Albania (/ælˈbeɪniə, ɔːl-/ ⓘ a(w)l-BAY-nee-ə; Albanian: Shqipëri or Shqipëria),[lower-alpha 1] officially the Republic of Albania (Albanian: Republika e Shqipërisë),[lower-alpha 2] is a country in Southeast Europe. It is in the Balkans, on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea, and shares land borders with Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, North Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south. Spanning an area of 28,748 km2 (11,100 sq mi), it has a varied range of climatic, geological, hydrological and morphological conditions. Albania's landscapes range from rugged snow-capped mountains in the Albanian Alps and the Korab, Skanderbeg, Pindus and Ceraunian Mountains, to fertile lowland plains extending from the Adriatic and Ionian seacoasts. Tirana is the capital and largest city in the country, followed by Durrës, Vlorë, and Shkodër.
Republic of Albania Republika e Shqipërisë (Albanian) | |
|---|---|
| Motto: Ti Shqipëri, më jep nder, më jep emrin Shqipëtar "You Albania, give me honour, you give me the name Albanian" | |
| Anthem: "Himni i Flamurit" "Hymn to the Flag" | |
 Location of Albania (green) | |
| Capital and largest city | Tirana 41°19′N 19°49′E |
| Official languages | Albanian |
| Recognised minority languages | |
| Religion (2020) |
|
| Demonym(s) | Albanian |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary republic |
| Bajram Begaj | |
| Edi Rama | |
| Lindita Nikolla | |
| Legislature | Kuvendi |
| Establishment history | |
| 1190 | |
| February 1272 | |
| 1368 | |
| 2 March 1444 | |
| 1757/1787 | |
• Proclamation of independence from the Ottoman Empire | 28 November 1912 |
| 29 July 1913 | |
| 31 January 1925 | |
| 1 September 1928 | |
| 10 January 1946 | |
| 28 December 1976 | |
• 4th Republic of Albania | 29 April 1991 |
| 28 November 1998 | |
| Area | |
• Total | 28,748 km2 (11,100 sq mi) (140th) |
• Water (%) | 4.7 |
| Population | |
• January 2022 estimate |  2,793,592[2] |
• 2011 census | 2,821,977[3] |
• Density | 97/km2 (251.2/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2024 estimate |
• Total |  $59.099 billion[4] (118th) |
• Per capita | $20,739[4] (83rd) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2024 estimate |
• Total | $25.297 billion[4] (125th) |
• Per capita | $8,877[4] (84th) |
| Gini (2019) |  34.3[5]medium |
| HDI (2022) | 0.789[6] high (74th) |
| Currency | Lek (ALL) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +355 |
| ISO 3166 code | AL |
| Internet TLD | .al |
In ancient times, the Illyrians inhabited northern and central regions of Albania, whilst Epirotes inhabited the south. Several important ancient Greek colonies were also established on the coast. The Illyrian kingdom centered in what is now Albania was the dominant power before the Rise of Macedon.[8] In the 2nd century BCE, the Roman Republic annexed the region, and after the division of the Roman Empire it became part of Byzantium. The first known Albanian autonomous principality, Arbanon, was established in the 12th century. The Kingdom of Albania, Principality of Albania and Albania Veneta were formed between the 13th and 15th centuries in different parts of the country, alongside other Albanian principalities and political entities. In the late 15th century, Albania became part of the Ottoman Empire. In 1912, the modern Albanian state declared independence. In 1939, Italy invaded the Kingdom of Albania, which became Greater Albania, and then a protectorate of Nazi Germany during World War II.[9] After the war, the People's Socialist Republic of Albania was formed, which lasted until the Revolutions of 1991 concluded with the fall of communism in Albania and eventually the establishment of the current Republic of Albania.
Since its independence in 1912, Albania has undergone a diverse political evolution, transitioning from a monarchy to a communist regime before becoming a sovereign parliamentary constitutional republic. Governed by a constitution prioritizing the separation of powers, the country's political structure includes a parliament, a ceremonial president, a functional prime minister and a hierarchy of courts. Albania is a developing country with an upper-middle income economy driven by the service sector, with manufacturing and tourism also playing significant roles.[10] After the dissolution of its communist system the country shifted from centralized planning to an open market economy.[11] Albanian citizens benefit from universal health care access and free primary and secondary education.