About Albania

(Wikipedia/Travllerpoint)
Updated: 2009-08-24 16:28

Basic information at a glance

Location: South-east Europe

Neighbours: Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro

Size: 11,100 square miles

Population: 3,172,155 (129th)

Density: 285.8 people per square mile

Capital city: Tirane (population 388,000)

Head of state: President Bamir Topi Head of government: Prime minister Sali Berisha

Currency: Lek

Time zone: Central European standard (+1 hour)

International dialling code: +355

Website: president.al/english

Note: Data correct on Saturday 18 April 2009

Population mix: Albanian 98%, Greeks, Macedonians, Bulgarians, Roma, Serbs, Montenegrins, Vlahs 2%

Religious make up: Muslim 65%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Catholic 10%

Main languages: Albanian, principal dialects Gheg and Tosk

Living national icons: Inva Mula (soprano), Patrick Nuo (singer, model) Romela Begaj (weightlifter) Lorik Cana (footballer), Erald Dervishi (chess), Ismail Kadare (writer)

Landscape and climate: In south-eastern Europe, Albania lies in the western part of the Balkan peninsula. Much of the country is mountainous, and more than a third of it is forest. Its coastline extends along the Adriatic and Ionian seas. There are also three large lakes, with Shkodra the largest in the Balkans.

Highest point: Mount Korabi 2,751 metres

Area covered by water: 521 square miles

Healthcare and disease: The government provides basic medical care for the whole population, but facilities are poor, especially outside Tirana. Mortality figures are good for the region, but 60% of men still smoke regularly, compared with 18% of women, and rates of hepatitis are high. It is not advisable to drink the tap water or unpasteurised milk.

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