Republika e Shqipërisë

Location southeastern Europe
Bordered By Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, Greece

Area 11,100 sq mi (28,748 sq km)
Greatest Distance E-W 90 mi (145 km)
Greatest Distance N-S 215 mi (346 km)
Coastline 175 mi (282 km)
Highest Point Maja e Korabit; 9,026 ft (2,751 m)
Lowest Point Adriatic Sea; sea level
Natural Resources petroleum, natural gas, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower

Nationality Albanian
Population (July 2015 est) 3,029,278
Largest Cities Tiranë, Elbasia, Durres
Ethnic Groups Albanian, Greek
Religions Muslim, Albanian Orthodox, Roman Catholic
Languages Albanian (official), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects

Capital Tiranë
Form of Government democracy
Present Constitution Adopted November 22, 1998
Chief of State President of the Republic Bujar Nishani (since July 24, 2012)
Head of Government Prime Minister Edi Rama (since September 10, 2013)
Cabinet Council of Ministers
Legislature unicameral Assembly (Kuvendi)
Judiciary SConstitutional Court, Supreme Court
Local Administration 12 counties (qarqe)

Currency Lek
Per Capita Income $7,800
Industries food processing, textiles and clothing, lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower
Agricultural Products wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products
Export Commodities textiles and footwear, asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil, vegetables, fruits, tobacco
Import Commodities machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals

Independence Achieved November 28, 1912
From Ottoman Empire
National Holiday Independence Day; November 28
Flag red with a black two-headed eagle in the center; the design is claimed to be that of 15th-century hero George Castriota Skanderberg, who led a successful uprising against the Turks that resulted in a short-lived independence for some Albanian regions (1443-78)

SEE ALSO
Greece

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This page was last updated on May 26, 2017.