ALBANIA

• Albania (/ælˈbeɪniə, ɔːl-/ ⓘ a(w)l-BAY-nee-ə; Albanian: Shqipëri or Shqipëria),

[a]
officially the Republic of Albania (Albanian: Republika e Shqipërisë),[b] is a
country in Southeast Europe. The country is located 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 displays a varied range of climatic, geological,
hydrological and morphological conditions. The country'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 coasts of the Adriatic and Ionian seas. Tirana is the capital
and largest city in the country, followed by Durrës, Vlorë, and Shkodër.
• 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 region was
annexed by the Roman Republic, 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 until 1912, when 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] Following 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 prioritising 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] The country underwent a transition post the dissolution of
communism, shifting from a centralised planning to adopting a open
market economy.[11] Citizens in Albania benefit from universal health care
access and receive complimentary primary and secondary education.
The historical origins of the term "Albania" can be traced
back to medieval Latin, with its foundations believed to be
associated with the Illyrian tribe of the Albani. This
connection gains further support from the work of the
Ancient Greek geographer Ptolemy during the 2nd century
AD, where he included the settlement of Albanopolis
situated to the northeast of Durrës.[12][13] The presence of
a medieval settlement named Albanon or Arbanon hints at
the possibility of historical continuity. However, the precise
relationship between these historical references and the
question of whether Albanopolis was synonymous with
Albanon remains a subject of scholarly debate.[14]