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{{short description|Country in Southeast Europe}}
{{about|the country in Southeastern Europe|other uses|Albania (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Republic of Albania
| native_name            = {{small|{{native name|sq|Republika e Shqipërisë}}}}
| common_name            = Albania
| image_flag             = Flag of Albania.svg
| alt_flag               = Red flag with a black double-headed eagle in the centre.
| image_coat             = [[File:Coat of arms of Albania.svg|60px]]
| national_motto         = {{native phrase|sq|[[Ti Shqipëri, më jep nder, më jep emrin Shqipëtar|Ti Shqipëri, më jep nder,<br>më jep emrin Shqipëtar]]|paren=no|italic=yes}}<br>"You Albania, give me honour,<br>you give me the name Albanian"
| national_anthem        = {{lang|sq|"[[Himni i Flamurit]]"|italic=no}}<br>"Hymn to the Flag"<br/><div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">[[File:Hymni i Flamurit instrumental.ogg]]</div>
| image_map              = [[File:Location_Albania_Europe.png|225px|frameless]]
| map_caption            = Location of Albania (green)
| capital                = [[Tirana]]
| largest_city           = [[Tirana]]
| coordinates            = {{coord|41|19|N|19|49|E|type:city(557,000)_region:AL-11}}
| official_languages     = [[Albanian language|Albanian]]
| languages2_type        = Recognised minority languages
| languages2             = {{hlist|[[Greek language|Greek]]|[[Aromanian language|Aromanian]]|[[Macedonian language|Macedonian]]}}
| religion               = {{ublist|item_style=white-space;
 |50.67% [[Islam in Albania|Islam]]
 |16.02% [[Christianity in Albania|Christianity]]
 |13.83% [[Non-denominational]]
 |3.55% [[Irreligion in Albania|Atheism]]
 |0.15% other
 |15.77% undeclared<ref name="Census 2023"/>
}}
| religion_year          = 2023
| demonym                = [[Albanians|Albanian]]
| government_type        = [[Unitary parliamentary republic]]
| leader_title1          = [[President of Albania|President]]
| leader_name1           = [[Bajram Begaj]]
| leader_title2          = [[Prime Minister of Albania|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name2           = [[Edi Rama]]
| legislature            = [[Parliament of Albania|Kuvendi]]
| leader_title3          = [[Speaker of the Parliament of Albania|Parliament Speaker]]
| leader_name3           = [[Lindita Nikolla]]
| sovereignty_type       = [[History of Albania#Independence|Establishment history]]
| established_event1     = [[Principality of Arbanon]]
| established_date1      = 1190
| established_event2     = [[Kingdom of Albania (medieval)|Kingdom of Albania]]
| established_date2      = February 1272
| established_event3     = [[Principality of Albania (medieval)|Princedom of Albania]]
| established_date3      = 1368
| established_event4     = [[League of Lezhë]]
| established_date4      = 2 March 1444
| established_event5     = [[Pashalik of Scutari]]/[[Pashalik of Janina|Janina]]
| established_date5      = 1757/1787
| established_event6     = Proclamation of independence from {{nowrap|the [[Ottoman Empire]]}}
| established_date6      = 28 November 1912
| established_event7     = [[Principality of Albania]]
| established_date7      = 29 July 1913
| established_event8     = [[Albanian Republic (1925–1928)|1st Republic of Albania]]
| established_date8      = 31 January 1925
| established_event9     = [[Albanian Kingdom (1928–39)|Kingdom of Albania]]
| established_date9      = 1 September 1928
| established_event10    = [[People's Republic of Albania|2nd Republic of Albania]]
| established_date10     = 10 January 1946
| established_event11    = [[Constitution of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania|3rd Republic of Albania]]
| established_date11     = 28 December 1976
| established_event12    = 4th Republic of Albania
| established_date12     = 29 April 1991
| established_event13    = {{nowrap|[[Constitution of Albania|Current constitution]]}}
| established_date13     = 28 November 1998
| area_km2               = 28,748
| area_sq_mi             = 11,100
| area_rank              = 140th <!-- Area rank should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]] -->
| percent_water          = 4.7
| population_estimate_year = 2023
| population_census      = 2,402,113<ref name="Census 2023">{{cite web |publisher=[[Institute of Statistics (Albania)|Instituti i Statistikës]] (INSTAT) |title=Population and Housing Census 2023|url=https://shqiptarja.com/uploads/ckeditor/667eb96647c4bcens-2023.pdf}}</ref>
| population_census_year = 2023
| population_density_km2 = 83.5
| population_density_sq_mi = 
| population_density_rank = 
| GDP_PPP                = {{increase}} $59.099 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.AL">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=914,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition. (Albania) |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=IMF.org |date=10 October 2023 |access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 118th
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2024
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $20,739<ref name="IMFWEO.AL" />
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 83rd
| GDP_nominal            = {{increase}} $25.297 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.AL" />
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 125th
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2024
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $8,877<ref name="IMFWEO.AL" />
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 84th
| Gini_year              = 2019
| Gini                   = 34.3<!-- number only -->
| Gini_change            = decrease
| Gini_ref               = <ref name=eurogini>{{cite web |title=Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income – EU-SILC survey |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tessi190/default/table?lang=en |publisher=[[Eurostat]] |website=ec.europa.eu |access-date=12 August 2021}}</ref>
| HDI_year               = 2022<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year -->
| HDI_change             = increase<!-- increase/decrease/steady -->
| HDI                    = 0.789
| HDI_ref                = <ref name="UNHDR">{{cite web |title=Human Development Report 2023/24 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]] |date=13 March 2024 |access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref>
| HDI_rank               = 74th
| currency               = [[Albanian lek|Lek]]
| currency_code          = ALL
| patron_saint           = [[Our Lady of Good Counsel]]
| time_zone              = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset             = +1
| time_zone_DST          = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset_DST         = +2
| drives_on              = right
| calling_code           = [[Telephone numbers in Albania|+355]]
| cctld                  = [[.al]]
}}

'''Albania''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-Albania.ogg|æ|l|ˈ|b|eɪ|n|i|ə|,_|ɔː|l|-}} {{respell|a(<span class="ltr">w</span>)l|BAY|nee|ə}}; {{lang-sq|Shqipëri}} or {{lang|sq|Shqipëria}}),{{efn|{{IPA-sq|ʃcipəˈɾi(<span class="ltr">a</span>)|pron}}; {{lang-aln|Shqipni}} or {{lang|aln|Shqipnia}}, also {{lang|aln|Shqypni}} or {{lang|aln|Shqypnia}}.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/fialuurivoghels00junggoog|title=Fialuur i voghel scc...p e ltinisct mle...un prei P. Jak Junkut t' Scocniis ...|last=Giacomo Jungg|date=1 January 1895|publisher=N'Sckoder t' Scc...pniis|access-date=23 July 2016|via=Internet Archive}}</ref>}} officially the '''Republic of Albania''' ({{lang-sq|Republika e Shqipërisë|link=no}}),{{efn|{{IPA-sq|ɾɛpuˈblika ɛ ʃcipəˈɾisə|pron}}.}} is a country in [[Southeast Europe]]. It is in the [[Balkans]], on the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic]] and [[Ionian Sea]]s within the [[Mediterranean Sea]], and shares [[land border]]s with [[Montenegro]] to the northwest, [[Kosovo]] to the northeast, [[North Macedonia]] to the east and [[Greece]] to the south. With an area of {{convert|28748|sqkm|abbr=on}}, it has a varied range of climatic, geological, hydrological and morphological conditions. Albania's landscapes range from rugged snow-capped mountains in the [[Accursed Mountains|Albanian Alps]] and the [[Korab]], [[Central Mountain Range, Albania#Skanderbeg Mountains|Skanderbeg]], [[Pindus]] and [[Ceraunian Mountains]], to fertile lowland plains extending from the [[Albanian Adriatic Sea Coast|Adriatic]] and [[Albanian Ionian Sea Coast|Ionian]] seacoasts. [[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 colonisation|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]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Howe|first=T.|chapter=Plain tales from the hills: Illyrian influences on Argead military development|editor-last1=Müller|editor-first1=S.|editor-last2=Howe|editor-first2=Tim|editor-last3=Bowden|editor-first3=H.|editor-last4=Rollinger|editor-first4=R.|title=The History of the Argeads: New Perspectives|publisher=Wiesbaden|year=2017|isbn=978-3447108515|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3_S_swEACAAJ}} p. 108.</ref> In the 2nd century BC, the [[Roman Republic]] annexed the region, and after the division of the [[Roman Empire]] it became part of [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantium]]. The first known [[Albanians|Albanian]] autonomous principality, [[Arbanon]], was established in the 12th century. The [[Kingdom of Albania (medieval)|Kingdom of Albania]], [[Principality of Albania (medieval)|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 [[Ottoman Albania|became part]] of the [[Ottoman Empire]]. In 1912, the modern Albanian state [[Declaration of independence of Albania|declared independence]]. In 1939, [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]] invaded the [[Kingdom of Albania (1928–39)|Kingdom of Albania]], which became [[Albanian Kingdom (1939–43)|Greater Albania]], and then a [[Albanian Kingdom (1943–44)|protectorate]] of [[Nazi Germany]] during [[World War II]].<ref name=zolo2002>{{cite book |last=Zolo |first=D. |title=Invoking Humanity: War, Law and Global Order |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t7KNgpZRnM8C&q=Albania+nazi+protectorate&pg=PA181 |publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group |date=27 August 2002 |page=180 |isbn=9780826456564}}</ref> After the war, the [[People's Socialist Republic of Albania]] was formed, which lasted until the [[Revolutions of 1989|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 [[Communism|communist regime]] before becoming a [[sovereign state|sovereign]] [[parliamentary republic|parliamentary]] [[constitutional republic]]. Governed by a [[Constitution of Albania|constitution]] prioritizing the separation of powers, the country's political structure includes a [[Parliament of Albania|parliament]], a ceremonial [[President of Albania|president]], a functional [[Prime Minister of Albania|prime minister]] and a hierarchy of courts. Albania is a [[developing country]] with an [[List of countries by GNI (nominal, Atlas method) per capita#Upper-middle-income group|upper-middle income]] [[Economy of Albania|economy]] driven by the service sector, with manufacturing and [[Tourism in Albania|tourism]] also playing significant roles.<ref>{{cite web |title=Albania |url=http://data.worldbank.org/country/albania/ |url-status=dead |publisher=The World Bank |access-date=13 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921063450/http://data.worldbank.org/country/albania |archive-date=21 September 2014}}</ref> After the dissolution of its communist system the country shifted from [[Planned economy|centralized planning]] to an [[Open market|open]] [[market economy]].<ref>Reports: Poverty Decreases in Albania After Years of Growth. Dow Jones Newswires, 201-938-5500 201-938-5500 201-938-5500.[http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=200904231403dowjonesdjonline000935&title=reports-poverty-decreases-in-albania-after-years-of-growth Nasdaq.com]</ref> Albanian citizens benefit from [[universal health care]] access and free primary and secondary education.
{{TOC limit|3}}
{{anchor|Etymology|Toponymy|Names}}

== Etymology ==
{{main|Names of the Albanians and Albania}}
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 (Illyrian tribe)|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]].<ref>Madrugearu A, Gordon M. The wars of the [[Balkan Peninsula]]. Rowman & Littlefield, 2007. p. 146.</ref><ref>{{Barrington|49 & notes}}</ref> The presence of a medieval settlement named [[Principality of Arbanon|Albanon]] or Arbanon hints at the possibility of historical continuity. The precise relationship among these historical references and the question of whether Albanopolis was synonymous with Albanon remain subjects of scholarly debate.<ref>The Illyrians by J. J. Wilkes, 1992, {{ISBN|978-0-631-19807-9}}, page 279,"We cannot be certain that the Arbanon of Anna Comnena is the same as Albanopolis of the Albani, a place located on the map of Ptolemy (3.12)"</ref>

The Byzantine historian [[Michael Attaliates]], in his 11th-century historical account, provides the earliest undisputed reference to the Albanians, when he mentions them having taken part in a revolt against [[Constantinople]] in 1079.<ref name="MadgearuGordon25b">{{harvnb|Madgearu|Gordon|2008|p=25}}. "It is still disputed by scholars that those Albanoi from 1042 were Normans from Sicily, [Southern Italy], or if they are in fact the Albanoi [a large clan of that belongs to the many clans of Albanians] found in Albanian lands during this time frame."</ref> He also identifies the Arbanitai as subjects of the Duke of [[Durrës|Dyrrachium]].<ref>Robert Elsei. ''The Albanian lexicon of Dion Von Kirkman. Earliest reference to the existence of the Albanian language'', pp. 113–122.</ref> In the Middle Ages, Albania was denoted as {{lang|sq|Arbëri|i=yes}} or {{lang|sq|Arbëni|i=yes}} by its inhabitants, who identified themselves as {{lang|sq|Arbëreshë|i=yes}} or {{lang|sq|Arbëneshë|i=yes}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinocacozza.it/|title=pinocacozza.it|website=pinocacozza.it|access-date=23 November 2007|archive-date=30 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230223257/http://www.pinocacozza.it/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Albanians employ the terms {{lang|sq|Shqipëri|i=yes}} or {{lang|sq|Shqipëria|i=yes}} for their nation, designations that trace their historical origins to the 14th century.<ref name=Matasović>{{cite book|last=Matasović|first=Ranko|year=2019|title=A Grammatical Sketch of Albanian for Students of Indo European|url=http://mudrac.ffzg.unizg.hr/~rmatasov/Albanian.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://mudrac.ffzg.unizg.hr/~rmatasov/Albanian.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|place=Zagreb|page=39}}</ref> But only in the late 17th and early 18th centuries did these terms gradually supersede {{lang|sq|Arbëria|i=yes}} and {{lang|sq|Arbëreshë|i=yes}} among Albanians.<ref name=Matasović /><ref name=Lloshi>{{cite book |last=Lloshi |first=Xhevat |chapter=Albanian |editor1-last=Hinrichs |editor1-first=Uwe |editor2-last=Büttner |editor2-first=Uwe |title=Handbuch der Südosteuropa-Linguistik |year=1999 |location=Wiesbaden |publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag |isbn=9783447039390 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Phyvk2tPaYQC |page=277}}</ref> These two expressions are widely interpreted to symbolise "Children of the Eagles" and "Land of the Eagles".<ref>Kristo Frasheri. ''History of Albania (A Brief Overview)''. Tirana, 1964.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://mirror.undp.org/albania/download/pdf/albanian.pdf |title=The Albanian Language |last=Lloshi |first=Xhevat |publisher=United Nations Development Programme |access-date=9 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709114947/http://mirror.undp.org/albania/download/pdf/albanian.pdf |archive-date=9 July 2011}}</ref>

== History ==
{{For timeline|Timeline of Albanian history}}
{{Main|History of Albania}}

=== Prehistory ===
{{Main|Prehistoric Albania|l1=Prehistory of Albania}}

[[File:Kamenicë Tumulus, Albania 2018 02.jpg|thumb|right|The remains of the [[Kamenica Tumulus]] in the [[county of Korçë]].]]

Mesolithic habitation in Albania has been evidenced in several open air sites which during that period were close to the Adriatic coastline and in cave sites. Mesolithic objects found in a cave near Xarrë include [[flint]] and [[jasper]] objects along with fossilised animal bones, while those discoveries at Mount Dajt comprise bone and stone tools similar to those of the [[Aurignacian culture]].<ref name="Prendi">F. Prendi, "The Prehistory of Albania", ''The Cambridge Ancient History'', 2nd edn., vol. 3, part 1: ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=vXljf8JqmkoC&pg=PA187 The Prehistory of the Balkans; and the Middle East and the Aegean World, Tenth to Eighth Centuries B.C.]'', ed. John Boardman et al. (Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1982), 189–90.</ref> The [[Neolithic]] era in Albania began around 7000 BC and is evidenced in finds which indicate domestication of sheep and goats and small-scale agriculture. A part of the Neolithic population may have been the same as the Mesolithic population of the southern Balkans like in the [[Konispol]] cave where the Mesolithic stratum co-exists with Pre-Pottery Neolithic finds. [[Cardium pottery]] culture appears in coastal Albania and across the Adriatic after 6500 BC, while the settlements of the interior took part in the processes which formed [[Starčevo culture]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bunguri |first1=Adem |title=Different models for the Neolithisation of Albania |journal=Documenta Praehistorica |date=2014 |volume=32 |url=https://www.academia.edu/51430439}}</ref> The Albanian [[bitumen]] mines of [[Selenicë]] provide early evidence of bitumen exploitation in Europe, dating to Late Neolithic Albania (from 5000 BC), when local communities used it as pigment for ceramic decoration, [[waterproofing]], and [[adhesive]] for reparing broken vessels. The bitumen of Selenicë circulated towards eastern Albania from the early 5th millennium BC. First evidence of its overseas trade export comes from Neolithic and Bronze Age southern [[Italy]]. The high-quality bitumen of Selenicë has been exploited throughout all the historical ages since the Late Neolithic era until today.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Connan |first1=J. |last2=Elezi |first2=G. |last3=Engel |first3=M.H. |last4=Zumberge |first4=A. |title=Natural asphalt on Late Neolithic (5000 – 4500 BCE) potsherds from southeastern Albania: A geochemical study |journal=Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports |volume=53 |year=2024 |pages=2–3, 11 |bibcode=2024JArSR..53j4343C |issn=2352-409X |eissn=2352-4103 |doi=10.1016/j.jasrep.2023.104343 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

The [[Indo-European migrations|Indo-Europeanization]] of Albania in the context of the IE-ization of the western Balkans began after 2800 BC. The presence of the Early Bronze Age [[Tumulus|tumuli]] in the vicinity of later [[Apollonia (Illyria)|Apollonia]] dates to 2679±174 calBC (2852-2505 calBC). These burial mounds belong to the southern expression of the Adriatic-Ljubljana culture (related to later [[Cetina culture]]) which moved southwards along the Adriatic from the northern Balkans. The same community built similar mounds in Montenegro (Rakića Kuće) and northern Albania (Shtoj).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Govedarica |first1=Blagoje |title=The Stratigraphy of Tumulus 6 in Shtoj and the Appearance of the Violin Idols in Burial Complexes of the South Adriatic Region |journal=Godišnjak Centra za balkanološka ispitivanja |date=2016 |issue=45 |pages=22–25 |url=https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=528608 |access-date=7 January 2023 |issn=0350-0020}}</ref> The first archaeogenetic find related to the IE-ization of Albania involves a man with predominantly [[Western Steppe Herders|Yamnaya ancestry]] buried in a tumulus of northeastern Albania which dates to 2663–2472 calBC.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lazaridis |first1=Iosif |last2=Alpaslan-Roodenberg |first2=Songül |display-authors=et al. |title=The genetic history of the Southern Arc: A bridge between West Asia and Europe |journal=Science |volume=377 |issue=6609 |date=26 August 2022 |page=29 |quote=: Supplementary Materials |pmid=36007055 |pmc=10064553 |s2cid=251843620 |doi=10.1126/science.abm4247}}</ref> During the Middle Bronze Age, Cetina culture sites and finds appear in Albania. Cetina culture moved southwards across the Adriatic from the [[Cetina|Cetina valley]] of [[Dalmatia]]. In Albania, Cetina finds are concentrated around southern [[Lake Shkodër]] and appear typically in tumulus cemeteries like in Shkrel and Shtoj and hillforts like Gajtan (Shkodër) as well as cave sites like Blaz, Nezir and Keputa (central Albania) and lake basin sites like Sovjan (southeastern Albania).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gori |first1=Maja |last2=Recchia |first2=Giulia |last3=Tomas |first3=Helen |title=The Cetina phenomenon across the Adriatic during the 2nd half of the 3rd millennium BC: new data and research perspectives |journal=38°Convegno Nazionale Sulla Preistoria, Protostoria, Storia della Daunia |date=2018 |page=201 |url=https://www.academia.edu/36936788}}</ref>

=== Antiquity ===
{{Main|History of Albania#Antiquity|l1=Antiquity in Albania}}

[[File:The City and the Prokletije from the castle.jpg|thumb|right|Founded in the 4th century BC, the city of [[Scodra]] was the capital of the [[Illyrian kingdom]] of [[Ardiaei]] and [[Labeatae]].]]

The incorporated territory of Albania was historically inhabited by [[Indo-European people]]s, amongst them numerous [[Illyrian tribes|Illyrian]] and [[Epirus (ancient state)|Epirote]] tribes. There were also several [[Greek colonization|Greek colonies]]. The territory referred to as [[Illyria]] corresponded roughly to the area east of the [[Adriatic Sea]] in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] extending in the south to the mouth of the [[Vjosë]].<ref>The Illyrians (The Peoples of Europe) by John Wilkes, 1996, {{ISBN|978-0-631-19807-9}}, page 92, "Appian's description of the Illyrian territories records a southern boundary with Chaonia and Thesprotia, where ancient Epirus began south of river Aoous (Vjose)" [https://books.google.com/books?id=4Nv6SPRKqs8C&pg=PR20 also map]</ref><ref>Cambridge University Press. [https://books.google.com/books?id=0qAoqP4g1fEC&pg=PA266 ''The Cambridge ancient history'']. 2000. {{ISBN|0-521-23447-6}}, page 261,"...&nbsp;down to the mouth of Aous"</ref> The first account of the Illyrian groups comes from [[Periplus of the Euxine Sea]], a Greek text written in the 4th century BC.<ref name=wilkes/> The [[Bryges]] were also present in central Albania, while the south was inhabited by the Epirote [[Chaonians]], whose capital was at [[Phoenice]].<ref name=wilkes/><ref>{{cite book|last1=Boardman|first1=John|last2=Hammond|first2=Nicholas Geoffrey Lemprière|title=The Cambridge Ancient History: The Expansion of the Greek World, Eighth to Six Centuries B.C|location=Cambridge, United Kingdom|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1982|isbn=0-521-23447-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0qAoqP4g1fEC |page=284}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Lewis|first1=David Malcolm|last2=Boardman|first2=John|title=The Cambridge Ancient History, Volume 6: The Fourth Century BC|location=Cambridge, United Kingdom|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1994|isbn=0-521-23348-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vx251bK988gC |pages=430, 434}}</ref> Other colonies such as [[Apollonia (Illyria)|Apollonia]] and [[Epidamnos]] were established by Greek city-states on the coast by the 7th century BC.<ref name=wilkes>{{cite book|last=Wilkes|first=John|title=The Illyrians|location=Oxford, United Kingdom|publisher=Blackwell Publishing|year=1995|isbn=0-631-19807-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Nv6SPRKqs8C |pages=94, 96, 104}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=Nigel Guy|title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece|location=New York, New York and Oxford, United Kingdom|publisher=Routledge (Taylor & Francis)|year=2006|isbn=978-0-415-87396-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-aFtPdh6-2QC |page=594}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Chamoux|first=François|title=Hellenistic Civilization|location=Oxford, United Kingdom|publisher=Blackwell Publishing|year=2003|isbn=0-631-22242-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nafU9ADpCwcC|page=97}}</ref>

[[File:Parku Arkeologjik i Apollonisë 04.jpg|thumb|left|[[Apollonia (Illyria)|Apollonia]] was an important [[Colonies in antiquity#Greek colonies|Greek colony]] on the [[Illyria]]n coast along the [[Adriatic Sea]] and one of the western points of the [[Via Egnatia]] route, that connected Rome and [[Constantinople]].]]

The Illyrian [[Taulantii|Taulanti]] were a powerful Illyrian tribe that were among the earliest recorded tribes in the area. They lived in an area that corresponds much of present-day Albania. Together with the Dardanian ruler [[Cleitus (son of Bardylis)|Cleitus]], [[Glaucias of Taulantii|Glaucias]], the ruler of the Taulantian kingdom, fought against [[Alexander the Great]] at the [[Siege of Pelium|Battle of Pelium]] in 335 BC. As the time passed, the ruler of Ancient Macedonia, [[Cassander|Cassander of Macedon]] captured Apollonia and crossed the river [[Shkumbin|Genusus]] ({{Lang-sq|Shkumbin}}) in 314 BC. A few years later Glaucias laid siege to Apollonia and captured the Greek colony of [[Epidamnos]].<ref>Justin, ''Epitome'', 17.3</ref>

The Illyrian [[Ardiaei]] tribe, centred in Montenegro, ruled over most of the territory of northern Albania. Their [[Ardiaean Kingdom]] reached its greatest extent under [[Agron of Illyria|King Agron]], the son of [[Pleuratus II]]. Agron extended his rule over other neighbouring tribes as well.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Hammond |first1=Nicholas Geoffrey Lemprière |last2=Walbank |first2=Frank William |date=1 January 1972 |title=A History of Macedonia: 336–167 B.C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qpb3JdwuDQIC |publisher=Clarendon Press |isbn=978-0-19-814815-9}}</ref> Following Agron's death in 230 BC, his wife, [[Teuta]], inherited the&nbsp;Ardiaean kingdom. Teuta's forces extended their operations further southwards to the&nbsp;Ionian Sea.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jackson-Laufer |first=Guida Myrl |date=1 January 1999 |title=Women Rulers Throughout the Ages: An Illustrated Guide |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9791576070917 |url-access=registration |publisher=ABC-CLIO |pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9791576070917/page/382 382]–383 |isbn=978-1-57607-091-8}}</ref> In 229 BC, Rome declared war<ref>{{Cite book |title=The History of Rome |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j74oAAAAYAAJ |publisher=D. Appleton & Company |date=1 January 1846 |page=259}}</ref> on the kingdom for extensively plundering Roman ships. The war ended in Illyrian defeat in 227&nbsp;BC. Teuta was eventually succeeded by&nbsp;[[Gentius]]&nbsp;in 181&nbsp;BC.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Illyrians |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Nv6SPRKqs8C |publisher=Wiley |date=9 January 1996 |isbn=978-0-631-19807-9 |first=John |last=Wilkes |page=189}}</ref> Gentius clashed with the Romans in 168&nbsp;BC, initiating the [[Third Illyrian War]]. The conflict resulted in Roman conquest of the region by 167&nbsp;BC. The Romans split the region into three administrative divisions.<ref>Marjeta Šašel Kos, "The Illyrian King Ballaeus – Some Historical Aspects", ''Épire, Illyrie, Macédoine: Mélanges offerts au professeur Pierre Cabanes'', ed. Danièle Berranger (Clermont-Ferrand: Presses Universitaires Blaise Pascal, 2007), 127.</ref>

=== Middle Ages ===
{{Main|Albania in the Middle Ages}}

[[File:Krujë-KrujaAlbania 2016.jpg|thumb|right|The town of [[Krujë]] was the capital of the [[Principality of Arbanon]] in the Middle Ages.]]

The [[Roman Empire]] was split in 395 upon the death of [[Theodosius I]] into an [[Eastern Roman Empire|Eastern]] and [[Western Roman Empire]] in part because of the increasing pressure from threats during the [[Barbarian Invasions]]. From the 6th century into the 7th century, the [[South Slavs|Slavs]] crossed the [[Danube]] and largely absorbed the indigenous Greeks, Illyrians and Thracians in the [[Balkans]]; thus, the Illyrians were mentioned for the last time in historical records in the 7th century.<ref name="BideleuxJeffries2007">{{cite book|last1=Bideleux|first1=Robert|last2=Jeffries|first2=Ian|title=Balkans: A Post-Communist History|url=https://archive.org/details/balkanspostcommu0000bide|url-access=registration |date=24 January 2007|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-58328-7|page=[https://archive.org/details/balkanspostcommu0000bide/page/25 25]|quote=From AD 548 onward, the lands now known as Albania began to be overrun from the north by ever-increasing&nbsp;...}}</ref><ref name="Schaefer2008">{{citation|last=Schaefer|first=Richard T.|title=Encyclopedia of Race, Ethnicity, and Society|year=2008|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=978-1-4129-2694-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jscZAQAAIAAJ}}</ref>

In the 11th century, the [[Great Schism of 1054|Great Schism]] formalised the break of communion between the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Western Catholic Church]] that is reflected in Albania through the emergence of a Catholic north and Orthodox south. The Albanian people inhabited the west of [[Lake Ochrida]] and the upper valley of [[Shkumbin|River Shkumbin]] and established the [[Principality of Arbanon]] in 1190 under the leadership of [[Progon of Kruja]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Nicol|first=Donald MacGillivray|title=Studies in late Byzantine history and prosopography|year=1986|publisher=Variorum Reprints|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XnKgAAAAMAAJ&q=Alain+Ducellier|isbn=9780860781905}}</ref> The realm was succeeded by his sons [[Gjin Progoni|Gjin]] and Dhimitri.

Upon the death of Dhimiter, the territory came under the rule of the Albanian-Greek [[Gregory Kamonas]] and subsequently under the [[Golem of Kruja]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/illyrischalbanis00thaluoft |title=Illyrisch-albanische Forschungen |publisher=Duncker & Humblot |last1=Jireček |first1=Konstantin |last2=Thopia |year=1916 |page=[https://archive.org/details/illyrischalbanis00thaluoft/page/239 239] |quote=Griechen Gregorios Kamonas}}</ref><ref name=Abulafia>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bclfdU_2lesC&pg=PA786 |title=The New Cambridge Medieval History: Volume 5, C.1198-c.1300 |isbn=978-0-521-36289-4 |last1=Abulafia |first1=David |last2=McKitterick |date=21 October 1999 |page=786 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |quote=Greco-Albanian lord Gregorios Kamonas}}</ref><ref name=Genealogist>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J7pnAAAAMAAJ&q=gregorios+kamonas |title=The Genealogist |year=1980 |page=40}}</ref> In the 13th century, the principality was dissolved.<ref name=Clements31>Clements, John (1992), ''Clements encyclopedia of world governments'', Vol. 10. Political Research, Inc. p. 31: "By 1190, Byzantium's power had so receded that the archon Progon succeeded in establishing the first Albanian state of the Middle Ages, a principality"</ref><ref name="PickardÇeliku2008">{{cite book |last1=Pickard |first1=Rob |last2=Çeliku |first2=Florent |title=Analysis and Reform of Cultural Heritage Policies in South-East Europe |year=2008 |location=Strasbourg |publisher=Council of Europe Publishing |isbn=978-92-871-6265-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bi8fjENzJacC |page=16}}</ref><ref name="Norris1993">{{cite book |last=Norris |first=H. T. |title=Islam in the Balkans: religion and society between Europe and the Arab world |url=https://archive.org/details/islaminbalkansre00norr |url-access=registration |year=1993 |publisher=University of South Carolina Press |isbn=978-0-87249-977-5 |page=[https://archive.org/details/islaminbalkansre00norr/page/35 35]}}</ref> Arbanon is considered to be the first sketch of an Albanian state, that retained a [[semi-autonomous]] status as the western extremity of the [[Byzantine Empire]], under the Byzantine [[Doukas|Doukai]] of [[Despotate of Epirus|Epirus]] or [[Laskaris|Laskarids]] of [[Empire of Nicaea|Nicaea]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pipa |first1=Arshi |last2=Repishti |first2=Sami |year=1984 |title=Studies on Kosova |series=East European Monographs #155 |isbn=978-0-88033-047-3 |pages=7–8}}</ref>

[[File:Venezia_-_Ex_Scola_degli_albanesi_(sec._XV)_-_Foto_Giovanni_Dall%27Orto,_12-Aug-2007_-_11_-_Maometto_II_assedia_Scutari.jpg|thumb|left|A relief of the [[Scuola degli Albanesi]] commemorating the [[siege of Shkodra]]. It illustrates [[Ottoman Sultan|Sultan]] [[Mehmet II]] laying siege to the Albanian town of Scutari, then part of [[Venetian Empire]].]]

Towards the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th centuries, [[Kingdom of Serbia (medieval)|Serb]]s and [[Venetian Empire|Venetians]] started to take possession over the territory.<ref name="Barbarian Invasions">{{cite web |editor1-last=Zickel |editor1-first=Raymond |editor2-last=Iwaskiw |editor2-first=Walter R. |year=1994 |title="The Barbarian Invasions and the Middle Ages," Albania: A Country Study |url=http://countrystudies.us/albania/15.htm |access-date=9 April 2008}}</ref> The [[ethnogenesis]] of the Albanians is uncertain; however, the first undisputed mention of Albanians dates back in historical records from 1079 or 1080 in a work by [[Michael Attaliates]], who referred to the [[Albanoi]] as having taken part in a revolt against [[Constantinople]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Madgearu|first1=Alexandru|last2=Gordon|first2=Martin|title=The wars of the Balkan Peninsula: Their medieval origins|year=2008|location=Lanham|publisher=Scarecrow Press|url=https://archive.org/details/warsofbalkanpeni0000madg|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/warsofbalkanpeni0000madg/page/43 43]|quote=Albanoi.|isbn=9780810858466}}</ref> At this point the Albanians were fully Christianised.

After the dissolution of Arbanon, [[Charles I of Naples|Charles of Anjou]] concluded an agreement with the Albanian rulers, promising to protect them and their ancient liberties. In 1272, he established the [[Kingdom of Albania (medieval)|Kingdom of Albania]] and conquered regions back from the [[Despotate of Epirus]]. The kingdom claimed all of central Albania territory from [[Dyrrhachium]] along the Adriatic Sea coast down to [[Butrint]]. A catholic political structure was a basis for the papal plans of spreading [[Catholicism]] in the Balkan Peninsula. This plan found also the support of [[Helen of Anjou]], a cousin of Charles of Anjou. Around 30 Catholic churches and monasteries were built during her rule mainly in northern Albania.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Regnum Albaniae, the Papal Curia, and the Western Visions of a Borderline Nobility |last=Etleva |first=Lala |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2008 |url=http://www.etd.ceu.hu/2009/mphlae01.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.etd.ceu.hu/2009/mphlae01.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live}}</ref> Internal power struggles within the Byzantine Empire in the 14th century enabled Serbs' most powerful medieval ruler, [[Stefan Dusan]], to establish a [[Serbian Empire|short-lived empire]] that included all of Albania except Durrës.<ref name="Barbarian Invasions"/> In 1367, various Albanian rulers established the [[Despotate of Arta]]. During that time, several [[Albanian principalities]] were created, notably the [[Principality of Albania (medieval)|Principality of Albania]], [[Principality of Kastrioti]], [[Lordship of Berat]] and [[Principality of Dukagjini]]. In the first half of the 15th century, the [[Ottoman Empire]] invaded most of Albania, and the [[League of Lezhë]] was held under [[Skanderbeg]] as a ruler, who became the national hero of the Albanian medieval history.

==== Ottoman Empire ====
{{Main|Albania under the Ottoman Empire}}
{{See also|Skanderbeg#Rebellion against the Ottomans|l1=Albanian rebellion against the Ottoman Empire}}

{{multiple image |align=right |total_width=230 |image_style=border:none; |image1=Skanderbeg by Antonio Maria Crespi.jpg |alt1=Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg |caption1=After serving the [[Ottoman Empire]] for nearly 20 years, [[Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg]] deserted and began a successful [[Skanderbeg's rebellion|rebellion against the empire]] that halted Ottoman advance into Europe for 25 years. |image2=Monvoisin, Raymond - Ali Pacha y Vasiliki -1832 ost 345x272 PalCous frg1.jpg |alt2=Ali Pasha Tepelena |caption2=[[Ali Pasha Tepelena]] was a powerful autonomous Ottoman-Albanian ruler, governing over the [[Pashalik of Yanina]].}}

With the [[fall of Constantinople]], the Ottoman Empire continued an extended period of conquest and expansion with its borders going deep into [[Ottoman conquest of the Balkans|Southeast Europe]]. They reached the [[Albanian Ionian Sea Coast]] in 1385 and erected their garrisons across [[Southern Albania]] in 1415 and then occupied most of Albania in 1431.<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Licursi |first=Emiddio Pietro|title=Empire of Nations: The Consolidation of Albanian and Turkish National Identities in the Late Ottoman Empire, 1878–1913 |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/72122169/7/Pashko-Vasa|year=2011 |publisher=Columbia University |location=New York |page=19 |quote=By 1415, after a chaotic interregnum, Sultan Mehmet I sent the military to erect the first Ottoman garrisons throughout southern Albania, establishing direct military authority in the region&nbsp;... l jurisdiction over most of Albania&nbsp;...|hdl=10022/AC:P:10297}}</ref><ref name="Hupchich110">[https://books.google.com/books?id=sQGIDAAAQBAJ&q=albania+vassal+serbia&pg=PA120 The Balkans: From Constantinople to Communism] by D. Hupchick, page 110</ref> Thousands of Albanians consequently fled to Western Europe, particularly to [[Calabria]], [[Kingdom of Naples|Naples]], [[Republic of Ragusa|Ragusa]] and [[Kingdom of Sicily|Sicily]], whereby others sought protection at the often inaccessible [[Geography of Albania|Mountains of Albania]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Gjonça, Arjan |title=Communism, Health and Lifestyle: The Paradox of Mortality Transition in Albania, 1950–1990|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OKEal7FHClUC&pg=PA7|year=2001|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-313-31586-2|page=7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Norris|first=H. T.|title=Islam in the Balkans: religion and society between Europe and the Arab world|url=https://archive.org/details/islaminbalkansre00norr|url-access=registration|year=1993|publisher=University of South Carolina Press|isbn=978-0-87249-977-5|page=[https://archive.org/details/islaminbalkansre00norr/page/196 196]}}</ref> The Albanians, as Christians, were considered an [[Rayah|inferior class]] of people, and as such they were subjected to heavy [[Jizya|tax]]es among others by the [[Devshirme]] system that allowed the [[Sultan]] to collect a requisite percentage of Christian adolescents from their families to compose the [[Janissary]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zickel |first1=Raymond |last2=Iwaskiw |first2=Walter R. |year=1994 |title=Albania: A Country Study ("Albanians under Ottoman Rule") |url=http://countrystudies.us/albania/18.htm |access-date=9 April 2008}}</ref> The Ottoman conquest was also accompanied with the gradual process of [[Islamisation]] and the rapid construction of mosques.

A prosperous and longstanding revolution erupted after the formation of the [[League of Lezhë]] until the [[Siege of Shkodra|fall of Shkodër]] under the leadership of [[Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg]], who consistently defeated major Ottoman armies led by [[Sultan]]s [[Murad II]] and [[Mehmed II]]. Skanderbeg managed to unite several of the Albanian principalities, amongst them the [[Arianiti family|Arianiti]]s, [[Dukagjini family|Dukagjini]]s, [[Zaharia family|Zaharia]]s and [[Thopia family|Thopia]]s, and establish a centralised authority over most of the non-conquered territories, becoming the [[Skanderbeg|Lord of Albania]].<ref name="League of Lezhë">{{cite book |author1=Rob Pickard |title=Analysis and Reform of Cultural Heritage Policies in South-East Europe |date=2008 |isbn=978-92-871-6265-6 |page=16 |publisher=Council of Europe |edition=Europarat}}</ref> The Ottoman Empire's expansion ground to a halt during the time that Skanderbeg's forces resisted, and he has been credited with being one of the main reasons for the delay of Ottoman expansion into [[Western Europe]], giving the Italian principalities more time to better prepare for the [[Siege of Otranto|Ottoman arrival]].{{sfn|Hodgkinson|2005|p=240}} However, the failure of most European nations, with the exception of Naples, in giving him support, along with the failure of Pope Pius II's plans to organize a promised crusade against the Ottomans meant that none of Skanderbeg's victories permanently hindered the Ottomans from invading the Western Balkans.{{sfn|Hodgkinson|2005|p=xii}}<ref name="Pitcher1968">{{cite book |last=Donald Edgar Pitcher |title=An Historical Geography of the Ottoman Empire: From Earliest Times to the End of the Sixteenth Century |publisher=Brill |year=1968 |page=88}}</ref>

Despite his brilliance as a military leader, Skanderbeg's victories were only delaying the final conquests. The constant Ottoman invasions caused enormous destruction to Albania, greatly reducing the population and destroying flocks of livestock and crops. Besides surrender, there was no possible way Skanderbeg would be able to halt the Ottoman invasions despite his successes against them. His manpower and resources were insufficient, preventing him from expanding the war efforts and driving the Turks from the Albanian borders. Albania was therefore doomed to face an unending series of Ottoman attacks until it eventually fell years after his death.<ref>{{cite book |last=Fine |first=John V.A. |title=The late medieval Balkans: a critical survey from the late twelfth century to the Ottoman conquest |date=1994 |publisher=University of Michigan Press |location=Ann Arbor, MI |isbn=9780472082605 |page=598 |edition=2. print |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LvVbRrH1QBgC}}</ref>

When the Ottomans were gaining a firm foothold in the region, Albanian towns were organised into four principal [[sanjaks]]. The government fostered trade by settling a sizeable Jewish colony of refugees fleeing persecution in Spain. The city of [[Vlorë]] saw passing through its ports imported merchandise from Europe such as velvets, cotton goods, mohairs, carpets, spices and leather from [[Bursa]] and [[Constantinople]]. Some citizens of Vlorë even had business associates throughout Europe.<ref name=Arnawutlu/>

The phenomenon of Islamisation among the Albanians became primarily widespread from the 17th century and continued into the 18th century.<ref name="referenceworks.brillonline"/> Islam offered them equal opportunities and advancement within the Ottoman Empire. However, motives for conversion were, according to some scholars, diverse depending on the context though the lack of source material does not help when investigating such issues.<ref name="referenceworks.brillonline"/> Because of increasing suppression of Catholicism, most Catholic Albanians converted in the 17th century, while Orthodox Albanians followed suit mainly in the following century.

Since the Albanians were seen as strategically important, they made up a significant proportion of the [[Ottoman military]] and bureaucracy. Many Muslim Albanians attained important political and military positions and culturally contributed to the broader [[Muslim world]].<ref name="referenceworks.brillonline">Clayer, Nathalie (2012). [http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-3/albania-COM_23054 "Albania"] in ''Encyclopaedia of Islam'', Gudrun Krämer, Denis Matringe, Rokovet, John Nawas, Everett Rowson (eds.). Brill Online.</ref> Enjoying this privileged position, they held various high administrative positions with over two dozen Albanian [[Grand Viziers]]. Others included members of the prominent [[Köprülü family]], [[Zagan Pasha]], [[Muhammad Ali of Egypt]] and [[Ali Pasha of Tepelena]]. Furthermore, two sultans, [[Bayezid II]] and [[Mehmed III]], both had mothers of Albanian origin.<ref name=Arnawutlu>[http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-2/arnawutluk-COM_0065 "Arnawutluḳ."] in ''Encyclopaedia of Islam'', Second Edition. Brill Online, 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Babinger|first=Franz|title=Mehmed the Conqueror and His Time|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PPxC6rO7vvsC&q=Albanian&pg=PA175|year=1992|publisher=[[Princeton University Press]]|isbn=0-691-01078-1|page=51}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=The Imperial Harem: Women and Sovereignty in the Ottoman Empire |last=Peirce |first=Leslie P. |publisher=Oxford University Press, Inc. |year=1993 |isbn=0-19-507673-7 |location=New York |page=94}}</ref>

=== Rilindja ===
{{Main|Albanian Renaissance}}
{{See also|League of Prizren}}

{{multiple image |align=right |total_width=230 |image_style=border:none; |image1=NaumVeqilharxhi.jpg |alt1=Naum Veqilharxhi |caption1=[[Naum Veqilharxhi]] was among the most important figures of the early [[Albanian National Awakening|Albanian Renaissance]]. |image2=Dora d'Istria (drawing).jpg |alt2=Dora d'Istria |caption2=[[Dora d'Istria]] was among the main advocates in Europe for the [[Albanian Renaissance|Albanian cause]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Observator Cultural |title=Dor de Dunăre şi alte nostalgii cosmopolite |url=https://www.observatorcultural.ro/articol/dor-de-dunare-si-alte-nostalgii-cosmopolite-2/ |website=observatorcultural.ro |language=ro|author1-link=Observator Cultural}}</ref>}}

The [[Albanian Renaissance]] was a period with its roots in the late 18th century and continuing into the 19th century, during which the Albanian people gathered spiritual and intellectual strength for an independent cultural and political life within an [[Independent Albania|independent nation]]. Modern [[Albanian culture]] flourished too, especially [[Albanian literature]] and [[Albanian art|arts]], and was frequently linked to the influences of the [[Romanticism]] and [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] principles.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Sarah Amsler |title=Theorising Social Change in Post-Soviet Countries: Critical Approaches |publisher=Peter Lang, 2007 |isbn=9783039103294 |pages=96105 |edition=Balihar Sanghera, Sarah Amsler, Tatiana Yarkova |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MzXP_r6oAxwC&pg=PA96 |year=2007}}</ref> Prior to the [[Rise of nationalism in the Ottoman Empire|rise of nationalism]], Ottoman authorities suppressed any expression of national unity or conscience by the Albanian people.

The victory of Russia over the Ottoman Empire following the [[Russian-Ottoman War]]s resulted the execution of the [[Treaty of San Stefano]] which overlooked to assign Albanian-populated lands to the Slavic and Greek neighbours. However, the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]] and [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]] consequently blocked the arrangement and caused the [[Treaty of Berlin (1878)|Treaty of Berlin]]. From this point, Albanians started to organise themselves with the goal to protect and unite the Albanian-populated lands into a unitary nation, leading to the formation of the [[League of Prizren]]. The league had initially the assistance of the Ottoman authorities whose position was based on the religious solidarity of Muslim people and landlords connected with the [[Ottoman Porte|Ottoman administration]]. They favoured and protected the Muslim solidarity and called for defence of Muslim lands simultaneously constituting the reason for titling the league [[League of Prizren#Formation|Committee of the Real Muslims]].<ref>{{Citation |last1=Kopecek |first1=Michal |last2=Ersoy |first2=Ahmed |last3=Gorni |first3=Maciej |last4=Kechriotis |first4=Vangelis |last5=Manchev |first5=Boyan |last6=Trencsenyi |first6=Balazs |last7=Turda |first7=Marius |title=Discourses of collective identity in Central and Southeast Europe (1770–1945) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k5Vsjg508EYC&pg=PA349 |volume=1 |year=2006 |publisher=Central European University Press |location=Budapest, Hungary |isbn=978-963-7326-52-3 |page=348 |quote=The position of the League in the beginning was based on religious solidarity. It was even called ''Komiteti i Myslimanëve të Vërtetë'' (The Committee of the Real Muslims)&nbsp;... decisions are taken and supported mostly by landlords and people closely connected with Ottoman administration and religious authorities..}}</ref>

Approximately 300 Muslims participated in the assembly composed by delegates from Bosnia, the [[sanjakbey|administrator]] of the [[Sanjak of Prizren]] as representatives of the central authorities and no delegates from [[Vilayet of Scutari]].<ref>{{Citation |last1=Kopeček |first1=Michal |last2=Ersoy |first2=Ahmed |last3=Gorni |first3=Maciej |last4=Kechriotis |first4=Vangelis |last5=Manchev |first5=Boyan |last6=Trencsenyi |first6=Balazs |last7=Turda |first7=Marius |title=Discourses of collective identity in Central and Southeast Europe (1770–1945) |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k5Vsjg508EYC&pg=PA349 |access-date=18 January 2011 |volume=1 |year=2006 |publisher=Central European University Press |location=Budapest, Hungary |isbn=978-963-7326-52-3 |page=347 |chapter=Program of the Albanian League of Prizren |quote=there were no delegates from Shkodra villayet and a few Bosnian delegates also participated. Present was also mutasarrif (administrator of sandjak) of Prizren as representative of the central authorities}}</ref> Signed by only 47 Muslim deputies, the league issued the [[Kararname (League of Prizren)|Kararname]] that contained a proclamation that the people from northern Albania, [[Epirus]] and [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] are willing to defend the [[territorial integrity]] of the Ottoman Empire by all possible means against the troops of [[Kingdom of Bulgaria|Bulgaria]], [[Kingdom of Serbia|Serbia]] and [[Kingdom of Montenegro|Montenegro]].<ref name="albanianhistory.net">{{cite web |url=http://www.albanianhistory.net/texts19/AH1878_2.html |title=1878 The Resolutions of the League of Prizren |last=Elsie |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Elsie |publisher=albanianhistory.net |access-date=20 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100908114200/http://www.albanianhistory.net/texts19/AH1878_2.html |archive-date=8 September 2010 |quote=On 10 June 1878,&nbsp;... The League of Prizren, Alb. Lidhja e Prizrenit,&nbsp;... On 13 June 1878, the League submitted an eighteen-page memorandum to Benjamin Disraeli, the British representative at the Congress of Berlin}}</ref>

Ottomans authorities cancelled their assistance when the league, under [[Abdyl Frashëri]], became focused on working towards Albanian autonomy and requested merging four [[Ottoman vilayet|vilayet]]s, including [[Kosovo Vilayet|Kosovo]], [[Scutari Vilayet|Shkodër]], [[Monastir Vilayet|Monastir]] and [[Janina Vilayet|Ioannina]], into a unified vilayet, the [[Albanian Vilayet]]. The league used military force to prevent the annexing areas of [[Plav Municipality|Plav]] and [[Gusinje]] assigned to Montenegro. After several successful battles with Montenegrin troops, such as the [[Battle of Novšiće]], the league was forced to retreat from their contested regions. The league was later defeated by the Ottoman army sent by the sultan.<ref name="League of Prizren">{{cite encyclopedia|title=Albanian League|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/12553/Albanian-League|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

==== Independence ====
{{Main|Independent Albania}}
{{See also|Albanian Declaration of Independence}}
{{Further|Massacres of Albanians in the Balkan Wars}}

[[File:Ismail Qemali (portrait).jpg|thumb|right|175px|[[Ismail Qemali]] is regarded as the [[List of national founders#Albania|founding father]] of the modern Albanian nation.]]

Albania [[Albanian Declaration of Independence|declared independence]] from the Ottoman Empire on 28 November 1912, accompanied by the establishment of the [[Senate of Albania|Senate]] and [[Provisional Government of Albania|Government]] by the [[Assembly of Vlorë]] on 4 December 1912.<ref>{{cite book |last=Giaro |first=Tomasz |title=Modernisierung durch Transfer zwischen den Weltkriegen |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dmrRCdTQBTcC&q=Provisional%20government%20of%20vlore%20december%204%201912&pg=PA185 |access-date=24 January 2011 |year=2007 |publisher=Vittorio Klosterman GmbH |location=Frankfurt am Main, Germany |isbn=978-3-465-04017-0 |page=185 |chapter=The Albanian legal and constitutional system between the World Wars |quote=From its own members congress elected a senate (Pleqësi), composed of 18 members, which assumed advisory role to the government.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.albanianhistory.net/texts20_1/AH1920.html |title=Ismail Kemal bey Vlora: Memoirs |first=Ismail |last=Qemali |access-date=23 January 2011 |quote=15th–28th November 1912&nbsp;... |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617232905/http://www.albanianhistory.net/texts20_1/AH1920.html |archive-date=17 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.albanianhistory.net/texts20_1/AH1920.html |title=Ismail Kemal bey Vlora: Memoirs |first=Ismail |last=Qemali |access-date=23 January 2011 |quote=On the resumption of the sitting, I was elected President of the Provisional Government, with a mandate to form a Cabinet&nbsp;... |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617232905/http://www.albanianhistory.net/texts20_1/AH1920.html |archive-date=17 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Giaro |first=Tomasz |title=Modernisierung durch Transfer zwischen den Weltkriegen |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dmrRCdTQBTcC&q=Provisional%20government%20of%20vlore%20december%204%201912&pg=PA185 |access-date=24 January 2011 |year=2007 |publisher=Vittorio Klosterman GmbH |location=Frankfurt am Main, Germany |isbn=978-3-465-04017-0 |page=185 |chapter=The Albanian legal and constitutional system between the World Wars |quote=a provisional government, consisting of ten members and led by Vlora, was formed on 4 December.}}</ref> Its sovereignty was recognized by the [[London Conference of 1912–1913|Conference of London]]. On 29 July 1913, the [[Treaty of London (1913)|Treaty of London]] delineated the borders of the country and its neighbors, leaving many Albanians outside Albania, predominantly [[Partition (politics)|partitioned]] between [[Kingdom of Montenegro|Montenegro]], [[Kingdom of Serbia|Serbia]], and [[Kingdom of Greece|Greece]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Elsie |first=Robert |title=1913 The Conference of London |url=http://www.albanianhistory.net/texts20_1/AH1913_2.html |access-date=5 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717005551/http://www.albanianhistory.net/texts20_1/AH1913_2.html |archive-date=17 July 2011}}</ref>

Headquartered in Vlorë, the [[International Commission of Control]] was established on 15 October 1913 to take care of the administration of Albania until its own political institutions were in order.<ref>{{Citation |last=Jelavich |first=Barbara |title=History of the Balkans: Twentieth century |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hd-or3qtqrsC&pg=PA100 |access-date=21 January 2011 |volume=2 |orig-year=1983 |year=1999 |publisher=The Press Syndicate of University of Cambridge |location=Cambridge, United Kingdom |isbn=978-0-521-27459-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/historyofbalkans0000jela/page/101 101] |chapter=The end of Ottoman rule in Europe |quote=the International Commission&nbsp;... had headquarters in Vlorë |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofbalkans0000jela/page/101}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cecl.gr/RigasNetwork/databank/REPORTS/r23/ZAHARIA.html |title=The post – 1989 constitutional course of south east Europe |last=Zaharia |first=Perikli |date=24 March 2003 |publisher=Centre for European Constitutional Law |location=Athens |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616151647/http://www.cecl.gr/RigasNetwork/databank/REPORTS/r23/ZAHARIA.html |archive-date=16 June 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=22 January 2011}}</ref> The [[International Gendarmerie]] was established as the [[Principality of Albania]]'s first law enforcement agency. In November, the first gendarmerie members arrived in the country. Prince of Albania [[Wilhelm of Wied]] ''(Princ Vilhelm Vidi)'' was selected as the first prince of the principality.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Seton-Watson |first1=R.W. |last2=Wilson |first2=J. Dover |last3=Zimmern |first3=Alfred E. |last4=Greenwood |first4=Arthur |title=The War and Democracy |chapter-url=http://www.gutenberg.org/files/10668/10668.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113042806/http://www.gutenberg.org/files/10668/10668.txt |archive-date=13 November 2012 |date=10 January 2004 |orig-year=1915 |publisher=MacMillan |edition=1st |location=London |chapter=III Germany |quote=Prince William of Wied, the first Prince of Albania}}</ref> On 7 March, he arrived in the provisional capital of [[Durrës]] and began to organize his government, appointing [[Turhan Pasha Përmeti]] to form the first Albanian cabinet.

In November 1913, the Albanian pro-Ottoman forces had offered the throne of Albania to the Ottoman war minister of Albanian origin, [[Ahmed Izzet Pasha]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.albanianphotography.net/en/dmm.html |title=Albania under prince Wied |first=Robert |last=Elsie |author-link=Robert Elsie |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717003848/http://www.albanianphotography.net/en/dmm.html |quote=pro-Ottoman forces&nbsp;... were opposed to the increasing Western influence&nbsp;... In November 1913, these forces,&nbsp;... had offered the vacant Albanian throne to General Izzet Pasha&nbsp;... War Minister who was of Albanian origin. |archive-date=17 July 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=25 January 2011}}</ref> The pro-Ottoman peasants believed that the new regime was a tool of the six Christian [[Great Power]]s and local landowners, who owned half of the arable land.<ref>{{Citation |last=Jelavich |first=Barbara |title=History of the Balkans: Twentieth century |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hd-or3qtqrsC&pg=PA100 |access-date=25 January 2011 |volume=2 |orig-year=1983 |year=1999 |publisher=The Press Syndicate of University of Cambridge |location=Cambridge, United Kingdom |isbn=978-0-521-27459-3 |page=103 |quote=peasants..willing listeners to Ottoman propaganda&nbsp;... attached the new regime as a tool of the beys and Christian powers}}</ref>

In February 1914, the [[Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus]] was proclaimed in [[Gjirokastër]] by the local [[Greeks in Albania|Greek population]] against incorporation to Albania. This initiative was short-lived, and in 1921 the southern provinces were incorporated into the Albanian Principality.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Bowden|first1=William|title=Epirus Vetus : the archaeology of a late antique province |date=2003 |publisher=Duckworth |location=London |isbn=978-0-7156-3116-4 |page=28 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IjsbAAAAYAAJ&q=%22+Autonomous+Republic+of+Northern+Epirus.%22 |quote=the Greek Epirote population of the area refused to be incorporated into the new Albanian state and in February 1914 declared the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus&nbsp;... in 1921 Albania was recognised as an independent sovereign state, with its borders established on their present lines.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=ed|first1=Gregory C. Ference|title=Chronology of 20th century eastern European history |date=1994|publisher=Gale Research|location=Detroit [u.a.]|isbn=978-0-8103-8879-6|page=9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RSLsAAAAMAAJ|quote=February 28 George Zographos, a former foreign minister of Greece, proclaims at Gjirokaster the establishment of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus, with Zographos as president. He notifies the International Commission that his government has been established because the Great Powers have not provided the Greeks in southern Albania any guarantees for the protection of the life, property and religious freedom, and ethnic existence.}}</ref> Meanwhile, the [[Peasant Revolt in Albania|revolt of Albanian peasants]] against the new regime erupted under the leadership of the group of Muslim clerics gathered around [[Essad Pasha Toptani]], who proclaimed himself the savior of Albania and Islam.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.albaniainbrief.com/Albanian%20History/Fighting%20for%20amputated%20Albania.htm |title=The Efforts to settle amputated Albania state |publisher=albaniainbrief.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110601023209/http://albaniainbrief.com/Albanian%20History/Fighting%20for%20amputated%20Albania.htm |archive-date=1 June 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=28 January 2011 |quote=Thousands of muslim peasants,&nbsp;... were exploited by their leaders Haxhi Qamili, Arif Hiqmeti, Musa Qazimi and Mustafa Ndroqi,&nbsp;... to rebel}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Vickers |first=Miranda |title=The Albanians: a modern history |publisher=I.B. Tauris |year=1999 |quote=He gathered round him a group of discontented Muslim priests&nbsp;... and proclaimed himself the savior of Albania and the Champion of Islam. |page=81 |isbn=978-1-86064-541-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IzI0uOZ2j6gC}}</ref> To gain the support of the [[Mirdita]] Catholic volunteers from northern Albania, Prince [[Wilhelm of Wied|Wied]] appointed their leader, [[Prênk Bibë Doda]], foreign minister of the Principality of Albania. In May and June 1914, the International Gendarmerie was joined by [[Isa Boletini]] and his men, mostly from [[Kosovo]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.albanianphotography.net/en/dmm.html |title=Albania under prince Wied |first=Robert |last=Elsie |author-link=Robert Elsie |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717003848/http://www.albanianphotography.net/en/dmm.html |quote=mostly volunteers from Kosova under their leader Isa Boletini |archive-date=17 July 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=25 January 2011}}</ref> and the rebels defeated northern [[Mirdita]] Catholics, capturing most of Central Albania by the end of August 1914.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.albanianphotography.net/en/dmm.html |title=Albania under prince Wied |first=Robert |last=Elsie |author-link=Robert Elsie |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717003848/http://www.albanianphotography.net/en/dmm.html |quote=Panic broke out in Durrës, and the royal family sought refuge on an Italian vessel&nbsp;... |archive-date=17 July 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=25 January 2011}}</ref> Prince Wied's regime collapsed, and he left the country on 3 September 1914.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Springer |first1=Elisabeth |last2=Kammerhofer |first2=Leopold |title=Archiv und Forschung |publisher=Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag |year=1993 |page=346 |isbn=978-3-486-55989-7}}</ref>

=== First Republic ===
{{Main|Albanian Republic (1925–1928)|l1=First Republic of Albania}}
{{See also|World War I in Albania|World War II in Albania|l1=World War I}}

[[File:Fan Stilian Noli.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Fan Noli]] played a significant role in the 20th century, advocating for Albanian independence and cultural revival, while also serving as [[Prime Minister of Albania|Prime Minister]] in 1924 and later as the head of the [[Albanian Orthodox Church]].]]

The [[interwar period]] in Albania was marked by persistent economic and social difficulties, political instability and foreign interventions.<ref name="Zickel/Iwaskiw">{{cite book |editor1-last=Zickel |editor1-first=Raymond |editor2-last=Iwaskiw |editor2-first=Walter R. |title=Albania country study |publisher=[[Federal Research Division]], [[Library of Congress]] |url=https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/frd/frdcstdy/al/albaniacountryst00zick/albaniacountryst00zick.pdf |access-date=11 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230911125032/https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/frd/frdcstdy/al/albaniacountryst00zick/albaniacountryst00zick.pdf |archive-date=11 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Vickers">{{cite book |last=Vickers |first=Miranda |title=The Albanians: A Modern History |date=29 November 1999 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing|Bloomsbury Academic]] |isbn=978-1-86064-541-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IzI0uOZ2j6gC |access-date=13 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913115455/https://books.google.com/books?id=IzI0uOZ2j6gC |archive-date=13 September 2023 |page=118}}</ref> After [[World War I]], Albania lacked an established government and internationally recognized borders, rendering it vulnerable to neighboring entities such as Greece, Italy, and Yugoslavia, all of which sought to expand their influence.<ref name="Zickel/Iwaskiw"/> This led to political uncertainty, highlighted in 1918 when the [[Congress of Durrës]] sought [[Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920)|Paris Peace Conference]] protection but was denied, further complicating Albania's position on the international stage. Territorial tensions escalated as Yugoslavia, particularly Serbia, sought control of northern Albania, while Greece aimed dominance in southern Albania. The situation deteriorated in 1919 when the Serbs launched attacks on Albanian inhabitants, among others in [[Gusinje]] and [[Plav, Montenegro|Plav]], resulting in [[Plav–Gusinje massacres (1912–1913)|massacres and large-scale displacement]].<ref name="Zickel/Iwaskiw"/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Davies |first1=Norman |date=2011 |title=Vanished Kingdoms: The History of Half-Forgotten Europe |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z4G_Cz9TF88C&q=Serbian+atrocities&pg=RA4-PR26 |url-status=live |publisher=[[Penguin Group|Penguin Books Limited]] |isbn=978-0-14-196048-7 |page=17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913120242/https://books.google.com/books?id=Z4G_Cz9TF88C&q=Serbian+atrocities&pg=RA4-PR26 |archive-date=13 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Pettifer |first1=James |last2=Buchanan |first2=Tom |date=2015 |title=War in the Balkans: Conflict and Diplomacy before World War I |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g7eKDwAAQBAJ&q=Gusinye+massacre&pg=PA32 |access-date=13 September 2023 |url-status=live |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-0-85772-641-4 |page=32 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913120417/https://books.google.com/books?id=g7eKDwAAQBAJ&q=Gusinye+massacre&pg=PA32 |archive-date=13 September 2023}}</ref> Meanwhile, Italian influence continued to expand during this time, driven by economic interests and political ambitions.<ref name="Vickers"/><ref name="Gerwarth">{{cite book |last1=Gerwarth |first1=Robert |date=2007 |title=Twisted Paths: Europe 1914-1945 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ts4SDAAAQBAJ |access-date=13 September 2023 |url-status=live |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-1992-8185-5 |pages=242–261 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913120715/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ts4SDAAAQBAJ |archive-date=13 September 2023}}</ref>

[[Fan Noli]], renowned for his [[idealism]], became prime minister in 1924, with a vision to institute a Western-style constitutional government, abolish feudalism, counter Italian influence, and enhance critical sectors, including infrastructure, education and healthcare.<ref name="Zickel/Iwaskiw"/> He faced resistance from former allies, who had assisted in the removal of [[Zog I of Albania|Zog]] from power, and struggled to secure foreign aid to implement his agenda. Noli's decision to establish diplomatic ties with the Soviet Union, an adversary of the Serbian elite, ignited allegations of [[bolshevism]] from Belgrade.<ref name="Zickel/Iwaskiw"/> This in turn led to increased pressure from Italy and culminated in Zog's restoration to authority.

===Kingdom===
{{Main|Albanian Kingdom (1928–1939)}}
In 1928, Zog transitioned Albania from a republic to a monarchy, assuming the title of King Zog I. He garnered backing from [[Fascist Italy (1922–1943)|Fascist Italy]] and made other constitutional changes, dissolving the Senate and establishing a unicameral National Assembly while preserving his own authoritative powers.<ref name="Zickel/Iwaskiw"/>

In 1939, Italy under [[Benito Mussolini]] launched a military invasion of Albania, resulting in the exile of Zog and the creation of an [[Italian protectorate of Albania (1939–1943)|Italian protectorate]], which was recognized only by the allies of Italy.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Keegan |first1=John |last2=Churchill |first2=Winston |date=1986 |title=The Second World War (Six Volume Boxed Set) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e0_3Nrc8D0wC&pg=PA314 |access-date=13 September 2023 |url-status=live |location=[[Boston]], United States |publisher=[[Mariner Books]] |isbn=0-395-41685-X |page=314 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913121029/https://books.google.com/books?id=e0_3Nrc8D0wC&pg=PA314 |archive-date=13 September 2023}}</ref><ref name="isbn0-8240-7029-1">{{cite book |last=Zabecki |first= David T. |title=World War II in Europe: an encyclopedia |publisher=Garland Pub |location=New York |year=1999 |pages=1353 |isbn=0-8240-7029-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gYDN-UfehEEC&q=albania+%22Italian+protectorate%22&pg=PA1353}}</ref> As [[World War II]] progressed, Italy aimed to expand its territorial dominion in the Balkans, including territorial claims on regions of Greece ([[Chameria]]), Macedonia, Montenegro, and Kosovo. These ambitions laid the foundations of a [[Greater Albania]], which aimed to unite all areas with Albanian-majority populations into a single country.<ref name="BogdaniLoughlin2007">{{cite book|last1=Bogdani|first1=Mirela|last2=Loughlin|first2=John|title=Albania and the European Union: The Tumultuous Journey Towards Integration and Accession|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=32Wu8H7t8MwC&pg=PA230 |date=15 March 2007|publisher=I.B. Tauris|isbn=978-1-84511-308-7|page=230}}</ref> In 1943, as Italy's control declined, [[Nazi Germany]] assumed control of Albania, subjecting Albanians to forced labor, economic exploitation, and repression, under the [[German occupation of Albania]].<ref name="Morrock2010">{{cite book|last=Morrock|first=Richard|title=The Psychology of Genocide and Violent Oppression: A Study of Mass Cruelty from Nazi Germany to Rwanda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CZtnAbKkOmIC&pg=PA55 |date=11 October 2010|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-5628-4|page=55|quote=The nationalist Balli Kombetar, which had fought against Italy, made a deal with the German invaders, and formed a "neutral" government in Tirana which&nbsp;...}}</ref> The tide shifted in 1944 when Albanian partisan forces, under the leadership of [[Enver Hoxha]] and other communist leaders, successfully liberated Albania from German occupation.<ref name="Albanian Nationalism">{{cite encyclopedia|title=Albanian Nationalism|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Albania/Albanian-nationalism|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=22 November 2016}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

=== Communism ===
{{Main|Communism in Albania}}
{{Further|Expulsion of Cham Albanians}}

[[File:HODŽA druhá míza crop.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Enver Hoxha]] was the founding leader of communist Albania and its ruler for over four decades, implementing a regime marked by [[authoritarianism]] and [[isolationism]].]]

The establishment of the [[People's Socialist Republic of Albania|People's Republic of Albania]] under the leadership of [[Enver Hoxha]] was a significant epoch in modern Albanian history.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Envery Hoxha|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Enver-Hoxha|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=22 November 2016}}</ref> Hoxha's regime embraced [[Marxism–Leninism|Marxist–Leninist ideologies]] and implemented [[Authoritarianism|authoritarian]] policies, including prohibition of religious practices, severe restrictions on travel, and abolition of private property rights.<ref name="HRW C">{{cite web |publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]] (HRW) |title=Human Rights in Post-Communist Albania |url=https://www.hrw.org/legacy/summaries/s.albania963.html |access-date=11 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230911115340/https://www.hrw.org/legacy/summaries/s.albania963.html |archive-date=11 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> It was also defined by a persistent pattern of purges, extensive repression, instances of betrayal, and hostility to external influences.<ref name="HRW C"/> Any form of opposition or resistance to his rule was met with expeditious and severe consequences, such as internal exile, extended imprisonment, and execution.<ref name="HRW C"/> The regime confronted a multitude of challenges, including widespread poverty, illiteracy, health crises and gender inequality.<ref name="Albanian Nationalism"/> In response, Hoxha initiated a modernization initiative aimed at attaining economic and social liberation and transforming Albania into an industrial society.<ref name="Albanian Nationalism"/> The regime placed a high priority on the diversification of the economy through Soviet-style industrialization, comprehensive infrastructure development such as the introduction of a transformative [[Hekurudha Shqiptare|railway system]], expansion of education and healthcare services, elimination of adult illiteracy, and targeted advancements in areas such as women's rights.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fischer |first=Bernd |website=[[OpenDemocracy]] |title=Albania and Enver Hoxha's legacy |url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/albania-and-enver-hoxhas-legacy/ |access-date=11 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230911122056/https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/albania-and-enver-hoxhas-legacy/ |archive-date=11 September 2023 |date=10 June 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Pano |first=Aristotel |title=Panorama of the Economic-Social Development of Socialist Albania |url=http://www.revolutionarydemocracy.org/archive/panorama.htm |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531224429/http://www.revolutionarydemocracy.org/archive/panorama.htm |archive-date=31 May 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>''40 Years of Socialist Albania'', Dhimiter Picani</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Qori|first=Arlind |date=22 February 2019 |title=From Faculty to Factory|url=https://jacobinmag.com/2019/02/albania-student-movement-higher-education|work=[[Jacobin (magazine)|Jacobin]] |access-date=14 March 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Bunker in Albanian Alps.jpg|thumb|left|[[Bunkers in Albania]] were constructed to prevent potential external invasions. By 1983, approximately 173,371 bunkers were scattered throughout its territory.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shqiptarja.com/speciale/2751/ekskluzive-hapet-dosja-ja-harta-e-bunkereve-e-tuneleve-sekrete-257289.html|title=Hapet dosja, ja harta e bunkerëve dhe tuneleve sekretë|access-date=11 August 2016|archive-date=17 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917171111/http://shqiptarja.com/speciale/2751/ekskluzive-hapet-dosja-ja-harta-e-bunkereve-e-tuneleve-sekrete-257289.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>]]

Albania's diplomatic history under Hoxha was characterized by notable conflicts.<ref name="Zickel/Iwaskiw"/> Initially aligned with Yugoslavia as a satellite state, the relationship deteriorated as Yugoslavia aimed to incorporate Albania within its territory.<ref name="Zickel/Iwaskiw"/> Subsequently, Albania established relations with the Soviet Union and engaged trade agreements with other Eastern European countries, but experienced disagreements over Soviet policies, leading to strained ties with Moscow and diplomatic separation in 1961.<ref name="Zickel/Iwaskiw"/> Simultaneously, tensions with the West heightened due to Albania's refusal to hold free elections and allegations of Western support for [[Anti-communism|anti-communist uprisings]]. Albania's enduring partnership was with China; it sided with Beijing during the [[Sino-Soviet split|Sino-Soviet conflict]], resulting in severed ties with the Soviet Union and withdrawal from the [[Warsaw Pact]] in response to the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. But their relations stagnated in 1970, prompting both to reassess their commitment, and Albania actively reduced its dependence on China.<ref name="Zickel/Iwaskiw"/>

Under Hoxha's regime, Albania underwent a widespread campaign targeting religious clergy of various faiths, resulting in public persecution and executions, particularly targeting Muslims, Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox adherents.<ref name="Zickel/Iwaskiw"/> In 1946, religious estates underwent nationalization, coinciding with the closure or transformation of religious institutions into various other purposes.<ref name="Zickel/Iwaskiw"/> This culminated in 1976, when Albania became the world's first constitutionally atheist state.<ref name="Elsie p27">{{Cite book|title=Historical Dictionary of Albania|last=Elsie|first=Robert|publisher=[[The Scarecrow Press]]|year=2010|isbn=978-0-8108-6188-6|edition=2nd|series=Historical Dictionaries of Europe, No. 75|location=Lanham, MD, and Plymouth|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=haFlGXIg8uoC&pg=PA27 27]}}</ref> Under this regime, Albanians were forced to renounce their religious beliefs, adopt a secular way of life, and embrace socialist ideology.<ref name="Zickel/Iwaskiw"/><ref name="Elsie p27"/>

=== Fourth Republic ===
{{Main|Fall of communism in Albania}}
{{Further|Pyramid schemes in Albania|Albanian civil war of 1997|l1=Pyramid schemes|l2=civil war of 1997}}

[[File:Tirana Square 1988.jpg|thumb|right|In 1988, the first foreigners were allowed to walk into the car-free [[Skanderbeg Square]] in [[Tirana]].]]

After four decades of communism paired with the [[revolutions of 1989]], Albania witnessed a notable rise in political activism, particularly among students, which led to a transformation in the prevailing order. After the first [[multi-party elections]] of [[Albanian parliamentary election, 1991|1991]], the communist party maintained a stronghold in the parliament until its defeat in the [[Albanian parliamentary election, 1992|parliamentary elections of 1992]] directed by the [[Democratic Party of Albania|Democratic Party]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe]] (CSCE) |title=Report: The Elections in Albania |url=https://www.csce.gov/international-impact/publications/report-elections-albania |access-date=1 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001110932/https://www.csce.gov/international-impact/publications/report-elections-albania |archive-date=1 October 2020 |date=4 April 1991}}</ref> Considerable economic and financial resources were devoted to [[Pyramid schemes in Albania|pyramid schemes]] that were widely supported by the government. The schemes swept up somewhere between one sixth and one third of the population of the country.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Jarvis |first=Christopher |year=2000 |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2000/03/jarvis.htm |title=The Rise and Fall of the Albanian Pyramid Schemes |journal=Finance and Development |volume=37 |issue=1 |pages=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Bezemer |first=Dirk |year=2001 |title=Post-socialist Financial Fragility: The Case of Albania |journal=Cambridge Journal of Economics |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=1–25 |doi=10.1093/cje/25.1.1 |jstor=23599718 |hdl=10419/85494 |hdl-access=free |url=http://papers.tinbergen.nl/99045.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://papers.tinbergen.nl/99045.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the [[International Monetary Fund]]'s warnings, [[Sali Berisha]] defended the schemes as large investment firms, leading more people to redirect their remittances and sell their homes and cattle for cash to deposit in the schemes.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Musaraj |first=Smoki |year=2011 |title=Tales from Albarado: The Materiality of Pyramid Schemes in Post-socialist Albania |journal=Cultural Anthropology |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=84–110 |doi=10.1111/j.1548-1360.2010.01081.x}}</ref>

The schemes began to collapse in late 1996, leading many of the investors to join initially peaceful protests against the government, requesting their money back. The protests turned violent in February 1997 as government forces responded by firing on the demonstrators. In March, the Police and Republican Guard deserted, leaving their armories open. These were promptly emptied by militias and criminal gangs. The resulting [[Albanian Civil War|civil war]] caused a wave of evacuations of foreign nationals and refugees.<ref>For the most part, the [[Albanian diaspora|Albanian refugees]] emigrated to [[Albanians in Italy|Italy]], [[Albanian communities in Greece|Greece]], [[Albanians in Switzerland|Switzerland]], [[Albanians in Germany|Germany]], or North America.</ref>

The crisis led both [[Aleksandër Meksi]] and [[Sali Berisha]] to resign from office in the wake of the general election. In April 1997, [[Operation Alba]], a U.N. peacekeeping force led by Italy, entered Albania with two goals: to assist with the evacuation of expatriates and secure the ground for international organizations. The main international organization involved was the [[Western European Union]]'s [[Albanian civil war of 1997#International intervention|multinational]] [[Albanian Police]] element, which worked with the government to restructure the [[Judicial system of Albania|judicial system]] and simultaneously the Albanian police.
{{Clear}}

=== Contemporary ===
{{See also|Accession of Albania to the European Union|Albania–NATO relations|l1=Accession of Albania to the EU|l2=NATO}}
{{Further|2019 Albania earthquake|COVID-19 pandemic in Albania}}

[[File:2019-11-26_Mamurras,_Albania_M6.4_earthquake_shakemap_(USGS).jpg|thumb|right|The [[2019 Albania earthquake|earthquake of November 2019]] was the strongest to hit Albania in more than four decades.<ref>{{cite web |title=Significant Earthquake Information|last=National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information|url=https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazel/view/hazards/earthquake/event-more-info/10461|year=1972 |publisher=NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information|doi=10.7289/V5TD9V7K }}</ref>]]

After its [[Communist Albania|communist system]] disintegrated, Albania embarked on an active path toward [[Westernisation|Westernization]] with the ambition to obtain membership in the [[European Union]] (<span class="ltr">EU</span>) and the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO).<ref>{{cite web |last=Burden |first=Brandon |publisher=[[Naval Postgraduate School|Calhoun Naval Postgraduate School]] (NPS) |title=Nato's small states: Albania as a case study |url=https://calhoun.nps.edu/bitstream/handle/10945/51657/16Dec_Burden_Brandon.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |access-date=16 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418005451/https://calhoun.nps.edu/bitstream/handle/10945/51657/16Dec_Burden_Brandon.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |archive-date=18 April 2021 |pages=44–60 |date=December 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> A notable milestone was reached in 2009, when the country attained [[Albania–NATO relations|membership]] in NATO, marking a pioneering achievement among the nations of [[Southeast Europe]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) |title=Ceremony marks the accession of Albania and Croatia to NATO |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_52902.htm?selectedLocale=en |access-date=1 December 2019 |date=7 April 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |website=ambasadat.gov.al |publisher=Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Albania to NATO |title=Albania in NATO |url=http://www.ambasadat.gov.al/otan/en/albania-nato}}</ref> In adherence to its vision for further integration into the EU, it [[Accession of Albania to the European Union|formally applied]] for membership on 28 April 2009.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[European Commission]] (<span class="ltr">EC</span>) |title=Albania{{spaced ndash}}Eu-Albania relations |url=http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/potential-candidate-countries/albania/eu_albania_relations_en.htm  |access-date=1 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626032053/http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/potential-candidate-countries/albania/eu_albania_relations_en.htm |archive-date=26 June 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Another milestone was reached on 24 June 2014, when the country was granted [[Future enlargement of the European Union|official candidate status]].<ref name="EU CS">{{cite web |publisher=European Commission (<span class="ltr">EC</span>) |title=EU candidate status for Albania |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-439_en.htm |access-date=1 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505211210/https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_14_439 |archive-date=5 May 2023 |date=24 June 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Edi Rama]] of the [[Socialist Party of Albania|Socialist Party]] won both the [[Albanian parliamentary election, 2013|2013]] and [[Albanian parliamentary election, 2017|2017 parliamentary elections]]. As [[Prime Minister of Albania|prime minister]], he implemented numerous reforms focused on [[Modernism|modernizing]] the [[Economy of Albania|economy]], as well as democratizing state institutions, including the [[Judiciary of Albania|judiciary]] and [[Law enforcement in Albania|law enforcement]]. Unemployment has steadily declined, with Albania achieving the 4th-lowest [[List of countries by unemployment rate|unemployment rate]] in the Balkans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gazeta-shqip.com/lajme/2017/01/26/ahmetaj-premtimi-per-300-mije-vende-pune-eshte-mbajtur/|title=Ahmetaj: Premtimi për 300 mijë vende punë është mbajtur – Gazeta SHQIP Online|first=Gazeta|last=Shqip|website=gazeta-shqip.com}}</ref> Rama has also placed [[gender equality]] at the center of his agenda; since 2017 almost 50% of the ministers have been female, the largest number of women serving in the country's history.<ref>{{cite web|title=PM Rama at 'Global Leader Woman' Summit|url=http://www.ambasadat.gov.al/saudi-arabia/en/pm-rama-global-leader-woman-summit|website=ambasadat.gov.al}}</ref> During the [[2021 Albanian parliamentary election|2021 parliamentary elections]], the ruling Socialist Party led by Rama secured its third consecutive victory, winning nearly half of votes and enough seats in parliament to govern alone.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] (<span class="ltr">DW</span>) |title=Albania: PM Edi Rama secures third term for Socialist Party |url=https://www.dw.com/en/albania-pm-edi-rama-secures-third-term-for-socialist-party/a-57356202 |access-date=16 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610072140/https://www.dw.com/en/albania-pm-edi-rama-secures-third-term-for-socialist-party/a-57356202 |archive-date=10 June 2021 |date=27 April 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Crowcroft |first=Orlando |publisher=[[Euronews]] |title=Edi Rama claims 'beautiful victory' in Albanian election |url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/04/27/albanian-voters-head-to-the-polls-after-divisive-election-campaign |access-date=16 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430223803/https://www.euronews.com/2021/04/27/albanian-voters-head-to-the-polls-after-divisive-election-campaign |archive-date=30 April 2021 |date=27 April 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 26 November 2019, a 6.4 [[Moment magnitude scale|magnitude]] [[earthquake]] ravaged Albania, with the [[epicentre|epicenter]] about {{convert|16|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} southwest of the town of [[Mamurras]].<ref>{{cite anss|Albania|2019|us70006d0m|M 6.4 – 16&nbsp;km WSW of Mamurras, Albania |access-date=1 December 2019}}</ref> The tremor was felt in [[Tirana]] and in places as far away as [[Taranto]], Italy, and [[Belgrade]], Serbia, while the most affected areas were the coastal city of [[Durrës]] and the village of [[Kodër-Thumanë]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://earthquake-report.com/2019/11/26/very-strong-earthquake-albania-november-26-2019/ |title=Very Strong earthquake – Albania – November 26, 2019 |date=26 November 2019 |website=Earthquake-Report |access-date=1 December 2019 |archive-date=28 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128174146/https://earthquake-report.com/2019/11/26/very-strong-earthquake-albania-november-26-2019/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Comprehensive response to the earthquake included substantial humanitarian aid from the [[Albanian diaspora]] and various countries [[2019 Albania earthquake#International assistance|around the world]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Exit News |title=Albanians Raise $13 Million in 3 Days for Earthquake Relief |url=https://exit.al/en/2019/11/29/albanians-raise-13-million-in-3-days-for-earthquake-relief/ |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803175535/https://exit.al/en/2019/11/29/albanians-raise-13-million-in-3-days-for-earthquake-relief/ |archive-date=3 August 2020 |date=29 November 2019}}</ref>

On 9 March 2020, [[COVID-19 pandemic in Albania|COVID-19]] was confirmed to have spread to Albania.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Ministry of Health and Social Protection]] |title=Ministria e Shëndetësisë: Konfirmohen dy rastet e para me koronavirusin e ri |url=https://shendetesia.gov.al/ministria-e-shendetesise-konfirmohen-dy-rastet-e-para-me-koronavirusin-e-ri/ |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723160112/https://shendetesia.gov.al/ministria-e-shendetesise-konfirmohen-dy-rastet-e-para-me-koronavirusin-e-ri/ |archive-date=23 July 2020 |language=sq |date=9 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ruci |first=Ani |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] (<span class="ltr">DW</span>) |title=Shqipëria preket nga virusi Corona |url=https://www.dw.com/sq/shqip%C3%ABria-preket-nga-virusi-corona/a-52695009 |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803155129/https://www.dw.com/sq/shqip%C3%ABria-preket-nga-virusi-corona/a-52695009 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |language=sq |date=9 March 2020}}</ref> From March to June 2020, the government declared a [[state of emergency]] as a measure to limit the virus's spread.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[CNN International|A2 CNN]] |title=Masat për koronavirusin, Rama: Nga nesër postblloqe, gjobë 5000 euro kush thyen karantinën |url=https://a2news.com/2020/03/11/masat-per-koronavirusin-rama-nga-neser-postblloqe-gjobe-5000-euro-kush-thyen-karantinen/ |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803163323/https://a2news.com/2020/03/11/masat-per-koronavirusin-rama-nga-neser-postblloqe-gjobe-5000-euro-kush-thyen-karantinen/ |archive-date=3 August 2020 |language=sq |date=11 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Gjonaj |first=Arlinda |publisher=[[Albanian Telegraphic Agency]] (ATA) |title=Rama: Mbyllja e kufijve nuk këshillohet nga OBSH, vetëm kufizime të pjesshme |url=https://ata.gov.al/2020/03/09/rama-mbyllja-e-kufijve-nuk-keshillohet-nga-obsh-vetem-kufizime-te-pjesshme/ |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803163653/https://ata.gov.al/2020/03/09/rama-mbyllja-e-kufijve-nuk-keshillohet-nga-obsh-vetem-kufizime-te-pjesshme/ |archive-date=3 August 2020 |language=sq |date=9 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Cuka |first=Fatjon |publisher=[[Anadolu Agency]] (<span class="ltr">AA</span>) |title=COVID-19, në Shqipëri vazhdon lehtësimi i masave |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/sq/ballkani/covid-19-n%C3%AB-shqip%C3%ABri-vazhdon-leht%C3%ABsimi-i-masave-/1860741 |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803164706/https://www.aa.com.tr/sq/ballkani/covid-19-n%C3%AB-shqip%C3%ABri-vazhdon-leht%C3%ABsimi-i-masave-/1860741 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |language=sq |date=1 June 2020}}</ref> The country's COVID-19 [[COVID-19 vaccination in Albania|vaccination campaign]] started on 11 January 2021, but as of 11 August 2021, the total number of vaccines administered in Albania was 1,280,239 doses.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Ministry of Health and Social Protection]] |title=Fushata e vaksinimit 'Shqipëria buzëqesh' |url=https://shendetesia.gov.al/fushata-e-vaksinimit-shqiperia-buzeqesh/ |access-date=16 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816152924/https://shendetesia.gov.al/fushata-e-vaksinimit-shqiperia-buzeqesh/ |archive-date=16 August 2021 |language=sq |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Ministry of Health and Social Protection]] |title=Vaksinimi antiCOVID/ Kryhen 1,280,239 vaksinime |url=https://shendetesia.gov.al/vaksinimi-anticovid-kryhen-1280239-vaksinime/ |access-date=16 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814213946/https://shendetesia.gov.al/vaksinimi-anticovid-kryhen-1280239-vaksinime/ |archive-date=14 August 2021 |language=sq |date=11 August 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Environment ==

=== Geography ===
{{Main|Geography of Albania}}

[[File:Valbona_nga_Kukaj.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The [[Albanian Alps]] are an extension and simultaneously the highest section of the [[Dinaric Alps]].]]

Albania lies along the [[Mediterranean Sea]] on the [[Balkan Peninsula]] in [[Southern Europe|South]] and [[Southeast Europe]], and has an area of {{convert|28748|km2|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Albania pdf">{{cite web |last=Eftimi |first=R. |title=Some Considerations on Seawater-freshwater Relationship in Albanian Coastal Area |url=http://aguas.igme.es/igme/publica/tiac-02/ALBANIA-I.pdf |access-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725011907/http://aguas.igme.es/igme/publica/tiac-02/ALBANIA-I.pdf |archive-date=25 July 2020 |location=Tirana}}</ref> It is bordered by the [[Adriatic Sea]] to the west, [[Montenegro]] to the northwest, [[Kosovo]] to the northeast, [[North Macedonia]] to the east, [[Greece]] to the south, and the [[Ionian Sea]] to the southwest. It is between latitudes [[42nd parallel north|42°]] and [[39th parallel north|39° N]] and longitudes [[21st meridian east|21°]] and [[19th meridian east|19° E]]. Geographic coordinates include [[Vërmosh]] at 42° 35' 34" northern latitude as the northernmost point, [[Konispol]] at 39° 40' 0" northern latitude as the southernmost, [[Sazan Island|Sazan]] at 19° 16' 50" eastern longitude as the westernmost, and [[Vërnik]] at 21° 1' 26" eastern longitude as the easternmost.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Institute of Statistics (Albania)|Instituti i Statistikës]] (INSTAT) |url=http://www.instat.gov.al/graphics/doc/downloads/publikime/Tregues%20sipas%20qarqeve2006.pdf |title=Tregues Sipas Qarqeve Indicators by Prefectures |access-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724163040/http://www.instat.gov.al/graphics/doc/downloads/publikime/Tregues%20sipas%20qarqeve2006.pdf |archive-date=24 July 2011}}</ref> [[Mount Korab]], rising at {{convert|2764|m|ft|2|abbr=on}} [[Metres above the Adriatic|above the Adriatic]], is the highest point, while the Mediterranean Sea, at {{convert|0|m|ft|2|abbr=on}}, is the lowest. The country extends {{convert|148|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from east to west and around {{convert|340|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from north to south.

Albania has a diverse and varied landscape with mountains and hills that traverse its territory in various directions. The country is home to extensive mountain ranges, including the [[Albanian Alps]] in the north, the [[Korab|Korab Mountains]] in the east, the [[Pindus Mountains]] in the southeast, the [[Ceraunian Mountains]] in the southwest, and the [[Skanderbeg Mountains]] in the center. In the northwest is the [[Lake of Shkodër]], Southern Europe's largest lake.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bolevich|first1=Maria|title=Largest lake in southern Europe under threat from "eco-resort"|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2116873-largest-lake-in-southern-europe-under-threat-from-eco-resort/|website=New Scientist |date=3 January 2017}}</ref> Toward the [[Albanian Ohrid Lake Coast|southeast]] emerges the [[Lake of Ohrid]], one of the world's oldest continuously existing lakes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/99|publisher=UNESCO|pages=UNESCO|quote=Situated on the shores of Lake Ohrid, the town of Ohrid is one of the oldest human settlements in Europe; Lake Ohrid is a superlative natural phenomenon, providing refuge for numerous endemic and relict freshwater species of flora and fauna dating from the tertiary period. As a deep and ancient lake of tectonic origin, Lake Ohrid has existed continuously for approximately two to three million years.}}</ref> Farther south, the expanse includes the [[Prespa Lake|Large]] and [[Small Prespa Lake|Small Lake of Prespa]], some of the Balkans' highest lakes. Rivers rise mostly in the east and discharge into the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The country's longest river, measured from mouth to source, is the [[Drin River|Drin]], which starts at the confluence of its two headwaters, the [[Black Drin|Black]] and [[White Drin]]. Of particular concern is the [[Vjosë]], one of Europe's last intact large river systems.

=== Climate ===
{{Main|Climate of Albania}}

[[File:Gjipe_beach,_Albania.JPG|thumb|right|[[Gjipe]] is located on the confluence of the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic]] and [[Ionian Sea]], on the [[Albanian Riviera]].]]

The [[climate of Albania]] exhibits a distinguished level of variability and diversity due to the differences in latitude, longitude and altitude.<ref name="climate">{{cite web |publisher=[[United Nations Economic Commission for Europe]] (UNECE) |title=Environmental Performance Reviews Albania |url=http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/epr/epr_studies/AlbaniaII.pdf |access-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708192107/https://unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/epr/epr_studies/AlbaniaII.pdf |archive-date=8 July 2023 |page=30 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="climate2">{{cite web |publisher=Ministry of Environment of Albania |title=The First National Communication of the Republic of Albania to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) |url=https://unfccc.int/files/meetings/seminar/application/pdf/sem_albania_sup3.pdf |access-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://unfccc.int/files/meetings/seminar/application/pdf/sem_albania_sup3.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |location=Tirana |pages=33{{spaced ndash}}34 |url-status=live}}</ref> Albania experiences a [[Mediterranean climate|Mediterranean]] and [[Continental climate]], characterised by the presence of four distinct seasons.<ref name="climate1">{{cite web|author1=Ministry of Environment of Albania|title=Albania's Second National Communication to the Conference of Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|url=http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/albnc2.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/albnc2.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|website=unfccc.int|location=Tirana|page=28|author1-link=Ministry of Environment (Albania)}}</ref> According to the [[Köppen climate classification|Köppen classification]], Albania encompasses five primary climatic types, spanning from Mediterranean and [[Humid subtropical climate|subtropical]] in the western half to [[Oceanic climate|oceanic]], [[Humid continental climate|continental]] and [[Subarctic climate|subarctic]] in the eastern half of the country.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=World Bank Group |title=Albania: Climate Change Overview |url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/albania |access-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708191821/https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/albania |archive-date=8 July 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> The coastal regions along the [[Albanian Adriatic Sea Coast|Adriatic]] and [[Albanian Ionian Sea Coast|Ionian Seas]] in Albania are acknowledged as the warmest areas, while the northern and eastern regions encompassing the [[Albanian Alps]] and the [[Korab Mountains]] are recognised as the coldest areas in the country.<ref name="climate3"/> Throughout the year, the average monthly temperatures fluctuate, ranging from {{convert|-1|°C|°F|lk=on}} during the winter months to {{convert|21.8|°C|°F|lk=off}} in the summer months. Notably, the highest recorded temperature of {{convert|43.9|°C|°F|lk=off}} was observed in [[Kuçovë]] on 18 July 1973, while the lowest temperature of {{convert|-29|°C|°F|lk=off}} was recorded in Shtyllë, [[Librazhd]] on 9 January 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chemicals.al/doc/profili_shqip.pdf|title=PERGATITJA E PROFILIT KOMBETAR SHQIPETAR PER TE VLERESUAR STRUKTUREN KOMBETARE NE MENAXHIMIN E KIMIKATEVE DHE ZBATIMIN E UDHEZIMEVE TE SAICM|access-date=4 March 2018|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411202329/http://www.chemicals.al/doc/profili_shqip.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shqiptarja.com/aktualitet/2731/--8203-moti-regjistrohet-temperatura-rekord-ne-shqiperi---29-grade-ne-librazhd-396120.html|title=Moti, regjistrohet temperatura rekord në Shqipëri, – 29 gradë në Librazhd|access-date=4 March 2018|archive-date=4 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304172653/https://shqiptarja.com/aktualitet/2731/--8203-moti-regjistrohet-temperatura-rekord-ne-shqiperi---29-grade-ne-librazhd-396120.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Albania receives most of the [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] in winter months and less in summer months.<ref name="climate2"/> The average precipitation is about {{convert|1485|mm|in|abbr=off}}.<ref name="climate3"/> The mean annual precipitation ranges between {{convert|600|and|3000|mm|in|abbr=off}} depending on geographical location.<ref name="climate1"/> The [[Northern Mountain Range (Albania)|northwestern]] and [[Southern Mountain Range (Albania)|southeastern highlands]] receive the intenser amount of precipitation, whilst the [[Northern Mountain Range (Albania)|northeastern]] and [[Southern Mountain Range (Albania)|southwestern highlands]] as well as the [[Western Lowlands]] the more limited amount.<ref name="climate3">{{cite web|author1=Alban Kuriqi|title=Climate and climate change data for Albania|url=http://drinkadria.fgg.uni-lj.si/externalapp/content/climate/FB11_CC_Albania_national.pdf|website=drinkadria.fgg.uni-lj.si|location=Tirana|pages=3–5|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043318/http://drinkadria.fgg.uni-lj.si/externalapp/content/climate/FB11_CC_Albania_national.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Albanian Alps]] in the far north of the country are considered to be among the most humid regions of Europe, receiving at least {{convert|3100|mm|1|abbr=on}} of rain annually.<ref name="climate3"/> Four [[glacier]]s within these mountains were discovered at a relatively low altitude of {{convert|2000|m|ft}}, which is extremely rare for such a southerly latitude.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research |volume=41 |issue=4 |pages=455–459 |date=30 November 2009 |last1=Hughes |first1=Philip D. |title=Twenty-first Century Glaciers and Climate in the Prokletije Mountains, Albania|doi=10.1657/1938-4246-41.4.455|bibcode=2009AAAR...41..455H |doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Biodiversity ===
{{Main|Biodiversity of Albania}}
{{See also|List of ecoregions in Albania|l1=Ecoregions in Albania}}

[[File:Golden_eagle_(13434882845).jpg|thumb|right|The [[golden eagle]] is the national symbol and animal of Albania.]]

A [[biodiversity hotspot]], Albania possesses an exceptionally rich and contrasting [[biodiversity]] on account of its geographical location at the centre of the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and the great diversity in its [[climatic]], geological and [[hydrological]] conditions.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[BirdLife International]] |title=Mediterranean Basin Biodiversity Hotspot |url=https://www.cepf.net/sites/default/files/mediterranean-basin-2017-ecosystem-profile-english_0.pdf |access-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730213136/https://www.cepf.net/sites/default/files/mediterranean-basin-2017-ecosystem-profile-english_0.pdf |archive-date=30 July 2020 |date=July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[National Agency of Protected Areas (Albania)|National Agency of Protected Areas]] |title=Biodiversity in Albania |url=https://macfungi.webs.com/Fungi-Albanici/Report%20on%20National%20Situation%20of%20Biodiversity%20in%20Albania.pdf |access-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730213513/https://macfungi.webs.com/Fungi-Albanici/Report%20on%20National%20Situation%20of%20Biodiversity%20in%20Albania.pdf |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref> Because of remoteness, the mountains and hills of Albania are endowed with forests, trees and grasses that are essential to the lives for a wide variety of animals, among others for two of the most [[endangered species]] of the country, the [[Balkan lynx|lynx]] and [[brown bear]], as well as the [[wildcat]], [[grey wolf]], [[red fox]], [[golden jackal]], [[Egyptian vulture]] and [[golden eagle]], the latter constituting the national animal of the country.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Ministry of Tourism and Environment (Albania)|Ministry of Tourism and Environment]] |title=Fifth National Report of Albania to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) |url=https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/al/al-nr-05-en.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/al/al-nr-05-en.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |access-date=30 July 2020 |page=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=UNECE|title=Albania Environmental Performance Reviews|url=http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/epr/epr_studies/AlbaniaII.pdf|website=unece.org|page=141}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=On the status and distribution of the large carnivores (Mammalia: Carnivora) in Albania |url=http://www.catsg.org/balkanlynx/07_library/7_2_publications/Pdfs/Bego_2000_Status_and_distribution_of_large_carnivores_in_Albania.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.catsg.org/balkanlynx/07_library/7_2_publications/Pdfs/Bego_2000_Status_and_distribution_of_large_carnivores_in_Albania.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |access-date=30 July 2020 |location=Tirana |page=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Die potentielle Verbreitung der Wildkatze (Felis silvestris silvestris) in Österreich als Entscheidungsgrundlage für weitere Schutzmaßnahmen |url=https://www.wildkatze-in-oesterreich.at/pages_file/de/62/Habitateignung-Felis-silvestris-silvestris-Da-sarah-friembichler.pdf |website=wildkatze-in-oesterreich.at |location=Salzburg |page=19 |language=de |access-date=14 October 2018 |archive-date=9 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909073952/https://www.wildkatze-in-oesterreich.at/pages_file/de/62/Habitateignung-Felis-silvestris-silvestris-Da-sarah-friembichler.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The estuaries, wetlands and lakes are extraordinarily important for the [[greater flamingo]], [[pygmy cormorant]] and the extremely rare and perhaps the most iconic bird of the country, the [[dalmatian pelican]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania|title=Albanian Nature|url=http://www.ppnea.org/albanian_nature.html|website=ppnea.org |access-date=4 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831152920/http://ppnea.org/albanian_nature.html |archive-date=31 August 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Of particular importance are the [[Mediterranean monk seal]], [[loggerhead sea turtle]] and [[green sea turtle]] that use to nest on the country's coastal waters and shores.

In terms of [[phytogeography]], Albania is part of the [[Boreal Kingdom]] and stretches specifically within the [[Illyria]]n province of the [[Circumboreal Region|Circumboreal]] and [[Mediterranean Basin|Mediterranean Region]]. Its territory can be subdivided into four terrestrial [[ecoregion]]s of the [[Palearctic realm]] namely within the [[Illyrian deciduous forests]], [[Balkan mixed forests]], [[Pindus Mountains mixed forests]] and [[Dinaric Mountains mixed forests]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=NaturAL|title=Albania towards NATURA 2000|url=http://www.natura.al/page.php?lang=en&section=albaniatowardsn2000|website=natura.al|location=Tirana|page=1|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=11 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311223347/http://www.natura.al/page.php?lang=en&section=albaniatowardsn2000|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The National Parks of Albania The fifteen national parks in Albania encompass an area of 210,668.48 hectares which accounts for about 3.65% of the overall territory of the country.|url=http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-national-parks-of-albania-protecting-the-natural-treasures-of-the-country.html|website=worldatlas.com|date=11 September 2019 |quote=The territory of Albania can be divided into four ecoregions: Dinaric Alpine (mixed forests in the far north). Balcanic (mixed forest in the north-east). Pindus mountain (mixed forests covering the central and southeast mountains). Illyrian deciduous (forest covering the rest of the country).}}</ref>

Approximately 3,500 different species of plants can be found in Albania which refers principally to a [[Mediterranean]] and [[Eurasia]]n character. The country maintains a vibrant tradition of herbal and medicinal practices. At the minimum 300 plants growing locally are used in the preparation of herbs and medicines.<ref>{{cite web |author=Ministry of Environment |title=Gap Analysis for Nature Protection Legal Acts on Wild Fauna Conservation and Hunting (Albania) |url=https://www.al.undp.org/content/dam/albania/docs/FINAL%20GAP.pdf |website=al.undp.org |pages=86–99 |access-date=4 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014204539/https://www.al.undp.org/content/dam/albania/docs/FINAL%20GAP.pdf |archive-date=14 October 2018 |url-status=dead|author-link=Ministry of Environment (Albania)}}</ref> The trees within the forests are primarily [[fir]], [[oak]], [[beech]] and [[pine]].

== Conservation ==

[[File:Ksamill-1.jpg|thumb|right|The [[islets of Ksamil]] lie in the [[Butrint National Park]].]]

Albania has been an active participant in numerous international agreements and conventions aimed at strengthing its commitment to the preservation and sustainable management of biological diversity. Since 1994, the country is a party to the [[Convention on Biological Diversity]] (CBD) and its associated [[Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety|Cartagena]] and [[Nagoya Protocol]]s.<ref name="CBD">{{cite web |publisher=[[Convention on Biological Diversity]] (CBD) |title=Country Profiles: Albania{{spaced ndash}}Main Details |url=https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/?country=al#:~:text=In%20Albania%2C%203%2C200%20taxa%20of,are%20endemic%20to%20the%20country. |access-date=4 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904154959/https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/?country=al |archive-date=4 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> To uphold these commitments, it has developed and implemented a comprehensive [[Biodiversity action plan|National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan]] (NBSAP).<ref name="CBD"/> Furthermore, Albania has established a partnership with the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] (IUCN), advancing its conservation efforts on both national and international scales. Guided by the IUCN, the country has made substantial progress in the foundation of [[protected area]]s within its boundaries, encompassing 12 [[national park]]s among others [[Butrint National Park|Butrint]], [[Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park|Karaburun-Sazan]], [[Llogara National Park|Llogara]], [[Prespa National Park (Albania)|Prespa]] and [[Vjosa Wild River National Park|Vjosa]].<ref name="New NP">{{cite journal |date=26 January 2022 |title=Për miratimin e ndryshimit të statusit dhe të sipërfaqes së ekosistemeve natyrore park kombëtar (kategoria ii) të zonave të mbrojtura mjedisore |url=https://qbz.gov.al/alfresco/api/-default-/public/alfresco/versions/1/nodes/9bdebcfb-5b0f-4d93-9854-5183906bd793/content?attachment=true&alf_ticket=TICKET_e8d425ce36bd2eaf13017ada30e7b7e30a4a8a93 |journal=[[Official Publishing Center (Albania)|Qendra e Botimeve Zyrtare]] |access-date=2 September 2023}}</ref>

As a signatory to the [[Ramsar Convention]], Albania has granted special recognition upon four wetlands, designating them as Wetlands of International Importance, including [[Buna (Adriatic Sea)|Buna]]-[[Lake Skadar|Shkodër]], [[Butrint Lagoon|Butrint]], [[Karavasta Lagoon|Karavasta]] and [[Lake Prespa|Prespa]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Ramsar Convention]] |title=Annotated List of Wetlands of International Importance: Albania |url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/rsiswp_search/exports/Ramsar-Sites-annotated-summary-Albania.pdf |access-date=4 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904155518/https://rsis.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/rsiswp_search/exports/Ramsar-Sites-annotated-summary-Albania.pdf |archive-date=4 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> The country's dedication to protection extends further into the sphere of [[UNESCO]]'s [[World Network of Biosphere Reserves]], operating within the framework of the [[Man and the Biosphere Programme]], evidenced by its engagement in the [[Ohrid-Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) |title=Ohrid-Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, Albania/North Macedonia |url=https://en.unesco.org/biosphere/eu-na/ohrid-prespa |access-date=4 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904155725/https://en.unesco.org/biosphere/eu-na/ohrid-prespa |archive-date=4 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=Euronatur |title=Prespa-Ohrid region: Ancient lakes and undiscovered mountain ranges |url=https://www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-do/project-areas/project-areas-a-z/balkan-green-belt/projects/prespa-ohrid-region/ |access-date=20 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920142057/https://www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-do/project-areas/project-areas-a-z/balkan-green-belt/projects/prespa-ohrid-region/ |archive-date=20 September 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Furthermore, Albania is host to two natural [[World Heritage Site]]s, which encompass the Ohrid region and both the [[Gashi River]] and [[Rrajce|Rrajca]] as part of [[Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe]].<ref name="Ancient Primeval Beech Forests">{{cite web |publisher=United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) |title=Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe |url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1133 |access-date=20 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912222952/http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1133 |archive-date=12 September 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Protected areas ===
{{Main|Protected areas of Albania}}

[[File:A fishermen house in Karavasta Lagoon (Divjakë-Karavasta National Park).jpg|thumb|The [[lagoon of Karavasta]] within the [[Divjakë-Karavasta National Park]].]]

The [[protected areas of Albania]] are areas designated and managed by the [[Albanian government]]. There are 12 [[national park]]s, 4 [[ramsar site]]s, 1 [[biosphere reserve]] and 786 other types of conservation reserves in Albania.<ref name="New NP"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Shumka |first=Spase |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]] (UNDP) |title=Albania's Biodiversity and Protected Areas An Executive Summary |url=https://www.undp.org/content/dam/albania/docs/short_report_design.pdf |access-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726213843/https://www.undp.org/content/dam/albania/docs/short_report_design.pdf |archive-date=26 July 2020}}</ref> Located in the north, the Albanian Alps National Park, comprising the former [[Theth National Park]] and [[Valbonë Valley National Park]], is surrounded amidst the towering peaks of the [[Accursed Mountains|Albanian Alps]]. In the east, portions of the rugged [[Korab]], [[Nemërçka]] and [[Shebenik]] Mountains are conserved within the boundaries of [[Fir of Hotovë-Dangëlli National Park]], [[Shebenik National Park]] and [[Prespa National Park (Albania)|Prespa National Park]], with the latter encompassing Albania's share of the [[Prespa Lake|Great]] and [[Small Prespa Lake|Small Lakes of Prespa]].

To the south, the [[Ceraunian Mountains]] define the [[Albanian Ionian Sea Coast]], shaping the landscape of [[Llogara National Park]], which extends into the [[Karaburun Peninsula, Albania|Karaburun Peninsula]], forming the [[Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park]]. Further southward lies [[Butrint National Park]], occupying a peninsula surrounded by the Lake of Butrint and the [[Channel of Vivari]]. In the west, stretching along the [[Albanian Adriatic Sea Coast]], the [[Divjakë-Karavasta National Park]] boasts the extensive [[Lagoon of Karavasta]], one of the largest lagoon systems in the Mediterranean Sea. Notably, Europe's first wild river national park, [[Vjosa Wild River National Park|Vjosa National Park]], safeguards the [[Vjosa|Vjosa River]] and its primary tributaries, which originates in the [[Pindus]] Mountains and flows to the Adriatic Sea. [[Dajti Mountain National Park]], [[Lurë-Dejë Mountain National Park]] and [[Tomorr Mountain National Park]] protect the mountainous terrain of the center of Albania, including the [[Tomorr]] and [[Skanderbeg Mountains]].

=== Environmental issues ===
{{Main|Environmental issues in Albania}}

Environmental issues in Albania notably encompass [[Air pollution|air]] and [[water pollution]], [[Climate change in Albania|climate change]] impacts, [[waste management]] shortcomings, [[Conservation biology|biodiversity loss]] and imperative for [[nature conservation]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Sida's Helpdesk for Environment and Climate Change (SLU) |title=Albania Environment and Climate Change Policy Brief |url=https://sidaenvironmenthelpdesk.se/digitalAssets/1616/1616252_albania-eccpb-alb-nov-2011.pdf |access-date=5 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905140139/https://sidaenvironmenthelpdesk.se/digitalAssets/1616/1616252_albania-eccpb-alb-nov-2011.pdf |archive-date=5 September 2021 |page=2 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme|United Nations Development Programme Albania]] (UNDP) |title=Albania: Environment and Climate Change |url=https://www.al.undp.org/content/albania/en/home/crisis-response/in-depth.html |access-date=5 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922152100/https://www.al.undp.org/content/albania/en/home/crisis-response/in-depth.html |archive-date=22 September 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Climate change is predicted to exert significant impacts on the quality of life in Albania.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[World Bank]] |title=Climate Risk Country Profile Albania |url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/15812-Albania%20Country%20Profile-WEB.pdf |access-date=6 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906121926/https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/15812-Albania%20Country%20Profile-WEB.pdf |archive-date=6 September 2021 |page=12 |url-status=live}}</ref> The country is recognised as [[Climate change vulnerability|vulnerable to climate change]] impacts, ranked 79 among 181 countries in the [[Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index]] of 2020.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index]] (ND-GAIN) |title=ND-GAIN Country Index |url=https://gain.nd.edu/our-work/country-index/rankings/ |access-date=10 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610151125/https://gain.nd.edu/our-work/country-index/rankings/ |archive-date=10 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Factors that account for the country's vulnerability to climate change risks include geological and hydrological [[hazard]]s, including earthquakes, flooding, fires, landslides, torrential rains, river and coastal erosion.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Ministry of Tourism and Environment (Albania)|Ministry of Environment]] |title=Third National Communication of the Republic of Albania under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change |url=https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Albania%20NC3_13%20October%202016_0.pdf |access-date=6 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707035551/https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Albania%20NC3_13%20October%202016_0.pdf |archive-date=7 July 2021 |page=143 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Shehu |first1=Elfrida |last2=Skrame |first2=Klodian |title=Integrated methodologies for seismic risk mitigation in Durrës (Albania) after the seismic event of November 26th, 2019 |journal=Egu General Assembly Conference Abstracts |date=3 March 2021 |doi=10.5194/egusphere-egu21-14861 |bibcode=2021EGUGA..2314861S |s2cid=237983340 |url=https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU21/EGU21-14861.html |access-date=6 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906121628/https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU21/EGU21-14861.html |archive-date=6 September 2021 |url-status=live |doi-access= free|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

As a party to the [[Kyoto Protocol]] and the [[Paris Agreement]], Albania is committed to reduce [[greenhouse gas emissions]] by 45% and achieve [[carbon neutrality]] by 2050 which, along with national policies, will help to mitigate the impacts of the climate change.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (Albania)|Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs]] |title=Albanian National Statement ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment |url=https://www.unocha.org/sites/unocha/files/Albania%20-%20HAS%20General%20Statement.pdf |access-date=5 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725053956/https://www.unocha.org/sites/unocha/files/Albania%20-%20HAS%20General%20Statement.pdf |archive-date=25 July 2021 |date=23 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> The country has a moderate and improving performance in the [[Environmental Performance Index]] with an overall ranking of 62 out of 180 countries in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Environmental Performance Index]] (EPI) |title=2022 Environmental Performance Index Results |url=https://epi.yale.edu/epi-results/2022/component/epi |access-date=10 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610151325/https://epi.yale.edu/epi-results/2022/component/epi |archive-date=10 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Albania's ranking has, however, decreased since its highest placement at position 15 in the Environmental Performance Index of 2012.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Columbia University]], [[Yale University]] |title=2012 Environmental Performance Index and Pilot Trend Environmental Performance Index |url=https://wbc-rti.info/object/document/7519/attach/2012EPI_Report.pdf |access-date=5 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528081455/https://wbc-rti.info/object/document/7519/attach/2012EPI_Report.pdf |archive-date=28 May 2020 |page=10 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, Albania had a [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 6.77 from 10, ranking it 64th globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal |title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity – Supplementary Material|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|year=2020|issn=2041-1723|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|pmid=33293507|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=Degemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|last15=Ervin|first15=J.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first17=E.|last18=Goetz|first18=S.|last19=Hansen|first19=A.|last20=Hofsvang|first20=E.|last21=Jantz|first21=P.|last22=Jupiter|first22=S.|last23=Kang|first23=A.|last24=Langhammer|first24=P.|last25=Laurance|first25=W. F.|last26=Lieberman|first26=S.|last27=Linkie|first27=M.|last28=Malhi|first28=Y.|last29=Maxwell|first29=S.|last30=Mendez|first30=M.|page=5978|pmc=7723057|bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G |display-authors=29}}</ref>

{{Panorama |image=Prespa_and_Prespa_National_Park_Albania_2017.jpg |height=210px |caption={{Center|The [[Prespa National Park (Albania)|Prespa National Park]] in southeastern Albania is part of the [[European Green Belt]] and [[Ohrid-Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve|Ohrid-Prespa Biosphere Reserve]].}}}}

== Politics ==
{{Main|Politics of Albania}}
{{See also|Government of Albania}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; float:right; margin-right:9px; margin-left:2px;"
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[File:Bajram Begaj (infobox crop).jpg|108px]]
| style="text-align:left;" | [[File:Edi_Rama - Feb2020.jpg|120px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Bajram Begaj]]<br/>{{Small|[[President of Albania|President]]}}
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Edi Rama]]<br/>{{Small|[[Prime Minister of Albania|Prime Minister]]}}
|}

Since declaring independence in 1912, Albania has experienced a significant political transformation, traversing through distinct periods that included a monarchical rule, a communist regime and the eventual establishment of a democratic order.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[NATO|North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) |title=Legal and Institutional Reform in albania after the Democratic Revolution (1991{{spaced ndash}}1997) |url=https://www.nato.int/acad/fellow/95-97/luarasi.pdf |access-date=10 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230910150444/https://www.nato.int/acad/fellow/95-97/luarasi.pdf |archive-date=10 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1998, Albania transitioned into a [[sovereign state|sovereign]] [[parliamentary republic|parliamentary]] [[constitutional republic]], marking a fundamental milestone in its political evolution.<ref name="Kushtetuta">{{cite web |publisher=[[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] (OSCE) |title=Constitution of the Republic of Albania |url=https://www.osce.org/albania/41888 |access-date=10 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230910145807/https://www.osce.org/albania/41888 |archive-date=10 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Its governance structure operates under a [[Constitution of Albania|constitution]] that serves as the principal document of the country.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Food and Agriculture Organization]] (FAO) |title=Constitution of Albania |url=https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC072561/ |access-date=10 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230910150216/https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC072561/ |archive-date=10 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> The constitution is grounded in the principle of the [[separation of powers]], with three arms of government that encompass the legislative embodied in the [[Parliament of Albania|Parliament]], the executive led by the [[President of Albania|President]] as the ceremonial [[head of state]] and the [[Prime Minister of Albania|Prime Minister]] as the functional [[head of government]], and the judiciary with a hierarchy of courts, including the [[Constitutional Court of Albania|constitutional]] and [[Supreme Court of Albania|supreme courts]] as well as multiple [[Appeals courts of Albania|appeal]] and [[Administrative Courts in Albania|administrative courts]].<ref name="Kushtetuta"/>

Albania's legal system is structured to protect its people's political rights, regardless of their ethnic, linguistic, racial, or religious affiliations.<ref name="Kushtetuta"/><ref name="FH2023">{{cite web |publisher=[[Freedom House]] |title=Albania: Freedom in the World 2023 |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/albania/freedom-world/2023 |access-date=10 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230910183519/https://freedomhouse.org/country/albania/freedom-world/2023 |archive-date=10 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite these principles, there are significant human rights concerns in Albania that demand attention.<ref name="USDS Politics">{{cite web |publisher=[[United States Department of State]] |title=2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Albania |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/albania/ |access-date=10 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230910184101/https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/albania/ |archive-date=10 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> These concerns include issues related to the independence of the judiciary, the absence of a free media sector and the enduring problem of corruption within various governmental bodies, law enforcement agencies and other institutions.<ref name="USDS Politics"/> As Albania pursues its path toward EU membership, active efforts are being made to achieve substantial improvements in these areas to align with EU criteria and standards.<ref name="FH2023"/>

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Albania}}

[[File:Artigianato Arberesh.jpg|thumb|right|Assisted by the governments of [[Kosovo]] and Albania, an official application for the inclusion of the [[Arbëreshë people]] in the list of [[UNESCO]]'s [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists|Intangible Cultural Heritage]] is being prepared.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Telegrafi |title=Arbëreshët kërkojnë ndihmë nga Tirana (Video) |date=4 April 2017 |url=https://telegrafi.com/arbereshet-kerkojne-ndihme-nga-tirana-video/ |access-date=4 April 2017 |language=sq}}</ref>]]

Emerging from decades of isolation during the communism, Albania has adopted a [[Foreign relations of Albania|foreign policy]] orientation centered on active cooperation and engagement in international affairs. At the core of Albania's foreign policies lie a set of objectives, which encompass the commitment to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the cultivation of diplomatic ties with other countries, advocating for [[international recognition of Kosovo]], addressing the concerns related to the [[expulsion of Cham Albanians]], pursuing Euro-Atlantic integration and protecting the rights of the Albanians in [[Albanians in Kosovo|Kosovo]], [[Albanians in greece|Greece]], [[Arbëreshë people|Italy]], [[Albanians in Montenegro|Montenegro]], [[Albanians in Macedonia|North Macedonia]], [[Albanians in south Serbia|Serbia]] and the [[Albanian diaspora|diaspora]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Aydın |first1=Abdurrahim F. |last2=Progonati |first2=Erjada |title=Albanian foreign policy in the post-communist era |journal=Unisci Discussion Papers |date=May 2011 |volume=26 |doi=10.5209/REV_UNIS.2011.V26.37824 |s2cid=154016018|doi-access=free }}</ref>

The external affairs of Albania underscore the country's dedication to regional stability and integration into major international institutions.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (Albania)|Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs]] |title=Albania in the region |url=https://punetejashtme.gov.al/en/shqiperia-ne-rajon/ |access-date=3 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603154057/https://punetejashtme.gov.al/en/shqiperia-ne-rajon/ |archive-date=3 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Albania became a member of the [[United Nations]] (<span class="ltr">UN</span>) in 1955, shortly after emerging from a period of isolation during the communist era.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs |title=Meeting Global Challenges Through Partnership Albania For UN Security Council 2022{{spaced ndash}}2023 |url=https://punetejashtme.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Security-Council-UN.pdf |access-date=4 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904125516/https://punetejashtme.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Security-Council-UN.pdf |archive-date=4 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> The country reached a major achievement in its foreign policy by securing membership in the [[NATO|North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[NATO|North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) |title=Nato member countries |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_52044.htm |access-date=3 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903225501/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_52044.htm |archive-date=3 September 2023 |date=8 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) |title=Ceremony marks the accession of Albania and Croatia to Nato |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_52902.htm |access-date=3 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903225736/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_52902.htm |archive-date=3 September 2023 |date=7 April 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> Since obtaining candidate status in 2014, the country has also embarked on a comprehensive reform agenda to align itself with European Union (<span class="ltr">EU</span>) accession standards, with the objective of becoming an EU member state.<ref name="EU CS"/>

Albania and Kosovo maintain a fraternal relationship strengthened by their substantial cultural, ethnical and historical ties.<ref name="AlbKosRelation">{{cite web |publisher=Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs |title=Relations with Regional Countries |url=https://punetejashtme.gov.al/en/shqiperia-ne-rajon/marredheniet-me-vendet-e-rajonit/ |access-date=4 September 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230904132650/https://punetejashtme.gov.al/en/shqiperia-ne-rajon/marredheniet-me-vendet-e-rajonit/ |archive-date=4 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Both countries foster enduring diplomatic ties, with Albania actively supporting Kosovo's development and international integration efforts.<ref name="AlbKosRelation"/> Its fundamental contribution to [[2008 Kosovo declaration of independence|Kosovo's path to independence]] is underscored by its early [[International recognition of Kosovo|recognition of Kosovo's sovereignty]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dhimolea |first=Antonela |publisher=[[Friedrich Ebert Foundation]] |title=Comprehensive cooperation between Albania and Kosovo as an auxiliary instrument to a speedy regional economic integration |url=https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/albanien/20321.pdf |access-date=4 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904133234/https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/albanien/20321.pdf |archive-date=4 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Furthermore, both governments hold annual joint meetings, displayed by the inaugural meeting in 2014, which serves as an official platform to enhance bilateral cooperation and reinforce their joint commitment to policies that promote the stability and prosperity of the broader Albanian region.<ref name="AlbKosRelation"/>

=== Military ===
{{Main|Armed Forces of Albania}}

[[File:Albanian special operations forces, provide security as Afghan Border Police (ABP) break ground on a new checkpoint in the district of Spin Boldak, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 25, 2013 130325-A-MX357-127.jpg|thumb|right|[[Albanian Land Force|Albanian soldiers]] in the [[Kandahar Province|Province of Kandahar]], Afghanistan]]

The [[Albanian Armed Forces]] consist of [[Albanian Land Force|Land]], [[Albanian Air Force|Air]] and [[Albanian Naval Force|Naval Force]]s and constitute the military and paramilitary forces of the country. They are led by a [[commander-in-chief]] under the supervision of the [[Ministry of Defence (Albania)|Ministry of Defence]] and by the [[President of Albania|President]] as the supreme commander during wartime. However, in times of peace its powers are executed through the [[Prime Minister of Albania|Prime Minister]] and the [[Ministry of Defence (Albania)|Defence Minister]].<ref name="constitution">{{cite constitution |article=169 |section=1 |country=Albania |ratified=28 November 1998 |url=http://www.osce.org/albania/41888 |access-date=6 July 2016}}</ref>

The chief purpose of the armed forces of Albania is the defence of the independence, the [[sovereignty]] and the [[territorial integrity]] of the country, as well as the participation in humanitarian, combat, non-combat and peace support operations.<ref name="constitution"/> [[Military service]] is voluntary since 2010 with the age of 19 being the legal minimum age for the duty.<ref>{{cite web|title=Albania to end conscription by 2010|url=https://www.wri-irg.org/node/745|website=wri-irg.org |date=22 August 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Albania Military 2017|url=http://www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/albania/albania_military.html|website=theodora.com}}</ref>

Albania has committed to increase the participations in multinational operations.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Ministry of Defence|title=Engagement Policy and evidence of AAF participation in PK missions|url=http://www.mod.gov.al/arkiv/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=902:politika-e-angazhimit-dhe-evidenca-e-pjesemarrjes-se-farsh-ne-misione-paqeruajtese-dhe-luftarake-te-drejtuara-nga-nato-be-dhe-okb&catid=197:misione-nderkombetare&Itemid=588|website=mod.gov.al|author1-link=Ministry of Defence (Albania)}}</ref> Since the fall of communism, the country has participated in six international missions but only one United Nations mission in [[UNOMIG|Georgia]], where it sent three military observers. Since February 2008, Albania has participated officially in NATO's [[Operation Active Endeavor]] in the [[Mediterranean Sea]].<ref>[http://www.nato.int/isminor sues/active_endeavour/index.html Operation Active Endeavour]. nato.int {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830210539/http://www.nato.int/issues/active_endeavour/index.html |date=30 August 2011}}</ref> It was invited to join NATO on 3 April 2008, and it became a full member on 2 April 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Albania membership Nato |publisher=NATO |url=http://www.nato.int/issues/nato_albania/evolution.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728003727/http://www.nato.int/issues/nato_albania/evolution.html |archive-date=28 July 2011}}</ref>

Albania reduced the number of active troops from 65,000 in 1988 to 14,500 in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1935630.stm |work=BBC News |title=Albania sells off its military hardware |date=17 April 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2008/08/21/feature-03 |title=Albania to abolish conscription by 2010 |work=Southeast European Times |date=21 August 2008 |access-date=29 December 2009}}</ref> The military now consists mainly of a small fleet of aircraft and sea vessels. Increasing the military budget was one of the most important conditions for [[NATO]] integration. As of 1996 military spending was an estimated 1.5% of the country's GDP, only to peak in 2009 at 2% and fall again to 1.5%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Albanian military expenditure as % of GDP|url=https://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_&met_y=ms_mil_xpnd_gd_zs&idim=country:ALB&dl=en&q=military+expenditure+of+albania#!ctype=l&strail=false&bcs=d&nselm=h&met_y=ms_mil_xpnd_gd_zs&scale_y=lin&ind_y=false&rdim=region&idim=country:ALB&ifdim=region&dl=en&ind=false|publisher=World Bank}}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|Administrative divisions of Albania}}
{{See also|Counties of Albania|Regions of Albania|Municipalities of Albania|Communes of Albania|List of cities and towns in Albania|Villages of Albania}}

Albania is defined within a territorial area of {{convert|28748|km2|0|abbr=on}} in the [[Balkan Peninsula]]. It is informally divided into three regions, the [[Northern Albania|Northern]], [[Central Albania|Central]] and [[Southern Albania|Southern Region]]s. Since [[Albanian Declaration of Independence|its Declaration of Independence]] in 1912, Albania has reformed [[Administrative divisions of Albania#History|its internal organization]] 21 times. Presently, the primary [[administrative divisions of Albania|administrative units]] are the twelve constituent [[counties of Albania|counties]] ({{lang|sq|{{linktext|qarqe|lang=sq}}/{{linktext|qarqet|lang=sq}}}}), which hold equal status under the law.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Government of Albania]] |title=Reforma Administrativo-territoriale |url=https://www.parlament.al/download/studime_propozime_per_komisioni_p--r_reform--n_administrativo-territoriale/KRITERET-TEKNIKE-PROPOZIMI-PER-KOMISIONIN-28-PRILL-2014.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.parlament.al/download/studime_propozime_per_komisioni_p--r_reform--n_administrativo-territoriale/KRITERET-TEKNIKE-PROPOZIMI-PER-KOMISIONIN-28-PRILL-2014.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |page=8 |language=sq}}</ref> Counties had previously been used in the 1950s and were recreated on 31 July 2000 to unify the 36 [[Districts of Albania|districts]] ({{lang|sq|{{linktext|rrathë|lang=sq}}/{{linktext|rrathët|lang=sq}}}}) of that time.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Brief History of the Administrative-territorial Organisation in Albania |url=http://www.reformaterritoriale.al/en/reform/history |website=reformaterritoriale.al |access-date=27 September 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609225417/http://www.reformaterritoriale.al/en/reform/history |archive-date=9 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="terref">{{Cite web |url=http://www.reformaterritoriale.al/en/roadmap/history |title=A Brief History of the Administrative-territorial Organization in Albania |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524170836/http://www.reformaterritoriale.al/en/roadmap/history |archive-date=24 May 2015}}</ref> The largest county in Albania by population is [[Tirana County]] with over 800,000 people. The smallest county, by population, is [[Gjirokastër County]] with over 70,000 people. The largest county, by area, is [[Korçë County]] encompassing {{convert|3711|km²|sqmi}} of the southeast of Albania. The smallest county, by area, is [[Durrës County]] with an area of {{convert|766|km²|sqmi}} in the west of Albania.

The counties are made up of 61 second-level divisions known as [[municipalities of Albania|municipalities]] ({{lang|sq|{{linktext|bashki|lang=sq}}/{{linktext|bashkia|lang=sq}}}}).<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Fletorja Zyrtare e Republikës së Shqipërisë]] |title=STRATEGJIA NDËRSEKTORIALE PËR DECENTRALIZIMIN DHE QEVERISJEN VENDORE 2015–2020 |url=http://www.qbz.gov.al/botime/fletore_zyrtare/2015/PDF-2015/147-2015.pdf |page=9 |language=sq |access-date=23 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630232453/http://qbz.gov.al/botime/fletore_zyrtare/2015/PDF-2015/147-2015.pdf |archive-date=30 June 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The municipalities are the first level of local governance, responsible for local needs and [[Law enforcement in Albania|law enforcement]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moi.gov.al/english/images/pdf/qeverisja_vendore.pdf |title=On the Organization and Functioning of the Local Government, Republic of Albania, 2000 |access-date=27 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215175046/http://www.moi.gov.al/english/images/pdf/qeverisja_vendore.pdf |archive-date=15 February 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shekulli.com.al/web/p.php?id=38109&kat=88 |title=Ndarja e re, mbeten 28 bashki, shkrihen komunat &#124; Shekulli Online |publisher=Shekulli.com.al |date=10 January 2014 |access-date=15 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140113102623/http://www.shekulli.com.al/web/p.php?id=38109&kat=88 |archive-date=13 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reformaterritoriale.al/ |title=Reforma Territoriale – KRYESORE |publisher=Reformaterritoriale.al |access-date=15 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170514063154/http://www.reformaterritoriale.al/ |archive-date=14 May 2017}}</ref> They unified and simplified the previous system of [[urban municipalities of Albania|urban]] and [[rural municipalities of Albania|rural municipalities]] or [[Communes of Albania|communes]] ({{lang|sq|{{linktext|komuna|lang=sq}}/{{linktext|komunat|lang=sq}}}}) in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.top-channel.tv/lajme/artikull.php?id=292404|title=Ndarja administrative, njësitë vendore në lagje dhe fshatra|access-date=7 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925225940/http://top-channel.tv/lajme/artikull.php?id=292404|archive-date=25 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shekulli.com.al/web/p.php?id=38109&kat=88|title=Ndarja e re, mbeten 28 bashki, shkrihen komunat – Shekulli Online|publisher=Shekulli.com.al |access-date=23 July 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140113102623/http://www.shekulli.com.al/web/p.php?id=38109&kat=88 |archive-date=13 January 2014}}</ref> For smaller issues of [[local government]], the municipalities are organized into 373 [[administrative units of Albania|administrative units]] ({{lang|sq|njësia}}/{{lang|sq|njësitë administrative}}). There are also 2980 villages ({{lang|sq|{{linktext|fshatra|lang=sq}}/{{linktext|fshatrat|lang=sq}}}}), neighborhoods or wards ({{lang|sq|{{linktext|lagje|lang=sq}}/{{linktext|lagjet|lang=sq}}}}), and localities ({{lang|sq|{{linktext|lokalitete|lang=sq}}/{{linktext|lokalitetet|lang=sq}}}}) previously used as administrative units.

<div style="float: right;margin:0 2em 0 0;">{{Albania Counties Labelled Map}}</div>
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:85%; margin:1em auto;"
|- style="font-size:100%; text-align:right;"
! style="width:25px;" | [[Coat of arms|Emblem]] !! style="width:100px;"| [[Counties of Albania|County]] !! style="width:87px;"| Capital !! style="width:75px;" | Area <br/>(km<sup>2</sup>) !! style="width:70px;"| [[List of counties of Albania by population|Population]] (2020) !! style="width:70px;" | [[List of counties of Albania by Human Development Index|HDI]] (2019)
|-
! scope="row" style=text-align:center | [[File:Stema e Qarkut Berat.svg|17px|alt=Emblem of Berat County]]
| [[Berat County|Berat]] || [[Berat]] || style=text-align:right | 1,798 || style=text-align:right | 122,003 || style=text-align:right | 0.782
|-
! scope="row" style=text-align:center | [[File:ALB Qarku i Dibrës COA.png|17px|alt=Emblem of Dibër County]]
| [[Dibër County|Dibër]] || [[Peshkopi]] || style=text-align:right | 2,586 || style=text-align:right | 115,857 || style=text-align:right | 0.754
|-
! scope="row" style=text-align:center | [[File:Stema e Qarkut Durrës.svg|17px|alt=Emblem of Durrës County]]
| [[Durrës County|Durrës]] || [[Durrës]] || style=text-align:right | 766 || style=text-align:right | 290,697 || style=text-align:right | 0.802
|-
! scope="row" style=text-align:center | [[File:Stema e Qarkut Elbasan.svg|17px|alt=Emblem of Elbasan County]]
| [[Elbasan County|Elbasan]] || [[Elbasan]] || style=text-align:right | 3,199 || style=text-align:right | 270,074 || style=text-align:right | 0.784
|-
! scope="row" style=text-align:center | [[File:Stema e Qarkut Fier.svg|17px|alt=Emblem of Fier County]]
| [[Fier County|Fier]] || [[Fier]] || style=text-align:right | 1,890 || style=text-align:right | 289,889 || style=text-align:right | 0.767
|-
! scope="row" style=text-align:center | [[File:Stema e Qarkut Gjirokastër.svg|17px|alt=Emblem of Gjirokastër County]]
| [[Gjirokastër County|Gjirokastër]] || [[Gjirokastër]] || style=text-align:right | 2,884 || style=text-align:right | 59,381 || style=text-align:right | 0.794
|-
! scope="row" style=text-align:center | [[File:Stema e Qarkut Korçë.svg|17px|alt=Emblem of Korçë County]]
| [[Korçë County|Korçë]] || [[Korçë]] || style=text-align:right | 3,711 || style=text-align:right | 204,831 || style=text-align:right | 0.790
|-
! scope="row" style=text-align:center | [[File:Stema e Qarkut Kukës.svg|17px|alt=Emblem of Kukës County]]
| [[Kukës County|Kukës]] || [[Kukës]] || style=text-align:right | 2,374 || style=text-align:right | 75,428 || style=text-align:right | 0.749
|-
! scope="row" style=text-align:center | [[File:Stema e Qarkut Lezhë.svg|17px|alt=Emblem of Lezhë County]]
| [[Lezhë County|Lezhë]] || [[Lezhë]] || style=text-align:right | 1,620 || style=text-align:right | 122,700 || style=text-align:right | 0.769
|-
! scope="row" style=text-align:center | [[File:Stema e Qarkut Shkodër.svg|17px|alt=Emblem of Shkodër County]]
| [[Shkodër County|Shkodër]] || [[Shkodër]] || style=text-align:right | 3,562 || style=text-align:right | 200,007 || style=text-align:right | 0.784
|-
! scope="row" style=text-align:center | [[File:Stema e Qarkut Tiranë.svg|17px|alt=Emblem of Tirana County]]
| [[Tirana County|Tirana]] || [[Tirana]] || style=text-align:right | 1,652 || style=text-align:right | 906,166 || style=text-align:right | 0.820
|-
! scope="row" style=text-align:center | [[File:Stema e Qarkut Vlorë.svg|17px|alt=Emblem of Vlorë County]]
| [[Vlorë County|Vlorë]] || [[Vlorë]] || style=text-align:right | 2,706 || style=text-align:right | 188,922 || style=text-align:right | 0.802
|-
|-class="sortbottom"
| colspan=20 align="left" |References:<ref name="Population INSTAT">{{cite web |publisher=[[Institute of Statistics (Albania)|Instituti i Statistikës]] (INSTAT) |title=Popullsia në 1 Janar sipas qarqeve dhe gjinisë 2001 – 2020 |url=http://databaza.instat.gov.al/pxweb/sq/DST/START__DE/POP02/?rxid=d22d8b80-0683-490a-b7a8-09b7debdb5bb |access-date=22 July 2020 |language=sq |archive-date=10 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010005303/http://databaza.instat.gov.al/pxweb/sq/DST/START__DE/POP02/?rxid=d22d8b80-0683-490a-b7a8-09b7debdb5bb |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database–Global Data Lab |url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/ |access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref>
|}
{{Clear}}

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Albania}}
{{update section|date=May 2023}}

[[File:Toptani Shopping Mall Tirana 2016.jpg|thumb|right|[[Tirana]] is the economic hub of the country. It is home to major domestic and foreign companies operating in the country.]]

Albania's transition from a socialist [[planned economy]] to a capitalist [[mixed economy]] has been largely successful.<ref name="worlddiplomacy">{{cite web |url=http://www.worlddiplomacy.org/Countries/Albania/InfoAlb.html |title=Albania |publisher=World Diplomacy |access-date=1 August 2014 |archive-date=8 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808034526/http://www.worlddiplomacy.org/Countries/Albania/InfoAlb.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The country has a [[Developing country|developing]] mixed economy classified by the [[World Bank]] as an [[List of countries by GNI (nominal, Atlas method) per capita#Upper-middle-income group|upper-middle income economy]]. In 2016, it had the fourth-lowest [[List of countries by unemployment rate|unemployment rate]] in the [[Balkans]] with an estimated value of 14.7%. Its largest trading partners are Italy, Greece, China, Spain, Kosovo and the United States. The [[Albanian lek|lek]] (ALL) is the country's currency and is [[Fixed exchange rate|pegged]] at approximately 132.51 lek per euro.

The cities of [[Tirana]] and [[Durrës]] constitute the economic and financial heart of Albania due to their high population, modern infrastructure and strategic geographical location. The country's most important infrastructure facilities take course through both of the cities, connecting the north to the south as well as the west to the east. Among the largest [[List of companies of Albania|companies]] are the petroleum [[Taçi Oil]], [[Albpetrol]], [[ARMO oil refiner|ARMO]] and Kastrati, the mineral [[AlbChrome]], the cement [[Antea Cement|Antea]], the investment [[Samir Mane|BALFIN Group]] and the technology [[Albtelecom]], [[Vodafone Albania|Vodafone]], [[Telekom Albania]] and others.

In 2012, Albania's [[GDP per capita]] stood at 30% of the [[European Union]] average, while [[GDP (PPP) per capita]] was 35%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/2-12122013-BP/EN/2-12122013-BP-EN.PDF|title=GDP per capita in purchasing power standards in 2012|publisher=Eurostat |access-date=14 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227203914/http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/2-12122013-BP/EN/2-12122013-BP-EN.PDF |archive-date=27 December 2013}}</ref> Albania was one of three countries in Europe to record an economic growth in the first quarter of 2010 after the [[global financial crisis]].<ref>Business: Albania, Cyprus register economic growth [http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/roundup/2009/05/15/roundup-bs-03 SEtimes.com]</ref><ref>Strong economic growth potential puts Albania and Panama top of long term investment list, [http://www.propertywire.com/news/related-stories/albania-panama-long-term-investment-200807201344.html Propertywire.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414045328/http://www.propertywire.com/news/related-stories/albania-panama-long-term-investment-200807201344.html |date=14 April 2009}}</ref> The [[International Monetary Fund]] predicted 2.6% growth for Albania in 2010 and 3.2% in 2011.<ref>International Monetary Fund (IMF), 9 October 2010. [http://www.imf.org/external/country/alb/index.htm Albania and the IMF]</ref> According to ''[[Forbes]]'', {{as of|2016|December|lc=y}}, the [[Gross Domestic Product (GDP)]] was growing at 2.8%. The country had a [[trade balance]] of −9.7% and [[unemployment rate]] of 14.7%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.instat.gov.al/media/344133/atfp_t3_-_2016___.pdf|title=Instituti i Statistikave|publisher=Instituti i Statistikave – Tiranë |access-date=6 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220203637/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/344133/atfp_t3_-_2016___.pdf |archive-date=20 December 2016}}</ref> [[Foreign direct investment]] has increased significantly in recent years as the government has embarked on an ambitious programme to improve the business climate through fiscal and legislative reforms.

=== Primary sector ===
{{main|Agriculture in Albania}}

[[File:Berat_kale_-_panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|Grapes in [[Berat]]. Due to the [[Mediterranean climate]], [[Albanian wine|wine]], [[olive]]s and [[citrus fruit]]s are mostly produced in Southern Albania.]]

Agriculture in the country is based on small to medium-sized family-owned dispersed units. It remains a significant sector of the [[economy of Albania]]. It employs 41%<ref>{{cite web|title=Albanian employment rate increases in agriculture, services sector in Q1 2016|url=http://www.fdi.gov.cn/1800000121_37_49409_0_7.html|website=fdi.gov.cn|access-date=15 June 2016|archive-date=22 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922195106/http://www.fdi.gov.cn/1800000121_37_49409_0_7.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> of the population, and about 24.31% of the land is used for agricultural purposes. One of the earliest farming sites in Europe has been found in the southeast of the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uc.edu/news/NR.aspx?id=15552 |title=UC Research Reveals One of the Earliest Farming Sites in Europe |publisher=University of Cincinnati |date=16 April 2012 |access-date=17 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910103042/http://www.uc.edu/news/NR.aspx?id=15552 |archive-date=10 September 2015}}</ref> As part of the pre-accession process of Albania to the [[European Union]], farmers are being aided through [[Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance|IPA]] funds to improve Albanian agriculture standards.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/albania/ipa/2011/pf_7_agriculture_ipard_like_measures.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/albania/ipa/2011/pf_7_agriculture_ipard_like_measures.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=IPA National Programme 2011 for Albania Project Fiche 7: Support to Agriculture and Rural Development |publisher=European Commission}}</ref>

Albania produces significant amounts of fruits (apples, [[olive]]s, grapes, oranges, lemons, [[apricot]]s, [[peach]]es, [[Cherry|cherries]], [[figs]], [[Prunus cerasus|sour cherries]], [[plum]]s, and [[Strawberry|strawberries]]), [[Vegetable oil|vegetables]] (potatoes, tomatoes, maize, onions, and wheat), [[sugar beet]]s, tobacco, meat, [[honey]], [[dairy product]]s, traditional medicine and [[Essential oil|aromatic plants]]. Further, the country is a worldwide significant producer of [[salvia]], [[rosemary]] and [[Gentiana lutea|yellow gentian]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=Dhimitër Doka|title=Albaniens vergessener Exportschlager|url=https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/web/kosmos-humboldtianer-im-fokus-91-4.html|website=humboldt-foundation.de|access-date=10 May 2016|language=de|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201082108/https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/web/kosmos-humboldtianer-im-fokus-91-4.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The country's proximity to the [[Ionian Sea]] and the [[Adriatic Sea]] give the underdeveloped fishing industry great potential. The [[World Bank]] and [[European Community]] economists report that, Albania's fishing industry has good potential to generate export earnings because prices in the nearby Greek and Italian markets are many times higher than those in the Albanian market. The fish available off the coasts of the country are [[carp]], [[trout]], [[sea bream]], [[mussel]]s and [[crustacean]]s.

Albania has one of Europe's longest histories of [[viticulture]].<ref name="winealbania1">[http://www.winealbania.com winealbania.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208101841/http://winealbania.com/ |date=8 February 2011}} Wine Albania Portal</ref> Today's region was one of the few places where vine was naturally grown during the ice age. The oldest found seeds in the region are 4,000 to 6,000 years old.<ref name="Stevenson2011">{{cite book|author=Tom Stevenson|title=The Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8S7IkQEACAAJ|year=2011|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|isbn=978-1-4053-5979-5}}</ref> In 2009, the nation produced an estimated 17,500 tonnes of wine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://faostat.fao.org/site/636/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=636#ancor |title=Wine production (tons) |publisher=[[Food and Agriculture Organization]] |page=28 |access-date=18 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520105103/http://faostat.fao.org/site/636/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=636 |archive-date=20 May 2011}}</ref>

=== Secondary sector ===
{{See also|Category:Mines in Albania}}

[[File:Something in Albania (10759257413).jpg|thumb|right|The [[Antea Cement|Antea]] factory in [[Fushë-Krujë]]]]

Albania's secondary sector has undergone many changes and diversification since the communist regime collapsed. It is very diversified, from [[Electronics industry|electronics]], [[Manufacturing industries|manufacturing]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Manufacturing & garment industry|url=https://invest-in-albania.org/manufacturing-garment-industry/ |date=1 June 2014}}</ref> [[Textile industry|textiles]], to [[Food industry|food]], [[Cement industry|cement]], [[Mining industry|mining]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Mining sector|url=https://invest-in-albania.org/mining-sector/ |date=1 June 2014}}</ref> and [[Energy industry|energy]]. The [[Antea Cement]] plant in [[Fushë-Krujë]] is considered one of the nation's largest industrial greenfield investments.<ref>{{cite web|title=ANTEA, the company with the highest working standards|url=http://www.anteacement.com/2015/06/20/antea-the-company-with-the-highest-working-standards/|website=anteacement.com|access-date=17 April 2017|archive-date=18 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418081831/http://www.anteacement.com/2015/06/20/antea-the-company-with-the-highest-working-standards/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Albanian oil and gas is one of the most promising, albeit strictly regulated, sectors of its economy. Albania has the [[List of countries by proven oil reserves|second-largest oil deposits]] in the [[Balkan peninsula]] after [[Romania]], and the largest [[Patos-Marinza Oil Field|oil reserves]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/bankerspetroleum-idUSL3E7F724020110407 |work=Reuters |title=UPDATE 1-Bankers Petroleum's key Albanian oilfield output jumps in Q1 |date=7 April 2011 |access-date=30 June 2017 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924152246/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/07/bankerspetroleum-idUSL3E7F724020110407 |url-status=live }}</ref> in Europe. The [[Albpetrol]] company is owned by the Albanian state and monitors the state petroleum agreements in the country. The textile industry has seen an extensive expansion by approaching companies from the [[European Union]] (<span class="ltr">EU</span>) in Albania. According to the [[Institute of Statistics (Albania)|Institute of Statistics (INSTAT)]], {{As of|2016|lc=y}}, textile production had an annual growth of 5.3% and an annual turnover of around 1.5&nbsp;billion euros.<ref>{{cite web|title=Textile industry in Albania is unprepared for a potential influx of import orders|url=http://www.balkaneu.com/textile-industry-albania-unprepared-potential-influx-import-orders/|website=balkaneu.com |date=24 August 2014}}</ref>

Albania is a significant minerals producer and ranks among the world's leading [[chromium]] producers and exporters.<ref>{{cite book|title=Europe Review 2003/04: The Economic and Business Report|pages=3–7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hwi0s3I5jLEC&q=largest%20chrome%20producer%20in%20the%20world%20albania&pg=PA5 |isbn=9780749440671|year=2003|last1=Page|first1=Kogan Kogan|publisher=Kogan Page Publishers}}</ref> The nation is also a notable producer of copper, nickel, and coal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Albania – Mining and Minerals|url=https://www.export.gov/article?id=Albania-Mining-and-Minerals|date=15 August 2016|access-date=17 April 2017|archive-date=18 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418083842/https://www.export.gov/article?id=Albania-Mining-and-Minerals|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Batra mine]], [[Bulqizë mine]], and [[Thekna mine]] are among the most recognized Albanian mines still in operation.

=== Tertiary sector ===
{{see also|Banking in Albania|Telecommunications in Albania|Tourism in Albania|l1=Banking|l2=Telecommunications}}
[[File:Ksamil Albania . Albanian Riviera.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Islets of Ksamil]], in the south of the [[Albanian Ionian Sea Coast]]]]
The [[tertiary sector]] represents the fastest growing sector of the country's economy. 36% of the population work in the service sector which contributes to 65% of the country's GDP.<ref name="DSSA">{{cite web |author1=Oltiana Muharremi, Filloreta Madani, Erald Pelari |title=The Development of the Service Sector in Albania and Its Future |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271105196 |website=researchgate.net |pages=2–9}}</ref> Ever since the end of the 20th century, the [[banking industry]] is a major component of the tertiary sector and remains in good conditions overall due to [[privatisation]] and the commendable [[monetary policy]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Analysis of the Albanian Banking System in the Transition Years |url=https://www.ijbcnet.com/2-4/IJBC-12-2406.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.ijbcnet.com/2-4/IJBC-12-2406.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |website=ijbcnet.com}}</ref><ref name="DSSA"/>

Previously one of the most [[Isolationism|isolated]] and controlled countries in the world, [[telecommunication industry]] represents nowadays another major contributor to the sector. It developed largely through privatisation and subsequent investment by both domestic and foreign investors.<ref name="DSSA"/> [[Eagle Mobile|Eagle]], [[Vodafone Albania|Vodafone]] and [[Telekom Albania]] are the leading [[telecommunications service provider]]s in the country.

Tourism is recognised as an industry of national importance and has been steadily increasing since the beginnings of the 21st century.<ref>{{cite web |title=TOURISM AND EMPLOYMENT IN ALBANIA – IS THERE A STRONG CORRELATION? |url=http://www.asecu.gr/files/13th_conf_files/Tourism-and-Employment-in-Albania-Is-There-A-Strong-Correlation.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.asecu.gr/files/13th_conf_files/Tourism-and-Employment-in-Albania-Is-There-A-Strong-Correlation.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |website=asecu.gr |pages=1–9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Eglantina Hysa – Epoka University |title=INFLUENCE OF TOURISM SECTOR IN ALBANIAN GDP: ESTIMATION USING MULTIPLE REGRESSION METHOD |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/308111717 |website=researchgate.net |location=Tirana |pages=1–6}}</ref> It directly accounted for 8.4% of GDP in 2016 though including indirect contributions pushes the proportion to 26%.<ref>{{cite web|author1=World Travel & Tourism Council|title=Travel & Tourism: Economic Impact 2017: Albania|url=https://www.wttc.org/.../econo.../countries-2017/albania2017.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.wttc.org/.../econo.../countries-2017/albania2017.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|website=wttc.org|location=London|page=12|author1-link=World Travel & Tourism Council}}{{dead link|date=November 2017}}</ref> In the same year, the country received approximately 4.74&nbsp;million visitors mostly from across Europe and the United States as well.<ref>{{cite web|title=Arrivals of foreign citizens by Lëvizjet e shtetasve shqiptarë dhe të huaj and Month|url=http://databaza.instat.gov.al/.../Tr.../table/tableViewLayout2/...|website=databaza.instat.gov.al}}{{dead link|date=November 2017}}</ref>

The increase of foreign visitors has been dramatic. Albania had only 500,000 visitors in 2005, and an estimated 4.2&nbsp;million in 2012, an increase of 740 percent. In 2015, summer tourism increased by 25 percent from 2014, according to the country's tourism agency.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.travel-gazette.com/…/number-of-tourists-to-alba…/
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311214704/http://www.travel-gazette.com/%E2%80%A6/number-of-tourists-to-alba%E2%80%A6/
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=11 March 2021
|title=Number of tourists to Albania up 25 pct during summer 2015 |author=<!--Staff writer(<span class="ltr">s</span>); no by-line.--> |date=4 October 2015 |website=Travel Gazette |access-date=9 February 2017}}</ref> In 2011, [[Lonely Planet]] named Albania as a top travel destination,<ref name="Lonely Planet's top 10">{{cite web |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/…/travel-tips-and-articles/76164 |title=Lonely Planet's top 10 countries for 2011&nbsp;– travel tips and articles&nbsp;– Lonely Planet |access-date=7 August 2013 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>{{failed verification|date=November 2017|reason=How could a 2011 article talk about 2015? anyway link needs updating}} while ''[[The New York Times]]'' placed Albania as number 4 global tourist destination in 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/…/01/10/tra…/2014-places-to-go.html…|title=52 Places to Go in 2014 |work=The New York Times|date=5 September 2014}}{{dead link|date=November 2017}}</ref>

The bulk of the tourist industry is concentrated along the [[Adriatic]] and [[Ionian Sea]] in the west of the country. But the [[Albanian Riviera]] in the southwest has the most scenic and pristine beaches; its coastline has a considerable length of {{convert|446|km|abbr=off}}.<ref>{{cite book|title=Sustainable Development of Sea-Corridors and Coastal Waters: The TEN ECOPORT project in South East Europe|publisher=Springer|isbn=9783319113852|page=85|edition=Chrysostomos Stylios, Tania Floqi, Jordan Marinski, Leonardo Damiani |date=7 April 2015}}</ref> The coast has a distinctive character, rich in varieties of virgin beaches, capes, coves, covered bays, lagoons, small gravel beaches, sea caves, and many landforms. Some parts of this seaside are very clean ecologically, including unexplored areas, which are very rare within the [[Mediterranean]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://albania.al/explore/natural-heritage/coast-line |title=Coastline &#124; The Official website of Albanian Tourism |publisher=Albania.al |access-date=15 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809003858/http://www.albania.al/explore/natural-heritage/coast-line |archive-date=9 August 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Other attractions include the mountainous areas such as the [[Albanian Alps]], [[Ceraunian Mountains]] and [[Korab]] Mountains but also the historical cities of [[Berat]], [[Durrës]], [[Gjirokastër]], [[Sarandë]], [[Shkodër]] and [[Korçë]].

=== Transport ===
{{Main|Transport in Albania}}

[[File:Autostrada Durrës-Morina-05.jpg|thumb|right|[[Durrës-Kukës Highway|Rruga e Kombit]] connects the [[Adriatic Sea]] across the [[Western Lowlands]] with the [[Albanian Alps]].]] [[File:Terminal jashte.jpg|thumb|right|[[Tirana International Airport]] is named in honour of the Albanian nun and missionary [[Mother Teresa]].]]

Transportation in Albania is managed within the functions of the [[Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (Albania)|Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy]] and entities such as the [[Albanian Road Authority]] (ARRSH), responsible for the construction and maintenance of the [[Highways in Albania|highways]] and [[motorways in Albania|motorways]] in Albania, as well as the [[Civil Aviation Authority (Albania)|Albanian Aviation Authority]] (AAC), with the responsibility of coordinating civil aviation and airports in the country.

The [[Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza|international airport]] of [[Tirana]] is the premier air gateway to the country, and is also the principal hub for Albania's national [[flag carrier]] airline, [[Air Albania]]. The airport carried more than 3.3 million passengers in 2019 with connections to many destinations in other countries around [[Europe]], [[Africa]] and [[Asia]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Institute of Statistics (Albania)|Instituti i Statistikës]] (INSTAT) |title=Statistikat e transportit |url=http://www.instat.gov.al/media/6649/statistikat-e-transportit_dhjetor_2019.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/6649/statistikat-e-transportit_dhjetor_2019.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |access-date=8 July 2020 |page=2 |language=sq |date=27 January 2019}}</ref> The country plans to progressively increase the number of airports especially in the south with possible locations in [[Sarandë]], [[Gjirokastër]] and [[Vlorë International Airport|Vlorë]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Tirana Times |title=Turkish consortium bids to build Vlora airport as Albania prepares to launch national carrier |url=http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=135404 |website=tiranatimes.com |date=17 January 2018}}</ref>

The [[Highways in Albania|highways]] and [[motorways in Albania]] are properly maintained and often still under construction and renovation. The [[A1 motorway (Albania)|Autostrada 1]] (A1) is an integral transportation corridor and the country's longest motorway. It is planned to link [[Durrës]] on the Adriatic Sea across [[Pristina]] in Kosovo with the [[Pan-European Corridor X]] in Serbia.<ref name="SEETO">{{cite web |author1=South East Europe Transport Observatory (SEETO) |title=THE CORE TRANSPORT NETWORK South-East Europe Transport Observatory SEETO |url=https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/pdf/projects-in-focus/donor-coordination/2-3_april_2009/working_group_transport_seeto_en.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/pdf/projects-in-focus/donor-coordination/2-3_april_2009/working_group_transport_seeto_en.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |publisher=European Commission |page=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Serbia and Kosovo Only Beginning to Form Infrastructural Links: Peace Highway to Connect the Region |url=https://kossev.info/serbia-and-kosovo-only-beginning-to-form-infrastructural-links-peace-highway-to-connect-the-region/ |website=kossev.info |date=15 April 2018}}</ref> The [[A2 motorway (Albania)|Autostrada 2]] (A2) is part of the [[Adriatic–Ionian motorway|Adriatic–Ionian Corridor]] as well as the [[Pan-European Corridor VIII]] and connects [[Fier]] with [[Vlorë]].<ref name="SEETO"/> The [[A3 motorway (Albania)|Autostrada 3]] (A3) is under construction and after its completion will connect [[Tirana]] and [[Elbasan]] with the Pan-European Corridor VIII. When all three corridors are completed, Albania will have an estimated {{convert|759|km}} of highway, linking it with all neighboring countries.

[[Port of Durrës|Durrës]] is the busiest and largest [[seaport]] in the country, followed by [[Port of Vlorë|Vlorë]], [[Port of Shëngjin|Shëngjin]] and [[Port of Sarandë|Sarandë]]. {{as of|2014}}, it is as one of the largest passenger ports on the [[Adriatic Sea]], with annual passenger volume of about 1.5&nbsp;million. The principal ports serve a system of ferries connecting Albania with islands and coastal cities in Croatia, Greece, and Italy.

The rail network is administered by the national railway company [[Hekurudha Shqiptare]], which was extensively promoted by Hoxha. There has been considerable increase in private car ownership and bus usage while rail use decreased since the end of communism. A new railway line from Tirana and its airport to Durrës is planned. The location of this railway, connecting Albania's most populated urban areas, makes it an important economic development project.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rabeta|first1=Lorenc|title=Trenat e rinj Tiranë-Durrës-Rinas me 222 pasagjerë, 112 të ulur|url=http://shqiptarja.com/news.php?IDNotizia=396302|website=dailynews.al|access-date=12 January 2017|archive-date=13 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113141207/http://shqiptarja.com/news.php?IDNotizia=396302|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hekurudha Tiranë-Rinas-Durrës, Haxhinasto: Projekti përfundon në 2019|url=http://www.top-channel.tv/lajme/artikull.php?id=329857|website=top-channel.tv|language=sq |date=25 June 2016 |access-date=4 January 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928055749/http://top-channel.tv/lajme/artikull.php?id=329857 |archive-date=28 September 2017}}</ref>

== Infrastructure ==
=== Education ===
{{Main|Education in Albania}}

[[File:Akademia_e_arteve_Ergys_Veliu_Photography.jpg|thumb|right|The [[University of Arts (Albania)|University of Arts]] is the largest higher education institute dedicated to the study of arts.]]

In Albania, education is secular, free, [[Compulsory education|compulsory]], and based on three levels.<ref name="Official">{{cite web |title=Language Education Policy Profile: Albania Country Report |url=https://rm.coe.int/language-education-policy-profile-albania-country-report/16807b3b2d |location=Tirana |date=October 2016}}</ref><ref name="Epnuffic">{{cite web |title=The Albanian education system described and compared with the Dutch system|url=https://www.epnuffic.nl/en/publications/find-a-publication/education-system-albania.pdf |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20171014102820/https://www.epnuffic.nl/en/publications/find-a-publication/education-system-albania.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 October 2017 |date=1 January 2015}}</ref> The academic year is apportioned into two semesters, beginning in September or October and ending in June or July. [[Albanian language|Albanian]] is the [[primary language]] of instruction in the country's [[state school|academic institution]]s.<ref name="Epnuffic"/> The study of a first [[foreign language]] is mandatory and taught most often at elementary and bilingual schools.<ref name="foreign languages">{{cite web |title=Language Education Policy Profile 2015 – 2017 ALBANIA |url=https://rm.coe.int/language-education-policy-profile-albania/168073cf89 |website=rm.coe.int |location=Tirana |pages=13–18}}</ref> Languages taught in schools are English, Italian, French and German.<ref name="foreign languages"/> Albania has a [[school life expectancy]] of 16 years and a [[literacy rate]] of 98.7%, with 99.2% for men and 98.3% for women.<ref>{{cite web|title=SCHOOL LIFE EXPECTANCY|url=http://world.bymap.org/SchoolLifeExpectancy.html|website=world.bymap.org |date=31 January 2017}}</ref><ref name=cia_fb2013>{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Albania|access-date=21 June 2013|year=2013}}</ref>

Compulsory primary education is divided into two levels, elementary and secondary school, from grade one to five and six to nine, respectively.<ref name="Official"/> Pupils are required to attend school from the age six until they turn 16. Upon successful completion of primary education, all pupils are entitled to attend high schools, specializing in any field, including arts, sports, languages, sciences, and technology.<ref name="Official"/>

Tertiary education is optional and has undergone a thorough reformation and restructuring in compliance with the principles of the [[Bologna Process]]. There are a significant number of private and public [[institutions of higher education]] in Albania's major cities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Overview of the Higher Education System Albania |url=https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/sites/eacea-site/files/countryfiche_albania_2017.pdf |publisher=European Commission |pages=12–16 |date=February 2017 |access-date=30 October 2018 |archive-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930135101/https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/sites/eacea-site/files/countryfiche_albania_2017.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Epnuffic"/> Tertiary education is organized into three successive levels, the [[Bachelor's degree|bachelor]], [[Master's degree|master]], and [[Doctorate Degree|doctorate]].

=== Health ===
{{Main|Health in Albania}}

[[File:Olive-oil-1412361 1920.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Albanian cuisine]] from the Mediterranean, which is characterised by the use of fruits, vegetables and [[olive oil]], contributes to the good nutrition of the country's population.<ref>{{cite web |title=Health Care Systems in Transition Albania 2002 |url=http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/96426/E80089.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/96426/E80089.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |publisher=World Health Organization |page=17}}</ref>]]

The [[constitution of Albania]] guarantees its citizens equal, free, and [[universal health care]].<ref>{{cite web |title=1998 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA |url=https://www.osce.org/albania/41888?download=true |website=osce.org |page=10}}</ref> The health care system is organized into [[Primary healthcare|primary]], [[Secondary care|secondary]], and [[tertiary healthcare]], and is in a process of modernization and development.<ref name="cod">{{cite web |title=Albania Demographic and Health Survey 2008–09 |url=https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR230/FR230.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR230/FR230.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |website=dhsprogram.com |page=37 |date=March 2010}}</ref><ref name="hospitals">{{cite web|url=http://www.euro.who.int/document/e80089.pdf |title=Albania-prel.pmd |access-date=29 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091227181701/http://www.euro.who.int/document/E80089.pdf |archive-date=27 December 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[life expectancy]] at birth in Albania is 77.8 years, ranking [[List of countries by life expectancy|37th]] in the world and surpassing several [[developed countries]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html?countryName=Albania&countryCode=al&regionCode=eu&rank=51#al|title=Life Expectancy at Birth|publisher=CIA&nbsp;– The World Factbook|access-date=10 October 2009|archive-date=13 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713025849/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html?countryName=Albania&countryCode=al&regionCode=eu&rank=51#al|url-status=dead}}</ref> The average [[Life expectancy#Healthy life expectancy|healthy life expectancy]] is 68.8 years, ranking 37th in the world.<ref>{{cite web|author1=WHO|title=Healthy life expectancy at birth, 2000–2015|url=http://gamapserver.who.int/gho/interactive_charts/mbd/hale_1/atlas.html|publisher=World Health Organization|access-date=9 December 2017|archive-date=13 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013084820/http://gamapserver.who.int/gho/interactive_charts/mbd/hale_1/atlas.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The country's [[infant mortality rate]] was estimated at 12 per 1,000 live births in 2015. In 2000, the country had the world's 55th-best healthcare performance, as defined by the [[World Health Organization]].<ref>{{Cite journal |url=http://pages.stern.nyu.edu/~wgreene/Statistics/WHO-COMP-Study-30.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://pages.stern.nyu.edu/~wgreene/Statistics/WHO-COMP-Study-30.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=Measuring overall health system performance for 191 countries |author=World Health Organization |publisher=New York University|author-link=World Health Organization}}</ref>

[[Cardiovascular disease]] is the principal cause of death in Albania, accounting for 52% of deaths.<ref name="cod"/> [[Accident]]s, injuries, [[Malignant disease|malignant]] and [[respiratory disease]]s are other primary causes of death.<ref name="cod"/> [[Neuropsychiatric disorders|Neuropsychiatric disease]] has also increased due to recent demographic, social, and economic changes in the country.<ref name="cod"/>

In 2009, Albania had a fruit and vegetable supply of 886 grams per capita per day, the fifth-highest supply in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Albania |url=http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/243282/Albania-WHO-Country-Profile.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/243282/Albania-WHO-Country-Profile.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |publisher=World Health Organization |page=3}}</ref> Compared to other developed and developing countries, Albania has a relatively low rate of [[obesity]], probably thanks to the [[Mediterranean diet]].<ref>{{cite news|title=The World Is Getting Fatter and No One Knows How to Stop It|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2016-global-obesity/|publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |date=6 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Living Smart, the Mediterranean Way of Being Albanian|url=http://agroweb.org/?id=10&l=2106&ln=en&url=living-smart-the-mediterranean-way-of-being-albanian|website=agroweb.org|date=1 May 2017|access-date=24 June 2017|archive-date=17 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917171550/http://agroweb.org/?id=10&l=2106&ln=en&url=living-smart-the-mediterranean-way-of-being-albanian|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to [[List of countries by Body Mass Index (BMI)#WHO Data on Prevalence of Obesity (BMI above 30) (2014)|World Health Organization data from 2016]], 21.7% of adults in the country are clinically [[overweight]], with a [[Body mass index]] (BMI) score of 25 or more.<ref>{{cite web|title=Prevalence of obesity, ages 18+, 2010–2014|url=http://gamapserver.who.int/gho/interactive_charts/ncd/risk_factors/obesity/atlas.html|website=WHO|publisher=World Health Organization|access-date=26 February 2016|archive-date=20 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120191542/http://gamapserver.who.int/gho/interactive_charts/ncd/risk_factors/obesity/atlas.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Energy ===
{{Main|Renewable energy in Albania}}
{{See also|List of power stations in Albania|List of oil and gas fields in Albania|l1=Power stations|l2=Oil fields in Albania}}

[[File:Albania electricity production.svg|thumb|Electricity production in Albania from 1980 to 2019]]

Due to its location and natural resources, Albania has a wide variety of [[energy resource]]s, ranging from gas, oil, and coal to [[Wind energy|wind]], [[Solar energy|solar]], [[hydropower|water]], and other [[renewable energy|renewable]] sources.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Ministry of Tourism and Environment (Albania)|Ministry of Environment]] |title=Albania's Technology Needs Assessment (Final Draft) |url=https://unfccc.int/files/meetings/seminar/application/pdf/sem_albania_sup2.pdf |access-date=29 August 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209062915/http://unfccc.int/files/meetings/seminar/application/pdf/sem_albania_sup2.pdf |archive-date=9 December 2017 |date=March 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Zavalani |first=Orion |publisher=[[European Commission]] (<span class="ltr">EC</span>) |title=Renewable energy potentials of Albania |url=https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/124474-renewable-energy-potentials-of-albania |access-date=29 August 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829151705/https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/124474-renewable-energy-potentials-of-albania |archive-date=29 August 2020}}</ref> According to the [[World Economic Forum]]'s 2023 Energy Transition Index (ETI), the country ranked 21st globally, highlighting the progress in its energy transition agenda.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[World Economic Forum]] |title=Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2023 Edition |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Fostering_Effective_Energy_Transition_2023.pdf |access-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708154526/https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Fostering_Effective_Energy_Transition_2023.pdf |archive-date=8 July 2023 |page=12 |url-status=live}}</ref> Currently, Albania's electricity generation sector depends on [[hydroelectricity]], ranking fifth in the world in percentage terms.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (Albania)]] |title=Albania Renewable Energy Progress Reports 2014–2015 |url=https://www.energy-community.org/dam/jcr:fbad98e2-6780-430b-a465-2ab46e9cb499/AL_RE_progress_2017.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.energy-community.org/dam/jcr:fbad98e2-6780-430b-a465-2ab46e9cb499/AL_RE_progress_2017.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |page=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[World Bank]] |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.HYRO.ZS?year_high_desc=true |title=Electricity production from hydroelectric sources (% of total) |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[The World Factbook]] |title=Electricity – from hydroelectric plants |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/259rank.html#AL |access-date=29 August 2020 |archive-date=17 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817215245/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/259rank.html#AL |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Drin (river)|Drin]], in the north, hosts four [[hydroelectric power station]]s, including [[Fierza Hydroelectric Power Station|Fierza]], [[Koman Hydroelectric Power Station|Koman]], [[Skavica Hydro Power Plant|Skavica]] and [[Vau i Dejës Hydroelectric Power Station|Vau i Dejës]]. Two other power stations, such as the [[Banjë Hydro Power Plant|Banjë]] and [[Moglicë Hydro Power Plant|Moglicë]], are along the [[Devoll (river)|Devoll]] in the south.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[International Hydropower Association]] (IHA) |title=Profile: Albania |url=https://www.hydropower.org/country-profiles/albania |access-date=29 August 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829161126/https://www.hydropower.org/country-profiles/albania |archive-date=29 August 2020}}</ref>

Albania has considerable oil deposits. It has the 10th-largest oil reserves in Europe and the 58th in the world.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Energy Information Administration|title=Crude Oil Proved Reserves 2016|url=http://www.eia.gov/cfapps/ipdbproject/IEDIndex3.cfm?tid=5&pid=57&aid=6|website=eia.gov|pages=1 |date=3 September 2016|author1-link=Energy Information Administration}}</ref> The country's main petroleum deposits are located around the [[Albanian Adriatic Sea Coast]] and [[Myzeqe]] Plain within the [[Western Lowlands]], where the country's largest reserve is located. [[Patos-Marinza Oil Field|Patos-Marinza]], also located within the area, is the largest onshore [[oil field]] in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Lorenc Gordani|title=Albania, from the largest continental onshore oil reserves in Europe, to the new bridge between the Balkans and Italy, by Dr Lorenc Gordani|url=http://esc.albaniaenergy.org/en/2017/06/21/albania-oil-reserves-natural-gas-dr-lorenc-gordani-21th-june-2017/|website=esc.albaniaenergy.org|pages=1 |date=21 June 2017}}{{Dead link|date=January 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The [[Trans Adriatic Pipeline]] (TAP), part of the planned [[Southern Gas Corridor]], runs for {{convert|215|km|0|abbr=off}} across Albania's territory before entering the [[Albanian Adriatic Sea Coast]] approximately {{convert|17|km|0|abbr=off}} northwest of [[Fier]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Trans Adriatic Pipeline]] (TAP) |title=Scoping Report for the ESIA (Environmental and Social Impact Assessment) Albania |url=https://www.tap-ag.com/assets/07.reference_documents/english/scoping_document/albania/TAP_Scoping_report_ESIA_English.pdf |access-date=29 August 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725013409/https://www.tap-ag.com/assets/07.reference_documents/english/scoping_document/albania/TAP_Scoping_report_ESIA_English.pdf |archive-date=25 July 2020 |date=April 2011}}</ref>

Albania's [[water resources]] are particularly abundant in all the regions of the country and comprise [[Lakes of Albania|lakes]], [[Rivers of Albania|rivers]], springs, and groundwater aquifers.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[European Commission]] (<span class="ltr">EC</span>) |title=06/11347 – Albania – Benefits of Compliance with environmental acquis – final report |url=https://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/international_issues/pdf/report_albania.pdf |access-date=29 August 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829133812/https://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/international_issues/pdf/report_albania.pdf |archive-date=29 August 2020 |date=October 2007}}</ref> The country's available average quantity of [[fresh water]] is estimated at {{convert|129.7|m3|0|abbr=off}} per inhabitant per year, one of the highest rates in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[European Statistical Office]] (Eurostat) |title=Water statistics |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Water_statistics#:~:text=Among%20the%20EU%20countries%2C%20Finland,Sweden%20(19%20410%20m%C2%B3). |access-date=29 August 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829132407/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Water_statistics#:~:text=Among%20the%20EU%20countries%2C%20Finland,Sweden%20(19%20410%20m%C2%B3). |archive-date=29 August 2020}}</ref> According to data presented by the [[Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation]] (JMP) in 2015, about 93% of the country's total population had access to [[improved sanitation]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[United Nations Children's Fund]] (UNICEF) and [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) |title=Progress on Sanitation and Drinking Water : 2015 Update and MDG Assessment |url=http://www.wssinfo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/resources/JMP-Update-report-2015_English.pdf |access-date=29 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112745/http://www.wssinfo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/resources/JMP-Update-report-2015_English.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>

=== Media ===
{{Main|Media in Albania}}
{{See also|Cinema of Albania}}

[[File:Villa_of_the_former_Radio_Tirana_(<span class="ltr">03</span>).jpg|thumb|The former grounds of the headquarters of [[Radio Tirana]] in the capital of [[Tirana]]. {{lang|sq|[[Radio Televizioni Shqiptar]]|italic=no}} (RTSH) was initially inaugurated as Radio Tirana in 1938 prior to the [[World War II]].]]

The [[freedom of press]] and [[Freedom of speech|speech]], and the right to free expression is guaranteed in the [[constitution of Albania]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] (OSCE) |title=1998 Constitution of the Republic of Albania |url=https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/3/2/41888.pdf |access-date=3 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730220735/https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/3/2/41888.pdf |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref> Albania was ranked 84th on the [[Press Freedom Index]] of 2020 compiled by the [[Reporters Without Borders]], with its score steadily declining since 2003.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Reporters Without Borders]] |title=2020 World Press Freedom Index |date=30 January 2013 |url=https://rsf.org/en/ranking |access-date=3 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003131858/https://rsf.org/en/ranking |archive-date=3 October 2020}}</ref> Nevertheless, in the 2020 report of [[Freedom in the World]], the [[Freedom House]] classified the freedoms of press and speech in Albania as partly free from political interference and manipulation.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Freedom House]] |title=Freedom House–Countries and Territories |url=https://freedomhouse.org/countries/freedom-world/scores |access-date=3 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003133208/https://freedomhouse.org/countries/freedom-world/scores |archive-date=3 October 2020}}</ref>

{{lang|sq|[[Radio Televizioni Shqiptar]]|italic=no}} (RTSH) is the [[national broadcaster]] corporation of Albania operating numerous television and radio stations in the country.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Konrad Adenauer Foundation]] (KAS) |title=Media Outlets in Albania |url=https://www.kas.de/de/web/balkanmedia/media-outlets |access-date=3 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003115348/https://www.kas.de/de/web/balkanmedia/media-outlets |archive-date=3 October 2020}}</ref> The three major private broadcaster corporations are [[Top Channel]], [[TV Klan|Televizioni Klan]] and [[Vizion Plus]] whose content are distributed throughout Albania and beyond its territory in [[Kosovo]] and other [[Albanian language|Albanian-speaking]] territories.<ref name=cia_fb2020/>

Albanian cinema has its roots in the 20th century and developed after the country's [[Albanian Declaration of Independence|declaration of independence]].<ref name="Cinema">{{cite web |publisher=The Albanian Cinema Project |title=An Overview of Albanian Film History |url=https://www.thealbaniancinemaproject.org/albanian-history.html |access-date=3 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003140224/https://www.thealbaniancinemaproject.org/albanian-history.html |archive-date=3 October 2020}}</ref> The first [[movie theater]] exclusively devoted to showing [[motion pictures]] was built in 1912 in [[Shkodër]].<ref name="Cinema"/> During the [[Peoples Republic of Albania]], Albanian cinema developed rapidly with the inauguration of the [[Kinostudio Shqipëria e Re]] in Tirana.<ref name="Cinema"/> In 1953, the Albanian-Soviet [[epic film]], the [[The Great Warrior Skanderbeg|Great Warrior Skanderbeg]], was released chronicling the life and fight of the medieval Albanian hero [[Gjergj Kastriot Skanderbeg|Skanderbeg]]. It went on to win the international prize at the [[1954 Cannes Film Festival]]. In 2003, the [[Tirana International Film Festival]] was established, the largest film festival in the country. The [[Durrës Amphitheatre]] is host to the [[Durrës International Film Festival]], the second largest film festival.

=== Technology ===
{{Main|Science and technology in Albania|Telecommunications in Albania|l1=Technology}}

After the [[Fall of communism in Albania|fall of communism]] in 1991, human resources in sciences and technology in Albania have drastically decreased. As of various reports, during 1991 to 2005 approximately 50% of the professors and scientists of the universities and science institutions in the country have left Albania.<ref name="dfid">{{cite web|url=http://www.dfid.gov.uk/R4D/SearchResearchDatabase.asp?OutputID=177440|title=Research for Development|publisher=DFID |access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref> In 2009, the [[Government of Albania|government]] approved the National Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation in Albania covering the period 2009 to 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dsdc.gov.al/dsdc/pub/national_strategy_of_science_technology_and_innovation_final_draft_381_1.pdf |title=Strategy of Science, Technology and Innovation 2009–2015 |access-date=27 August 2010 |archive-date=3 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403182343/http://www.dsdc.gov.al/dsdc/pub/national_strategy_of_science_technology_and_innovation_final_draft_381_1.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> It aims to triple public spending on [[research and development]] to 0.6% of GDP and augment the share of [[Gross domestic expenditure on R&D|GDE]] from foreign sources, including the framework programmes for research of the [[European Union]], to the point where it covers 40% of research spending, among others. Albania was ranked 83rd in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2023.<ref>{{cite journal |last=WIPO |title=Global Innovation Index 2023, 15th Edition |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2023/index.html |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=www.wipo.int |doi=10.34667/tind.46596}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=28 October 2013|title=Global Innovation Index|url=https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930|access-date=2 September 2021|website=INSEAD Knowledge |archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902101622/https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Telecommunication represents one of the fastest growing and dynamic sectors in Albania.<ref name="National Plan">{{cite web |publisher=[[Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (Albania)|Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy]] |title=Plani Kombëtar për Zhvillimin e Qëndrueshëm të Infrastrukturës Digjitale Broadband 2020–2025 |url=https://www.infrastruktura.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/DRAFT-PLANI-KOMBETAR-PER-ZHVILLIMIN-E-QENDRUESHEM-TE-INFRASTRAKTURES-BROADBAND-2020-2025-2.pdf |access-date=30 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830111001/https://www.infrastruktura.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/DRAFT-PLANI-KOMBETAR-PER-ZHVILLIMIN-E-QENDRUESHEM-TE-INFRASTRAKTURES-BROADBAND-2020-2025-2.pdf |archive-date=30 August 2020 |page=8 |language=sq}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Muharremi |first1=Oltiana |last2=Madani |first2=Filloreta |last3=Pelari |first3=Erald |title=The Development of the Service Sector in Albania and Its Future |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271105196 |access-date=30 August 2020 |date=October 2013}}</ref> [[Vodafone Albania]], [[Telekom Albania]] and [[Albtelecom]] are the three large providers of [[Mobile network operator|mobile]] and [[internet]] in Albania.<ref name="National Plan"/> As of the [[Electronic and Postal Communications Authority (Albania)|Electronic and Postal Communications Authority]] (AKEP) in 2018, the country had approximately 2.7 million active mobile users with almost 1.8 million active broadband subscribers.<ref name="AKEP">{{cite web |publisher=[[Electronic and Postal Communications Authority (Albania)|Electronic and Postal Communications Authority]] (AKEP) |title=2019 Raporti Vjetor |url=https://www.parlament.al/Files/Kerkese/20200518141712RAPORT%20VJETOR%202019%20%20-%20AKEP_compressed%20(<span class="ltr">1</span>).pdf |access-date=30 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830122238/https://www.parlament.al/Files/Kerkese/20200518141712RAPORT%20VJETOR%202019%20%20-%20AKEP_compressed%20%281%29.pdf |archive-date=30 August 2020 |pages=16, 19 |language=sq}}</ref> Vodafone Albania alone served more than 931,000 mobile users, Telekom Albania had about 605,000 users and Albtelecom had more than 272,000 users.<ref name="AKEP"/> In [[List of spaceflight launches in January–June 2023|January 2023]], Albania launched its [[List of first satellites by country|first two satellites]], ''Albania 1'' and ''Albania 2'', into [[orbit]], in what was regarded as a milestone effort in monitoring the country's territory and identifying illegal activities.<ref>{{cite web |last=Petrushevska |first=Dragana |work=SeeNews |title=SpaceX launches two Albanian satellites{{spaced ndash}}PM Rama |url=https://seenews.com/news/spacex-launches-two-albanian-satellites-pm-rama-810332 |access-date=17 January 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230117144132/https://seenews.com/news/spacex-launches-two-albanian-satellites-pm-rama-810332 |archive-date=17 January 2023 |date=4 January 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |work=bne IntelliNews |title=Albania's first satellites launched into space |url=https://bne.eu/albania-s-first-satellites-launched-into-space-265909/?source=albania |access-date=17 January 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230117144321/https://bne.eu/albania-s-first-satellites-launched-into-space-265909/?source=albania |archive-date=17 January 2023 |date=4 January 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Albanian-American engineer [[Mira Murati]], the Chief Technology Officer of research organization [[OpenAI]], played a substantial role in the development and launch of artificial intelligence services such as [[ChatGPT]], [[OpenAI Codex|Codex]] and [[DALL-E]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Reyes |first=Marta |work=[[Medium (website)|Medium]] |title=Who is OpenAI's Mira Murati: An AI innovation race from Tesla to ChatGPT |url=https://medium.com/@martareyessuarez25/who-is-openais-mira-murati-an-ai-innovation-race-from-tesla-to-chatgpt-2f90835149d0 |access-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224151259/https://medium.com/@martareyessuarez25/who-is-openais-mira-murati-an-ai-innovation-race-from-tesla-to-chatgpt-2f90835149d0 |archive-date=24 December 2023 |date=20 November 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Metz |first1=Cade |last2=Mickle |first2=Tripp |work=[[The New York Times]] |title=Meet Mira Murati, the Engineer Now Leading OpenAI |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/17/technology/mira-murati-openai.html |access-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224151442/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/17/technology/mira-murati-openai.html |archive-date=24 December 2023 |date=17 November 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Aratani |first=Lauren |work=[[The Guardian]] |title=How OpenAI interim chief Mira Murati helped launch AI into the mainstream |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/nov/19/how-openai-interim-chief-mira-murati-helped-launch-ai-into-the-mainstream |access-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224151723/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/nov/19/how-openai-interim-chief-mira-murati-helped-launch-ai-into-the-mainstream |archive-date=24 December 2023 |date=19 November 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2023, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced plans for collaboration between the Albanian government and ChatGPT, facilitated by discussions with Murati.<ref name="Taylor">{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Alice |work=[[Euractiv]] |title=Albania to speed up EU accession using ChatGPT |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/albania-to-speed-up-eu-accession-using-chatgpt/ |access-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224152827/https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/albania-to-speed-up-eu-accession-using-chatgpt/ |archive-date=24 December 2023 |date=13 December 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |work=Telegrafi |title='Bisedova me Mira Muratin', Rama: Përafrimi i legjislacionit me BE-në bëhet me ChatGPT |url=https://telegrafi.com/bisedova-mira-muratin-rama-perafrimi-legjislacionit-ne-behet-chatgpt/ |access-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216042231/https://telegrafi.com/bisedova-mira-muratin-rama-perafrimi-legjislacionit-ne-behet-chatgpt/ |archive-date=16 December 2023 |language=sq |date=9 December 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Rama emphasised the intention to streamline the alignment of Albanian laws with the regulations of the European Union, aiming to reduce costs associated with translation and legal services.<ref name="Taylor"/>

== Demography ==
{{Main|Demographics of Albania|l1=Demography of Albania}}
{{See also|Albanian people|Origin of the Albanians}}

[[File:Albania_demography.svg|thumb|Development of the [[Demographics of Albania|population of Albania]] over the last sixty years]]

As defined by the [[Institute of Statistics (Albania)|Institute of Statistics]] (INSTAT), the [[Demographics of Albania|population]] of Albania was estimated in 2020 at 2,845,955.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Institute of Statistics (Albania)|Instituti i Statistikës]] (INSTAT) |title=Popullsia e Shqipërisë |url=http://www.instat.gov.al/media/6849/popullsia_me-_1_janar_2020.pdf |access-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730205919/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/6849/popullsia_me-_1_janar_2020.pdf |archive-date=30 July 2020 |language=sq}}</ref> The country's [[total fertility rate]] of 1.51 children born per woman is one of the [[List of sovereign states and dependent territories by fertility rate|lowest in the world]].<ref name=cia_fb2020>{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Albania|access-date=30 July 2020|year=2020}}</ref> Its [[List of sovereign states and dependent territories by population density|population density]] stands at 259 inhabitants per square kilometre. The overall [[List of countries by life expectancy|life expectancy]] at birth is 78.5 years; 75.8 years for males and 81.4 years for females.<ref name=cia_fb2020/> The country is the [[Balkans#Demographics|8th most populous country]] in the [[Balkans]] and ranks as the [[List of countries and dependencies by population|137th most populous country]] in the world. The country's population rose steadily from 2.5&nbsp;million in 1979 until 1989, when it peaked at 3.1&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Institute of Statistics (Albania)|Instituti i Statistikës]] (INSTAT) and [[United Nations]] (<span class="ltr">UN</span>) |title=Albania Population and Population dynamics new demographic horizons? |url=https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/sources/census/wphc/Albania/03-analysis.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/sources/census/wphc/Albania/03-analysis.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |page=25 |access-date=30 July 2020}}</ref> Since then, the population has continually decreased every year.<ref name="Conversation"/> It is forecast that the population will continue shrinking for the next decade at least, depending on the actual [[birth rate]] and the level of [[Net migration rate|net migration]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Institute of Statistics (Albania)|Instituti i Statistikës]] (INSTAT) |title=Albania Population Projections 2011–2031 |url=http://www.instat.gov.al/media/2964/population_projections_2011-2031.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/2964/population_projections_2011-2031.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |page=37 |access-date=30 July 2020}}</ref> In 2022, over 46,000 people migrated out of Albania, a 10% increase over the previous year.<ref name="Conversation">{{Cite web|url=http://theconversation.com/albanias-brain-drain-why-so-many-young-people-are-leaving-and-how-to-get-them-to-stay-207455|title=Albania's brain drain: why so many young people are leaving and how to get them to stay|first=Andi|last=Hoxhaj|date=28 June 2023|website=The Conversation}}</ref>

The explanation for the recent population decrease is the [[fall of communism in Albania]] in the late twentieth century. That period was marked by economic [[mass migration|mass emigration]] from Albania to [[Greece]], Italy and the United States. The migration affected the country's internal population distribution. It decreased particularly in the north and south, while it increased in the centre within the cities of [[Tirana]] and [[Durrës]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}} Migration abroad has continued in recent years, particularly of the young and educated. As much as a third of those born in the country's borders now live outside of it, making Albania one of the countries with the highest rate of outmigration relative to its population in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/30-of-albanians-live-abroad-amid-increased-migration-woes/ |title=30% of Albanians live abroad amid increased migration woes – EURACTIV.com|date=17 November 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/embracing-emigration-migration-development-nexus-albania |title=Article: Embracing Emigration: The Migration-Devel.. &#124; migrationpolicy.org|date=9 September 2015 }}</ref> In 2022 the birth rate was 20% lower than in 2021, largely due to emigration of people of childbearing age.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-trafficking-and-slavery/the-other-albanian-migrant-crisis/|title=The other Albanian migrant crisis|website=openDemocracy}}</ref>

About 53.4% of the country's [[Demographics of Albania|population]] lives in cities. The three largest counties by population account for half of the total population. Almost 30% of the total population is found in [[Tirana County]] followed by [[Fier County]] with 11% and [[Durrës County]] with 10%.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Institute of Statistics of Albania|url=http://www.instat.gov.al/media/1285/population_of_albania_1_january_2017.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/1285/population_of_albania_1_january_2017.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Population of Albania 1 January 2017|website=instat.gov.al|location=Tirana|page=4|author1-link=Institute of Statistics (Albania)}}</ref> Over one million people are concentrated in [[Tirana]] and [[Durrës]], making it the largest urban area in Albania.<ref>{{cite web|title=Popullsia e Shqipërisë|url=http://www.instat.gov.al/media/322938/pop_1_janar_2016.pdf |access-date=19 February 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412123357/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/322938/pop_1_janar_2016.pdf |archive-date=12 April 2016}}</ref> [[Tirana]] is one of largest cities in the [[Balkan Peninsula]] and ranks seventh with a population about 400,000.

{|class="wikitable"
|+ The country's largest [[List of cities in Albania|urban areas]] by population {{as of|2011|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web|author1=INSTAT|title=POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS 2011 |url=http://www.instat.gov.al/media/177354/main_results__population_and_housing_census_2011.pdf |website=instat.gov.al |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630084756/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/177354/main_results__population_and_housing_census_2011.pdf |archive-date=30 June 2017 |language=sq, en}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan=23 width:130|<br/>
<div style="text-align: center;">[[File:Tirana_from_South.jpg|160px|Tirana]]<br/>{{small|[[Tirana]]}}<br/></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">[[File:Amphitheatre_of_durres_albania_2016.jpg|160px|Durrës]]<br/>{{small|[[Durrës]]}}<br/></div>
! style="text-align:center; background:#f5f5f5;"|#
! style="text-align:left; background:#f5f5f5;"|City
! style="text-align:left; background:#f5f5f5;"|Population
! style="text-align:center; background:#f5f5f5;"|#
! style="text-align:left; background:#f5f5f5;"|City
! style="text-align:left; background:#f5f5f5;"|Population
!rowspan=23 width:130|<br/>
<div style="text-align: center;">[[File:Gjirokaster_2016-2017.jpg|160px|Gjirokastër]]<br/>{{small|[[Gjirokastër]]}}<br/></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">[[File:CIty_of_Saranda_Albania_2016.jpg|160px|Sarandë]]<br/>{{small|[[Sarandë]]}}<br/></div>
|-
|style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 1 ||align=left|'''[[Tirana]]''' || 418,495 ||style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 11 ||align=left|'''[[Kavajë]]''' || 20,192
|-
|style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 2 ||align=left|'''[[Durrës]]''' || 113,249 ||style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 12 ||align=left|'''[[Gjirokastër]]''' || 19,836
|-
|style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 3 ||align=left|'''[[Vlorë]]''' || 79,513 ||style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 13 ||align=left|'''[[Sarandë]]''' || 17,233
|-
|style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 4 ||align=left|'''[[Elbasan]]''' || 78,703 ||style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 14 ||align=left|'''[[Laç]]''' || 17,086
|-
|style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 5 ||align=left|'''[[Shkodër]]''' || 77,075 ||style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 15 ||align=left|'''[[Kukës]]''' || 16,719
|-
|style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 6 ||align=left|'''[[Fier]]''' || 55,845 ||style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 16 ||align=left|'''[[Patos, Albania|Patos]]''' || 15,937
|-
|style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 7 ||align=left|'''[[Korçë]]''' || 51,152 ||style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 17 ||align=left|'''[[Lezhë]]''' || 15,510
|-
|style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 8 ||align=left|'''[[Berat]]''' || 32,606 ||style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 18 ||align=left|'''[[Peshkopi]]''' || 13,251
|-
|style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 9 ||align=left|'''[[Lushnjë]]''' || 31,105 ||style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 19 ||align=left|'''[[Kuçovë]]''' || 12,654
|-
|style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 10 ||align=left|'''[[Pogradec]]''' || 20,848 ||style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"| 20 ||align=left|'''[[Krujë]]''' || 11,721
|-
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center; background:#f5f5f5;"|
|-
|}
{{Clear}}

=== Minorities ===
{{main|Minorities of Albania}}
{{update section|date=May 2023}}

Albania recognises nine national or cultural minorities: [[Aromanians|Aromanian]], [[Greeks|Greek]], [[Macedonians (ethnic group)|Macedonian]], [[Montenegrins|Montenegrin]], [[Serbs|Serb]], [[Romani people|Roma]], [[Egyptians (Balkans)|Egyptian]], Bosnian and [[Bulgarians|Bulgarian]] peoples.<ref>{{cite news|last1=staff|title=Albania has Recognized the Bulgarian Minority in the Country|url=http://www.novinite.com/articles/184224/Albania+has+Recognized+the+Bulgarian+Minority+in+the+Country |access-date=4 December 2017|work=novinite.com|agency=Sofia News Agency |date=12 October 2017}}</ref> Other Albanian minorities are the [[Gorani people]] and Jews.<ref>{{cite web |author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,COUNTRYPROF,ALB,,4954cdfe1a,0.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416035942/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,COUNTRYPROF,ALB,,4954cdfe1a,0.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 April 2013 |title=World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples&nbsp;– Albania : Overview |publisher=United Nations High Commission for Refugees |date=11 May 2005 |access-date=5 May 2013 }}</ref> Contrary to official statistics that show an over 97 per cent Albanian majority in the country, minority groups (such as [[Greeks in Albania|Greeks]], [[Macedonians in Albania|Macedonians]], [[Montenegrins of Albania|Montenegrins]], [[Roma in Albania|Roma]] and [[Aromanians in Albania|Aromanians]]) have frequently disputed the official numbers, asserting a higher percentage of the country's population. According to the disputed 2011 census, ethnic affiliation was as follows: [[Albanians]] 2,312,356 (82.6% of the total), [[Greeks in Albania|Greeks]] 24,243 (0.9%), [[Macedonians of Albania|Macedonians]] 5,512 (0.2%), [[Montenegrins of Albania|Montenegrins]] 366 (0.01%), [[Aromanians]] 8,266 (0.30%), [[Romani people|Romani]] 8,301 (0.3%), [[Balkan Egyptians]] 3,368 (0.1%), other ethnicities 2,644 (0.1%), no declared ethnicity 390,938 (14.0%), and not relevant 44,144 (1.6%).<ref name="Population and Housing Census 2011">{{cite web |publisher=[[Institute of Statistics (Albania)|Instituti i Statistikës]] (INSTAT) |title=Population and Housing Census 2011 |url=https://www.instat.gov.al/media/3058/main_results__population_and_housing_census_2011.pdf |access-date=21 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200826201945/https://www.instat.gov.al/media/3058/main_results__population_and_housing_census_2011.pdf |archive-date=26 August 2020}}</ref> On the quality of the specific data the Advisory Committee on the [[Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities]] stated that "the results of the census should be viewed with the utmost caution and calls on the authorities not to rely exclusively on the data on nationality collected during the census in determining its policy on the protection of national minorities".<ref>{{cite web|title=Third Opinion on Albania adopted on 23 November 2011|url=https://rm.coe.int/168008c633|publisher= Advisory Committee on the Framework for the Protection of National Minorities |access-date=29 June 2017}}</ref>

There are 23,485 (1%) ethnic Greeks in Albania as shown on the latest 2023 Census.<ref name="Census 2023">{{cite web |publisher=[[Institute of Statistics (Albania)|Instituti i Statistikës]] (INSTAT) |title=Population and Housing Census 2023|url=https://shqiptarja.com/uploads/ckeditor/667eb96647c4bcens-2023.pdf}}</ref> The Greek government claimed there were an estimation of 300,000 ethnic Greeks in Albania.<ref name="RFE/RL Research Report: Weekly Analyses from the RFE/RL Research Institute">{{cite book|title=RFE/RL Research Report: Weekly Analyses from the RFE/RL Research Institute|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RxgkAQAAIAAJ|year=1993|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Incorporated|quote=Albanian officials alleged that the priest was promoting irredentist sentiments among Albania's Greek minority&nbsp;– estimated at between 60,000 and 300,000.}}</ref><ref name="BideleuxJeffries2006">{{cite book|author1=Robert Bideleux|author2=Ian Jeffries|title=The Balkans: A Post-Communist History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5jrHOKsU9pEC&pg=PA49|year=2006|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-203-96911-3|page=49|quote=The Albanian government claimed that there were only 60,000, based on the biased 1989 census, whereas the Greek government claimed that there were upwards of 300,000. Most Western estimates were around the 200,000 mark&nbsp;...}}</ref><ref name="Ramet1998">{{cite book|author=Sabrina P. Ramet|title=Nihil Obstat: Religion, Politics, and Social Change in East-Central Europe and Russia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZvMi6paTOlcC&pg=PA222|year=1998|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=978-0-8223-2070-8|page=222|quote=that between 250,000 and 300,000 Orthodox Greeks reside in Albania}}</ref><ref name="Jeffries2002">{{cite book |last=Jeffries |first=Ian |title=Eastern Europe at the Turn of the Twenty-first Century: A Guide to the Economies in Transition |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L7PBtDujYt0C&pg=PA69 |year=2002 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-23671-3 |page=69 |quote=It is difficult to know how many ethnic Greeks there are in Albania. The Greek government, it is typically claimed, says that there are around 300,000 ethnic Greeks in Albania, but most Western estimates are around 200,000.}}</ref><ref name="Publications2008">{{cite book |author=Europa Publications |title=The Europa World Year Book 2008 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Oabsu05rJNoC |year=2008 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-85743-452-1 |quote=and Greece formally annulled claims to North Epirus (southern Albania), where there is a sizeable Greek minority.&nbsp;... strained by concerns relating to the treatment of ethnic Greeks residing in Albania (numbering an estimated 300,000)&nbsp;...}}</ref> The [[CIA World Factbook]] estimates the Greek minority to constitute 0.9%<ref>{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Albania|access-date=13 September 2014|year=2014}}</ref> of the population. The US State Department estimates that Greeks make up 1.17%, and other minorities 0.23%, of the population.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3235.htm|title=Albania|work=U.S. Department of State |access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref> The latter questioned the validity of the 2011 census data about the Greek minority, as measurements had allegedly been affected by boycott.<ref>{{cite web|title=International Religious Freedom Report for 2014: Albania|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/238560.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/238560.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |page=5 |website=state.gov|publisher=United States Department of State |access-date=20 October 2015|quote=Ethnic Greek minority groups had encouraged their members to boycott the census, affecting measurements of the Greek ethnic minority and membership in the Greek Orthodox Church.}}</ref>

{{multiple image
 |align=center
 |total_width=600
 |image_style=border:none;
 |image1=Albania minorities.png
 |caption1=Regions with a traditional presence of ethnic groups other than Albanian. 
 |image2=Albania majority ethnicity 2011 census.PNG
 |caption2=Distribution of ethnic groups within Albania, as of the 2011 census. Districts coloured grey are those where a majority of people did not declare an ethnicity (the question was optional). The census was criticised and boycotted by minorities in Albania.
 |image3=AlbaniaTraditionalCommunitiesByLanguageAndReligion.png
 |caption3=Traditional locations of linguistic and religious communities in Albania.}}

=== Language ===
{{Main|Languages of Albania}}
{{See also|Albanian language}}
{{update section|date=May 2023}}

[[File:Dialect_map_albania.png|thumb|325x325px|The dialects of the [[Albanian language]] in Albania]]

The [[official language]] of the country is [[Albanian language|Albanian]] which is spoken by the vast majority of the country's population.<ref>{{cite web |title=Constitution of the Republic of Albania |url=https://www.osce.org/albania/41888 |website=osce.org |page=3 |quote=The official language in the Republic of Albania is Albanian.}}</ref> Its standard spoken and written form is revised and merged from the two main dialects, [[Gheg]] and [[Tosk Albanian|Tosk]], though it is notably based more on the Tosk dialect. The [[Shkumbin]] river is the rough dividing line between the two dialects. Among minority languages, [[Greek language|Greek]] is the second most-spoken language in the country, with 0.5 to 3% of the population speaking it as first language, mainly in the country's south where its speakers are concentrated.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Nitsiakos|first1=Vasilēs G.|title=Balkan Border Crossings: Second Annual of the Konitsa Summer School |date=2011|publisher=LIT Verlag Münster|isbn=9783643800923|page=150|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A6HEpazarccC&pg=PA150 |quote=in the Albanian south... The Greek language is spoken by an important percentage of the Albanians of the south.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=What Languages Are Spoken in Albania? |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-languages-are-spoken-in-albania.html |website=WorldAtlas|date=August 2017}}</ref><ref name="SecondMostSpokenLanguage">{{cite news|title=The Second Most Spoken Languages Around the World|url=http://graduate.olivet.edu/news-events/news/second-most-spoken-languages-around-world|newspaper=Kathimerini|access-date=12 June 2017|quote=.5% speak it as first language.|archive-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729003624/https://graduate.olivet.edu/news-events/news/second-most-spoken-languages-around-world|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="kathimerini">{{cite news|title=The Greek language is widely spoken in Albania (H Ελληνική γλώσσα γίνεται καθομιλουμένη στην Αλβανία)|url=http://www.kathimerini.gr/138922/article/epikairothta/politikh/h-ellhnikh-glwssa-ginetai-ka8omiloymenh-sthn-alvania|newspaper=Kathimerini |access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref> Other languages spoken by ethnic minorities in Albania include [[Aromanian language|Aromanian]], [[Serbian language|Serbian]], [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]], [[Bosnian language|Bosnian]], [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]], [[Gora dialect|Gorani]], and [[Romani language|Roma]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=albania |title=Languages of Albania |access-date=31 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123044546/http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=Albania |archive-date=23 January 2009}}</ref> Macedonian is official in the Pustec Municipality in East Albania. According to the 2011 population census, 2,765,610 or 98.8% of the population declared [[Albanian language|Albanian]] as their [[mother tongue]].<ref name="Population and Housing Census 2011"/> Because of large migration flows from Albania, over half of Albanians during their life learn a second language. The main foreign language known is English with 40.0%, followed by Italian with 27.8% and Greek with 22.9%. The English speakers were mostly young people, the knowledge of Italian is stable in every age group, while there is a decrease of the speakers of Greek in the youngest group.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.instat.gov.al/media/4028/adult-education-survey-2017.pdf|title=Press release of the Adult Education Survey|date=10 May 2018|work=Albanian Institute of Statistics|access-date=23 May 2018|archive-date=22 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822113506/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/4028/adult-education-survey-2017.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Among young people aged 25 or less, English, German and Turkish have seen rising interest after 2000. Italian and French have had a stable interest, while Greek has lost much of its previous interest. The trends are linked with cultural and economic factors.<ref name="Shkurtaj2017">{{cite book|author=Gjovalin Shkurtaj|title=Urgjenca gjuhësore: -huazime të zëvendësueshme me fjalë shqipe- : (fjalorth)|year=2017|publisher=Naimi|quote=Sic u permend me lart, per shkak te shkaqeve kulturore dhe ekonomike, trendet e mesimit te gjuheve nga te rinjte (grupmosha deri ne 25 vjec) ndryshojne. Keto trende jane percaktues i nje sere fenomeneve shoqerore, sic do te shohim me tej. Keshtu nga viti 2000 e ketej, gjuha angleze, gjermane dhe ajo turke kane pasur nje rritje te interest. Gjuha italiane, por edhe ajo franceze kane pasur nje stabilitet, pra as rritje dhe as ulje te interesit te pergjithshem nga ana e grupmoshes te siperpermendur. Vihet re se gjuha greke ka pesuar nje renie te forte te interesit. Ne fakt, shumica e interesit ka rene per kete gjuhe. Arsyet per kete gjuhe specifike do ti trajtojme me tej ne kapitulin e trete.|isbn=9789928234049|pages=15–16}}</ref>

Young people have shown a growing interest in the [[German language]] in recent years.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} Some of them go to Germany for studying or various experiences. Albania and Germany have agreements for cooperating in helping young people of the two countries know both cultures better.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.albinfo.ch/gjuha-gjermane-shume-e-kerkuar-ne-shqiperi/ |title=Gjuha gjermane, shumë e kërkuar në Shqipëri |date=10 April 2014 |website=albinfo.ch |publisher=albinfo |access-date=26 May 2018 |archive-date=3 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503235525/https://www.albinfo.ch/gjuha-gjermane-shume-e-kerkuar-ne-shqiperi/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Due to a sharp rise in economic relations with Turkey, interest in learning Turkish, in particular among young people, has been growing on a yearly basis.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.voal.ch/ne-shqiperi-vazhdon-te-rritet-interesi-per-gjuhen-turke/ |title=Në Shqipëri vazhdon të rritet interesi për gjuhën turke |date=5 October 2016 |website=voal.ch |publisher=voal |access-date=26 May 2018}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Albania}}
{{update section|date=July 2020}}

{{Pie chart
| thumb = right
| caption = [[Religion in Albania]] as of the 2023 census conducted by the [[Institute of Statistics (Albania)|Institute of Statistics]] (INSTAT)<ref name="Census 2023"/>
|label1 = [[Sunni Islam]]
|value1 = 45.86
|color1 = DarkGreen
|label2 = [[Roman Catholicism]]
|value2 = 8.38
|color2 = Gold
|label3 = [[Eastern Orthodoxy]]
|value3 = 7.22
|color3 = Red
|label4 = Evangelical Christians
|value4 = 0.4
|color4 = Skyblue
|label5 = [[Bektashi]]
|value5 = 4.81
|color5 = Yellowgreen
|label6 = Non-affiliated believers 
|value6 = 13.82
|color6 = Grey
|label7 = [[Atheism]]
|value7 = 3.55
|color7 = Lightgrey
|label8 = Undeclared 
|value8 = 15.76
|color8 = black
|label9 = Other 
|value9 = 0.15
|color9 = Pink
}}

Albania is a [[secular state|secular]] and religiously diverse country with no [[official religion]] and thus, [[freedom of religion]], [[freedom of belief|belief]] and [[Freedom of conscience|conscience]] are guaranteed under the country's [[Constitution of Albania|constitution]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] (OSCE) |title=1998 Constitution of the Republic of Albania |url=https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/3/2/41888.pdf |access-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730220735/https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/3/2/41888.pdf |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref> As of the 2023 Census, there were 1,101,718 (45.86%) [[Sunni Islam|Sunni Muslims]], 201,530 (8.38%) [[Roman Catholicism|Catholics]], 173,645 (7.22%) [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Eastern Orthodox]], 115,644 (4.81%) [[Bektashi Order|Bektashi Muslims]], 9,658 (0.4%) [[Evangelicalism|Evangelicals]], 3,670 (0.15%) of other religions, 332,155 (13.82%) believers without denomination, 85,311 (3.55%) Atheists and 378,782 (15.76%) did not provide an answer.<ref name="Census 2023"/> Albania is nevertheless ranked among the least religious countries in the world.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Gallup |title=Gallup Global Reports |url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/128210/Gallup-Global-Reports.aspx |access-date=25 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014034457/http://www.gallup.com/poll/128210/Gallup-Global-Reports.aspx |archive-date=14 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Religion constitute an important role in the lives of only 39% of the country's population.<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Oliver |publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |title=Mapped: The world's most (and least) religious countries |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/most-religious-countries-in-the-world/ |access-date=1 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816211924/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/most-religious-countries-in-the-world/ |archive-date=16 August 2021 |date=14 January 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> In another report, 56% considered themselves religious, 30% considered themselves non-religious, while 9% defined themselves as convinced atheists. 80% believed in God.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Worldwide Independent Network/Gallup International Association |author1-link=WIN/GIA |title=Religion prevails in the world |url=http://www.wingia.com/web/files/news/370/file/370.pdf |website=wingia.com |page=4 & 7 |access-date=27 February 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114113506/http://www.wingia.com/web/files/news/370/file/370.pdf |archive-date=14 November 2017}}</ref>

The [[Islam in Albania|Muslim Albanians]] are spread throughout the country. [[Orthodoxy in Albania|Orthodox]] and [[Bektashi]]s are mostly found in the south, whereas [[Catholicism in Albania|Catholic]]s mainly live in the north.<ref name="International Religious Freedom Report 2007">{{cite web|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90160.htm |title=Albania: International Religious Freedom Report 2007 |publisher=U.S. State Department |date=14 September 2007 |access-date=27 August 2010}}</ref> In 2008, there were 694 [[Catholic]] churches and 425 [[Eastern Orthodox Church|orthodox]] churches, 568 mosques and 70 [[Bektashi Order|bektashi]] [[takya]]s in the country.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Korrieri online – Shqip |url=http://www.korrieri.com/index.php?k=1&i=15799 |date=23 May 2005 |access-date=17 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050523030433/http://www.korrieri.com/index.php?k=1&i=15799 |archive-date=23 May 2005}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Në Shqipëri P. ka 1119 kisha dhe 638 xhami |url=https://ateistet.org/lm1108237w |website=Ateistët |access-date=17 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118155654/https://ateistet.org/lm1108237w |archive-date=18 November 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Marche Charlie Hebdo Paris 02.jpg|thumb|left|Representatives of the Sunni, Orthodox, Bektashi and Catholic Albanian communities in [[Paris]]]]

During [[Modern history|modern times]], the Albanian republican, monarchic and later communist regimes followed a systematic policy of separating religion from official functions and cultural life. The country has never had an [[official religion]] either as a republic or as a kingdom. In the 20th century, the clergy of all faiths was weakened under the monarchy and ultimately eradicated during the 1950s and 1960s, under the state policy of obliterating all organised religion from the territories of Albania. The [[Communism in Albania|communist regime]] persecuted and suppressed religious observance and institutions and entirely [[anti-religious|banned religion]]. The country was then officially declared to be the world's first [[atheist state]]. Religious freedom has returned, however, since the [[Fall of communism in Albania|end of communism]].

Islam survived communist era persecution and reemerged in the modern era as a practised religion in Albania.<ref name="Merdjanova673940">{{cite book|last=Merdjanova|first=Ina|title=Rediscovering the Umma: Muslims in the Balkans between nationalism and transnationalism|year=2013|location=Oxford|publisher=Oxford University Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6eYRDAAAQBAJ&q=Islam%20Albania%20Ottoman|isbn=9780190462505|pages=6–7, 39–40}}</ref> Some smaller Christian sects in Albania include [[Evangelicalism|Evangelicals]] and several [[Protestant]] communities including [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]], [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] and [[Jehovah's Witnesses]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ted-adventist.org/countries/europe/albania |title=Albania |publisher=TED Adventist |access-date=25 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224022017/http://www.ted-adventist.org/countries/europe/albania |archive-date=24 February 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/albania/famous-british-celebrity-visits-adra-albania|title=Famous British celebrity visits ADRA Albania – Albania|website=ReliefWeb|date=30 April 2001 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=LDS Newsroom-Country Profile-Albania |url=http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/contact-us/albania |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825075459/http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/contact-us/albania |archive-date=25 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=2015 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses|publisher=Watch Tower Society|page=178}}</ref> The first recorded Protestant of Albania was Said Toptani, who travelled around Europe and returned to [[Tirana]] in 1853, where he preached [[Protestantism]]. The first [[evangelical Protestants]] appeared in the 19th century and the Evangelical Alliance was founded in 1892. Nowadays, it has 160 member congregations from different Protestant denominations. Following mass emigration to Israel after the fall of communism, there are only 200 Albanian [[Judaism in Albania|Jews]] left in the country.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3997848,00.html |title=1st chief rabbi inaugurated in Albania – Israel Jewish Scene, Ynetnews |work=Ynetnews |access-date=15 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Scheib |first=Ariel |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/albania.html |title=Albania Virtual Jewish Tour |encyclopedia=Jewish Virtual Library |access-date=15 February 2014}}</ref>

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Albania}}

=== Symbols ===
{{Main|National symbols of Albania}}

[[File:Casque Skanderbeg Vienne.jpg|thumb|The [[Arms of Skanderbeg|helmet]] of [[Skanderbeg|Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg]] stands as an emblem of Albanian independence.]]

The red and black [[national colours]] are displayed on the [[flag of Albania]] that is adorned with a [[double-headed eagle]] as the foremost recognised [[National symbols of Albania|national symbol of Albania]].<ref name="Flamuri">{{cite web |publisher=[[Official Publishing Center (Albania)|Fletorja zyrtare e Republikës së Shqipërisë]] |title=Për formën dhe përmasat e Flamurit kombëtar përmbajtjen e Himnit kombëtar, formën dhe përmasat e Stemës së Republikës të Shqiperisë dhe mënyrën e përdorimit të tyre |url=http://www.qbz.gov.al/botime/fletore_zyrtare/2002/PDF-2002/48-2002.pdf |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804012641/http://www.qbz.gov.al/botime/fletore_zyrtare/2002/PDF-2002/48-2002.pdf |archive-date=4 August 2016 |location=Tirana |language=sq |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Flag Elsie">{{cite book |last=Robert |first=Elsie |title=Historical Dictionary of Albania |date=19 March 2010 |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield|Scarecrow Press]] |isbn=978-0-8108-7380-3 |page=140 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=haFlGXIg8uoC&dq=albanian+flag+eagle&pg=PA140 |access-date=29 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929164542/https://www.google.de/books/edition/Historical_Dictionary_of_Albania/haFlGXIg8uoC?hl=de&gbpv=1&dq=albanian+flag+eagle&pg=PA140&printsec=frontcover |archive-date=29 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Minahan">{{cite book |author=James Minahan |author-link=James Minahan |title=The Complete Guide to National Symbols and Emblems |date=23 December 2009 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-0-313-34497-8 |pages=301{{spaced ndash}}304 |access-date=30 September 2023 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D7rOEAAAQBAJ&dq=albania+The+Complete+Guide+to+National+Symbols+and+Emblems&pg=PA303 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930214942/https://www.google.de/books/edition/The_Complete_Guide_to_National_Symbols_a/D7rOEAAAQBAJ?hl=de&gbpv=1&dq=albania+The+Complete+Guide+to+National+Symbols+and+Emblems&pg=PA303&printsec=frontcover |archive-date=30 September 2023 |url-status=}}</ref> With the black eagle portraying bravery and strength, the red field symbolises the fortitude and sacrifices of the Albanian people.<ref name="Flamuri"/> The eagle is linked with the legacy of the national hero [[Skanderbeg|Gjergj Kastrioti]], renowned as Skanderbeg, who led a prosperous [[Skanderbeg's rebellion|resistance movement]] against Ottoman rule.<ref>{{cite book |author=Paulist Fathers |publisher=[[Paulist Fathers]] |title=Catholic World, Band 23  |page=235 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ybwRAAAAYAAJ&q=skanderbeg+double+headed+eagle&pg=PA235 |year=1876}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Francis Tapon |publisher=SonicTrek, Inc. |title=The Hidden Europe: What Eastern Europeans Can Teach Us |isbn=9780976581222 |page=441 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GlbAmn_cajYC&q=skanderbeg+double+headed+eagle&pg=PA441 |date=8 December 2011}}</ref><ref name="Minahan"/> Rooted in the Middle Ages, it emerged as a [[Albanian heraldry|heraldic]] [[Armorial of Albania|symbol]] in the [[Principality of Arbanon|Principality of Arbër]] and among notable Albanian dynasties such as the [[Dukagjini family|Dukagjini]], [[Kastrioti family|Kastrioti]], [[Muzaka family|Muzaka]] and [[Thopia family|Thopia]] clans.<ref>{{cite book |title=Historia e popullit shqiptar |publisher=Botimet Toena, 2002 |location=Tirana |pages=294–298, 433–434 |edition=Instituti i Historisë (Akademia e Shkencave e RSH) |language=sq}}</ref> Amid the [[Albanian National Awakening|Albanian Renaissance]], marking the resurgence of Albanian national identity and aspirations for independence, the Albanian eagle regained its prominence.<ref name="Flag Elsie"/> Its importance reached its culmination with [[Albanian Declaration of Independence|Albania's declaration of independence]] in 1912, when [[Ismail Qemali]] raised it as the national flag in [[Vlorë]].<ref name="Flag Elsie"/>

The [[coat of arms of Albania]] is an adaptation of the flag of Albania and the seal of Skanderbeg.<ref name="Flamuri"/> The coat comprises the black double-headed eagle positioned at the center of a red field.<ref name="Flamuri"/> Above the eagle, it carries the [[Arms of Skanderbeg|helmet of Skanderbeg]] that is crowned with the head of a golden horned goat.<ref name="Minahan"/> {{lang|sq|[[Ti Shqipëri, më jep nder, më jep emrin Shqipëtar]]|i=no}}, which translates to "You Albania, give me honor, give me the name Albanian", is the [[List of national mottos|national motto of Albania]].<ref name="Flag Elsie"/><ref name="Minahan"/> It finds its foundation in the legacy of [[national poet]] [[Naim Frashëri]], who held a renowned role during the Albanian Renaissance.<ref name="Flag Elsie"/> The [[national anthem|national anthem of Albania]], "{{lang|sq|[[Himni i Flamurit]]|i=no}}", was composed by [[Aleksandër Stavre Drenova|Asdreni]] and adopted as such following Albania's independence in 1912.<ref name="Flamuri"/>

=== Clothing ===
{{Main|Albanian national clothing|l1=Albanian traditional clothing}}

[[File:Les Danseurs Albanais by Alexandre-Gabriel Decamps (c. 1835).jpg|thumb|right|The [[Fustanella]] is designated as the [[national costume of Albania]] with profound cultural significance within Albanian culture.]]

[[Albanian national clothing|Albanian traditional clothing]], with its contrasting variations for the northern [[Ghegs|Gheg]] and southern [[Tosks|Tosk Albanians]], is a testament to Albania's history, cultural diversity and ethnic identity.<ref name="Gjergji">{{cite book |last=Gjergji |first=Andromaqi |author-link=Andromaqi Gjergji |publisher=Academy of Sciences of Albania |year=2004 |title=Albanian Costumes Through the Centuries: Origin, Types, Evolution |isbn=978-99943-614-4-1 |pages=153 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vc3fAAAAMAAJ |access-date=23 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312175750/https://books.google.com/books?id=vc3fAAAAMAAJ
|archive-date=12 March 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Gheg men wear a light-colored shirt paired with wide loose-fitting trousers referred to as the Tirq. These trousers are securely fastened by a wide woven belt, the Brez. An integral component of their costume is the [[Xhamadan]], a woolen red velvet vest adorned with folkloric motifs and gold patterns.<ref>{{harvnb|Blumi|2011|p=19}}</ref> They also wear a distinctive dome-shaped hat known as the [[Qeleshe]], crafted from wool, with its origins tracing back to the [[Illyrians]].<ref>{{harvnb|Stipčević|1977|p=89|ps=: "It is generally agreed, and rightly so, that the modern Albanian cap originates directly from the similar cap worn by the Illyrians."}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |publisher=Instituti Albanologijik i Prishtinës |title=Recherches albanologiques: Folklore et ethnologie |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a6niAAAAMAAJ |access-date=14 April 2013 |year=1982 |page=52 |quote=Ne kuadrin e veshjeve me përkime ilire, të dokumentuara gjer më tani hyjnë tirqit, plisi, qeleshja e bardhë gjysmësferike, goxhufi-gëzofi etj}}</ref> Conversely, Tosk men opt for the [[Fustanella]], a knee-length garment designated as the national costume, typically white with pleats, accompanied by a white shirt. They also wear a beige or dark blue Xhamadan reminiscent of the Gheg attire. To complete their attire, men wear knee-high socks referred to as [[Çorape]] and leather shoes known as [[Opinga]].

The attire of Gheg and Tosk women is renowned for its rich palette of colors and intricate filigree detailing, displayed across various components including ear ornaments, finger rings, necklaces, belt buckles and buttons. Key components include a long, light-toned shirt paired with an apron, often accompanied by a woolen or felt mantle referred to as the Xhoka. Additional upper garments, such as the Dollama or Mintan, may be layered, along with a headscarf known as Kapica or Shall. A distinctive variation incorporates a pair of aprons, including the Pështjellak at the rear and the Paranik at the front. Integral to the traditional attire of Gheg women is the ancient [[Xhubleta]].<ref name="Gjergji"/> Dedicated efforts have been undertaken to preserve and promote the dress, acknowledging its significance as an emblem of Albanian heritage.<ref name="Xhubleta">{{cite web |publisher=UNESCO |title=Xhubleta, skills, craftsmanship and forms of usage |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/USL/xhubleta-skills-craftsmanship-and-forms-of-usage-01880 |access-date=24 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924132319/https://ich.unesco.org/en/USL/xhubleta-skills-craftsmanship-and-forms-of-usage-01880 |archive-date=24 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> As a testament to its importance, the Xhubleta has been inscribed on the [[UNESCO]] [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists|Intangible Cultural Heritage List]].<ref name="Xhubleta"/> The distinctive bell-shaped garment is fashioned in black and enriched with embroidered ethnic Albanian motifs, showcasing the remarkable craftsmanship of northern Albania.<ref name="Gjergji"/> Its crafting process involves multiple intricate stages, encompassing the preparation of shajak fabric and the precise cutting techniques.<ref name="Xhubleta"/>
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=== Art and architecture ===
{{Main|Albanian art|Albanian architecture|l2=architecture}}

[[File:Amphitheatre of Butrint 2009.jpg|thumb|right|[[Butrint]] has been included in the [[UNESCO]] list of [[World Heritage Site]]s since 1992.]]

The [[Albanian art|artistic history]] of Albania has been particularly influenced by a multitude of ancient and medieval [[Civilisation|people]], traditions and religions. It covers a broad spectrum with mediums and disciplines that include painting, [[pottery]], sculpture, [[ceramic]]s and architecture all of them exemplifying a great variety in style and shape, in different regions and period.

The rise of the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] and [[Ottoman Empire]] in the [[Middle Ages]] was accompanied by a corresponding growth in [[Christian art|Christian]] and [[Islamic art]] in the lands of Albania which are apparent in examples of architecture and mosaics throughout the country.<ref name="www.albanianart.net index_al">{{cite web |title=Robert Elsie: Arti Shqiptar |url=http://www.albanianart.net/index_al.html |website=albanianart.net |access-date=22 November 2015}}</ref> Centuries later, the [[Albanian Renaissance]] proved crucial to the emancipation of the modern Albanian culture and saw unprecedented developments in all fields of literature and art whereas artists sought to return to the ideals of [[Impressionism]] and [[Romanticism (art)|Romanticism]].<ref>{{cite book|author=MaryLee Knowlton|title=Albania – Band 23 von Cultures of the world|publisher=Marshall Cavendish, 2004|isbn=9780761418528|pages=102–103|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=alNsb0fpX9IC&q=impressionism+in+albania&pg=PA102 |year=2005}}</ref> However, [[Onufri]], [[Kolë Idromeno]], [[David Selenica]], [[Kostandin Shpataraku]] and the [[Zografi Brothers]] are the most eminent representatives of Albanian art.

The [[architecture of Albania]] reflects the legacy of various civilisations tracing back to the [[classical antiquity]]. Major cities in Albania have evolved from within the castle to include dwellings, religious and commercial structures, with constant redesigning of town squares and evolution of building techniques. Nowadays, the cities and towns reflect a whole spectrum of various [[architectural style]]s. In the 20th century, many historical as well as [[Sacred architecture|sacred]] buildings bearing the ancient influence were demolished during the [[Communism in Albania|communist era]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=Karin Myhrberg – [[University of Gothenburg]]|title=Heritage from the Communist Period in Albania – An Unwanted Heritage Today?|url=https://gupea.ub.gu.se/bitstream/2077/29221/1/gupea_2077_29221_1.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://gupea.ub.gu.se/bitstream/2077/29221/1/gupea_2077_29221_1.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|website=gupea.ub.gu.se|page=12}}</ref>

[[Ancient architecture]] is found throughout Albania and most visible in [[Byllis]], [[Amantia]], [[Phoenice]], [[Apollonia (Illyria)|Apollonia]], [[Butrint]], [[Antigonia (Chaonia)|Antigonia]], [[Rozafa Castle|Shkodër]] and [[Durrës Amphitheatre|Durrës]]. Considering the long period of rule of the [[Byzantine Empire]], they introduced castles, citadels, churches and monasteries with spectacular wealth of visible [[mural]]s and [[fresco]]s. Perhaps the best known examples can be found in the southern Albanian cities and surroundings of [[Korçë]], [[Berat]], [[Voskopojë]] and [[Gjirokastër]]. Involving the introduction of [[Ottoman architecture]] there was a development of mosques and other Islamic buildings, particularly seen in Berat and Gjirokastër.

[[File:Bliss by Helidon Xhixza.jpg|thumb|''Bliss'', stainless steel sculpture by contemporary artist [[Helidon Xhixha]].]]

A productive period of [[Historicism (art)|Historicism]], [[Art Nouveau]] and [[Neoclassicism]] merged into the 19th century, best exemplified in [[Korçë]]. The 20th century brought new architectural styles such as the modern [[Italianate architecture|Italian style]], which is present in [[Tirana]] such as the [[Skanderbeg Square]] and Ministries. It is also present in Shkodër, [[Vlorë]], [[Sarandë]] and [[Durrës]]. Moreover, other towns received their present-day Albania-unique appearance through various cultural or economic influences.

[[Socialist classicism]] arrived during the [[Peoples Republic of Albania|communist era]] in Albania after the [[Second World War]]. At this period many socialist-styled complexes, wide roads and factories were constructed, while town squares were redesigned and numerous of historic and important buildings demolished. Notable examples of that style include the [[Mother Teresa Square (Tirana)|Mother Teresa Square]], [[Pyramid of Tirana]], [[Palace of Congresses]] and so on.

Three Albanian archaeological sites are included in the list of [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]s. These include the ancient remains of Butrint, the medieval [[Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastër]], and [[Ohrid Lake|Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region]] site shared with [[North Macedonia]] since 2019.<ref>{{cite web|author1=UNESCO|title=Butrint|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/570|publisher=UNESCO|author1-link=UNESCO}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=UNESCO|title=Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/569|publisher=UNESCO|author1-link=UNESCO}}</ref> Furthermore, the royal [[Royal Tombs of Selca e Poshtme|Illyrian tombs]], the remains of [[Apollonia (Illyria)|Apollonia]], the ancient [[Durrës Amphitheatre|Amphitheatre]] of Durrës and the [[Fortress of Bashtovë]] has been included on the tentative list of Albania.

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Albanian cuisine}}

[[File:Bukë_kollomoqe,_bukë_misri.JPG|thumb|Bukë misri ([[cornbread]]) is a staple on the Albanian table.]]

Throughout the centuries, [[Albanian cuisine]] has been widely influenced by [[Albanian culture]], [[Geography of Albania|geography]] and [[History of Albania|history]], and as such, different parts of the country enjoy specific [[regional cuisine]]s. Cooking traditions especially vary between the north and the south, owing to differing [[topography]] and [[climate]] that essentially contribute to the excellent growth conditions for a wide array of herbs, fruits, and vegetables.<ref>{{cite web |title=Albania Mania |url=http://agroweb.org/archive//?id=10&l=248&ln=en&url=albania-mania |website=agroweb.org |access-date=13 October 2017 |archive-date=13 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013225145/http://agroweb.org/archive//?id=10&l=248&ln=en&url=albania-mania |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Albanians produce and use many varieties of fruits such as [[Lemon (fruit)|lemon]]s, oranges, [[Figs (fruit)|fig]]s, and most notably, [[Olive (fruit)|olive]]s, which are perhaps the most important element of Albanian cooking. Spices and other herbs such as [[Basil (herb)|basil]], [[lavender]], [[Spearmint|mint]], [[oregano]], [[rosemary]], and [[thyme]] are widely used, as are vegetables such as garlic, onions, [[Bell pepper|pepper]]s, potatoes, tomatoes, as well as [[legume]]s of all types.

With a coastline along the [[Albanian Adriatic Sea Coast|Adriatic]] and [[Albanian Ionian Sea Coast|Ionian]] in the [[Mediterranean Sea]], fish, [[crustacean]]s, and seafood are a popular and an integral part of the Albanian diet. Otherwise, [[Lamb (food)|lamb]] is the traditional meat for different holidays and [[religious festival]]s for both [[Christianity in Albania|Christians]] and [[Islam in Albania|Muslim]]s, although poultry, beef, and pork are also in plentiful supply.

[[File:Albanian_cuisine_-_Pite_dhe_Speca.jpg|thumb|left|Speca të fërguar (roasted [[Capsicum|pepper]]s) served with [[Pite (food)|pite]], a traditional and prominent layered Albanian pie]]

[[Tavë kosi]] ("[[soured milk]] [[casserole]]") is the [[national dish]] of Albania, consisting of lamb and rice baked under a thick, tart veil of [[yoghurt]]. Fërgesë is another national dish, made up of peppers, tomatoes, and [[cottage cheese]]. Pite is also popular, a baked pastry with a filling of a mixture of [[spinach]] and gjizë (curd) or mish ([[ground meat]]).

Petulla, a traditional fried dough, is also a popular speciality, and is served with [[powdered sugar]] or [[feta cheese]] and different sorts of [[Fruit preserves|fruit jam]]s. [[Flia]] consists of multiple [[crêpe]]-like layers brushed with cream and served with sour cream. [[Krofne]], similar to [[Berliner (doughnut)|Berliner doughnuts]], are filled with jam, or chocolate and often eaten during winter.

Coffee is an integral part of the Albanian lifestyle. The country has more coffee houses per capita than any other country in the world.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ocnal.com/2018/02/albania-ranked-first-in-world-for.html|title=Albania ranked first in the World for the number of Bars and Restaurants per inhabitant|work=Oculus News|date=19 February 2018}}</ref> Tea is also enjoyed both at home or outside at cafés, bars, or restaurants. Çaj Mali ([[Sideritis]] tea) is enormously beloved, and a part of the daily routine for most Albanians. It is cultivated across Southern Albania and noted for its medicinal properties. [[Black tea]] is also popular.

[[Albanian wine]] is also common throughout the country, and has been cultivated for thousands of years. Albania has a long and ancient history of wine production, and belongs to the [[Old World wine|Old World of wine producing countries]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Why Albania Is A Great Destination For Wine Drinkers|url=https://epicureandculture.com/albanian-wine/|website=epicureandculture.com |date=5 January 2017|access-date=5 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Wines of Albania|url=http://www.winesofbalkans.com/index.php?balkan-states/albania|website=winesofbalkans.com|page=1 |access-date=18 January 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107005025/http://www.winesofbalkans.com/index.php?balkan-states%2Falbania |archive-date=7 January 2014}}</ref>

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=== Music ===
{{Main|Music of Albania}}

[[File:A_traditional_male_folk_group_from_Skrapar.JPG|right|thumb|[[Albanian iso-polyphony]] is designated as an [[UNESCO]] [[Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity|Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation]] (UNESCO) |title=Albanian folk iso-polyphony |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/albanian-folk-iso-polyphony-00155 |access-date=14 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214180840/https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/albanian-folk-iso-polyphony-00155 |archive-date=14 December 2020}}</ref>]]

Albanian folk music is a prominent part of the national identity, and continues to play a major part in overall [[Music of Albania|Albanian music]]. Folk music can be divided into two stylistic groups, mainly the northern [[Gheg Albanian|Gheg]] varieties, and southern [[Labëria|Lab]] and [[Tosk Albanian|Tosk]] varieties. Northern and southern traditions are contrasted by a rugged tone from the north, and the more relaxed southern form of music.

Many songs concern events from [[History of Albania|Albanian history]] and [[Culture of Albania|culture]], including traditional themes of honour, hospitality, treachery, and revenge. The first compilation of Albanian folk music was made by two [[Himara|Himariot]] musicians, [[Neço Muko|Neço Muka]] and Koço Çakali, in Paris, during their work with Albanian soprano [[Tefta Tashko-Koço]]. Several [[Phonograph record|gramophone]] compilations were recorded at the time by the three artists, which eventually led to the recognition of [[Albanian iso-polyphony]] as a [[UNESCO]] [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists|Intangible Cultural Heritage]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shekulli.com.al/m/post.php?id=362126 |title=Kujtimet për Koço Çakalin, themeluesin e këngës himariote |publisher=shekulli.com.al |access-date=23 July 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829090701/http://www.shekulli.com.al/m/post.php?id=362126 |archive-date=29 August 2016}}</ref>

{{lang|sq|[[Festivali i Këngës]]|italic=no}} is a traditional Albanian song contest organised by the national broadcaster {{lang|sq|[[Radio Televizioni Shqiptar]]|italic=no}} (RTSH). The festival is celebrated annually since its inauguration in 1962 and has launched the careers of some of Albania's most successful singers including [[Vaçe Zela]] and [[Parashqevi Simaku]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Radio Televizioni Shqiptar]] (RTSH) |title=Historiku i Festivalit të Këngës |url=http://www.festivali-rtsh.al/historiku/ |access-date=14 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107023738/http://www.festivali-rtsh.al/historiku/ |archive-date=7 January 2020 |language=sq}}</ref> It is significantly a music competition among Albanian performers presenting unreleased songs in premiere, composed by Albanian authors and voted by juries or by public.

Contemporary artists [[Rita Ora]], [[Bebe Rexha]], [[Era Istrefi]], [[Dua Lipa]], [[Ava Max]], [[Bleona]], [[Elvana Gjata]], [[Ermonela Jaho]], and [[Inva Mula]] have achieved international recognition for their music,<ref>{{cite web|title=Era Istrefi requires Albanian citizenship, meets with President Nishani|url=http://www.ocnal.com/2016/11/era-istrefi-requires-albanian.html|website=ocnal |date=12 November 2016 |access-date=12 November 2016}}</ref> while soprano [[Ermonela Jaho]] has been described by some as the "world's most acclaimed soprano".<ref>{{cite news|title=How Ermonela Jaho became the world's most acclaimed soprano|url=https://www.economist.com/news/books-and-arts/21699431-how-ermonela-jaho-became-worlds-most-acclaimed-soprano-fiery-angel |access-date=28 May 2016|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=28 May 2016}}</ref> Albanian opera singer [[Saimir Pirgu]] was nominated for the 2017 [[Grammy Award]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Tenori shqiptar Saimir Pirgu nominohet në "Grammy Awards"! (Foto)|url=http://telegrafi.com/tenori-shqiptar-saimir-pirgu-nominohet-ne-grammy-awards-foto/|website=Telegrafi |date=7 December 2016|access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref>

=== Literature ===
{{More citations needed section|date=October 2018}}
{{Main|Albanian literature}}[[File:Meshari.jpg|thumb|right|An excerpt from the [[Meshari]] ''(The Missal)'' written by [[Gjon Buzuku]] <small>(1555)</small>]]

The cultural renaissance was first of all expressed through the development of the [[Albanian language]] in the area of church texts and publications. The Protestant reforms invigorated hopes for the development of the local language and literary tradition, when cleric [[Gjon Buzuku]] translated the [[Catholic liturgy]] into Albanian, trying to do for Albanian what [[Martin Luther]] had done for German. [[Meshari]] (''The Missal'') written by [[Gjon Buzuku]] was published in 1555 and is considered one of the first literary work of written Albanian during the Middle Ages. The refined level of the language and the stabilised orthography must be the result of an earlier tradition of written Albanian, a tradition that is not well understood. However, there is some fragmented evidence, pre-dating Buzuku, which indicates that Albanian was written from at least the 14th century.

[[File:Parashqevi-qirjazi_152_186.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Parashqevi Qiriazi]] – teacher and feminist (1880–1970)]]

Albanian writings from these centuries must not have been religious texts only, but historical chronicles too. They are mentioned by the humanist [[Marin Barleti]], who in his book [[Siege of Shkodra (1478)#The Book|Siege of Shkodër]] (''Rrethimi i Shkodrës'') from 1504, confirms that he leafed through such chronicles written in the language of the people (''in vernacula lingua'') as well as his famous biography of [[Skanderbeg]] [[Marin Barleti|Historia de vita et gestis Scanderbegi Epirotarum principis]] (''History of Skanderbeg'') from 1508. The ''History of Skanderbeg'' is still the foundation of Skanderbeg studies and is considered an Albanian cultural treasure, vital to the formation of Albanian national self-consciousness.

During the 16th and the 17th centuries, the [[catechism]] (''E mbësuame krishterë'') (Christian Teachings) from 1592 written by [[Lekë Matrënga]], (''Doktrina e krishterë'') (The Christian Doctrine) from 1618 and (''Rituale romanum'') 1621 by [[Pjetër Budi]], the first writer of original Albanian [[prose]] and poetry, an [[Remorse|apology]] for George Castriot (1636) by [[Frang Bardhi]], who also published a dictionary and [[folklore]] creations, the theological-philosophical treaty ''[[Cuneus Prophetarum]]'' (The Band of Prophets) (1685) by [[Pjetër Bogdani]], the most universal personality of Albanian [[Middle Ages]], were published in [[Albanian language|Albanian]]. The most famous Albanian writer in the 20th and 21st century is probably [[Ismail Kadare]].

=== Sports ===
{{See also|Albania at the Olympics|Albania at the Mediterranean Games}}

Albania participated at the [[1972 Summer Olympics|Olympic Games in 1972]] for the first time. The country made their Winter Olympic Games debut in [[Winter Olympics 2006|2006]]. Albania missed the next four games, two of them due to the 1980 and 1984 boycotts, but returned for the 1992 games in [[1992 Olympic Winter Games|Barcelona]]. Since then, Albania have participated in all games. Albania normally competes in events that include swimming, athletics, weightlifting, shooting and wrestling. The country have been represented by the [[National Olympic Committee of Albania]] since 1972. The nation has participated at the [[Mediterranean Games]] since the games of [[1987 Mediterranean Games|1987]] in Syria. The Albanian athletes have won a total of 43 (8 gold, 17 silver and 18 bronze) medals from [[1987 Mediterranean Games|1987]] to [[2013 Mediterranean Games|2013]].

[[File:Muzeu_Arkeologjike_Tirane.jpg|thumb|left|[[Arena Kombëtare]] in central Tirana]]

Popular sports in Albania include [[Football in Albania|football]], weightlifting, [[Albania national basketball team|basketball]], volleyball, tennis, swimming, [[rugby union]] and gymnastics. Football is by far the most popular sport in Albania. It is governed by the [[Football Association of Albania]] ({{lang-sq|Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit}}, F.SH.F.), which has membership in [[FIFA]] and [[UEFA]].

The [[Albania national football team]], ranking 51st in the [[FIFA World Rankings|World]] in 2017 (highest 22nd on 22 August 2015) have won the [[1946 Balkan Cup]] and the [[Rothmans International Tournament 2000|Malta Rothmans International Tournament 2000]], but had never participated in any major [[UEFA]] or [[FIFA]] tournament, until [[UEFA Euro 2016]], Albania's first ever appearance at the continental tournament and at a major men's football tournament. Albania scored their first ever goal in a major tournament and secured their first ever win in European Championship when they beat [[Romania national football team|Romania]] by 1–0 in a [[UEFA Euro 2016]] match on 19 June 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/19/albania-vs-romania-euro-2016---live/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/19/albania-vs-romania-euro-2016---live/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Euro 2016: Albania 0–1 Romania – Armando Sadiku scores the only goal to seal his country's first ever win at a major competition|work=The Daily Telegraph |date=19 June 2016|access-date=19 June 2016|last1=Amofa|first1=Richard}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/romania-0-1-albania-armando-8233364|title=Romania 0–1 Albania – Sadiku scores landmark goal to provide last 16 hope |date=19 June 2016 |work=Daily Mirror |access-date=19 June 2016}}</ref> The most successful football clubs are [[KF Skënderbeu Korçë|Skënderbeu]], [[KF Tirana]], [[FK Dinamo Tirana|Dinamo Tirana]], [[FK Partizani Tirana|Partizani]] and [[KF Vllaznia Shkodër|Vllaznia]].

Weightlifting is one of the most successful individual sport for the Albanians, with the national team winning medals at the [[European Weightlifting Championships]] and the rest international competitions. Albanian weightlifters have won a total of 16 medals at the [[European Weightlifting Championships|European Championships]] with 1 of them being gold, 7 silver and 8 bronze. In the [[World Weightlifting Championships]], the Albanian weightlifting team has won in [[1972 World Weightlifting Championships|1972]] a gold in [[2002 World Weightlifting Championships|2002]] a silver and in [[2011 World Weightlifting Championships|2011]] a bronze medal.

== Human Rights and Equality ==
[[File:Tirana Gay(<span class="ltr">P</span>)Ride 2016.jpg|thumb|2016 LGBT Pride in [[Tirana]].]]

=== Violence and discrimination against women ===

Nearly 60% of women in rural areas suffer physical or psychological violence and nearly 8% are victims of sexual violence. 
Protection orders are often violated.
In 2014 the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) reported that the number of female murder victims is still high.<ref name="civilRightsDefenders">{{Cite web |url=https://www.civilrightsdefenders.org/country-reports/human-rights-in-albania/ |title=Human Rights in Albania |access-date=2017-11-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114170645/http://www.civilrightsdefenders.org/country-reports/human-rights-in-albania/ |archive-date=2018-01-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination has raised concerns regarding the family registration law that discriminates against women. As a result, heads of households, who are overwhelmingly men, have the right to change family residency without their partners' permission.<ref name="civilRightsDefenders"/>

=== LGBT rights in Albania ===

In 2015, the association [[ILGA-Europe]] ranked Albania 19th in terms of LGBT rights out of 49 observed European countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People in Europe|url=http://www.ilga-europe.org/sites/default/files/Attachments/01_full_annual_review_updated.pdf|website=ilga-europe.org|publisher=ILGA-Europe|access-date=8 July 2015|date=2015}}</ref> Meanwhile, on the latest report in 2022, lack of progress caused Albania to be ranked the 28th country in Europe, among 49 countries observed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rainbow Europe |url=https://www.rainbow-europe.org/#8618/0/0 |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=www.rainbow-europe.org}}</ref>

=== Diaspora ===
{{Main|Albanian diaspora|Category:Albanian diaspora|l2=Albanian communities}}

Historically, the Albanian people have established several communities in many regions throughout Southern Europe. The [[Albanian diaspora]] has been formed since the late [[Middle Ages]], when they emigrated to places such as Italy, especially in [[Sicily]] and [[Calabria]], and [[Greece]] to escape either various socio-political difficulties or the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman conquest]] of Albania.<ref>{{cite book|title=Historia e popullit shqiptar|author=Stafi i Akedemise se Shkencave|year=2003|publisher=Botimet Toena|pages=252–254}}</ref> Following the [[Fall of communism in Albania|fall of communism]], large numbers of Albanians have migrated to countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, [[Greece]], Italy, [[Scandinavia]], [[Switzerland]], the United Kingdom and the United States. Albanian [[Minority group|minorities]] are present in the neighbouring territories such as the west of [[North Macedonia]], the east of [[Montenegro]], [[Kosovo]] in its entirety and southern [[Serbia]]. In [[Kosovo]], Albanians are the largest ethnic group in the country. Altogether, the number of ethnic Albanians living abroad is estimated to be higher than the total population inside Albania.

== See also ==
* [[Outline of Albania]]
* [[Bibliography of Albania]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Cited Sources ==
* {{Citation|last=Hodgkinson|first=Harry|title=Scanderbeg: From Ottoman Captive to Albanian Hero |year=2005|publisher=I.B. Tauris|isbn=1-85043-941-9}}

== Further reading ==
{{Refbegin}}
* ''History of the Party of Labor of Albania''. Tirana: Institute of Marxist–Leninist Studies, 1971. 691 p.
* {{cite book |last1=Abrahams |first1=Fred |date=2015 |title=Modern Albania: From Dictatorship to Democracy in Europe |publisher=NYU Press |page=384 |isbn=978-0-8147-0511-7}}
*{{citation |last=Blumi |first=Isa |publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]] |date=10 May 2011 |title=Reinstating the Ottomans: Alternative Balkan Modernities, 1800{{spaced ndash}}1912 |isbn=978-0-230-11908-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ca3IAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA19 |access-date=23 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923161456/https://books.google.de/books?id=ca3IAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA19&redir_esc=y
|archive-date=23 September 2023 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite book |last=Stipčević |first=Aleksandar |publisher=Noyes Press |title=The Illyrians: History and Culture |year=1977 |series=History and Culture Series |isbn=0815550529 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NLcWAQAAIAAJ |access-date=23 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525033344/https://books.google.com/books?id=NLcWAQAAIAAJ |archive-date=25 May 2023 |url-status=live}}
{{Refend}}

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{{Wikiatlas|Albania}}
*[https://albania.al/ albania.al]{{spaced ndash}}{{in lang|en}}
*[https://president.al/ president.al]{{spaced ndash}}{{in lang|sq}}
*[https://kryeministria.al/ kryeministria.al]{{spaced ndash}}{{in lang|sq}}
*[https://parlament.al/ parlament.al] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205050155/https://www.parlament.al/ |date=5 December 2021 }}{{spaced ndash}}{{in lang|sq}}
*[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/albania/ Albania] at ''[[The World Factbook]]'' by [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA)

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