Albania Travel Guide - Key Facts

Eastern Europe, Adriatic and Ionian Coast.

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

27,398 sq km (11,100 sq miles).

3.2 million (UN estimate 2005).

116.8 per sq km.

Tirana. Population: 585,700 (2005).

Albania shares borders with Serbia & Montenegro to the north, with Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of) to the northeast, and with Greece to the south; to the west are the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Most of the country is wild and mountainous, with extensive forests. There are fine sandy beaches and, inland, many beautiful lakes.

Democratic Republic since 1991.

President Alfred Moisiu since 2002.

Prime Minister Sali Berisha since July 2005.

Following years of Communist ruling, the Partia Demokratike të Shqipërisë (DPA - Democratic Party of Albania) won an outright majority in the first democratic elections to the People's Assembly held in March 1992. The DPA leader, Sali Berisha, took over as president. Four years later, the DPA repeated its success and increased its majority. Under the Democrats, the bulk of the economy had been transferred to the private sector by this stage. However, as elsewhere in Eastern Europe, essential legal and regulatory systems were inadequate - where they existed at all. This was especially true of the banking and finance sector, which was replete with highly popular ‘pyramid' investment schemes offering absurdly high rates of interest to investors. In January 1997, the collapse of one of the largest schemes triggered violent protests across large parts of the country. During the next two months, with the help of foreign mediation and an Italian-led peacekeeping force, some semblance of normality was gradually restored.

Elections were held at the end of June 1997, bringing a comfortable victory for Socialist Fatos Nano, who became premier. However, Nano was unable to contain the deteriorating economic situation and was forced out of office in September 1998. His replacement, Pandeli Majko, suffered the same fate a year later. The Socialist Party turned to Ilir Meta, who at age 30 became Europe's youngest premier. Meta survived in office and won the general election in 2001. However, the relative political calm was short-lived. An ever-widening rift between Meta and Nano promoted three ministers to resign. Eventually, Meta himself resigned and, by early 2002, yet another premier had failed to reach the end of his allocated tenure. Pandeli Majko became the new premier and pledged to end in-fighting. Alfred Moisiu became president and fraction seemed to be ebbing. However, yet more upheaval materialised when it was decided that the roles of premier and party chairman should merge, and Nano was appointed this dual title. 2004 and 2005 both bore witness to angry demonstrations by opposition lambasting Nano's failure to improve living standards in Albania.

Albania's new prime minister, Sali Berisha, won a parliamentary vote of confidence in September 2005 after pledging that his Government would make tackling corruption and organised crime its overriding priority.

The official language is Albanian (Tosk is the official dialect). Some Albanians also speak Italian and English. Greek is widely spoken in the Gjirokastra and Saranda districts in south Albania.

Three religions coexist in Albania: Islam, Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The majority of the population is Muslim.

220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Nearly half of the population lives in urban areas, with the rest pursuing a relatively quiet rural existence. Some Albanian characteristics and mannerisms resemble those of the mainland Greeks, most notably in the more rural areas; for instance, a nod of the head means ’no’ and shaking one’s head means ’yes’. Handshaking is the accepted form of greeting. Albanians should be addressed with Zoti (Mr) and Zonja (Mrs). The former widespread greeting of Shoku (Comrade) has all but disappeared. Small gifts are customary when visiting someone’s house, although flowers are not usually given. Any attempt to speak Albanian is greatly appreciated. Visitors should accept offers of raki, coffee or sweets. Dress is generally informal. Bikinis are acceptable on the beach; elsewhere women are expected to dress modestly although attitudes are becoming increasingly relaxed. Offices and restaurants are often unheated. Visitors should be aware that foreigners tend to be charged a lot more than locals, with this applying to entry fees as well as general merchandise. Smoking is permitted except where the sign Ndalohet Duhani or Ndalohet pirja e duhanit is displayed. Penalties for drug-related crimes are severe. Homosexuality, although legal, is not fully accepted and discretion should be exercised.