Interesting Facts About Albania - Fun Facts About Albania

A country in southeastern Europe, Albania is located in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula. Lying along the Adriatic Sea, it stands bounded by Greece in the south-east, Montenegro in the north, partially-recognized Kosovo in the northeast and the Republic of Macedonia in the east. The narrow coastal plain that spread over most of the country gives rise to mountains that are as much as 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) high. Albania is one of the smallest as well as the poorest countries of Europe. However, it is slowly making the transition to open-market economy and moving on the road to progress. Albania was first captured by the Fascists and then by the Nazis during the second world. After the defeat of the Nazis, Socialist People’s Republic was established in Albania which later in 1991 was dissolved. In case you want to know more about Albania, make use of the information provided below.

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Fast Facts

Continent: Europe

Capital: Tirana

Population: 3,215,988 (2011)

Area: 28,748 km²

Official Language: Albanian

Currency: Albanian Lek

Calling Code: 355

Independence Day: 28 November 1912

Type of Government: Unitary Parliamentary Republic

Fun Facts About Albania

The official name of Albania is the ‘Republic of Albania.
Albania was earlier known as ‘People's Socialist Republic of Albania’.
The official language of Albania is Albanian. However, Greek is also widely spoken there.
People of Albania mainly belong to Islam, Albanian Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism.
The currency of Albania is Lek.
The capital of Albania is Tirana, which is also Albania’s largest city.
Albania follows the system of Parliamentary Democracy.
Albania gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912.
Albania is a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Council of Europe as well as World Trade Organization.
Albania is believed to be a potential candidate for membership in the European Union.
The highest point in Albania is Mount Korab (2,753 m).
The local name of Albania is ‘Shqiperia’, which can be translated to ‘Land of the Eagles’.
The emblem on Albania's flag comprises of a two-headed eagle.
Albanoi tribe, which used to inhabit the region around Durres, gave Albania its name.
In the early times, Albania used to be known as Illyria.
The capital city of Albania has been inhabited since Neolithic times and was developed in the 17th century.
The ancient city of Butrint is a World Heritage Site.
The city of Berat is a designated "Museum City".
Albania had become a Christian country by the 2nd century. It was only in the 15th century that Ottoman Turks introduced Islam here.
‘Meshari’ was the first book published in Albania, written by a Catholic priest in 1555.
Albania is one of the only majority Muslim nations in Europe. More than two-thirds of the population in Albania is Muslim.
Food processing, textiles and clothing, lumber and oil form the major industries of Albania.
Albania is one of the poorest and least-developed countries in Europe.
Tirana, Durrës, Elbasan, Shkodër and Vlorë are the major cities in Albania, in terms of population.
Albania is one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries in the world.
In Albania, nodding the head means no, and shaking the head means yes.
Albania enjoys the membership of UN, NATO, the Council of Europe, World Trade Organization, and Organization of Islamic Co-operation. Albania is also one of the founding members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
Albania featured at the No.1 spot in ‘Lonely Planet's’ list of ten top countries to visit in 2011.
Albania was known as Arber during the middle ages.
The national airport of Albania is named after Mother Teresa. The full name of the airport is Tirana International Nene Tereza.

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