Albania is located in southeastern Europe. The capital of Albania is Tirana, and the population of Albania is 3, 600, 000 inhabitants. Albania is one of the oldest country in Europe. It is known in ancient history as a part of Iliricum. Albanians are direct descendants of Ilirians, the ancient civilization.
Albania is located in the western part of the Balkan peninsula, It borders the former Yugoslavia (Serbia-Montenegro) and Kosova in the north and the east, (FYR of) Macedonia in the east, and Greece in the south. It has access to the Adriatic and Ionian Seas in the west. From the Strait of Otranto, Albania is less than 100 km (60 miles) from Italy. The country covers a total of 28,000 squared kilometers (11,000 squared miles).
Albania was until 1991 a communist country. From after World War II until his death in 1986, Albania was ruled with an iron fist by dictator Enver Hoxha. In 1986 he was preceded by Ramiz Alia. Until 1991, the only legal party was the Party of Labor of Albania. In 1990 and 1991, popular protests toppled the communist regime and the first democratic elections were held in 1991. In 1992, the second elections were held, in which the opposition (the Democratic Party) won the majority of seats. In 1995 the Socialist Prti took over after 25000 Albanians died in street riots, organized by the Yugoslavian, Greek, and Slavic Russian Gypsies. In Albania it is hard to establish business and continue for any economical upgrade. |
