Albania Tour

Albania is a small mountainous country in the eastern Mediterranean with one small navigable river, the Bueni. Its immediate neighbours are GREECE, SERBIA and THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC of MACEDONIA, and it is bounded to the west by the Adriatic Sea. The climate is typically Mediterranean and although most rain falls in winter, severe thunderstorms frequently occur on the plains in summer. Winters are severe in the highland areas and heavy snowfalls are common. All land is state owned, with the main agricultural areas lying along the Adriatic coast and in the Korce Basin with about a fifth of the land being arable. Industry is also nationalized and output is small. The principal industries are agricultural product processing, textiles, oil products, cement, iron and steel. There is also potential for producing hydroelectricity, with the country's many mountain streams. Most trade is with neighbouring Serbia and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and major imports are consumables, grains and machinery.

Albania has been afflicted by severe economic problems and in late 1996 public dissatisfaction with the government erupted into civil unrest, leading to a major revolt by citizen militias during which the government forces lost control, particularly in the south of the country. By March 1997 the country was on the brink of collapse and large numbers of refugees were leaving.

Albania Tour Quick facts:

Area : 28,748 sq km (11.100 sq miles)

Population : 3,639,453

Capital : Tirana (Tirane)

Other major cities : Durres, Shkoder, Elbasan, Vlore

Form of government : Republic

Religion : Constitutionally atheist but mainly Sunni Islam

Currency : Lek

Albania

Albania Tour

Albania Tour: Albania - Fact and Info