Albania Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 25, 2020

Albania, state on the western part of the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe; 29,000 km², 2.9 million residents (2019).Albania borders in the north to Kosovo, in the northwest to Montenegro, in the east to northern Macedonia, in the south to Greece, in the southwest to the Ionian Sea and in the west to the Adriatic. The capital is Tirana (587 100 residents, 2012).

Country facts

Republika e Shiqërisë / Republic of Albania
Country abbreviation: AL
Area: 29 000 km²
Population (2019): 2.9 million residents
Capital: Tirana
Main language: Albanian
State: Republic
Head of State: Ilir Meta (President)
Head of Government: Edi Rama
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 5,254
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 4,860
Currency unit: 1 game = 100 qindarka
Currency code: ALL
Country number (telephony): 355
Internet Domain Name: al
Time difference compared to Sweden: 0
National Day: November 28 (Independence Day, 1912)

Nature

Land use: forest (38%), agricultural land (26%), other (36%)
Highest mountain: Korab (2,764 m asl)

Population

Population density (2019): 100 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 0.2%; birth rate 10 ‰, death rate 8 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (17%), 15-64 (69%), 65- (14%)
Life expectancy (2019): men 77 years, women 81 years
Infant mortality (2019): 9 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 2 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.785 (place 68 of 188)
Urbanization rate (2019): 43%
Most populous cities (2012): Tirana (587 100 residents), Durrës (168 200), Vlorë (124 400)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (22%), industry (24%), service (54%)
Exports (2017): US $ 901 million
Main export products: textiles, asphalt, metals
Main exporting countries: Italy, Kosovo, Spain
Imports (2017): US $ 4 103 million
Main import products: vehicles, food, textiles
Main importing countries: Italy, Turkey, Greece
Railway network (2015): 677 km

Albania is located on the western Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe. The country’s northern, eastern and southern parts consist of mountainous highlands, while the western parts are occupied by the Albanian lowlands. The coast towards the Adriatic is irregular, with both cliffs and sandy beaches. In the coastal area there is a Mediterranean climate, while the inland has a more continental climate with cold winters and hot summers.

Albania was proclaimed an independent state in 1912, but was first recognized in 1913. The country is a democratic republic with a single-chamber parliament elected for four years. The president, who is elected for five years, mainly has a ceremonial function, and the executive power lies with the government.

It is one of Europe’s poorest countries, and family farming is the backbone of the economy. Growth during the 2000s has been mainly in the service and service industries and trade, among other things. the tourism industry has grown. Great efforts have been made to revitalize the industrial sector, but despite the EU’s contribution, the poorly developed infrastructure is an obstacle to economic growth. Many Albanians work abroad.