Albania is a Mediterranean country in southeastern Europe. It is bordered by Serbia and Montenegro in the north, the Republic of Macedonia in the east, and Greece in the south; it has a coast on the Adriatic Sea in the west, and a coast on the Ionian Sea in the southwest.

The country is an emerging democracy and is formally named the Republic of Albania. Under the electoral law introduced in 1992, legislative power rests with the directly elected single-chamber Kuvënd Popullóre (People’s Assembly), whose 155 members serve a four-year term – 115 members are elected through single-member constituencies, the remainder by proportional representation. Executive power is held by the Council of Ministers, drawn from the largest party in the Assembly and headed by the Prime Minister, and by the President of the Republic, who is elected by the members of the Assembly.

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

	Location:	Southeast Europe
	Size:	11,100 sq miles
	Population:	3,563,112
	Capital City:	Tirana
	Language:	Albanian
	Currency:	Lek (ALL)
	Country Code:	+355
	Time Zone:	GMT+1
	Electricity:	220 volts AC, 50Hz.
	Ferry Ports:	Durres
	Airports:	Mother Tereza
	Dept. of Tourism:	www.albaniantourism.com

By Car There are around 11,250 miles of roads in Albania, but only 4656 miles are considered main roads. Maintained by the State, they are supposed to be suitable for motor vehicles, although only 1781 miles are paved and, of those, 3/4 are in very poor condition, with numerous potholes: 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. There are strict speed limits according to type of vehicle and type of road as well as within towns. International road signs apply. Traffic drives on the right.

By Bus This is the main form of transport within Albania. The main routes from Shkodra, Korça, Saranda, Gjirokastra, Peshkopia and Durres to Tirana are operated by private bus companies.

By Rail Trains are diesel, dilapidated and mostly overcrowded. Services operate from Tirana to Shkodra, Vlora, Fier, Ballsh and Pogradec. There are long-term plans to build railways connecting Pogradec with Kicevo (Macedonia, FYR) and Florina (Greece).

By Ferry Durres has ferry connections to Bari in Italy with Azzurra Line. There are 2 crossings a week, with a 9 hour sailing duration.

By Air The national airline is Albanian Airlines (LV). Established in cooperation with Tyrolean Airways, the airline operates services to London, Paris, Berlin and most other major European cities.

The Fortress of Pertrela

The Fortress of Pertrela is located south of Tirana on the right side of national road linking the Capital with the city of Elbasan. It was built in the middle age.

Martyrs’ Cemetery

Visitors to the Martyrs’ Cemetery (which contains the Mother Albania Monument) can enjoy some of the fines views over Tirana.

Durres Amphitheatre

The medieval Town Wall leads to the Amphitheatre dating back to the second century BC. It contains an early Christian crypt with a rare wall mosaic.

Kubelie Mosque

In the centre of Kavaja you can visit the Kubelie Mosque, which is more than 200 years old. It is located near the Clock Tower, which is the highest in Albania.

Tirana has been the capital of Albania since 1920. It is relatively new city established in 1614 from Sulejman Bargjini, feudal of the area at the time. The city began to grow at the beginning of the 18th century. Today Tirana is not only the most populated city in Albania, but also the biggest political and economic centre in the country. In central Tirana, on Scanderbeg square there is the old mosque of Ethem Bey built during 1789 – 1823 as well as the Clock Tower, 35 meter high, built in 1830. The Palace of Culture housing the Opera and Ballet Theatre and National Library is next to the main square.



The principal port of Durres is the second largest city of Albania. The city was colonized by the colonists from Corinth and Korkyra in 627 B.C. It was named Epidamnus, which later became Dyrrachium. The most important object is the amphitheatre, the largest in Balkan with 15,000 seats, dating back to the 2nd century AD and containing an Early Christian crypt with a rare wall mosaics.