2011 Edition

Background

Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. International observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997; however, there have been claims of electoral fraud in every one of Albania's post-communist elections. The 2009 general elections resulted in no single party gaining a majority of the 140 seats in Parliament, and the Movement for Socialist Integration (LSI) and the Democratic Party (DP) combined to form a coalition government, the first such in Albania's history. The Socialist Party (SP) has, in effect, boycotted Parliament since it convened in September 2009 and has called for investigations into alleged electoral fraud in the June 2009 elections. Albania joined NATO in April 2009 and is a potential candidate for EU accession. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure.

Area

28,748 sq km 27,398 sq km 1,350 sq km

total

28,748 sq km

water

1,350 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland

Climate

mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter

Coastline

362 km

Elevation extremes

Adriatic Sea 0 m Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m

highest point

Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m

lowest point

Adriatic Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

1.71 cu km/yr (27%/11%/62%) 546 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

546 cu m/yr (2000)

total

1.71 cu km/yr (27%/11%/62%)

Geographic coordinates

41 00 N, 20 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)

Irrigated land

3,650 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

717 km Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro 172 km, Kosovo 112 km

border countries

Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro 172 km, Kosovo 112 km

total

717 km

Land use

20.1% 4.21% 75.69% (2005)

arable land

20.1%

other

75.69% (2005)

permanent crops

4.21%

Location

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece in the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

continental shelf

200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower

Terrain

mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast

Total renewable water resources

41.7 cu km (2001)

Age structure

21.4% (male 337,364/female 303,669) 68.1% (male 996,666/female 1,043,472) 10.5% (male 148,151/female 165,345) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

21.4% (male 337,364/female 303,669)

15-64 years

68.1% (male 996,666/female 1,043,472)

65 years and over

10.5% (male 148,151/female 165,345) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

12.15 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

6.6% (2005)

Death rate

6.15 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 96% of population rural: 98% of population total: 97% of population urban: 4% of population rural: 2% of population total: 3% of population (2008)

rural

2% of population

total

3% of population (2008)

urban

4% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Serb, Macedonian, Bulgarian) (1989 est.) in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from 1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization)

Health expenditures

6.9% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

2.92 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate

14.61 deaths/1,000 live births 16.23 deaths/1,000 live births 12.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

12.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

14.61 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects

Life expectancy at birth

77.41 years 74.82 years 80.3 years (2011 est.)

female

80.3 years (2011 est.)

total population

77.41 years

Literacy

age 9 and over can read and write 98.7% 99.2% 98.3% (2001 census)

definition

age 9 and over can read and write

female

98.3% (2001 census)

male

99.2%

total population

98.7%

Major cities - population

TIRANA (capital) 433,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

31 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

30.4 years 29.2 years 31.6 years (2011 est.)

female

31.6 years (2011 est.)

male

29.2 years

total

30.4 years

Nationality

Albanian(s) Albanian

adjective

Albanian

noun

Albanian(s)

Net migration rate

-3.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

1.146 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

2,994,667 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.267% (2011 est.)

Religions

Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10% percentages are estimates; there are no available current statistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice

Sanitation facility access

urban: 98% of population rural: 98% of population total: 98% of population urban: 2% of population rural: 2% of population total: 2% of population (2008)

rural

2% of population

total

2% of population (2008)

urban

2% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 11 years 11 years (2004)

female

11 years (2004)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.118 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.87 male(s)/female

at birth

1.118 male(s)/female

total population

1.04 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.1 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.48 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

35.5% 41.6% 27.1% (2001)

female

27.1% (2001)

total

35.5%

Urbanization

52% of total population (2010) 2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

52% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane, Vlore

Capital

Tirana (Tirane) 41 19 N, 19 49 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

41 19 N, 19 49 E

name

Tirana (Tirane)

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

approved by parliament 21 October 1998; adopted by popular referendum 22 November 1998; promulgated 28 November 1998

Country name

Republic of Albania Albania Republika e Shqiperise Shqiperia People's Socialist Republic of Albania

conventional long form

Republic of Albania

conventional short form

Albania

former

People's Socialist Republic of Albania

local long form

Republika e Shqiperise

local short form

Shqiperia

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Alexander ARVIZU Rruga e Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana US Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510 [355] (4) 2247285 [355] (4) 2232222

chief of mission

Ambassador Alexander ARVIZU

embassy

Rruga e Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana

FAX

[355] (4) 2232222

mailing address

US Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510

telephone

[355] (4) 2247285

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Gilbert GALANXHI 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 223-4942 [1] (202) 628-7342 New York

chancery

2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Gilbert GALANXHI

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 628-7342

telephone

[1] (202) 223-4942

Executive branch

President of the Republic Bamir TOPI (since 24 July 2007) Prime Minister Sali BERISHA (since 10 September 2005) Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved by parliament president elected by three-fifths the Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); four election rounds held between 8 and 20 July 2007 (next election to be held in 2012); prime minister appointed by the president Bamir TOPI elected president; Assembly vote, fourth round (three-fifths majority, 84 votes, required): Bamir TOPI 85 votes, Neritan CEKA 5 votes

cabinet

Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved by parliament

chief of state

President of the Republic Bamir TOPI (since 24 July 2007)

election results

Bamir TOPI elected president; Assembly vote, fourth round (three-fifths majority, 84 votes, required): Bamir TOPI 85 votes, Neritan CEKA 5 votes

elections

president elected by three-fifths the Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); four election rounds held between 8 and 20 July 2007 (next election to be held in 2012); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Sali BERISHA (since 10 September 2005)

Flag description

red with a black two-headed eagle in the center; the design is claimed to be that of 15th-century hero George Castriota SKANDERBEG, who led a successful uprising against the Turks that resulted in a short-lived independence for some Albanian regions (1443-1478); an unsubstantiated explanation for the eagle symbol is the tradition that Albanians see themselves as descendants of the eagle; they refer to themselves as "Shkypetars," which translates as "sons of the eagle"

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court consists of 9 members appointed by the president with the consent of the Assembly who serve 9-year terms (chairman is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term); the High Court members appointed by the president with the consent of the Assembly for a 9-year term; note - there are also courts of appeal and courts of first instance

Legal system

civil law system except in the northern rural areas where customary law known as the "Code of Leke" prevails

Legislative branch

unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 deputies; 100 deputies elected directly in single member electoral zones with an approximate number of voters; 40 deputies elected from multi-name lists of parties or party coalitions according to their respective order; elected for a 4-year term) last held on 28 June 2009 (next to be held in 2013) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PD 68, PS 65, LSI 4, other 3

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PD 68, PS 65, LSI 4, other 3

elections

last held on 28 June 2009 (next to be held in 2013)

National anthem

"Hymni i Flamurit" (Hymn to the Flag) Aleksander Stavre DRENOVA/Ciprian PORUMBESCU adopted 1912

lyrics/music

Aleksander Stavre DRENOVA/Ciprian PORUMBESCU

name

"Hymni i Flamurit" (Hymn to the Flag)

National holiday

Independence Day, 28 November (1912) also known as Flag Day

National symbol(s)

double-headed eagle

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; New Democracy Party or PDR [Genc POLLO]; Party for Justice and Integration or PDI [Shpetim IDRIZ]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social Democracy Party or PDS [Paskel MILO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Ilir META]; Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA]; Unity for Human Rights Party or PBDNJ [Vangjel DULE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Red and Black Alliance [Kreshnik SPAHIU]; Front for Albanian National Unification or FBKSH [Gafur ADILI]; Mjaft Movement [Elton KACIDHJA]; Omonia [Vasil BOLLANO]; Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products

Budget

$3.124 billion $3.491 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$3.491 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$3.124 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.1% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5% (31 December 2010 est.) 5.25% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

12.833% (31 December 2010 est.) 12.667% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.404 billion (2010 est.) -$1.845 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$4.752 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $4.719 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

34.5 (2008) 26.7 (2005)

Economy - overview

Albania, a formerly closed, centrally-planned state, is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. Macroeconomic growth averaged around 6% between 2004-08, but declined to about 3% in 2009-10. Inflation is low and stable. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime, and recently adopted a fiscal reform package aimed at reducing the large gray economy and attracting foreign investment. Remittances, a significant catalyst for economic growth have declined from 12-15% of GDP to 9% of GDP in 2009, mostly from Albanians residing in Greece and Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit. The agricultural sector, which accounts for almost half of employment but only about one-fifth of GDP, is limited primarily to small family operations and subsistence farming because of lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. Energy shortages because of a reliance on hydropower, and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment and lack of success in attracting new foreign investment needed to expand the country's export base. FDI is among the lowest in the region, but the government has embarked on an ambitious program to improve the business climate through fiscal and legislative reforms. The completion of a new thermal power plant near Vlore has helped diversify generation capacity, and plans to upgrade transmission lines between Albania and Montenegro and Kosovo would help relieve the energy shortages. Also, with help from EU funds, the government is taking steps to improve the poor national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth.

Electricity - consumption

6.593 billion kWh 35% of electricity is lost in the system as a result of transmission inefficiencies and theft (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.884 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

5.201 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Exchange rates

leke (ALL) per US dollar - 104.08 (2010) 94.98 (2009) 79.546 (2008) 92.668 (2007) 98.384 (2006)

Exports

$1.548 billion (2010 est.) $1.048 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco

Exports - partners

Italy 50.8%, Kosovo 6.2%, Turkey 5.9%, Greece 5.4%, China 5.5% (2010 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

20.1% 19.3% 60.5% (2010 est.)

agriculture

20.1%

industry

19.3%

services

60.5% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$8,000 (2010 est.) $7,700 (2009 est.) $7,500 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.5% (2010 est.) 3.3% (2009 est.) 7.7% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$11.77 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$23.86 billion (2010 est.) $23.06 billion (2009 est.) $22.32 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars Albania has an informal, and unreported, sector that may be as large as 50% of official GDP

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.5% 29% (2008)

highest 10%

29% (2008)

lowest 10%

3.5%

Imports

$4.305 billion (2010 est.) $4.264 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals

Imports - partners

Italy 28%, Greece 13%, China 6.3%, Turkey 5.6%, Germany 5.6% (2010 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2010 est.)

Industries

food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.5% (2010 est.) 2.3% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

29.8% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

1.053 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

47.8% 23% 29.2% (September 2010 est.)

agriculture

47.8%

industry

23%

services

29.2% (September 2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

30 million cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

30 million cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

849.5 million cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

33,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

1,004 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

22,880 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

10,930 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

199.1 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

12.5% (2008 est.)

Public debt

57.1% of GDP (2010 est.) 57.3% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.541 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $2.37 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$9.426 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $9.096 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$7.948 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $8.162 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$2.648 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $2.969 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

26.5% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

13.7% (2010 est.) 13% (2009 est.) these are official rates, but actual rates may exceed 30% due to preponderance of near-subsistence farming

Broadcast media

3 public television networks, one of which transmits by satellite to Albanian-language communities in neighboring countries; more than 60 private television stations operating; many viewers can pick up Italian and Greek TV broadcasts via terrestrial reception; cable TV service is available; 2 public radio networks and roughly 25 private radio stations; several international broadcasters are available (2010)

Internet country code

.al

Internet hosts

15,098 (2010)

Internet users

1.3 million (2009)

Telephone system

despite new investment in fixed lines teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; by 2010 multiple companies were providing mobile services and mobile teledensity exceeded 130 per 100 persons; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005 but growth has been slow; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2009)

domestic

offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; by 2010 multiple companies were providing mobile services and mobile teledensity exceeded 130 per 100 persons; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005 but growth has been slow; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital

general assessment

despite new investment in fixed lines teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective

international

country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

331,500 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

4.548 million (2010)

Airports

5 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2010)

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

total

4

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2010)

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2010)

total

1

Heliports

1 (2010)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 1, cargo 23, roll on/roll off 1 1 (Turkey 1) 4 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Panama 3) (2010)

foreign-owned

1 (Turkey 1)

registered in other countries

4 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Panama 3) (2010)

total

25

Pipelines

gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore

Railways

339 km 339 km 1.435-m gauge (2010)

total

339 km

Roadways

18,000 km 7,020 km 10,980 km (2002)

total

18,000 km

unpaved

10,980 km (2002)

Waterways

41 km (on the Bojana River) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

731,111 780,216 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

780,216 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

731,111

Manpower fit for military service

622,379 660,715 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

660,715 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

622,379

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

31,986 29,533 (2010 est.)

female

29,533 (2010 est.)

male

31,986

Military branches

Joint Force Command (includes Land, Naval, and Aviation Brigade Commands), Joint Support Command (includes Logistic Command), Training and Doctrine Command (2010)

Military expenditures

1.49% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

19 years of age (2004)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and expanding cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens