1 GeoFroggy

Albania

Continent: Europe

Geography

People &
Society

Government

Economy

Energy

Communications

Military &
Security

Transportation

Terrorism

Transnational Issues
View Large Map

Background

Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven difficult as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks with links to government officials, and disruptive political opponents. Albania has made incremental progress in its democratic development since first holding multiiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain - particularly in regard to the rule of law. Despite some lingering problems, international observers have judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy, large public debt, and an inadequate energy and tranportation infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU.

Location

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro

Area Comparative

Slightly smaller than Maryland

Maritime Claims

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

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

Natural Hazards

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

Environment Current Issues

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

Environment International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

Geography Note

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

Map Reference

  • Europe

Irrigated Land 1998

  • 3,400 sq km

Area 2005

  • Total
    28,748 sq km
  • Land
    27,398 sq km
  • Water
    1,350 sq km

Coastline

  • 362 km

Geographical Coordinates

  • 41 00 N, 20 00 E

Land use 2005

  • Arable Land
    21.09%
  • Permanent Crops
    4.42%
  • Other
    74.49%

Terrain

  • Mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast

Elevation

  • Lowest Point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
  • Highest Point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m

Land Boundaries

  • Total
    720 km
  • Greece
    282 km
  • Macedonia
    151 km
  • Serbia And Montenegro
    287 km

Natural Resources

  • Petroleum
  • Natural gas
  • Coal
  • Bauxite
  • Chromite
  • Copper
  • Iron ore
  • Nickel
  • Salt
  • Timber
  • Hydropower
Banner Ads
Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took.
Product
Company
Resources
Contact
mail@geofroggy.com