GeoFroggy

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 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. 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. The election, and particularly the orderly transition of power, was considered an important step forward. 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. 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. Albania, with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been a strong supporter of the global war on terrorism.

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	2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Map Reference

Europe

Irrigated Land 2003

3,530 sq km

Area 2006

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 2006

Arable Land
20.1%
Permanent Crops
4.21%
Other
75.69%

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
Montenegro
172 km
Serbia
115 km

Natural Resources

Petroleum
Natural gas
Coal
Bauxite
Chromite
Copper

Iron ore
Nickel
Salt
Timber
Hydropower

Albania