Albania

GOVERNMENT

Albania s government is a parliament democracy. There branches of government

are Executive Branch President of Republic (chief of the state), Prime Minister (head

of the government), Council of Ministries (appointed by the President). Legislative

Branch People s Assembly (unicameral, 140 seats). Judicial Supreme Court.

ECONOMY

Albania s GDP is $2.88 billion. 10% GPN per: $830 is natural resources: Oil,

gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron, and nickel. Agriculture is 55% of GDP: wheat, corn,

potatoes, sugar beets, cotton, and tobacco. 16% of GDP: Textile, timber, construction

materials, fuels, semi-processed minerals.

CULTURE

The Albanian language was one of the first languages in Europe and was not

derived from any other languages. Albanian s are recognized as the most ancient race in

southeastern Europe. Albanian s were Christian prior to the Ottoman era. Under the

Turks, however, a large percentage of the population converted to Islam. Albanian s

could practice religion freely until the Communist era. During this time mosques,

monasteries, and churches suffered damage and destruction under the government s

anti-religion policy. Religion was restored in 1990. 70% are Muslim, 20% Orthodox

Christian, and 10% Catholic.

CITIES

Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. It is the administrative,

cultural, economic, and industrial center of the Republic of Albania. The population is

about 300,000 people.

Durr s is one of Albania's oldest cities, the country's main seaport, and the second

largest industrial center after Tirana. Durr s lies on a small peninsula on the coast of the

Adriatic Sea. Its population is around 85,000 (the second largest city in Albania).

ATTRACTIONS

Attractions in Albania mainly focus on the beauty of the country. One city, which

can be visited to see this aspect of the country, is Butrini. The city of Butrinti (Bothrota)

is one of the parts of Albania's ancient cultural landscape. Set in the highlands in the far

south of the country Butrini is surrounded by dense vegetation. The city was doubly

protected by nature and by the fortifications, which were built by inhabitants in ancient

times.

ARTS

Albania has fascinated poets, playwrights, and composers to do inspired works.

Shakespeare set his comedy Twelfth Night in Illyria - Albania was known as this in

former times. Lord Byron, wrote some lines about the landscape in his poem Childe

Harold. Even Mozart included Albania in his comic opera Cosi fan tutte.

NATO and Yugoslavia

Wednesday, March 24, 1999, NATO began air strikes against Serbian military

targets in Yugoslavia over its actions against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. Since the

bombings stopped in June, NATO soldiers have moved into Kosovo as Serb forces have

withdrawn, Kosovar Albanians are returning to their homes and investigations into war

crimes atrocities have begun.