Albania
{{Brædu and Lengu|{{Coord|41|N|20|W|display=title}}}}
{{Cyþþubox land
 |ænglisc fullnama    = Albania Cynewise
 |nama                = Albania
 |agenspræce fullnama = Republika e Shqipërisë
 |biliþ               = 
 |biliþ gewrit        = 
 |fana                = Flag_of_Albania.svg
 |fana gewrit         = Fana
 |scild               = Coat_of_arms_of_Albania.svg
 |scild gewrit        = Cassock of Geatwe
 |cwide               = Ti Shqipëri, më jep nder, më jep emrin Shqipëtar
 |ænglisc cwide       = Þu Albania, gief me ar, gief me Liubena naman
 |anstefn             = Himni i Flamurit
 |ænglisc anstefn     = Ymen to þæm Fanan
 |landscite           = Albania_in_Europe.svg
 |landscite gewrit    = 
 |leodweard           = [[Cynewise|Cynewise]]
 |ambihtlicu spræc    = [[Albanisc spræc]]
 |folces gereord      = 
 |elles gereordas     = 
 |steall              = 
 |heafodstol          = [[Tirana]]
 |mæste burg          = [[Tirana]]
 |breges titul        = Foresittend
 |brego               = {{gifhlenc|{{#property:p35}}}}
 |ealdormannes titul  = Forma Þegn
 |ealdorman           = {{gifhlenc|{{#property:p6}}}}
 |leodweardes heafod  = 
 |wyrþingdæg          = 
 |bradnes             = 28,748
 |menniscu            = 3,844,841
 |menniscu gerim      = 
 |geleafan            = [[Alladom]]
 |GDP getæl           = 13.18 mld USD
 |GDP ælcum heafde    = 4,583 USD
 |þiccnes             = 
 |landesforþbæro      = 
 |feoh                = lek (ALL)
 |tidgyrdel           = +1
 |tidgyrdel 2         = +2
 |sundorricehad       = Of þæm [[Ottomannes Rice]]<br/>28 Blotmonaþ, 1912
 |webbnamena tægl     = .sh
 |feorspræcan forerim = +355
}}
'''Albania''' is [[Wendelsæ]]s land be [[Europa]]n suþeastum. Hine bebyrdeþ [[Sweartbeorg]] benorþen, [[Kosovo]] be eastnorþen, [[Norþmæcedonia]] be easten, and [[Crecaland]] be suþen hie. Ðis land hæfþ særiman on þæm [[Adriatisc Sæ|Adriatiscan Sæ]] be westen him, and særiman on þæm [[Ionisc Sæ|Ioniscan Sæ]] be suþwesten. Þæt land is fulfealdende [[folcrice]] and is ambihtlice gehaten se '''Albania Cynewise''' ([[Albanisc spræc|on Albanisce]]: ''Republika e Shqipërisë'').
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== Fruma and stær þæs naman ==

:''Heafodgewrit: [[Fruma and stær þæs naman Albanian]]''
One of the first written evidences of the use of the word "Albanoi" as the name of an Illyrian tribe in what is now north-central Albania goes back to the [[130]] A.D., in a work of Tolomeo. Albanopolis of the Albani, a place located on the map of [[Ptolemy]] (3.12.20) and also named on an ancient family epitaph at Scupi, which has been identified with the Zgërdhesh hill-fort near [[Kruja]] in northern Albania. Moreover, Arbanon is just likely to be the name of a district - the plain of the Mat has been suggested - rather than particular place. An indication of movement from higher altitudes in a much earlier period has been detected in the distribution of place-names ending in -esh that appears to derive from the latin -enisis or -esis, between the Shkumbin and the Mat, with a concentration between Elbasan and Kruja.

The term Albanoi may have been slowly spread to other Illyrian tribes until its usage became universal among all the Albanian people. According to the Albanian scholar [[Faïk bey Konitza]], the term "Albania" did not displace "Illyria" completely until the end of the fourteenth century. The word "Alba" or "Arba" seems to be connected with the town Arba (modern [[Rab]], Croatia), in prehistoric times inhabited by the Illyrian Liburnians, first mentioned in 360 BC. The root of the name comes from Illyrian ''Arb'' ("dark", "green", "wooded") and is simply transposed into antique names of Arba, Arva, Arbia which are mentioned by the cartographers of the time.

The derivation of the name Albania is of considerable antiquity, dating back perhaps to the pre-Celtic ''alb'' (hill), from whence Alps, or possibly from the Indo-European ''albh'' (white), from whence albino and Albion. Approximately a millennium after, some Byzantine writers use the words "Albanon" and "Arbanon" to indicate the region of Kruja. Under the Angiò, in the XIII century, the names "Albania" and "Albanenses" indicate the whole country and all the population, as it is demonstrated by the works of many ancient Albanian writers such as Budi, Blanco and Bogdano. We first learn of Albanians in their native land as the Arbanites of Arbanon in [[Anna Comnena]]s' account (Alexiad 4) of the troubles in that region caused in the reign of her father Alexius I Comneus ([[1081]]-[[1118]]) by the [[Norman]]s. In "History" written in [[1079]]-[[1080]], Byzantine historian [[Michael Attaliates]] was first to refer to the Albanoi as having taken part in a revolt against [[Constantinople]] in [[1043]] and to the Arbanitai as subjects of the duke of [[Dyrrachium]]. The Italo-Albanians and the Albanian minorities (still present in Greece) have been called in different ways with the passing of the years: Arbënuer, Arbënor, Arbëneshë, Arbreshë. There seems to be no doubt that the root Alb- or Arb- is earlier than Shqip-, from which the modern name of the state (Shqipëria) derives, a name which appears only in the time of the Turkish invasions. The Albanian name of the country, Shqipëria, translates into English as "Land of the Eagles", hence the two-headed bird on the national flag and emblem, and because of the large presence of these animals in the mountainous zones of Albania.

== History ==
''Main article: [[History of Albania]]''

In the area that is today Albania, human activity has been present since the beginning of human history. The earlier inhabitants were probably part of the pre-indoeuropean populace that occupied the coastline of most parts of the Mediterranean. Their physical remains are scarce though, and concentrated on the coastal region. Soon, these first inhabitants were overun by the proto-hellenic tribes that gradually occupied modern day Greece, southern Macedonia and the southern part of present day Albania. This process was completed over the second millenium BC and did not really affect northern or central Albania, an area that at the time presented the image of a political vacuum (in essence a historical paradox).

Illyrians were relative latecomers to the Balkan arena. Though there presence can be traced back to 900 BC, their political structure was formulated in the seventh and sixth centuries BC. Excellent metal craftsmen and fierce warriors, the Illyrians formed warlord based kingdoms that fought among them for most of their history. Only during the 6th century did the Illyrians venture significant raids against their immediate neighbours, the Greek kindom of the Mollosoi in northern Epirus (present southern Albania), the kingdom of Macedonia and the semi-barbaric kingdom of Paiones (in northern [[Republic of Macedonia]]). Probably their most important success was the slaughter of Perdikkas, king of Macedonia. Unfortunately for the Illyrians, Perdikkas was succeeded by Philippos II, father of Alexander the Great who effectively terminated the Illyrian aggresion.

In reality though, the Illyrians were mostly peaceful traders of agricultural products and metal works. The Illyrian culture was influenced by the Greek-Macedonian culture (mainly the south Illyrian tribes). Albania is also the site of several ancient [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] colonies. 

After being conquered by a number of nations, mainly the Roman and Byzantine Empires, Illyria lost most of its original population and finally became a part of the [[Ottoman Empire]] in [[1478]] after years of resistance under the leadership of Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeg, the Albanian National Hero.

After the [[Balkan Wars|First Balkan War]], Albania declared its independence from the [[Ottoman Empire]] in [[1912]]. The country was ruled by [[Zog I of Albania|King Zog I]] until 1938 when it became a puppet of [[Italy]].

During [[World War II]], Albanian fascists energetically assisted the Italians in their invasion of Greece (October 1940) and even participated (luckily in negligent numbers) in the Muslim formations that assisted the Waffen SS in repressing the Yugoslavian and Albanian resistance.

The communists took over after World War II, in November 1944, under the leader of the resistance, [[Enver Hoxha]]. From 1945 until 1990 Albania had one of the most repressive governments in Europe. The communist party was created in 1941 with the direction of Bolshevik Communist Parties. All those who opposed it were eliminated. Enver Hoxha became the leader of this party. For many decades of his domination, Hoxha created and destroyed relationships with Belgrade, Moscow, and China, always in his personal interests. The country was isolated, first from the West (Western Europe, Canada, USA) and later even from the communist East. The government ordered the abolishment of all previous classes of society. The rich farmers and merchants were called the "exploiting class" and were liquidated in "the name of people". All [[mosque]]s and [[church]]es were destroyed, changed into museums or used for other non-religious purposes and any kind of religious ritual or ideology was declared illegal. People's personal possessions were eliminated and cooperatives were created. The number of political prisoners steadily grew.

In 1985, Enver Hoxha died and [[Ramiz Alia]] took his place. Initially, Alia tried to follow in Hoxha's footsteps, but in Eastern Europe the changes had already started: [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] had appeared in the [[Soviet Union]] with new policies ([[Glasnost]] and [[peretroskia]]). The totalitarian regime was pressured by the US and Europe and the hate of its own people. After [[Nicolae Ceauşescu]] (the communist leader of [[Romania]]) was executed in a revolution, Alia knew he would be next if changes were not made. He signed the [[Helsinki Agreement]] (which was signed by other countries in 1975) that respected some [[human rights]]. He also allowed [[pluralism]], and even though his party won the election of 1991 it was clear that the change would not be stopped. Thousands of Albanians entered the embassies of western countries impatient of prosperity. Started by students, the riots spread all over the country and lead to the collapse of the dictator's monument in the centre of Tirana. In 1992 the general elections were won by the Democratic Party with 62% of the votes.

The change from dictatorship to democracy had many challenges. The Democratic party had to implement the reforms it had promised, but they were either too slow or didn't solve the problems, so the people were disappointed from their hopes for fast prosperity. The local elections were lost by the Democratic party in 1992. The process of free trade competition and privatization made people more doubtful on what they really wanted.

In the general elections of June 1996 the Democratic Party tried to win an absolute majority and manipulated the results. In 1997 the fraud of the [[pyramid schemes]] shocked the entire government and riots started. Many cities were now controlled by militia and armed citizens. This anarchy and rebellion caused the socialist party to win the early elections of 1997. Since then Albania has been oriented towards the West, was accepted in the Council of Europe and has requested membership in [[NATO]]. The working force of Albania has continued to emmigrate to Greece, Italy, Europe and North America. Corruption in the government is becoming more and more obvious. The politics have not fulfilled the people's hope for a short and not too painful transition.

== Politics ==
''Main article:'' [[Politics of Albania]]

The head of state is the president, who is elected by the ''Kuvendi'', or the Assembly of the Republic of Albania. The main part of the Assembly's 140 members is elected every 4 years. 100 of the parliament's members are chosen by the people with a direct vote, while the other 40 members are chosen using a proportional system. The president is assisted by a council of ministers, who are appointed by the president.

== Administrative divisions ==
''Main articles: [[Districts of Albania]] and [[Counties of Albania]]''

Albania is divided into 36 ''rrethe'' (districts). Several districts are then grouped a ''qark'' (county or prefecture), of which there are 12. The capital city, Tiranë, has a special status. The districts are:-
{|
|-
|
*<small>1</small> [[Berat se Læppa|Berat]]
*<small>2</small> [[Bulqizë se Læppa|Bulqizë]]
*<small>3</small> [[Delvinë se Læppa|Delvinë]]
*<small>4</small> [[Devoll se Læppa|Devoll]]
*<small>5</small> [[Dibër se Læppa|Dibër]]
*<small>6</small> [[Durrës se Læppa|Durrës]]
*<small>7</small> [[Elbasan se Læppa|Elbasan]]
*<small>8</small> [[Fier se Læppa|Fier]]
*<small>9</small> [[Gjirokastër se Læppa|Gjirokastër]]
*<small>10</small> [[Gramsh se Læppa|Gramsh]]
*<small>11</small> [[Has se Læppa|Has]]
*<small>12</small> [[Kavajë se Læppa|Kavajë]]
|
*<small>13</small> [[Kolonjë se Læppa|Kolonjë]]
*<small>14</small> [[Korçë se Læppa|Korçë]]
*<small>15</small> [[Krujë se Læppa|Krujë]]
*<small>16</small> [[Kuçovë se Læppa|Kuçovë]]
*<small>17</small> [[Kukës se Læppa|Kukës]]
*<small>18</small> [[Kurbin se Læppa|Kurbin]]
*<small>19</small> [[Lezhë se Læppa|Lezhë]]
*<small>20</small> [[Librazhd se Læppa|Librazhd]]
*<small>21</small> [[Lushnjë se Læppa|Lushnjë]]
*<small>22</small> [[Malësi and Madhe se Læppa|Malësi and Madhe]]
*<small>23</small> [[Mallakastër se Læppa|Mallakastër]]
*<small>24</small> [[Mat se Læppa|Mat]]
|
*<small>25</small> [[Mirditë se Læppa|Mirditë]]
*<small>26</small> [[Peqin se Læppa|Peqin]]
*<small>27</small> [[Përmet se Læppa|Përmet]]
*<small>28</small> [[Pogradec se Læppa|Pogradec]]
*<small>29</small> [[Pukë se Læppa|Pukë]]
*<small>30</small> [[Sarandë se Læppa|Sarandë]]
*<small>31</small> [[Shkodër se Læppa|Shkodër]]
*<small>32</small> [[Skrapar se Læppa|Skrapar]]
*<small>33</small> [[Tepelenë se Læppa|Tepelenë]]
*<small>34</small> [[Tiranë se Læppa|Tiranë]]
*<small>35</small> [[Tropojë se Læppa|Tropojë]]
*<small>36</small> [[Vlorë se Læppa|Vlorë]]
|
[[Ymele:AlbaniaNumberedDistricts.png|150px|right|Albanie Læppan]]
|}

See also: [[List of cities in Albania]] (''Note: some cities have the same name as the district they are in'').

== Geography ==
''Main article: [[Geography of Albania]]''

[[Image:Albania map.png|frame|Map of Albania]]

Albania consists of mostly [[hill]]y and [[mountain]]ous terrain, the highest mountain, Korab in the district of Dibra reaching up to 2,753 m. The country mostly has a land [[climate]], with cold [[winter]]s and hot [[summer]]s.

Besides capital city [[Tirana]], with 520,000 inhabitants, the principal cities are [[Durrës]], [[Elbasan]], [[Shkodër]], [[Gjirokastër]], [[Vlorë]] and [[Korçë]].

'''Albania''' is a [[Mediterranean]] country in southeastern [[Europe]]. It is bordered by [[Montenegro]] in the north, [[Serbia]] ([[Kosovo]]) in the north-east, the [[Republic of Macedonia]] in the east, and [[Greece]] in the south, 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''' ([[Albanian language|Albanian]]: ''Republika e Shqipërisë'').

== Economy ==
''Main article: [[Economy of Albania]]''

Albania is one of Europe's poorest countries, with half of the economically-active population still engaged in [[agriculture]] and a fifth said to be working abroad. The country has to deal with a high unemployment rate, corruption up to high government levels and organised crime.

The country exports nearly nothing and imports a lot from Greece and Italy. The money for imports comes from the financial aid and from the money that [[refugee]]s working abroad bring to Albania. This is a good [[status quo]] business for both Greece and Italy. [[European Union|EU]].

Europe has a lot of good seas and Albania has two of the best ones-"Ion" and "Adriatic".
"Ion" is known for it's cleanless and it is located in south-west of Albania. It starts from Vlora and goes until Greece.Starting from 1990 until almost 2000 Ionian beach was very populated but only from residents,very few turists.The country in the mean time was going thrw a lot of politic,economic and social problems well known almost in the entire world.
But from 2000 and until present time the country of Albania has changed a lot its status quo, employment rate and corruption which were the main reasons for Albania to be in a nearly "non-level-country" compare to other countris.
"Adriatic" sea is located from middle-Albania to "Monte Negro"."Adriatic" sea is very know for all of balkan for its rich sand beaches. It starts from the city of Albania Vlora and it ends in Monte Negro.It has a length of 770km (480miles).One of the best beaches of Adriatik sea is the beach of DIVJAKA.
DIVJAKA BEACH is still one of the beauties of Albania used mostly by local residents and a few turists.Its length is 20km long and 100m wide with a very rich sand wich local residents call it "ilac"


== Demographics ==
''Main article: [[Demographics of Albania]]''

Most of the population is Albanian (95% [[CIA World Factbook]] Feb 2005),there is a [[Greece|Greek]] minority (3% of the population). Many ethnic Albanians also live in bordering Kosovo (around 1.8 million), Macedonia (around 500,000), Montenegro (around 47,000), Serbia (over 150,000, mainly in southern Serbia).Over 600,000 Albanian immigrants have migrated in Greece after the year 1990.

The language is [[Albanian language|Albanian]], although some [[Greek language|Greek]] is also spoken in some small villages of south bordering Greece. In the area of Gorë in the Kukës district is spoken a Slavic language called Gorani. This is the only area in the world where this language is spoken. The village of Shishtavec is the main centre of Gorani language.

Since the occupation by the Ottomans, the majority of [[Albanians]] have been [[Muslim]] (70%), even though religion was prohibited during the communist era. The [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] (20%) and [[Catholic Church]] (10%) (Note: Percentages are estimates, no available statistics) are the other main religions in Albania, though in Albania religious fanaticism has never been a serious problem with people from different religions living in peace and even getting married without any problem. The majority of the south of Albania is [[Alevi-Bektashi]], people who follow a faith originating in the Turkish migrations into Turkey, and came to Albania through the Ottoman Janissaries. It has outwardly Shi'ite Islamic elements, but is really a Shamanic-Pantheistic faith. The main prophet of Alevism is Haxhi Bektash Veliu, and it is currently headed by Baba Flamur Shkalla, the successor of Baba Rexhep, based in Madison, USA.

== Culture ==
''Main article: [[Culture of Albania]]''

*[[Cuisine of Albania]]
*[[Music of Albania]]
*[[Islam in Albania]]

== Miscellaneous topics ==
*[[List of Albania-related articles]]
*[[List of Albanians]]
*[[Albanian mythology]]
*[[List of sovereign states]]
*[[Communications in Albania]]
*[[Education in Albania]]
*[[Foreign relations of Albania]]
*[[Military of Albania]]
*[[Transportation in Albania]]
*[[Public holidays in Albania]]
*[[A list of Albanian Web-pages on Religion]]
-->

==  Otanwearde bendas  ==

* http://www.legaalbanese.com
* [http://www.tanmarket.com/KOSOVA_PRESENTATION Kosova Presentation by TanMarket.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050308002320/http://www.tanmarket.com/KOSOVA_PRESENTATION |date=2005-03-08 }}
* [http://www.tanmarket.com/ALBANIA_PRESENTATION Albanian Presentation by TanMarket.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051025030014/http://www.tanmarket.com/ALBANIA_PRESENTATION |date=2005-10-25 }}
* [http://www.tanmarket.com/albania.html Albania Profile by TanMarket.com]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080821022836/http://www.geocities.com/protoillyrian Albanian Etymological Dictionary]
* [http://195.22.199.151 Albanian phone directory] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031202050947/http://195.22.199.151/ |date=2003-12-02 }}
* [http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/al.html CIA - The World Factbook -- Albania] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051006025613/http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/al.html |date=2005-10-06 }} - [[CIA]]'s Factbook on Albania
* [http://www.albanian.com/community/index.php General information on Albanians] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206055627/http://www.albanian.com/community/index.php |date=2006-12-06 }}
* [http://www.gksoft.com/govt/en/al.html More links of the Albanian government] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040929083630/http://www.gksoft.com/govt/en/al.html |date=2004-09-29 }}
* [http://www.albaniafoto.com/en/ Albania Pictures] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051108010031/http://www.albaniafoto.com/en/ |date=2005-11-08 }}
* [http://www.opic.gov/links/countryInfo.asp?country=Albania&region=euro OPIC Guide on Albania] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040807091525/http://www.opic.gov/links/countryInfo.asp?country=Albania&region=euro |date=2004-08-07 }}
* [http://www.travelconsumer.com/countries/albania.htm Travel guide to Albania]
* [http://hotelkalemi.tripod.com Guide to Gjirokaster]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050305171557/http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7b2yg/ ALBoZONE - History, Literature, Pictures, Multimedia]
* [http://www.forumi.zeriyt.com/index.php Albanian Forum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050908110513/http://www.forumi.zeriyt.com/index.php |date=2005-09-08 }}

==  Ambihtlice leodwearde webbstedas  ==

* [http://www.albaniantourism.com/ National Tourism Organization] Albania's official website for travel & tourism information.
* [http://www.albca.com/aclis Albanian Canadian League Information Service - ACLIS] ([[Albanisc spræc|Albanisc]] and [[Englisc spræc|Englisc]])
* [http://www.tanmarket.com/php TanPortal Albanian Social Economic] ([[Albanisc spræc|Albanisc]])
* [http://www.albca.com Albanisc Canadisc Samnung - ACL] ([[Albanisc spræc|Albanisc]] and [[Englisc spræc|Englisc]])
* [http://www.keshilliministrave.al/english/default.asp Department of Information] ([[Albanisc spræc|Albanisc]] and [[Englisc spræc|Englisc]])
* [http://www.parlament.al The Albanian Parliament] ([[Albanisc spræc|Albanisc]], [[Englisc spræc|Englisc]] and [[Frencisc spræc|Frencisc]])
* [http://www.president.al Foresittendhád Albanian] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716210958/http://www.president.al/english/pub/presidentet.asp |date=2012-07-16 }} ([[Albanisc spræc|Albanisc]] and [[Englisc spræc|Englisc]])
* [http://www.instat.gov.al Albanian Institute of Statistics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210091104/http://www.instat.gov.al/ |date=2019-02-10 }} ([[Albanisc spræc|Albanisc]] and [[Englisc spræc|Englisc]])

{{Land on Europan}}
Albania is Wendelsæs land be Europan suþeastum. Hine bebyrdeþ Sweartbeorg benorþen, Kosovo be eastnorþen, Norþmæcedonia be easten, and Crecaland be suþen hie. Ðis land hæfþ særiman on þæm Adriatiscan Sæ be westen him, and særiman on þæm Ioniscan Sæ be suþwesten. Þæt land is fulfealdende folcrice and is ambihtlice gehaten se Albania Cynewise (on Albanisce: Republika e Shqipërisë).

  Otanwearde bendas  

 http://www.legaalbanese.com
 Kosova Presentation by TanMarket.com 
 Albanian Presentation by TanMarket.com 
 Albania Profile by TanMarket.com
 Albanian Etymological Dictionary
 Albanian phone directory 
 CIA - The World Factbook -- Albania  - CIA's Factbook on Albania
 General information on Albanians 
 More links of the Albanian government 
 Albania Pictures 
 OPIC Guide on Albania 
 Travel guide to Albania
 Guide to Gjirokaster
 ALBoZONE - History, Literature, Pictures, Multimedia
 Albanian Forum 

  Ambihtlice leodwearde webbstedas  

 National Tourism Organization Albania's official website for travel & tourism information.
 Albanian Canadian League Information Service - ACLIS (Albanisc and Englisc)
 TanPortal Albanian Social Economic (Albanisc)
 Albanisc Canadisc Samnung - ACL (Albanisc and Englisc)
 Department of Information (Albanisc and Englisc)
 The Albanian Parliament (Albanisc, Englisc and Frencisc)
 Foresittendhád Albanian  (Albanisc and Englisc)
 Albanian Institute of Statistics  (Albanisc and Englisc)