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.

Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N 20 00 E

Map reference: Europe

Area
Total: 28,748 km²
Land: 27,398 km²
Water: 1,350 km²
Comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland

Land boundaries
Total: 720 km
Border countries: (4) Greece 282 km; , Macedonia 151 km; , Montenegro 172 km; , Serbia 115 km

Coastline: 362 km

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

Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast

Elevation
Extremes lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
Extremes highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m

Natural resources: petroleum natural gas coal bauxite chromite copper iron ore nickel salt timber hydropower

Land use
Arable land: 20.1%
Permanent crops: 4.21%
Other: 75.69% (2005)

Irrigated land: 3,530 km² (2003)

Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought

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

Population: 3,581,655 (July 2006 est.)
Growth rate: 0.52% (2006 est.)
Below poverty line: 25% (2004 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Albanian
Adjective: Albanian

Ethnic groups
Note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from 1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization)

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

Religions
Note: 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

Age structure
0-14 years: 24.8% (male 464,954/female 423,003)
15-64 years: 66.3% (male 1,214,942/female 1,158,562)
65 years and over: 8.9% (male 148,028/female 172,166) (2006 est.)

Median age
Total: 28.9 years
Male: 28.3 years
Female: 29.5 years (2006 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.52% (2006 est.)

Birth rate: 15.11 births/1000 population (2006 est.)

Death rate: 5.22 deaths/1000 population (2006 est.)

Net migration rate: -4.67 migrant(s)/1000 population (2006 est.)

Environment
Current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents
International agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
International agreements signed but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.1 male/female
Under 15 years: 1.1 male/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male/female
Total population: 1.04 male/female (2006 est.)

Infant mortality rate
Total: 20.75 deaths/1000 live births
Male: 21.2 deaths/1000 live births
Female: 20.27 deaths/1000 live births (2006 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 77.43 years
Male: 74.78 years
Female: 80.34 years (2006 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.03 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Hivaids
Adult prevalence rate: NA
People living with hivaids: NA
Deaths: NA

Literacy
Definition: age 9 and over can read and write
Total population: 86.5%
Male: 93.3%
Female: 79.5% (2003 est.)

Country name
Conventional long form: Republic of Albania
Conventional short form: Albania
Local long form: Republika e Shqiperise
Local short form: Shqiperia
Former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania

Government type: emerging democracy

Capital
Name: Tirana (Tirane)
Geographic coordinates: 41 20 N, 19 50 E
Time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions: 12 counties (qarqe singular - qark); Qarku i Beratit Qarku i Dibres Qarku i Durresit Qarku i Elbasanit Qarku i Fierit Qarku i Gjirokastres Qarku i Korces Qarku i Kukesit Qarku i Lezhes Qarku i Shkodres Qarku i Tiranes Qarku i Vlores

Independence: 28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire)

National holiday: Independence Day 28 November (1912)

Constitution: adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998

Legal system: has a civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court for its citizens

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
Chief of state: President of the Republic Alfred MOISIU (since 24 July 2002)
Head of government: Prime Minister Sali BERISHA (since 10 September 2005)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved by parliament
Elections: president elected by the People's Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 24 June 2002 (next to be held June 2007); prime minister appointed by the president
Election results: Alfred MOISIU elected president; People's Assembly vote by number - total votes 116, for 97, against 19

Legislative branch
Elections: last held 3 July 2005 (next to be held in 2009)
Election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PD 56, PS 42, PR 11, PSD 7, LSI 5, other 19

Judicial branch: Constitutional Court Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term) and multiple appeals and district courts

Political parties and leaders: Agrarian Environmentalist Party or PAA [Lufter XHUVELI]; Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Nikolle LESI]; Communist Party of Albania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Neritan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Legality Movement Party or PLL [Ekrem SPAHIU]; Liberal Union Party or PBL [Arjan STAROVA]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or BNK [Adriatik ALIMADHI]; New Democratic Party or PDR [Genc POLLO]; Party of National Unity or PUK [Idajet BEQIRI]; Renewed Democratic Party or PDRN [Dashamir SHEHI]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social Democracy Party or PDS [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Ilir META]; Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNj [Vangjel DULE]

International organization participation: BSEC CE CEI EAPC EBRD FAO IAEA IBRD ICAO ICCt ICFTU ICRM IDA IDB IFAD IFC IFRCS ILO IMF IMO Interpol IOC IOM IPU ISO (correspondent) ITU MIGA OIC OIF OPCW OSCE PFP SECI UN UNCTAD UNESCO UNIDO UNOMIG UPU WCO WFTU WHO WIPO WMO WToO WTO

Diplomatic representation
In the us chief of mission: Ambassador Aleksander SALLABANDA
In the us chancery: 2,100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20,008
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 223-4,942
In the us fax: [1] (202) 628-7,342
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Marcie B. RIES
From the us embassy: Rruga e Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana
From the us mailing address: US Department of State, 9,510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20,189-9,510
From the us telephone: [355] (4) 247,285
From the us fax: [355] (4) 232,222

Flag description: red with a black two-headed eagle in the center

Economy overview: Lagging behind its Balkan neighbors Albania is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime and to spur economic activity and trade. The economy is bolstered by annual remittances from abroad of $600-$800 million mostly from Greece and Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit. Agriculture which accounts for about one-quarter of GDP is held back because of frequent drought and the need to modernize equipment to clarify property rights and to consolidate small plots of land. Energy shortages and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment which make it difficult to attract and sustain foreign investment. The planned construction of a new thermal power plant near Vlore and improved transmission and distribution facilities will help relieve the energy shortages. Also the government is moving slowly to improve the poor national road and rail network a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth. On the positive side: growth was strong in 2003-05 and inflation is not a problem.

Real gdp purchasing power parity
Note: Albania has a large gray economy that may be as large as 50% of official GDP (2005 est.)

Real gdp growth rate: 5.5% (2005 est.)

Real gdp per capita: $5,300 (2005 est.)

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 23.2%
Industry: 18.8%
Services: 57.9% (2005 est.)

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

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

Industrial production growth rate: 3.1% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 1.09 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers) (2004 est.)
By occupation agriculture: 58%
By occupation industry: 19%
By occupation services: 23% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate: 14.3% official rate but may exceed 30% (2005 est.)

Population below poverty line: 25% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share
Lowest 10: NA%
Highest 10: NA%

Distribution of family income gini index: 28.2 (2002)

Budget
Revenues: $1.96 billion
Expenditures: $2.377 billion; including capital expenditures of $500 million (2005 est.)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Inflation rate consumer prices: 2.4% (2005 est.)

Current account balance: $-416 million (2005 est.)

Exports: $650.1 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Commodities: textiles and footwear; asphalt metals and metallic ores crude oil; vegetables fruits tobacco
Partners: Italy 72.4% Greece 10.5% Serbia and Montenegro 5% (2005)

Imports: $2.473 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Commodities: machinery and equipment foodstuffs textiles chemicals
Partners: Italy 29.3% Greece 16.4% Turkey 7.5% China 6.6% Germany 5.4% Russia 4% (2005)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.461 billion (2005 est.)

Debt external: $1.55 billion (2004)

Exchange rates: leke per US dollar - 102.649 (2005) 102.78 (2004) 121.863 (2003) 140.155 (2002) 143.485 (2001)

Electricity
Production: 5.68 billion kWh (2004)
Consumption: 6.76 billion kWh (2004)
Exports: 200 million kWh (2003)
Imports: 1.08 billion kWh (2004 est.)

Natural gas
Production: 30 million m³ (2003 est.)
Consumption: 30 million m³ (2003 est.)
Exports: 0 m³ (2001 est.)
Imports: 0 m³ (2001 est.)
Proven reserves: 2.832 billion m³ (1 January 2002)

Telephones
Main lines in use: 255,000 (2003)
Mobile cellular: 1.259 million (2004)

Telephone system
General assessment: despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains the lowest in Europe with roughly seven lines per 100 people; however, cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective
Domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003 two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's Balkan neighbors
International: country code - 355; inadequate fixed main lines; adequate cellular connections; international traffic carried by fiber optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2003)

Internet
Country code: .al
Hosts: 430 (2006)
Users: 75,000 (2005)

Military expenditures
Percent of gdp: 1.49% (FY02)

Military service age and obligation: 19 years of age (2004)

Airports: 11 (2006)
With paved runways total: 3
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 3 (2006)
With unpaved runways total: 8
With unpaved runways over 3047 m: 1
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 2
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 1
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 4 (2006)

Heliports: 1 (2006)

Pipelines: gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2006)

Railways
Total: 447 km
Standard gauge: 447 km 1.435-m gauge (2005)

Roadways
Total: 18,000 km
Paved: 7,020 km
Unpaved: 10,980 km (2002)

Waterways: 43 km (2006)

Merchant marine
Total: 24 ships (1000 GRT or over) 52,987 GRT/79,863 DWT
By type: cargo 23, roll on/roll off 1
Foreign owned: 1 (Turkey 1)
Registered in other countries: 1 (Georgia 1) (2006)

Ports and terminals: Durres Sarande Shengjin Vlore

Disputes international: the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians in neighboring countries and the peaceful resolution of interethnic disputes; some ethnic Albanian groups in neighboring countries advocate for a 'greater Albania' but the idea has little appeal among Albanian nationals; thousands of unemployed Albanians emigrate annually to nearby Italy and other developed countries

Illicit drugs: increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates hashish and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a far lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and growing 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