Albania

Republic of Albania Republika e Shqipërisë  (Albanian)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto:  "Ti, Shqipëri, më jep nder, më jep emrin Shqiptar" (in Albanian) "You, Albania, give me honor, give me the name Albanian"
Anthem: Himni i Flamurit   (in Albanian) "Hymn to the Flag"
Location of  Albania  (green) on the European continent  (dark grey)  —  [Legend]
Capital and largest city	Tirana 41°19′N 19°49′E / 41.317°N 19.817°E / 41.317; 19.817
Official languages	Albanian1
Ethnic groups	98.2% Albanians 1.8% others
Demonym(s)	Albanian
Government	Parliamentary republic
• President	Bajram Begaj[1]
• Prime Minister	Edi Rama
• Chairperson of the Parliament	Gramoz Ruçi
Formation
• Illyria	2000 B.C
• Komani Kruja Culture	~700
• Principality of Arbër	1190
• League of Lezhë	2 March 1444
• Independence from the Ottoman Empire	28 November 1912
• Recognized by the Great Powers	2 December 1912
• Current Constitution	28 November 1998
Area
• Total	28,748 km2 (11,100 sq mi) (143rd)
• Water (%)	4.7
Population
• 2011 estimate	2,994,667 (136th)
• 2001 census	3,069,275
• Density	111.1/km2 (287.7/sq mi) (63rd)
GDP (PPP)	2011 estimate
• Total	$25.035 billion[2]
• Per capita	$7,780[2]
GDP (nominal)	2011 estimate
• Total	$13.292 billion[2]
• Per capita	$4,131[2]
Gini (2005)	26.7[3] low
HDI (2011)	0.739[4] high · 70th
Currency	Lek (ALL)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Driving side	right
Calling code	355
ISO 3166 code	AL
Internet TLD	.al
Greek, Macedonian and other regional languages, are government-recognized minority languages.

Albania (/ælˈbeɪniə/ (listen) al-BAY-nee-ə; Albanian: Shqipëri), officially called the Republic of Albania is an independent country located in Southeast Europe, more specifically it is located in the Balkans. The capital is Tirana, and other important cities are Durrës, Elbasan and Vlora. Over 3 million people live in the area of 28,748 square kilometres (11,100 sq mi) that Albanians call their home. The majority of Albanians are Muslim with 55%, 23% Eastern Orthodox and 15% Roman Catholics.

Albania is next to Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Greece. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea in the west, and a coast on the Ionian Sea in the southwest. The official language is Albanian(Gjuha Shqipe). The national anthem is Hymni i Flamurit.

1. ↑ "Bajram Begaj– President of the Republic of Albania". Institution of the President of the Republic of Albania. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} "Albania". International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
3. ↑ "Distribution of family income – Gini index". The World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on 23 July 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
4. ↑ "Human Development Report 2010" (PDF). United Nations. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 November 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2010.