Albania Diamond Engagement Rings 31

 Albania Diamond Rings.
By Aamir Mannan.

Background:

Previously part of the Byzantine and later the Ottoman empires, Albania gained independence in 1912. It became a Stalinist regime under Enver Hoxha after World War II and remained extremely isolationist in policy and outlook until the Communists lost power in 1992.

Albania ended 44 years of xenophobic communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven difficult as corrupt governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, a dilapidated infrastructure, widespread gangsterism, and disruptive political opponents. International observers judged local elections in 2000 to be acceptable and a step toward democratic development, but serious deficiencies remain to be corrected.

Albania joined NATO in April 2009 and is a potential candidate for EU accession. 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. 

Official Name: 

Republika e Shqiperise

short form: Shqiperia

int'l long form: Republic of Albania

int'l short form: Albania

ISO Country Code: al 

Time:

Local Time = UTC +1h (in Summer UTC +2)

Actual Time: Fri-Aug-23  07:28 

Country Calling Code: +355

Capital City: Tirana (pop. 600 000)

Other Cities: Durres (200 000), Shkoder (81 000), Vlore (72 000, 2005 est.)

Government: 

Type: Parliamentary republic.

Constitution: Adopted by popular referendum 28 November 1998.

Independence:28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire). 

Geography:

Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea.

Area: 28,748 km² (11,100 sq. mi.)

Terrain: Situated in the southwestern region of the Balkan Peninsula, Albania is predominantly mountainous but flat along its Adriatic Sea coastline.

Highest peak: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2764 m.

Climate: Mediterranean, Mild temperate--short, soft, wet winters; hot and dry summers.

People:

Nationality: Albanian(s) 

Population: 2.8 million (2011 census)

Ethnic groups: Albanian 98.6%, Greeks 1.17%, others 0.23% (Vlachs, Roma, Serbs, Montenegrins, Macedonians, Egyptians, and Bulgarians).

Religions: Muslim (Sunni and Bektashi) 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, and Roman Catholic 10%.

Official Language: Albanian.

Literacy: 86.5%; male: 93.3%, female: 79.5%

Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower.

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.

Currency: Lek (ALL)

Source: Foreign Ministry and Institute of Statistics Albania and others.

 Albania in Figures

Albania key statistical data.