Albania Country Profile Guide - Business And Tourist Travel Information & Tips
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Albania Country Profile
Not a member of the European Union
Albania Recent History
Post war Albania. severed its relations with Yugoslavia and allied its self to Stalinist Russia. It broke off relations with Russia in 1960 after Khrushchev tried to demand that Albania ports host Russian Nuclear Submarines. After this it gradually leaned towards Chinese communism. In 1968 it severed relationships with all Warsaw Pact countries following their complicity in the Russian led invasion of Czechoslovakia.
In the late seventies it close affiliations with China waned and when communist President Hoxha died in 1985 a degree of liberalisation ensued and the country became less insular. In this new climate opposition parties were permitted but the communist party were the winners of the first democratic elections in 1991. Within months, following a general strike the Communists where forced to form a coalition with the opposition Democrats. The economic turmoil caused food shortages which had to be alleviated on December 1991 by I international Aid.
Fresh elections in 1992 ended 57 years of communist Rule. In 1993 Amnesty International critics the new government for violating human rights - violations generally associated with witch hunts against former communists.In 1992, following Greek claims to southern Albanian territory, Albania signed a military treaty with Turkey. The country was all overwhelmed in 1999 Albanian refugees fleeing from Kosovo. Some estimates put the number at half a million. Over the last decade many Albanians have left Albania in search of work. The country is now generally thought to be more stable than in the mid 90s.
Albania Population The Capital of Albania, Tirana is the home of approximately 400,000 citizens out of a national population of 3.5million. 95% of the indigenous people are Albanian and the largest ethnic minority are Greek.
Albania Language The official Albanian language is Albanian & Greek is spoken in places
Albania Religions The dominant practiced religions are estimated to be Sunni Muslim (70%), Orthodox Albanian (20%) & Roman Catholic 10%
Albania Currency The official currency is the 'lek'.
Foreign Currencies Albania The USD traditionally has been welcomed in cash form in many places & the € is rapidly becoming more popular.
Albania Economy - Business
In 1991 Albania was the last eastern european country to be governed by a communist government. Since then the country has at times experienced political and social instability. Inflation is relatively low at around 4.%. Its main industries are Oil, Cement, Chromium, Copper, Nickel and Hydroelectric Power. The latter is threatened by low water levels in the reservoirs.
Agriculture accounts for over 40% of Albania's total economic output, with 80% of this used domestically. Albania has significant trading links with Italy, Greece & Germany. Though economically Albania is one of the weakest european countries, between 55 - 60% of the economy has been privatised in the last decade. Recent history has prevented the tourist industry from flourishing in spite of the country's long beautiful Adriatic coastline.
Albanian Constitution & Parliamentary System
The Republic of Albania which during the cold-war became renowned for its Radio Albania transmissions which advocated the merits of communism from both Moscow and Beijing has changed dramatically in the last 15 years.It now has a single chamber democratic parliamentary system and a clearly written 'Constitution' which are two aspects of democracy that the citizens of the United Kingdom await. For more details on these aspects of Albanian life.
Medical Care In Albania Visitors to Albania should note Emergency medical care is very limited and dental treatment is reported to be dreadful.
Emergency Medical Aid There is no free emergency treatment agreement between the United Kingdom and Albania. You are strongly advised to take out medical insurance here.
Cautionary Medical Notes:
Road Travel In Albania
Roads are generally in poor condition with quite large pot holes throughout Albania. The tarmac can melt in hot weather and the roads can very icy in winter. Flash flooding is possible. Street lighting is towns often is subject to power cuts. Outside towns street lighting is rare and driving at night is hazardous. If you have a breakdown there are no rescue services so carry essential spares with you.
Avoid getting into disputes or provoking other motorists as some carry guns. Drivers with foreign plates are often the target of local traffic police who can impose on the spot fines for minor offences.
For information on Albanian Rail Services please see our European Rail Page.
For information on Albanian Coach Services please see our Coach page.
See the Tirana City Guide for local travel information
Earthquakes Albania Albania is in a seismic active area and earth tremors may occur. The last strong earthquake was on 23 November 2004 measuring 5.2 on the Richter Scale.
Drug Use & Dealing Severe penalties are given in Albania for drug offences
Related Pages
European & Southern Europe rail services to and from Albania
UK & European Coach services to and from & in Albania
National Weather Guide For Albania http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/country_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT003310
Albania National Tourist Board Office: http://www.albaniantourism.com/
Bikers Site - Very Useful Tourist Info http://www.bikeabout.org/resource/albania.htm