The Republic of Albania is a small Balkan country in the south eastern region of Europe. It borders the Adriatic Sea, Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia and Greece. Albania was populated in prehistoric times and formed the main part of the Kingdom of Illyria, which lasted until conquered by the Romans. After the Romans, the area now known as Albania became part of first the Byzantine Empire and then the Ottoman Empire until 1912 when it became an independent country. Albania was a Kingdom until it became part of the East Bloc under the cold war. The communist party was ousted in 1990 and democracy established. Albania is working toward joining NATO and the European Union.

Inhabitants: 3.8 mio.
Area: 28.000 km2
Capital: Tirana (800.000 inhibitants)
Languages: Albanian
Religion:/ Muslim (70%), Albanian orthodox (20%), Catholics (10%)
GBD per capita: $6.200
Government: Republic - President: Bamir Topi - Prime minister: Sali Berishi
Climate: Mild, temperate; cool, wet winters; dry, hot summers