Albania

Albania

Introduction

Background

Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, 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

however, there have been claims of electoral fraud in every one of Albania’s post-communist elections. The 2009 general elections resulted in no single party gaining a majority of the 140 seats in Parliament, and the Movement for Socialist Integration (LSI) and the Democratic Party (DP) combined to form a coalition government, the first such in Albania’s history. The Socialist Party (SP) has, in effect, boycotted Parliament since it convened in September 2009 and has called for investigations into alleged electoral fraud in the June 2009 elections. 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.

Geography

Location

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece in the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north

Geographic coordinates

41 00 N, 20 00 E

Map references

Europe

Area

total: 28,748 sq km country comparison to the world: 145 land:27,398 sq km water:1,350 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland

Land boundaries

total: 717 km border countries:Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro 172 km, Kosovo 112 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 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

3,650 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

41.7 cu km (2001)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 1.71cu km/yr (27%/11%/62%) per capita:546cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

destructive earthquakes

tsunamis occur along southwestern coast

floods

drought

Environment – current issues

deforestation

soil erosion

water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents

Environment – international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements

Geography – note

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

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Albanian(s) adjective:Albanian

Ethnic groups

Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Serb, Macedonian, Bulgarian) (1989 est.)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

Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%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

Population

2,994,667 (July 2011 est.)country comparison to the world: 137

Age structure

0-14 years: 21.4% (male 337,364/female 303,669) 15-64 years:68.1% (male 996,666/female 1,043,472) 65 years and over:10.5% (male 148,151/female 165,345) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 30.4 years male:29.2 years female:31.6 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.267% (2011 est.)country comparison to the world: 170

Birth rate

12.15 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)country comparison to the world: 163

Death rate

6.15 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)country comparison to the world: 158

Net migration rate

-3.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)country comparison to the world: 181

Urbanization

urban population: 52% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization:2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

TIRANA (capital) 433,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.118 male(s)/female under 15 years:1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years:1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over:0.87 male(s)/female total population:1.04 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

31 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)country comparison to the world: 110

Infant mortality rate

total: 14.61 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 122 male:16.23 deaths/1,000 live births female:12.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 77.41 years country comparison to the world: 60 male:74.82 years female:80.3 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.48 children born/woman (2011 est.)country comparison to the world: 186

Health expenditures

6.9% of GDP (2009)country comparison to the world: 84

Physicians density

1.146 physicians/1,000 population (2007)country comparison to the world: 97

Hospital bed density

2.92 beds/1,000 population (2007)country comparison to the world: 78

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 96% of populationrural: 98% of populationtotal: 97% of population unimproved:urban: 4% of populationrural: 2% of populationtotal: 3% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 98% of populationrural: 98% of populationtotal: 98% of population unimproved:urban: 2% of populationrural: 2% of populationtotal: 2% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

HIV/AIDS – deaths

NA

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

6.6% (2005)country comparison to the world: 75

Education expenditures

NA

Literacy

definition: age 9 and over can read and write total population:98.7% male:99.2% female:98.3% (2001 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 11 years male:11 years female:11 years (2004)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 35.5% country comparison to the world: 10 male:41.6% female:27.1% (2001)

Government

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

parliamentary democracy

Capital

name: Tirana (Tirane) geographic coordinates:41 19 N, 19 49 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)

Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane, Vlore

Independence

28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire)

National holiday

Independence Day, 28 November (1912) also known as Flag Day

Constitution

approved by parliament 21 October 1998

adopted by popular referendum 22 November 1998

promulgated 28 November 1998

Legal system

civil law system except in the northern rural areas where customary law known as the “Code of Leke” prevails

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President of the Republic Bamir TOPI (since 24 July 2007) 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(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president elected by three-fifths the Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term)

four election rounds held between 8 and 20 July 2007 (next election to be held in 2012)

prime minister appointed by the president election results:Bamir TOPI elected president

Assembly vote, fourth round (three-fifths majority, 84 votes, required): Bamir TOPI 85 votes, Neritan CEKA 5 votes

Legislative branch

unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 deputies

100 deputies elected directly in single member electoral zones with an approximate number of voters

40 deputies elected from multi-name lists of parties or party coalitions according to their respective order

elected for a 4-year term) elections:last held on 28 June 2009 (next to be held in 2013) election results:percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – PD 68, PS 65, LSI 4, other 3

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court consists of 9 members appointed by the president with the consent of the Assembly who serve 9-year terms (chairman is elected by the People’s Assembly for a four-year term)

the High Court members appointed by the president with the consent of the Assembly for a 9-year term

note – there are also courts of appeal and courts of first instance

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]

New Democracy Party or PDR [Genc POLIO]

Party for Justice and Integration or PDI [Tahir MUCHEDINI]

Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]

Social Democracy Party or PDS [Paskel MILO]

Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]

Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Ilir META]

Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA]

Unity for Human Rights Party or PBDNJ [Vangjel DULE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Citizens Advocacy Office [Kreshnik SPAHIU]

Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kastriot MUCO]

Front for Albanian National Unification or FBKSH [Gafur ADILI]

Mjaft Movement [Elton KACIDHJA]

Omonia [Ligorag KARAMELO]

Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA]

International organization participation

BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Gilbert GALANXHI chancery:2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone:[1] (202) 223-4942 FAX:[1] (202) 628-7342 consulate(s) general:New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Alexander ARVIZU embassy:Rruga e Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana mailing address:US Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510 telephone:[355] (4) 2247285 FAX:[355] (4) 2232222

Flag description

red with a black two-headed eagle in the center

the design is claimed to be that of 15th-century hero George Castriota SKANDERBEG, who led a successful uprising against the Turks that resulted in a short-lived independence for some Albanian regions (1443-1478)

an unsubstantiated explanation for the eagle symbol is the tradition that Albanians see themselves as descendants of the eagle

they refer to themselves as “Shkypetars,” which translates as “sons of the eagle”

National symbol(s)

double-headed eagle

National anthem

name: “Hymni i Flamurit” (Hymn to the Flag) lyrics/music:Aleksander Stavre DRENOVA/Ciprian PORUMBESCUnote:adopted 1912

Economy

Economy – overview

Albania, a formerly closed, centrally-planned state, is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. Macroeconomic growth averaged around 6% between 2004-08, but declined to about 3% in 2009-10. Inflation is low and stable. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime, and recently adopted a fiscal reform package aimed at reducing the large gray economy and attracting foreign investment. Remittances, a significant catalyst for economic growth have declined from 12-15% of GDP to 9% of GDP in 2009, mostly from Albanians residing in Greece and Italy

this helps offset the towering trade deficit. The agricultural sector, which accounts for almost half of employment but only about one-fifth of GDP, is limited primarily to small family operations and subsistence farming because of lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. Energy shortages because of a reliance on hydropower, and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure contribute to Albania’s poor business environment and lack of success in attracting new foreign investment needed to expand the country’s export base. FDI is among the lowest in the region, but the government has embarked on an ambitious program to improve the business climate through fiscal and legislative reforms. The completion of a new thermal power plant near Vlore has helped diversify generation capacity, and plans to upgrade transmission lines between Albania and Montenegro and Kosovo would help relieve the energy shortages. Also, with help from EU funds, the government is taking steps to improve the poor national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$23.86 billion (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 115 $23.06 billion (2009 est.)$22.32 billion (2008 est.)note:data are in 2010 US dollarsAlbania has an informal, and unreported, sector that may be as large as 50% of official GDP

GDP (official exchange rate)

$11.77 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

3.5% (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 109 3.3% (2009 est.)7.7% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$8,000 (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 123 $7,700 (2009 est.)$7,500 (2008 est.)note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 20.1% industry:19.3% services:60.5% (2010 est.)

Labor force

1.053 million (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 141

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 47.8% industry:23% services:29.2% (September 2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

13.7% (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 142 13% (2009 est.)note:these are official rates, but actual rates may exceed 30% due to preponderance of near-subsistence farming

Population below poverty line

12.5% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%:29% (2008)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

34.5 (2008)country comparison to the world: 91 26.7 (2005)

Investment (gross fixed)

29.8% of GDP (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 31

Budget

revenues: $3.124 billion expenditures:$3.491 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

26.5% of GDP (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 111

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.1% of GDP (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 100

Public debt

57.1% of GDP (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 39 57.3% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.5% (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 115 2.3% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5% (31 December 2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 71 5.25% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

12.833% (31 December 2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 78 12.667% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$2.648 billion (31 December 2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 114 $2.969 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$9.426 billion (31 December 2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 105 $9.096 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$7.948 billion (31 December 2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 102 $8.162 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

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% (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 113

Electricity – production

5.201 billion kWh (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 113

Electricity – consumption

6.593 billion kWhcountry comparison to the world: 102 note:35% of electricity is lost in the system as a result of transmission inefficiencies and theft (2009 est.)

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

1.884 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

10,930 bbl/day (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 83

Oil – consumption

33,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 112

Oil – exports

1,004 bbl/day (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 119

Oil – imports

22,880 bbl/day (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 108

Oil – proved reserves

199.1 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)country comparison to the world: 60

Natural gas – production

30 million cu m (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 86

Natural gas – consumption

30 million cu m (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 110

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 50

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 79

Natural gas – proved reserves

849.5 million cu m (1 January 2011 est.)country comparison to the world: 101

Current account balance

-$1.404 billion (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 151 -$1.845 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$1.548 billion (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 141 $1.048 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

textiles and footwear

asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil

vegetables, fruits, tobacco

Exports – partners

Italy 50.8%, Kosovo 6.2%, Turkey 5.9%, Greece 5.4%, China 5.5% (2010 est.)

Imports

$4.305 billion (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 124 $4.264 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals

Imports – partners

Italy 28%, Greece 13%, China 6.3%, Turkey 5.6%, Germany 5.6% (2010 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.541 billion (31 December 2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 108 $2.37 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$4.752 billion (31 December 2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 112 $4.719 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

leke (ALL) per US dollar -104.08 (2010)94.98 (2009)79.546 (2008)92.668 (2007)98.384 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

5 (2010)country comparison to the world:178

Airports – with paved runways

total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m:3 1,524 to 2,437 m:1 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 1 914 to 1,523 m:1 (2010)

Heliports

1 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 339 km

oil 207 km (2010)

Railways

total: 339 km country comparison to the world: 117 standard gauge:339 km 1.435-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

total: 18,000 km country comparison to the world: 116 paved:7,020 km unpaved:10,980 km (2002)

Waterways

41 km (on the Bojana River) (2010)country comparison to the world: 104

Merchant marine

total: 25 country comparison to the world: 93 by type:bulk carrier 1, cargo 23, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned:1 (Turkey 1) registered in other countries:4 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Panama 3) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore

Military

Military branches

Joint Force Command (includes Land, Naval, and Aviation Brigade Commands), Joint Support Command (includes Logistic Command), Training and Doctrine Command (2010)

Military service age and obligation

19 years of age (2004)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 731,111 females age 16-49:780,216 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 622,379 females age 16-49:660,715 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 31,986 female:29,533 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

1.49% of GDP (2005 est.)country comparison to the world: 101

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

none

Illicit drugs

increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and – to a lesser extent – cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe

limited opium and expanding 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