About Albania

You will note it is situated across the Adriatic Sea from Italy. It also has a southern border with Greece, a northern border with Montenegro and eastern borders with Kosovo and Macedonia. Its coastline sits on both the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.

Its total surface is 28,748 km², with 12 prefectures and 36 districts. Its current population is 3.3 million, although there are a significant number of Albanians living abroad. There has in recent years been a large demographical shift from the north of the country to Tirana (Albania's capital). This is expected to contine, albeit on a smaller scale.

There are many historical sites to visit within Albania, for example, Butrinti and Apollonia, and its history is fascinating, home to the Illyrians, one of the oldest European civilisations and laying claim to one of the oldest known languages.

A country and a language that survived the occupation of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 500 years, most Albanians, if they were asked their religious persuasion .would say muslim, however the 50 years of communist rule, during which time it was the first country to proclaim itself an atheist state, left a country following the collapse of communism, with an open-mindedness and healthy attitude to all religions. You can just as easily hear the chiming of church bells as you can the call for prayer.

The Albanians, contrary to popular belief, are an extremely hospitable nation. They are especially welcoming of foreigners and would go out of their way to assist. For example, as has happened to us, they think nothing of towing your car to the nearest mechanic for no charge.