Albania

Overview

The capital, Tirana rests between the Dajti mountain range and coastal plains. Monuments to the past such as G. K. Scanderberg, Ura Takakere and the Cemetery of Martyrs Nations allow a brief insight into the country's past. Museums are several and the city is perfect for the Dajti Mountain National Park and the carstic cave near the gorge created by the Erzeni River.

The towns of Berati and Gjirokastra both have much to occupy the visitor. The former is a museum town also known as the 'town of a thousand windows'. This is due to the tightly packed houses which have been built with large windows. The designation as a museum town is from the myriad monuments and the architecture styles employed. The Cathedral of St. Nicholas holds a museum dedicated to the artist Onufri. Without the museum there are also Ethnographic and historic museums. The damaged fortress of Berat remains spectacular. Other buildings worth seeing are the King's mosque, the Leaden Mosque and the Teqe of the Helveti. The Fortress at Gjirokastra is the country's largest. Apart from being wondrous in its own right it also provides super views of the city and the Drinos Valley. The National Museum of Weapons and the Museum of Folk Culture are found inside the Fortress grounds. If time is short then this town should be visited during the Festival of Folkloric Arts as then a glimpse of the whole country can be seen in one place.

Sports, especially the air variety are excitingly found...more

History

Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven difficult as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks with links to government officials, and disruptive political opponents. Albania has made incremental progress in its democratic development since first holding multiiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain - particularly in regard to the rule of law. Despite some lingering problems, international observers have judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy, large public debt, and an inadequate energy and tranportation infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU.