Country
Countries A-Z
Albania
Republic of Albania
Republika e Shqipëri
Political Status: Independent state since 1912; Communist regime established in 1946; interim democratic constitution adopted April 29, 1991; permanent constitution approved by national referendum on November 22, 1998, and signed into law by the president on November 28.
Area: 11, 100 sq. mi. (28, 748 sq. km.).
Population: 3, 069, 275 (2001C); 3, 217, 000 (2010E).
Major Urban Centers (2005E): TIRANË (TIRANA, 387, 000), Durrës (107, 000), Elbasan (90, 000), Shkodër (83, 000), Vlorë (80, 000), Korçë (53, 000).
Official Language: Albanian.
Monetary Unit: Lek (market rate November 1, 2010: 99.52 lekë = $1US).
President: Bamir TOPI (formerly Democratic Party of Albania); elected in the fourth round of voting by the People’s Assembly on July 20, 2007, and sworn in for a five-year term on July 24, ...