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: 3,282,246 (2012E—UN); 3,002,859 (2012E—U.S. Census).

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 October 3, 2011: 105.95 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, succeeding Gen. (Ret.) Alfred MOISIU (formerly Socialist Party of Albania). (Upon ...