Official Name : Albania
Timezone :GMT -1Area 28 748km2111097sqmi
Population total: (2002e) 3 108 000 Status Republic
Date of independence 1912
Languages Albanian (official) (Gheg and Task, the main dialects). Greek
Ethnic groups: Albanian,Greek , Macedonian, Vlach, Gypsy, Bulgarian
Religions Muslim (Sunni 70%), Roman Catholic (5%), Greek Orthodox (2%) (before April 1991. Albania was constitutionally atheist)
Physical features mountainous country, relatively inaccessible and untravelled;geologically active -earth-quakes severe and relatively frequent; N Albanian Alps rise to 2692 m/8832 ft: mountainous highlands (N, S, and E) account for c.70% of the land; Coastal lowland in the W is agricultural 45% of land is forested; 25% is arable, mostly grain-producing: c.20% is permanent pasture land.
Climate Mediterranean climate, hot and dry an the plains in summer; average annual temperatures, 8-9°C Unit, 24-5°C Unit; thunderstorms frequent; mild, damp, winters.
Currency 1 iek (1)=100 quintars
Economy Seventh five year plan (1981-5) focused on industrial expansion, especially in oil (new sources were located), mining, chemicals, natural gas; hydroelectric power plans for several rivers leg the Koman hydroelectric complex ; agricultural product processing, textiles, oil products, Cement: main crops are wheat, sugar-beet, maize, potatoes, fruit, grapes. oats; all industry is nationalized; progressive transformation of farm cooperatives into state farms: chromate, low-grade iron ore, and soft coat are exported: other natural resources: crude petroleum, asphalt, lignite (brown coal), phosphorus, bauxite, precious metals.
GOP (2002e) $15.69 bn, per capita $490
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