Albania

Also known as: Shqipëria (Albanian), Shqipëri (Albanian), Republic of Albania, Republika e Shqipërisë (Albanian)

Albania, officially the Republic of Albania, is a country in Southeast Europe located on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordering the Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean, it shares land borders with Montenegro in the northwest, Kosovo in the northeast, North Macedonia in the east, and Greece in the south. Covering 28,748 square kilometers (11,100 square miles), Albania features diverse climates, landscapes, and geological formations. Its terrain ranges from the snow-covered peaks of the Albanian Alps and the Korab, Skanderbeg, Pindus, and Ceraunian mountain ranges to fertile coastal plains stretching along the Adriatic and Ionian shores. The capital and largest city is Tirana, followed by Durrës, Vlorë, and Shkodër.

In ancient times, Albania was inhabited by several Illyrian tribes, including the Ardiaei, Bylliones, Dassaretii, Enchele, and Taulantians, while the Chaonians settled in the southwest. Ancient Greek colonies such as Apollonia were established along the coast. The Illyrians remained the dominant regional power until the expansion of Macedon. After the Illyrian Wars, the territory became part of the Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Empire following Rome’s division. During the Middle Ages, a number of Albanian states emerged, including the Principality of Arbanon, the Kingdom of Albania, the Principality of Albania, and Albania Veneta. In the 15th century, Albania became a major center of resistance to Ottoman expansion under the leadership of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, whose campaigns held back Ottoman forces for more than twenty years. Although eventually incorporated into the Ottoman Empire, Albania maintained a distinct cultural identity through centuries of foreign rule, leading to the Albanian National Renaissance in the 19th century. Albania declared independence in 1912, and its modern history included periods of monarchy, occupation during both World Wars, and communist rule under Enver Hoxha.

Since gaining independence, Albania has experienced major political transformations, evolving from a monarchy to a communist state before becoming a parliamentary constitutional republic. The country’s government is based on the separation of powers and includes a parliament, president, prime minister, and judicial system. Albania has a developing upper-middle-income economy centered on services, with manufacturing and tourism also playing important roles; tourism alone brought more than 11 million visitors in 2024. Following the end of communism, Albania transitioned from a centrally planned system to an open-market economy. Citizens benefit from universal healthcare and free primary and secondary education. Albania is also an official candidate for membership in the European Union and has been engaged in accession negotiations since 2022.

The name Albania is believed to derive from medieval Latin and is linked to the ancient Illyrian tribe known as the Albani. Evidence for this connection appears in the writings of the 2nd-century Greek geographer Ptolemy, who referred to a settlement called Albanopolis located northeast of Durrës. Historians have also noted the existence of the medieval settlement names Albanon or Arbanon, suggesting a possible historical continuity between these references. However, scholars continue to debate whether Albanopolis and Albanon were in fact the same place.

The earliest widely accepted mention of the Albanians appears in the 11th century in the writings of the Byzantine historian Michael Attaliates. He described Albanians taking part in a revolt against Constantinople in 1079 and also referred to the Arbanitai as subjects of the Duke of Dyrrachium. During the Middle Ages, Albanians referred to their homeland as Arbëri or Arbëni and called themselves Arbëreshë or Arbëneshë. By the 14th century, the terms Shqipëri and Shqipëria began to emerge, though they only gradually replaced the older names during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. These newer names are commonly interpreted as meaning “Land of the Eagles” and “Children of the Eagles.”