Albania facts

  • Albania, is a country in South Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast.
  • The official language of the country is Albanian. However, Greek is also widely spoken there.
  • It is less than 72 km (45 mi) from Italy, across the Strait of Otranto which links the Adriatic Sea to the Ionian Sea.
  • Albania gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912.
  • The Albanian capital, Tirana, is home to approximately 607,467 of the country's 3.6 million people.
  • The highest point in Albania is Mount Korab (2,753 m).
  • Albania is the Medieval Latin name of the country which is called Shqipëri by its inhabitants.
  • Albania is one of the only majority Muslim nations in Europe.
  •  During the Middle Ages, the Albanians called their country Arbër or Arbën and referred to themselves as Arbëresh or Arbnesh.
  • In Albania, nodding the head means no, and shaking the head means yes.