The Republic of Albania, a part of Southern Europe, surrounded by Greece on the South, Republic of Macedonia on the east, Montenegro on the North and Kosovo on the northeast. Adriatic sea and Ionian Sea are on the west and southwest of Albania. Historians argue that the people of Albania are descendents of Illyrian tribe also called Albanoi, which was part of modern day Albania in ancient times.

Albania as a nation has played significant role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in the southeastern part of Europe and further is in the process of joining the European Union and the NATO.

Albania ruled in the past by Pelasgians, Illyrians, Roman and Byzantine and Ottoman. The Ottoman’s ruling ends from Albania as a result of Second Balkan War and this created the possibility for Serbia and Greece to occupy some Albanian land. But this was against Italians and Astro-Hungrians who were not in favor of powerful Serbia on their border. Finally the nation consolidated into the Principality of Albania. President Ahmet Zogu ruled the country from 1925 and declared himself King Zog I, the First Albanian Monarch in 1928.

The King Zog I followed European lifestyle, he was married to Hungrian Princess Geraldine Apponyi de Nagy-Apponyi. This was the King Zog I who infuses European ways of living in the public of Albania.

Italy took control of Albania on April 7, 1939, during WW II. Italian ruling parted Albania in Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia and Northern Greece, the communist and nationalist fought against Italy and Germany and finally in 1944 communist government formed. The communist party was made under the guidance of Yugoslov Communist Party on November 8, 1941.

The first major anti communist activity has taken place in Albania in 1990, and as a result, the first general election has taken place on March 31, 1991.

Albania has 12 counties in total. The Albanian Coastline 362 km long stretches between two seas. The Mountains accounts for 70% of the country’s geography, the highest mountain Korab is 9, 032 ft high. Durrės, Elbasan, Shkodėr, Gjirokastėr, Vlorė, Korēė and Kukės are some major cities of Albania. The climate is continental with hot summers and cold winters.

Approximately, 98% Albanian people are Muslims and remaining 2% comes from Greeks, Serbs, Macedonians, and Bulgarians etc.

Though the economy of Albania is not strong, but after the formation of democratically elected government in 1992, it’s strengthening. The Stabilization and Association Agreement signed in June / July 2006. The EU urges Albania to push ahead with reforms, focusing on press freedom, property rights, institution building, respect for ethnic minorities and observing international standards in municipal elections.