Albania Infos

7/26/2019 Albania Infos

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Albanian Hospitality and Culture

Albania is an incredibly hospitable culture and has its ownparticular traditions of courtesy. They are very closely relatedto the notion of hospitality, a notion similar to that of the

sacred guest from Homer and classical literature. ManyAlbanian traditions of hospitality come from The Kanun, or"The Code", a 15th-century text written by the powerfulDukagjin clan, although many of the laws written in the codedate from earlier times.As written in The Kanun, the guest will be shown the highestrespect by being offered a seat at the head of the table. Theguest is then regaled with the best the family has to offer,usually taking the form of homemade raki, traditional liquor.

It is an Albanian tradition to shake hands when meeting oneanother, and in many cases, they kiss each other on the cheeks, generally four times. One of the mostcommon gesticulation confusions arises from the fact that Albanians nod their heads up and down tomean "no", and shake their heads left to right to indicate "yes". Another specific Albanian gesture that

may be confusing to foreigners is when the palm is placed in the chest, it expresses thanks.Also note that it is unacceptable to exhibit yourself topless in the seaside, or worse, naked; of course,there are many isolated places where you can do this in private.

Albanians are friendly and very open towards foreigners that visit their country. If you are lucky enough to

be invited to visit an Albanian's home, you will be treated as royalty. As written in The Kanun, the guestwill be shown the highest respect by being offered a seat at the head of the table.The guest is then regaled with the best the family has to offer, usually taking the form of homemade raki,traditional liquor.


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Climate

Albanian Climate

Albania has a mild, Mediterranean climate. Many visitors will find that it never gets cold in the lowlands.The Ionian Cost, in particular, is very clement; with aver age winter temperatures of 8-10 C (46-50F).In Tirana and in other inland cities on the plains, temperature sometimes drops below freezing, but this is

usually only at night, and it is rare for ice or snow to last more than aday.

The country enjoys a good deal of sunny weather, with an average ofaround 300 sunny days each year. Most of Albania's annual rainfalloccurs between late autumn and early spring; outside of themountainous areas, it is unusual for it to rain in summer.In the summer, visitors often find the inland towns to be quite hot, withJuly usually being the warmest month. In Tirana, for example,temperatures occasionally reach 40 C (104F). Many hotels andrestaurants have air conditioning. The best places to be in midsummerare on the coast, where sea breezes keep the average temperaturesdown to a more tolerable 25-30 C (73-86F), or in the high mountains.If you have the luxury of choice, the best times of year to come forsightseeing are spring and fall. In autumn the orchards blaze with thebright orange of the persimmons and the cooler colors of the citrus

fruits, while in spring the apple and cherry blossoms cover theroadsides with their pastel-toned blossoms.The long spring evenings are a good time to enjoy the terrace andsidewalk cafes which are ubiquitous throughout the country, while in

September and October it is still warm enough to swim on the southern coast.


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Currency

The Albanian monetary unit is called "Leke". The currency floats freely but is quite stable: at the time ofwriting exchange is about 136 lek to the euro, about 100 leke to the US dollar. Most boards exhibit thecurrent exchange rate on the right side of the screen. On the rate boards in banks and exchange offices(kembim valuator) the initials ALL are sometimes used instead of the word leke.

For todays rate of exchange, please use the rate posted by the American Bank of Albania.

Over 20 years ago, the currency was evaluated and a zero was dropped. Albanians of all ages still insiston using the extra zero, although people who have regular dealings with foreigners sometimes try toremember not to. The systems are differentiated by the adjectives old and new. In modernsupermarkets the prices are displayed in new leke. In markets and small shops, particularly outside thecities, if prices are displayed at all they might be in either system. It is fairly easy to guess that the price ofa bottle of mineral water is 50 new lek (about 0.30 euros) rather than 500 lek (about 3 euros) .Sometimes it can be quite unclear which is meant. Fortunately, most Albanians are very honest about thisand will put you right if you try to give them ten times more money than they expect.

Matters are made even more confusing by a tendency to quote large numbers without mentioning theword thousand a hotel receptionist might well quote a room rate simply as fifty. The only way to findout if this means 50 dollars, 50 euros, 50 euros or 5,000 lek, is to ask.

Changing money

Cashpoint machines or ATMs which issue Albanian lek can be found in all major cities in Albania. Smallertowns do not always have them, but it is only a matter of time before they will. Most of the machines arelinked to the Visa and Cirrus networks; some (Pro-Credit Bank is one) are also connected to the Maestroand Master Card networks.

Although you can use your credit card to withdraw cash, (usually limited to about $500 US dollars) youcannot use it to pay for goods or services except in a few of the most up-market hotels and restaurants.Similarly, travelers cheques are not accepted as payment by hotels or anywhere else; outside Tirana youmay not be able to cash them. Foreign currency can be changed in banks at exchange offices (kembimvalutor). The most commonly accepted currencies are the US dollar and the euro. Banks and exchangeoffices will have a rate for major currencies other than these. Banks are open only on weekdays 8:30 a.m.to 2:30 p.m.

You also can change money at your hotel, although you should not rely on this option. You will almostcertainly be able to pay your room in euros, although if you have been quoted a price in lek, the hotelsexchange rate will not be in your favor. Restaurants also sometimes accept euros.


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General Facts

Area: 28.748 Km2 (11,000 sq miles)Population: 3,544 808 millionSystem of government: Parliamentary democracyHead of State: President, elected by parliament every five years

Capital city: TiranaCurrency: LekOfficial Language: AlbanianWeights and Measures: MetricElectricity: 220 VNational Anthem: Himni Flamurit (The Flag Hymn)International telephone prefix: ++ 355

Geography

Albania is a small country with a landmass of 28.748 sq km (about 11.000 sq miles), roughly the size of

Belgium. It is situated in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula in the southeastern part of Europe. It

shares borders with Montenegro and Kosovo to the North and Northeast, Macedonia to the East andGreece to the South. To the West, Albania has a coast that adjoins the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The

Adriatic separates it from Italy via the Strait of Otranto (72 km/45 mi).

Much of Albanias surface is mountainous the average height above sea level is 708 m, (2,336 ft) and

its highest peak, Mount Korabi on the Macedonian border, is 2.753 m (9,085 ft). Most of the population

lives in the south-central lowlands and on the coastal plain.

The country has many rivers which originate in the high mountains and pass through steep gorges before

reaching the plain and making their way to the sea. Most of the main rivers have been extensively

managed, usually to generate hydro-electricity.

Albania has nearly 450 km (280 mi) of seacoast, with the Adriatic running from the Montenegrin border

south to the Bay of Vlora, where the Ionian Sea begins. The Ionian Cost is very rugged with rocky coves

along the narrow coastal strip and steep mountains rising almost straight up almost much of its length.

The highest point along this stretch is at the Llogara Pass, over 1.000m (3,300ft) high. Geologic activity

and erosion have created many caves at the base of these cliffs, some of which were inhabited in

prehistoric times.

On the other hand, the Adriatic coast is a low-lying one, with large protected bays (such as those of Vlora

and Durrs), which have been used as harbors since ancient times. The rivers that flow into the Adriatic

have created fertile alluvial plains on these lowlands and, at their mouths, exceptionally rich wetlands,

which are home to many waterfowl and migratory birds.

In Albania there are also a number of lakes. The most significant are:


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Lake Shkodra is the largest lake in the Balkans and straddles the border between Albania and

Montenegro. Thousands of cormorants winter on this lake each year. It is relatively shallow and is fed by

many different rivers as well as by springs, making it quite varied in its aquatic life, with various species of

carp and trout in its waters.

Lake Ohrid is shared between Albania and Macedonia in the southeastern part of Albania. Around the

lakeshore there are some tourist areas such as Lini, Pojska, Pogradec, Tushemisht, and Drilon. It is

exceptionally deep and fed mainly by springs around the edge of the lake and on its floor.

Above Lake Ohrid lies Prespa Lake, which is distinguished by its solitude and beautiful landscapes. In

this lake there are very important breeding populations of Dalmatian and white pelicans. Lakes Ohrid and

Prespa are between two and four million years old, and unique species of fish have evolved in them,

among them the delicious koran and belushka.

Over a third of the territory of Albania about a million hectares (2.5 million acres) is forested and the

country is very rich in flora. About 3.000 different species of plants grow in Albania, many of which are

used for medicinal purposes. The forests are home to a wide range of animals such as wolves, bears,

wild boars, and chamois. Lynx, wildcats, pine martens and polecats are rarer, but survive in some parts of

the country.

History

On Albanian History

The territories of present day Albania have been inhabited as earlyback as 100.000 years ago. It was at the turn of the third millenniumBC that an Indo - European population settled there. As the result ofthe mixture, a population incorporating the unique cultural andlinguistic characteristics of the whole Balkan Peninsula(pelages) was created.

Based on this ancient population, the Illyrian people developed

through the second millennium and the first century B.C. After its fallin the year 30 B.C. Illyrian came under the control of Roman Empire.With the division of the Roman Empire (395 A.D), Illyrianbecame a part of the Byzantine Empire.

The country has suffered continuous invasions over the last 1000years and by the end of the 14th century Albania was occupied bythe Ottoman Empire. The subsequent efforts and insurrections forindependence eventually brought about the proclamation of theindependence of Albania in 1912. After 1912 till the end of the FirstWorld War, the country was attacked by neighboring countries. Aftereleven years of monarchy the country was occupied by Mussoliniforces in 1939, putting the end of monarchy. In 1943 the

armies of Hitler occupies the country. The resistance against foreign invasion was known as the Anti Fascist National Liberation front. The Communist party took power in November 1944, when the foreignarmies were expelled. Shortly thereafter, a totalitarian regime was established under the communistleader Enver Hoxha. For about 50 years, the regime applied the policy of self-isolation, leaving thecountry in great economic poverty when it finally emerged from isolation in 1991.The principle of self-reliance applied by the Communist regime prohibited foreign loans, credits and

investment. From 1991 until 1997 The Democratic Party led the country. After the unrests of 1997 due tothe failure of pyramidal schemes the Socialist Party with its coalition was in power until 2005. After the


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last elections on 3 July 2005 The Democratic Party with its coalition is turn back in power. Albanian policyintends to integrate the country into European Community and the Alliance of NATO forces.

Flag of Albania

The national flag of Albania

Description of the national flag of Albania. The flag of Albania is red with a black double-headed eagle.

The nickname of the flag is flamur e Sknderbeut (Skanderbeg's flag).

History of the national flag of Albania

During its recent history, Albania has used several flags

which are variations of the basic design, a black double-

headed eagle on a red background. Albania gained

independence as a Principality. On the flag the eagle has

golden beak and claws and is holding golden arrows.

Above it's heads a white five-pointed star.

1920.The First Republic was proclaimed. The flag was

changed to a plain black eagle on red.

1928.President (and Dictator) Ahmet Zogu proclaimed himself King Zog I. Now the eagle in the flag is

surmounted by Skanderbeg's helmet in gold, which served as the Royal crown.

1939.Albania was occupied by the Italians, officially it continued to be an independent Kingdom under

the Italian King Vittorio Emmanuele III. The flag was changed to plain red with the arms: black eagle on a

red shield.

The shield was set between two black fasces, above it Skanderbeg's helmet in black. The provisionalgovernment formed by the Partisans re-introduced the pre-war flag. In the upper corner near the hoist a

golden star was added, later replaced by a hammer and sickle.

1946.With the proclamation of the People's Republic in 1946 the symbol in the corner was removed and

a red five-pointed star with golden border was set above the heads of the eagle.

1992.Albania again became a Republic, and the star was removed from the flag. We are back at the

basic design, black eagle on red.

Skanderbeg is the national hero of Albania. The current national flag of Albania is said to have been his

flag and his helmet was and is still shown on several Albanian symbols.

Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg (c. 1403-1468) was a member of the noble Kastrioti family, considered asoriginating from the hamlet of Kastrat, located on the plateau of Has, in northern Albania. Jean Kastrioti

took control around 1400 of the region spreading from Tirana and Shkodra after a long struggle against

the Balsha and Thopia family. Jean Kastrioti was defeated in 1422 by the Ottoman Sultan Muhrat II

(1421-1451) and has to give him his son Georges as a hostage. Georges was military trained in

Andrinople; he was such a good fighter that the Turks nicknamed him Iskander (Alexander). The Sultan

appointed him sandjak-bey, that is responsible of a military fief (timar) in his birth region, and then valid of

the vilayet of Kruja. Muhrat's policy was to appoint byes of Albanian origin in Albania in order to control

the country and increase his supporters.


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In 1442, a Polish-Hungarian coalition attacked the western border of the Ottoman Empire; Skanderbeg

took advantage of the confusion to seize the fortress of Kruja and organized the Albanian resistance to

the Turks. On 28 November 1843, he proclaimed the Free Principality of Albania and raised the red flag

with the black double-headed eagle, which was his family's standard. In1444, the Albanian chiefs

gathered in Lezha, then a Venetian possession, and appointed Skanderbeg their supreme chief.

Skanderbeg gained the support, mostly nominal, of the Republic of Venice and also of King Alphonse of

Naples, who saw him as the advanced defender of Southern Italy against the Ottomans. Moving from

village to village, he increased his army and defeated the Ottomans for the first time in June 1444 and

then in 1445 and 1446.

Skanderbeg challenged the local rule of Venice, which attacked him in 1447. A huge Ottoman army

besieged Kruja in August 1450 but withdrew one month and a half later after several failed assaults.

Skanderbeg became famous in Europe as the pioneer of the Christian recon quest against the Ottomans.

When attempting to transform the League of Lezha into a unified and organized state, Skanderbeg was

abandoned by two great Albanian families and betrayed by his own nephew, Hamza Kastrioti, who joined

the Sultan. After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the Ottomans resumed their attacks against Albania.

On 7 September 1457, Skanderbeg won the battle of Albulene, near Kruja, and the Congress of Mantova

proposed him the leadership of an anti-Ottoman crusade. A third siege set up in 1467 was not more

successful. Skanderbeg died from fever in Lezha on 17 January 1468 and was buried there in the St.

Nicholas cathedral. The Albanians did not give up but the Ottomans eventually seized Kruja on 16 June

1478 and a few years later most Albanian cities. After the fall of Lezha, the Ottomans desecrated

Skanderbeg's tomb, spread away his bones and transformed the cathedral into a mosque. In 1501,

Skanderbeg's grandson landed near Lezha but was expelled by the Ottomans.

In 1968,the 500th anniversary of the death of the national hero was commemorated with the erection of

an equestrian statue portraying him on the main square of Tirana, Skanderbeg Square. The statue was

made by the sculptor Odhise Paskali, assisted by Andrea Mano and Janaq Pao.

In 1576, Jacques Delavardin published in Paris Histoire de Georges Castriot, surnamed Scanderberg

(sic), surely based on Barleti and Bardhi's books (see below). The famous poet Pierre de Ronsard (1524-

1585) wrote as the preface to the book a sonnet

Marin Barleti, who exiled to Rome in 1479 after the fall of Shkodra, published c. 1508-1510 in Latin his

History of the actions of Scanderbeg, Prince of the Epirotes, which was translated in several languages

and spread Skanderbeg's epos all over Europe. Frang Bardhi (1606-1643) published in 1636, also in

Latin, his Scanderbeg, whose main goal was to refute the alleged Slavic origin of Skanderbeg (a theory

still defended by Macedonian and Serbian nationalists). In order to prove that Skanderbeg did not belong

to the Marnavi lineage, Bardhi quoted Barleti, who wrote that Skanderbeg's family emblem was "a

double-headed eagle on a red background", an emblem never used by the Marnavi.

It is usually admitted that the eagle is of Byzantine origin. Petit Larousse Illustr 2004 claims that the

Albanian eagle is of Austro-Hungarian origin, which is simply an anachronism; the flag section of that

Larousse release is marred by mistakes and can unfortunately not be considered as a reliable source.

The eagle of the flag has often be related to the local name of Albania, Shqipria and of the Albanians,

Shqiptar, formed on the Albanian root shqipe, the eagle. Albania is often named the Land of Eagles. The

eagle was indeed highly estimated in Albania in very ancient times: the Epirot King Pyrrhos was

nicknamed "The Eagle". However, the word shqiptar appeared only around 1555, in the oldest known

documents written in Albanian, and only to designate the language spoken in the region then called

Arbr. The Greek geographer Ptolemaus (II-nd century BC) placed on his maps the city of Albanopolis,


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the capital city of the Albania. In the IX-XI century, the Byzantine chroniclers used the names of Albanoi

and Arbanites. In the middle Ages, the Albanians called themselves Arben, Arbr or Arbresh their

neighbors called them Arbanito, Urbaneness, or Arvanites, after the region of Arbanon, near Kruja, later

called for long Arbeni. There is still near Tirana a village called Arban and the inhabitants of the region of

Saranda call their region Arbr. For the Byzantines, the Arbanites were Roman Catholic, whereas the

Orthodox was called Gracci, and later Epirotes. The use of Albanians for a nationality appeared only in

the XIV century.

Arrival

How to get to Albania?

Check out different ways to reach Albania:

Arrival Entry by air , Entry by roadways, Entry by sea, and Visa Procedures and Customs.

Entry by air

All international airrrivals enter through Mother Theresa International Airport, located 17 km northwest ofTirana. Linkage with the city is provided through a shuttle bus service, the Tirana Rinas Express, runningbetween Skanderbeg Square and Mother Theresa Airport. Shuttle buses depart every hour at the top ofthe hour, with an approximate cost of 2 euros. Taxi service available at all times, taxi fares mounting toapproximately 20 euros.

Mother Theresa AirportPhone: + 355 4 23 79 063 / 4

Cel: +355 69 20 666 26E-mail: [email protected]: www.tirana-airport.com.al
mailto:[email protected]://www.tirana-airport.com.al/http://www.tirana-airport.com.al/mailto:[email protected]


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Entry by roadways

From Montenegro- Through Hani I Hotit and Murriqan-Sukobina. The first road links the Northern City of Shkodra and LakeShkodra with Podgorica, while the second links Shkodra with Ulcinj Montenegro.- Recently opened is Vermoshi, which links the region of Kelmendi in Albania with Plava and Gucia(Gusinje) in Montenegro.

From Macedonia- Qafe Thana pass links Pogradec, Librazhd and Elbasan to Struga.- From Tushemisht, at the Southeastern end of Lake Ohrid, leading from Pogradec to Saint Naum andOher.- From Bllata, leading from Peshkopi to great Dibra.- From Gorica the road leads from the northern shores of Lake Prespa to Otoshev and other parts ofMacedonia.

From Kosovo- Through Morina pass, which links Kukes, Albania, with Pristina, Kosovo- Morina which links Tropoja with Gjakova- Qaf Prushi, which links Kruma with Gjakova.

Fr om Greece- Through Kapshtica leading from Kora to Thessalonica.- From Kakavija leading from Gjirokastra to Janina.- At Qafe Boti Konispol is connected to Filat- Tre Urat, connecting Permet with Konica.

Entry by sea

Albania can be accessed by sea through its main ports:Durrs: the Italian ports of Ancona, Bari, Brindisi and TriesteVlora: the Italian port of Brindisi

Shngjin: the Italian port of BariSaranda: the Greek Island of Corfu


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Albanian Road Map


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Albanian Tourist Map

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Albania Infos