ALBANIA (Europe)

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Albania is located in the western part of the Balkan peninsula. It borders the former Yugoslavia (Serbia-Montenegro) and Kosova in the north and the east, (FYR of) Macedonia in the east, and Greece in the south. It has access to the Adriatic and Ionian Seas in the west. From the Strait of Otranto, Albania is less than 100 km (60 miles) from Italy. The country covers a total of 28,000 squared kilometers (11,000 squared miles) and its population is 3.3 million.

Located in Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro, Albania is one of Europe's poorest countries. Albania is nevertheless a rich blend of religions, cultures and landscapes - and its political landscape has been equally varied. After World War II, Albania became a Stalinist state under Enver Hoxha, and remained staunchly isolationist until its transition to democracy after 1990. The climate is generally mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter.

One result was the end of a ban on religious worship. Now Muslims, Orthodox and Roman Catholics co-exist alongside Albania's atheists.

During communism's last years, Albania's technological and economic progress suffered enormous setbacks, creating the conditions for the social instability that was to mark the regime's very collapse. In 1986, aware of the disastrous economic results of Albania's isolation, Hoxha's successor Ramiz Alia began a programme of domestic liberalisation and the rebuilding of international relationships. In 1997, Albania's stability suffered another blow when a nationwide network of fraudulent pyramid schemes collapsed. In April 1997, the National Reconciliation Government (a temporary coalition government) led by Bashkim Fino made an urgent appeal for international intervention to prevent further escalation of the crisis. The late 1990's and early 2000's has seen Albania's fragile democracy continue to stumble and the political situation remains 'changeable' .

As a holiday destination, Albania is definately not at the forefront of people's summer calendar's. However, day trips from local countries and islands (such as Corfu) give a cultural insight into one of Europe's most bullied countries!!