Albania

A Southeastern, European country located on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, Albania shares its borders with Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece.

Capital is Tirana.

Languages are Albanian and Greek.

Population, 3,088,385. Size, 28,748 km^2.

Currency, Lek.

Religions, Muslim, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Atheist.

Major cities of Durres, Vlore, Elbasan, and Shkoder.

National dishes are Tave Kosi and Qofte Ferguara. Principal crops include tobacco, figs, olives, wheat, maize, potatoes, sugar beets, grapes, and honey.

Albanians follow customs called The Kanun, sets of traditional and cultural practices that have their origins in the laws of the Illyrian tribe that have been passed down orally from one generation to another. The Kanun four pillars are Honor, Hospitality, Right Conduct, and Kin Loyalty. Albania is a safe country, the language is difficult, and cost of living is the best you can get in the Mediterranean.

The coast of Albania has a Mediterranean climate and inland is a more continental climate. Temperatures are affected from both the Adriatic and Albanian Alps. Summers are warm and heat waves can bring heavy rain and thunderstorms. Winters can be severe in higher areas.

Albanians call their home the “Land of the Eagles”. Mother Teresa was ethnically Albanian. Albania is Europe’s most at risk country when it comes to natural disasters. Shake of the head means yes and a nod means no. Albanians are the fifth heaviest smokers in the world. The Village of Lazaret is often referred to as Europe’s cannabis capital. Albania is home to Europe’s oldest lake, Lake Ohrid.