Albania
Geography, Climate and Population
Geography:
Albania is a country in South-Eastern Europe, in the West of
the Balkan Peninsula, between the geographical coordinates: 39 16' latitude and
42 39' longitudes. Albania is almost midway between Equator and the North Pole,
and covers a surface
The overall length of the borderline of the Republic of Albania is 1094 km, out
of which 657 km are land-border, 316 km sea-border, 48 km river-border and 73 km
lake-border.
The Republic of Albania, in the North and Northwest borders with Kosovo and
Montenegro, on the East with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and in
the South and South-East with the Republic of Greece.
On the West, the Adriatic and Ionian seas wash Albania and separate it from
Italy.
Climate:
Albania is mostly a mountainous country. The average altitude
is 708 m, i.e. two times higher than that of Europe.
Albania is included in the humid sub-tropical zone of the Northern hemisphere,
and it belongs to the Mediterranean climatic zone. Summers are dry and hot,
while winters are typically cool and rainy. Average annual rainfall is 1300 mm.
Population:
The population of Albania is about four million (140 inhabitant per square kilometre). Almost as many ethnic Albanians (4 million) live outside of the Republic of Albania. About 50 percent of the total population still lives in the Countryside, though the capital city of Tirana and other principal cities have attracted inflows in recent years. The population is growing at a rate of 19 per 1000 inhabitants (16.5 in the city and 21.4 in the country). Albania's population is young. Approximately 58 percent of the population are of working age, while 33 percent are below; less than 10 percent (9.6) are above.
Religion:
Traditionally, Albania has been 70% Muslim, 10% Roman Catholic (mostly in the north) and 20% Albanian Orthodox. From 1967 to 1990 it was also the only officially atheist state in the world, all mosques and churches were closed and religious observances prohibited. In December 1990, the ban on religious observance was lifted. The spiritual vacuum left after the fall of communism has in part been filled by US evangelists, but new churches and mosques are springing up all over the country.
Education:
Free at all levels. Eight-grade primary and intermediate levels compulsory beginnings at age six. Literacy rate raised from about 20 percent in 1945 to an estimated 75 percent in recent years. In 1990, primary school was attended by 96 percent of all school-age children, and secondary school by 70 percent.
Health and Welfare:
Main medical services are free. Six months of maternity leave at approximately 85 percent salary; non contributory state social insurance system for all workers, with 70-100 percent of salary during sick leave. Pension about 70 percent of average salary