Albania - Albânia

Albania[1] is a country of Mediterranean Europe. It borders the Greece, Northern Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro.

Understand

Although the majority of people in Albania are of Muslim origin (55-65%), according to surveys, around 35% of Albanians are agnostic, 22% are atheists, 19% are Muslim, 15% are Orthodox, 8% are Catholic and 1% are from other religions. Mixed marriages are very common and in some places.

Albanian traditional culture pays homage to the role and person of the guest. In return, respect is expected from the visitor. Albanians enjoy the long walks through the city's streets, the cafe and, among the younger generations, the evening activities such as going out and dancing.

Albania is a poor country by European standards.

History

After the defeat of the Axis powers at the end of World War II, a totalitarian Communist government was established, presided over by resistance leader Enver Hoxha. Albania became famous for its isolation, not only from Western European democracies, but also from the Soviet Union, China and Yugoslavia. Even when the Iron Curtain fell and the Communists lost power across Eastern Europe, Albania seemed intent on keeping its course isolated.

But in 1992, several years after Hoxha's death, the communist party finally left power and Albania established a multi-party democracy with a coalition government. The transition has been difficult, as corrupt governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, a dilapidated infrastructure, widespread banditry and fierce political opposition. Some progress has been made in Albania today, with the goal of European integration. In June 2006, Albania signed the Stabilization and Association Process with the European Union, thus completing the first important step towards its accession to the bloc. In 2008, Albania received an invitation to join NATO.

Climate

With its coast facing the Adriatic and Ionian seas and a vast mountainous region over the Balkans, the entire country is located in a latitude subject to a wide variety of weather patterns during winter and summer, with a high number of climatic regions for such a small area. The coastal plains have a typically Mediterranean climate and the highlands have a continental Mediterranean climate. In both – plains and inland – the climate varies considerably from north to south.

The plains have mild winters, averaging around 7°C. Average summer temperatures are 24°C. In the southern plains, average temperatures are about 5°C higher than in the north throughout the year.

Inland, temperatures are more affected by differences in elevation than by latitude or any other factor. The low winter temperatures in the mountains are caused by the continental air mass that dominates Eastern Europe and the Balkans. North and northeast winds hit the region most of the time. Average summer temperatures are much lower than in coastal areas and much lower at higher altitudes, with great variation in a single day. During the day, the maximum temperatures in the inland basins and river valleys are very high, but the nights are almost always icy.

Average precipitation is strong, a result of the convergence of the prevailing air flow between the Mediterranean Sea and the continental air mass. It usually rains more where the terrain rises, on the central plateau. Vertical currents formed by the rise of the Mediterranean air are also the cause of frequent thunderstorms. Many of these storms are accompanied by strong gusts of wind and torrential rain.

Regions

coastal region 10 to 30 km long coastal strip along the entire Albanian coast, bordered by the Adriatic and Ionian seas.

North East inland region north of the Shkumbin River, bordering Montenegro, Kosovo and Northern Macedonia.

Southeast inland region south of the Shkumbin River, bordering the Greece and Northern Macedonia, including the border lakes Ohrid and Prespa.

Cities

• Tyrant or Tyran is the capital
• Berat, or "the city of a thousand windows" is one of the oldest in the country and listed by Unesco for its Ottoman architecture
• Durrs, port city on the Adriatic Sea
• Gjirokastër, also listed by Unesco, for its architecture with strong Ottoman features
• Korçë or Korça, located in the Southeast, near the border with Greece
• Kruje, ancient city and birthplace of national hero Skanderberg
• Pogradec, city that has been renewing itself, on the edge of Lake Ohrid
• Sarandë, famous for the beaches
• Shkoder, the largest city in the North of the country, with the Rozafa Castle as its biggest attraction.

Other destinations

• Albanian Alps
• Albanian Riviera
• Butrint, important Greek archaeological site
• bylis, second largest Roman archaeological site
• Dhermy, perfect beach for camping, between Vlore and Saranda
• Lura National Park
• tomorr, mountain range in the south, near Berat

To arrive

• Brazilians no visa required for stays of up to 30 days [2]. Beyond this period, visas must be applied for at the embassy in Buenos Aires.

By airplane

the international airport mother Teresa it is fifteen minutes from downtown. It is served by British Airways, Alitalia, Lufthansa, Austrian and the budget carriers Germanwings and Belle Air. There is uninterrupted taxi service; a race to the center costs 2000 Leks (15€). There is also an hourly bus running from the airport to Skanderberg Square in the center for 250 Leks from 8am to 7pm.

Of boat

• Ferries arrive at Durrs from Bari (9h, €50) and Ancona (7 pm, €70), at Italy
• There is also a night ferry line from toast, also in the Italy, for value, operated by Skenderbeg Lines[3]
• Ferries leave from corfu, at Greece for saranda, daily. [4] (in Albanian)

By car

It is possible to reach the country by car across the border from most cities in neighboring countries, such as:

• Podgorica, Montenegro
• ohrid , Northern Macedonia
• Prizren, Kosovo
• Thessaloniki, Greece
• Ioannina, Greece

A fee of €10/person is charged at the entrance. After payment, a "road tax certificate" is issued, which must be kept until the moment of leaving the country, when another 2€/day must be paid and the certificate returned. Driving in requires an international license, vehicle registration and an owner's power of attorney if the car is not in your name. Border police are very demanding about the need for these documents.

By bus/bus

There are bus connections through Greece, Northern Macedonia and Serbia (Kosovo). These connections are made by transport agencies, and there is no central bus station in Tirana. There is a daily bus connection between Ulcinj, in Montenegro, and Shkoder. To enter Albania from Montenegro, you can also take a taxi from Podgorica to the border and take another taxi or minibus to Tirana. The main international lines are:

• Istanbul, Turkey (20h trip, €35/section)
• Athens, Greece (12h, 30-35€)
• Sofia, Bulgaria (22h, €25)
• Tetovo, Northern Macedonia (7h, 15€)
• pristine, Kosovo (2h, 10€)

By train/train

Albania does not have international train connections.

Circular

By airplane

Of boat

By car

By bus/bus

By train/train

Speak

Look

Knife

Buy

With the

drink and go out

sleep

Learn

Work

Safety

Health

respect

Stay in touch

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