ntry. Tirana liberated November 20, 1944 by the Albanian partisans. Albania was one of the first countries occupied by the Axis Powers in World War II.[19] As Hitler began his aggressions, the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini set his eyes on Albania across the Adriatic from Italy. Despite some strong resistance, especially at Durrės, Italy invaded Albania on April 7, 1939 and took control of the country.Mussolini, in October 1940, used his Albanian base to launch an attack on Greece. During WWII, Albanian nationalist groups, including communist partisans, fought against the Italians and subsequently the Germans. By October 1944 they had thrown the Germans out, the only East European nation to do so without the assistance of Soviet troops. The partially French-educated Enver Hoxha became the leader of the country by virtue of his position as secretary general of the Party of Labor (the Albanian Communist Party). The Communist Party was created on November 8, 1941 with the help of the Yugoslavian Communist Party. Albania is unique in that it is the only European country occupied by the Nazis that ended World War II with a larger Jewish population than before the War.[20] The Albanian response to the Holocaust is especially notable because it was Europe's only largely Muslim country.[21] [22].Even so only a Jewish family of six was deported and killed during the Nazi occupation of Albania.[23] Not only did the Albanians protect their own Jews, but they provided refuge for Jews from neighboring countries. The Albanians refused to comply and hand over lists of Jews. Instead they provided the Jewish families with forged documents and helped them disperse in the Albanian population.[23] [24] Albania allied with the USSR, and then broke with the USSR in 1960 over de-Stalinization. A strong political alliance with China followed, leading to several billion dollars in aid, which was curtailed after 1974. China cut off aid in 1978 when Albania attacked its policies after the death of Chinese ruler Mao Zedong. Large-scale purges of officials occurred during the 1970s. Enver Hoxha, the nation's ruler for 4 decades, died Apr. 11, 1985. Eventually the new regime introduced some liberalization, including measures in 1990 providing for freedom to travel abroad. Efforts were begun to improve ties with the outside world. March 1991 elections left the former Communists in power, but a general strike and urban opposition led to the formation of a coalition cabinet including non-Communists.[25] Albania's former Communists were routed in elections Mar. 1992, amid economic collapse and social unrest. Sali Berisha was elected as the first non-Communist president since WWII. The next crisis occurred in 1997, as riots ravaged the country. During NATO's air war against Yugoslavia, March-June 1999, Albania hosted some 465,000 Kosovar refugees. Victory by a pro-Berisha coalition in elections July 3, 2005, ended 8 years of Socialist Party rule. Crowds in Tirana, June 10, 2007, welcomed George W. Bush, the first U.S. president to visit Albania. Sali Berisha with U.S. President George W. Bush in Tirana. Government and politics Main article: Politics of Albania The Albanian republic is a parliamentary democracy established under a constitution renewed in 1998. Elections are now held every four years to a unicameral 140-seat chamber, the People’s Assembly.In June 2002, a compromise candidate, Alfred Moisiu, former Army General, was elected to succeed President Rexhep Meidani. Parliamentary elections in July 2005 brought Sali Berisha, as leader of the Democratic Party, back to power. The Euro-Atlantic integration of Albania has been the ultimate goal of the post-communist governments. Albania's EU membership bid has been set as a priority by the European Commission. Albania, along with Croatia, received in 3 April 2008 an invitation to join NATO. Full member status is expected to be achieved in 2009.[26] The workforce of Albania has continued to migrate to Greece, Italy, Germany, other parts of Europe, and North America. However, the migration flux is slowly decreasing, as more and more opportunities are emerging in Albania itself as its economy steadily develops. Albanian emigrants have achieved great success in multiple geographies and disciplines abroad. In particular, there is now a significant Albanian community in the United Kingdom, in cities such as Birmingham and Manchester. The Albanian Diaspora is most prevalent in Liverpool, where Albanian cuisine has something of a cult following. Pulitzer prize winning journalist Caroline Thorpe, who is currently an emeritus professor at the University of Liverpool, recently noted that 'Albanian food has become as synonymous with Liverpool as Bill Shankley or the Beatles!'. Administrative division Counties of Albania Main articles: Counties of Albania, Districts of Albania, and Municipalities of Albania Albania is divided into 12 administrative divisions called (Albanian: official qark/qarku, but often prefekturė/prefektura Counties),36 districts and 351 municipalities.Each region has its Regional Council and is composed of a number of Municipalities and Communes, which are the first level of local governance responsible for local needs and law enforcement. County Districts Capital 1 Berat Berat, Kuēovė, Skrapar Berat 2 Dibėr Bulqizė, Dibėr, Mat Peshkopi 3 Durrės Durrės, Krujė Durrės 4 Elbasan Elbasan, Gramsh, Librazhd, Peqin Elbasan 5 Fier Fier, Lushnjė, Mallakastėr Fier 6 Gjirokastėr Gjirokastėr, Pėrmet, Tepelenė Gjirokastėr 7 Korēė Devoll, Kolonjė, Korēė, Pogradec Korēė 8 Kukės Has, Kukės, Tropojė Kukės 9 Lezhė Kurbin, Lezhė, Mirditė Lezhė 10 Shkodėr Malėsi e Madhe, Pukė, Shkodėr Shkodėr 11 Tirana Kavajė, Tirana Tirana 12 Vlorė Delvinė, Sarandė, Vlorė Vlorė Geography Main article: Geography of Albania Coastline in southern Albania. Albania has a total area of 28,750 square kilometers. Its coastline is 362 kilometres long and stretches on the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea. The lowlands of the west face the Adriatic Sea. The 70% of the country that is mountainous is rugged and often inaccessible. The highest mountain is Korab situated in the district of Dibra, reaching up to 2,753 metres (9,032 ft). The country has a continental climate at its high altitude regions with cold winters and hot summers. Besides the capital city of Tirana, which has 800,000 inhabitants, the principal cities are Durrės, Elbasan, Shkodėr, Gjirokastėr, Vlorė, Korēė and Kukės. In Albanian grammar, a word can have indefinite and definite forms, and this also applies to city names: both Tiranė and Tirana, Shkodėr and Shkodra are used. The three largest and deepest tectonic lakes of the Balkan Peninsula are located in Albania. The lake of Shkodra in the country’s northwest has a surface of 368 km², out of which 149 km² belong to Albania. The Albanian coast line of this lake is 57 km. Ohrid Lake is situated in the country’s southeast and is shared between Albania and Macedonia. It has a maximal depth of 289 meters and it is so old that a unique flora and fauna can be found there, including “living fossils” and many endemic species. Because of its natural and historical value, Ohrid Lake is under the protection of UNESCO. 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 rare, but survive in some parts of the country. Demographics Main article: Demographics of Albania Albania Population pyramid, 2005 As of July 2007, Albania's population of 3,600,523 is growing by 0.73% per year.[27] Albania is a largely ethnically homogeneous country with only small minorities. Majority of the total population is considered Albanian. Minorities include Greeks, Aromanians, Torbesh, Gorani, Macedonians, Roma, Montenegrins, Bulgarians, Balkan Egyptians and Jews. The dominant language is Albanian, with two main dialects, Gheg and Tosk. Many Albanians are also fluent in English, Italian and Greek. Economy Main article: Economy of Albania The democratically elected government that won the elections on April 1992 launched an ambitious economic reform programme to halt economic deterioration and forced the country on the path of a market economy. This included a comprehensive package of structural reforms, including privatization, enterprise, and financial sector reform, and the creation of the legal framework for a market economy and private sector activity. After severe economic contraction following 1989, the economy slowly rebounded, finally surpassing its 1989 levels by the end of the 1990s.[28] Since prices have also risen, however, economic hardship has continued for much of the population. In 1995, Albania began privatizing large state enterprises. Following the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement in June/July 2006, EU ministers urged Albania to push ahead with reforms, focusing on freedom of press, property rights, institution building, respect for ethnic minorities and observing international standards in municipal elections. Albania has made an impressive recovery, building a modern and diversified economy. Recent administrations have also improved the country's infrastructure and opened competition in seaports, railroads, telecommunications, electricity generation, natural gas distribution and airports. Tourism in Albania is a large industry and is growing rapidly. The most notable tourist attractions are the ancient sites of Apollonia, Butrinti, and Krujė. Albania's coastline is becoming increasingly popular with tourists due to its relatively unspoiled nature and its beaches. Religion Main article: Religion in Albania See also: Freedom of religion in Albania Christianity was adopted in the region of Albania during Roman rule by the middle of the 1st century AD. At first, the new religion had to compete with Oriental cults such the worshiping Mithra - the Persian God of light, known in the region due to Rome's growing interaction with eastern regions of the Roman Empire. For a long time, it also competed with gods worshiped by Illyrian pagans. The steady growth of the Christian community in Dyrrhachium (the Roman name for Epidamnus) led to the creation of a local bishopric in 58 AD. Later, episcopal seats were established in Apollonia, Buthrotum (modern Butrint), and Scodra (modern Shkodra). After the division of the Roman Empire in 395, Albania fell under the umbrella of the Eastern Roman Empire, but remained ecclesiastically dependent on Rome. During the final schism on 1054 between the Western and Eastern churches, the Christians in southern Albania came under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople, and those in the north under the purview of the Papacy in Rome. The arrangement prevailed until Albania passed to the Ottoman control in 14th century and Islam, gradually, became the dominant religion. The Hoxha regime, which took control of Albania after World War II, suppressed religious observance and institutions, and although religious freedom has returned to Albania since Hoxha's death in 1985, the majority of Albanians today do not adhere to any religion. Albanian language Main article: Albanian language Albanian was proven to be an Indo-European language in 1854 by the German philologist Franz Bopp. The Albanian language comprises its own branch of the Indo-European language family. Some scholars believe that Albanian derives from Illyrian[29][30]while others,[31] claim that it derives from Daco-Thracian. (Illyrian and Daco-Thracian, however, might have been closely related languages; see Thraco-Illyrian.) Establishing longer relations, Albanian is often compared to Balto-Slavic on the one hand and Germanic on the other, both of which share a number of isoglosses with Albanian. Moreover, Albanian has undergone a vowel shift in which stressed, long o has fallen to a, much like in the former and opposite the latter. Likewise, Albanian has taken the old relative jos and innovatively used it exclusively to qualify adjectives, much in the way Balto-Slavic has used this word to provide the definite ending of adjectives. Literature Main article: Albanian literature See also: List of Albanian writers The cultural resistance was first of all expressed through the elaboration of the Albanian language in the area of church texts and publications, mainly of the Catholic confessional region in the North, but also of the Orthodox in the South. The Protestant reforms invigorated hopes for the development of the local language and literary tradition when cleric Gjon Buzuku brought into the Albanian language the Catholic liturgy, trying to do for the Albanian language what Luther did for German. Excerpt from Meshari by Gjon Buzuku. Meshari (The Missal) by Gjon Buzuku, published by him in 1555, is considered to date as the first literary work of written Albanian. The refined level of the language and the stabilised orthography must be a result of an earlier tradition of writing Albanian, a tradition that is not known. But there are some fragmented evidence, dating earlier than Buzuku, which indicate that Albanian was written at least since 14th century AD. The first known evidence dates from 1332 AD and deals with the French Dominican Guillelmus Adae, Archbishop of Antivari, who in a report in Latin writes that Albanians use Latin letters in their books although their language is quite different from Latin. Of special importance in supporting this are: a baptizing formula (Unte paghesont premenit Atit et Birit et spertit senit) of 1462, written in Albanian within a text in Latin by the bishop of Durrės, Pal Engjėlli; a glossary with Albanian words of 1497 by Arnold von Harff, a German who had travelled through Albania, and a 15th century fragment from the Bible from the Gospel of Matthew, also in Albanian, but in Greek letters. Albanian writings of these centuries must not have been religious texts only, but historical chronicles too. They are mentioned by the humanist Marin Barleti, who, in his book Rrethimi i Shkodrės (The Siege of Shkodėr) (1504), confirms that he leafed through such chronicles written in the language of the people (in vernacula lingua). Despite the obstacles generated by the Counter-Reformation which was opposed to the development of national languages in Christian liturgy[citation needed], this process went on uninterrupted. During the 16th to 17th centuries, the catechism E mbėsuame krishterė (Christian Teachings) (1592) by Lekė Matrėnga, Doktrina e krishterė (The Christian Doctrine) (1618) and Rituale romanum (1621) by Pjetėr Budi, the first writer of original Albanian prose and poetry, an apology for George Castriot (1636) by Frang Bardhi, who also published a dictionary and folklore creations, the theological-philosophical treaty Cuneus Prophetarum (The Band of Prophets) (1685) by Pjetėr Bogdani, the most universal personality of Albanian Middle Ages, were published in Albanian. Health Albania has free health care for all. Major hospitals are in Tirana and Durrės. The medical school, Faculty of Medicine at Tirana University, is in Tirana. Nursing schools are in many other cities. Cuisine Main article: Cuisine of Albania The cuisine of Albania, as with most Mediterranean and Balkan nations, is strongly influenced by its long history. At different times, the territory of Albania has been occupied by Greece, Italy and the Ottoman Turks, and each group has left its mark on Albanian cuisine. The main meal of the Albanians is lunch, and it is usually accompanied by a salad of fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, and olives with olive oil, vinegar and salt. Lunch also includes a main dish of vegetables and meat. Seafood specialties are also common in the coastal areas of Durrės, Vlorė and Sarandė. Gallery Butrint, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Apollonia, Albania. Sunny colorful morning in Tirana. Remains of a chapel in Butrint, Albania. Fishing in Albania. Ali Pasha's Castle, Albania. Azure Eye, one of the many fresh water springs in Sarandė, Albania, (known as the wedding city). Petrela Castle, Tirana, Albania. The Mountain of Shpiragu in Berat area. 130 km south of Tirana, Albania. Morning sun near Tepelena. South Albania. It is often described as a rude territory, but the Mallakastra Mountains inhabitants are famous for their hospitality. The valley of river Vjosa in Kelcyra. Surrounded by mountains, the valley is of an extreme beauty. Durres seaside. 40 km from the capital Tirana. Dhermi beach. Between Vlora and Saranda. Sunset in Jala beach. Drinos river valley near Tepelena, Southern Albania. Contryside in Berat, one of the oldest cities in Albania. Animal farming in the area of Permet, South-East Albania. Traditional male group singing in the Area of Skrapar, South-Est Albania. A view across Elbasan valley. Panoramic view of Tirana as seen from Dajti Mountain. See also Albania Portal History of Albania History of Communist Albania History of Kosovo Religion in Albania Culture of Albania Albanian literature Albanian Railways Communications in Albania Transport in Albania Education in Albania Public holidays in Albania Foreign relations of Albania Skanderbeg Military of Albania Butrint National Park Edith Durham Lists List of Albania-related articles List of Albanians List of Albanian writers List of Albanian-Americans International rankings of Albania References ^ International Monetary Fund - Albania (GDP) ^ http://www.unmikonline.org/press/reports/N9917289.pdf ^ UN Security Council remains divided on Kosovo (SETimes.com) ^ Kosovo expects quick recognition by "100 countries". Reuters (2008-02-08). Retrieved on 2008-02-14. ^ Albania membership Nato. NATO. ^ Johann Georg Von Hann. Albanische Studien. Wien, 1853. ^ Constantine A. Chekrezi. Albania Past and Present. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1919. p. 116. ^ Constantine A. Chekrezi. Albania Past and Present. New York: The Macmillan Company 1919, p. 116. ^ Robert Elsei. The Albanian lexion of Arnold von Harff, Earliest reference to the existence of the Albanian language, p. 113-122. ^ http://www.pinocacozza.it/ http://www.radio-arberesh.eu/ ^ Kristo Frasheri. History of Albania (A Brief Overview). Tirana, 1964. ^ A Country Study: Albania. Library of of Congress. Retrieved on 2008-04-26. ^ Constantine A. C., and Charles, D. Albania Past and Present. Columbia University, p. 10. April, 1919. ^ An Inventory of Archaic and Classical Poleis by Mogens Herman,ISBN 0198140991,2004,page 343,"Bouthroton (Bouthrotios)" ^ Diane Michelle Fox. Under Albanian Soil - A brief history of archaeological activity, both past and present, in Albania. August 12, 2004.[1] ^ http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3235.htm Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs September 2007 ^ Encyclopedia Britannica - Messapic language ^ Young, Antonia (1997). Albania. Clio Press. ISBN 1851092609.  ^ The Balkans by Misha Glenny page 418 ^ Sarner. Rescue in Albania: One Hundred Percent of Jews in Albania Rescued from the Holocaust, 1997. ^ Anti-Defamation League ^ Escape Through the Balkans: the Autobiography of Irene Grunbaum (University of Nebraska Press, 1996) ^ a b Shoah Research Center - Albania. ^ http://www1.yadvashem.org/about_yad/what_new/gershman/temp_index_whats_new_Gershman.html What's New at Yad Vashem] ^ Albania. World Almanac & Book of Facts, 2008, p467-5