Burek with cheese and egg (Burek me djathë dhe vezë), Moussaka, Pilawa, Chevapchichi, Razhnichi, Meatballs "Chofte", Feta cheese (Djathë "Feta"), Yogurt "Kos" ("Kos"), Tuscan Cannelloni (Cannelloni në Toscana), Dried fruit "Oshaf" (Fruta e thatë "Oshaf"), White wheat bread (Bukë gruri), Cornbread ( Bukë misri), Rakia (Rakia), Shesh (Shesh), Zee (Komunikim).
Predominantly Italy, Serbia, Greece
Predominantly China, Turkey
North America
Predominantly USA
Predominantly Libya, Egypt
The pride of Albania is Skanderberg cognac. Its taste and organic qualities are so good that they have earned several international medals, and the drink itself is successfully exported. Skanderberg in Albania was considered a national hero, who was sung in songs. He is also known as Giorgi Kastrioti. The years of Skanderberg's life fell on the XIV-XIII centuries BC. He made a huge contribution to the anti-Ottoman movement of those times. Cognac is produced at the winery, called the "Liquor Factory". It was first produced in 1967. The composition of the drink includes mountain herbs, fruits, sugar syrup, caramel, etc. Cognac is made and stored only in oak barrels, which give it a special color and delicate aroma. Stores sell Skanderberg aged 3.5 years, 5, 6 and 13 years.
Albanian food industry does not use products containing GMOs
One of the national dishes of Albania is fergesa tirane, or in a simple way - tirana casserole. The origin of the dish is attributed to the capital of the country - Tirana. Locals most often serve it for lunch. The main ingredients include paprika, tomatoes and pickled cheese, which is sometimes replaced with cottage cheese. All of the above is pre-fried, then baked in the oven. Ferges is popular among vegetarians who eat it with potatoes or rice. The main part of the population cooks it with meat, usually with veal. In this case, the Tirana casserole serves as a side dish. In restaurants, this dish is served, most often, with bread for dipping. Fergesa tirane is not only tasty, but also an inexpensive dish - the price for it in establishments Catering rarely exceeds $3.
In Albania, a rather revered product is bread: wheat, rye and corn. Without it, the inhabitants of the country cannot imagine a single meal - even the local invitation to the table is translated as "let's go eat bread." Especially popular among Albanians are corn varieties that have been baked since ancient times. Previously, ordinary workers, mountaineers, ate such bread. Now corn and wheat cakes are neither more nor less than the national pride of the country. Here they are known under the name "burek". Cakes are prepared from many layers of dough, rolled out by hand. A filling is laid between the layers, which can be absolutely anything - greens, minced meat, custard. Burek is considered the most popular snack in Albania. It is sold in bakeries and fast food kiosks, served in cafes and restaurants, cooked at home for the festive table. Locals even snack on tortillas on their way to work.
There is no McDonald's in the country
The natural conditions of the country cannot be called favorable, but the share of the agricultural sector here is about 18% of GDP. The number of exported products is growing every year - in 2016 it was estimated at 855 million dollars. About 25% of the territory of Albania is allocated for this industry. Agriculture here specializes in the cultivation of tobacco, figs, wheat, corn, potatoes, etc. The specifics of the country include the active collection of medicinal and aromatic herbs. Albania is one of the top 20 olive growing countries in the world. Animal husbandry is actively engaged here: the number of livestock farms and apiaries is in the tens. Beekeeping is quite developed here: each region produces special honey, there are even quite rare species, for example, chestnut.
Various fish soups, gyuvech stew with potatoes and vegetables, tave-kozi lamb in yoghurt are tasty here.
We're going through Albania. The sky is black, lightning flashes on the horizon, the roadsides are polluted, in front and behind the famous Albanian Mercedes. They took us, therefore, into the ring. And then I see a bright spot, hit the brakes and enter the turn almost ninety degrees. Come off!
From the open gates, Albanian men are looking at us with surprise, doing something incomprehensible. Where did we get to?
1 These colors are very unexpected against the backdrop of a dull and monotonous Albanian landscape. At first I did not even understand what these playgrounds, swings and a red elephant on the side of the road were doing. Washout, right?
2 The doors of the yellow house opened, and several pairs of frightened eyes stared at us from there. Probably, the Tajiks look at you in the same way, whom you caught in fact, honestly, but illegally legally.
3 The chief came out to us: a curly-haired man with a Greek nose and an Italian T-shirt. Having learned that we were just photographers, and even from some kind of Russia, he immediately relaxed and gave us a tour of the production.
4 Here they make plastic products for every taste. Swimming pools, baths, playgrounds, again. They pour plastic molds, give them any look. I don’t understand anything at all in technology, let’s just look at the pictures.
5 Big yellow man. Or maybe it's a Haribo bear? Well, the one with marmalade.
6 The men are working .... the men are working!
7 They have some kind of underground production in their backyard. They still mold sinks and sinks here, which are then sent to Italy and sold under the guise of expensive Italian plumbing.
8 Maybe they cheated or joked. But for some reason I believe them. Albanians hardly bask in such exquisitely shaped baths.
9 Harsh reality. The plant is right on the dump.
10 These things, as I understand it, are used to make slides at playgrounds.
11 Everything is very dusty and dirty.
12 The main advantage of the products of this factory is that they are bright. They cheer up the owner in his gray worthless life :)
13 This is not an exhibition and sale, but a warehouse for finished products.
14 On the left is a swimming pool for the Albanian rich, and on the right is a thing straight from my childhood. The Soviet counterparts had seats, you have to stand here.
15 Plastic is an amazing material. No wonder 3D printers are developing so rapidly now. You can make anything out of it. And it will be durable. In the evenings, after the shift, the hard workers dream about how Albania will rise from its knees and develop their own Albanian aircraft. But that's another story.
While traveling through Russian regions I liked to photograph different factories. Here you are driving in the Perm region in winter. It's cold, the snow is up to the neck, all the villages and cities are sadly the same. What to write about? You can drill into a metallurgical plant, shoot open-hearth furnaces and harsh men. Or you roll in the Astrakhan region in the summer. It's hot, mosquitoes are buzzing, locusts are beating against the windshield. All villages and cities are equally dull. And then he took it, drove to a shipbuilding plant or a sturgeon farm. The beauty!
In a word, filming is interesting. But usually it’s very dreary: you need to coordinate everything in advance, almost a month in advance. Almost everywhere abroad you can get to any production "from the street", if it is not a Boeing plant, of course.
ALBANIA (Shqiperia), the People's Socialist Republic of Albania (Republika Popullore Socialiste e Shqiperise), is a state in the southern, southwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula, on the coast of the Ionian and Adriatic seas. It borders in the north and east with, in the south-east with, from is separated by the Strait of Otranto, 75 km wide. The area is 28.7 thousand km 2. Population 2.7 million (late 1980). The capital is Tirana. Albania is divided into 26 relis (districts), Tirana is a separate administrative unit. The official language is Albanian. Currency unit- lek. Albania - member in 1949-61 (stopped participating in its work).
general characteristics farms. In 1980, the share of industry in the structure of GNP was 60%, agriculture and construction - about 25%. The country's electric power industry is based mainly on the water resources of the Drin, Mati, Bistrica and other rivers. Of the 22 operating small power plants, 10 are thermal, with a capacity of no more than 50 thousand kWh. Electricity production reached 3.5 billion kWh (1980). Highways (3,100 km long) form the basis of the internal transport network; the total length of railways is 218 km (1979). The main seaports are Durres and Vlore. Oil pipelines from the Patosi and Stalin oilfields to the city of Derrick and through the city of Fier to the port of Vlora. In 1980, the Balshi-Fieri-Elbasan gas pipeline was built. Albania exports electricity (to Yugoslavia), chromites, iron-nickel ores, ferroalloys.
Nature. On the western territory Albania is distinguished by a low-hilly coastal part 35-45 km wide, from the north, east and south it is framed by mountains. About 4/10 of the country's territory lies at an altitude of 300-1000 m, 3/10 - above 1000 m. In the north, the hard-to-reach North Albanian Alps rise, into which deep valleys of the tributaries of the Drin River are cut. To the south, between the Drin and Devoli rivers, there are central mountain ranges 2-2.4 thousand meters high, dissected by deep gorges of the tributaries of the Drin, Mati and Shkumbini rivers. From the east, these massifs are limited by tectonic valleys, where the Black Drin river flows and Lake Ohrid is located. Behind the Black Drin stretches the Korabi ridge bordering Yugoslavia.
The climate is subtropical Mediterranean. The average temperature in January is 8-9°C, in July 24-25°C. Precipitation is 800-2000 mm per year. The rivers are not navigable, but are used for irrigation and electricity generation.
In the Mirdita zone, which is the main ore region of Albania and stretches in a northwest-southeast direction across the entire country for 300 km with a width of about 50 km, three structural tiers are distinguished. The lower stage is composed of volcanogenic-sedimentary strata of the Lower and Middle Triassic, among which are large arrays ultrabasic, basic, intermediate and acid age compositions. Deposits of and, sulfur, asbestos, etc. are associated with them. The middle structural stage is characterized by transgressive series of the Upper Jurassic - Cretaceous, among which they prevail. The iron-nickel-bearing weathering crust of the massifs of the Mirdita zone in the Early Cretaceous before the onset of the marine one is confined to this stage. The upper structural stage of the Mirdita zone is represented mainly by the Neogene, which fill the tectonic ones. Deposits of nickel-containing laterites (Alyarupi-Mokra, Drenova, Mborya), kaolin and other minerals are known in the rocks of the upper tier.
To the west of the Mirdita zone, the Tsukali-Krasta-Pinda zone extends, which in the lower part of the section is composed of carbonate rocks alternating with siliceous formations and Middle Triassic shales. The limestones of the Middle and Upper Jurassic and siliceous rocks lie above, and then the limestones of the Upper Cretaceous, overlain, in turn, by young ones. Mineral deposits are not typical for this zone. The southwestern part of Albania is occupied by the Adriatic-Ionian zone, which is divided into two subzones: the coastal Dalmatian, or Gavrov, relatively elevated and represented by a narrow Kruya-Daiti ridge; Ionian, occupying the rest of the territory of the southwestern part of Albania. The most ancient rocks are pre-Carnian gypsums of Mount Dom du Douler. The lower part of the section of the Ionian subzone is represented by thick carbonate deposits of the Upper Triassic - Middle Eocene, above which the Paleogene-Lower Miocene flysch occurs, overlain, in turn, by molasses. The latter are associated with deposits of oil, gas, brown coal, gypsum, etc.
seismicity. The territory of Albania is part of the Mediterranean seismic belt. it has not been studied enough, not completed. Seismic phenomena were not recorded until the 20th century; by the 80s. about 10 large earthquakes were registered (1921, 1924-25, 1942, 1967, etc.) with catastrophic consequences. The seismic zones of the river valley are distinguished. Drin, Messrs. Vlora - Dibra and others.
Small deposits of chrysotile asbestos (Fusha-e-Aresit and others) are associated with massifs of ultrabasic rocks east of the city of Shkodra. The deposits are mesh zones of small asbestos veins 0.2-12 mm thick, more often 1-3 mm in serpentinites. Coefficient 1.5-20%. Reserves are not estimated.
In the Upper Cretaceous sedimentary strata of the central part of the Ionian zone, several lenticular deposits of phosphate-bearing limestones (Fushe-Barda, Nivika deposits, etc.) with a P 2 O 5 content of 7-8 to 15-18% were found, in young molasses - large deposits of rock salt - Dumra and Delvina. Of industrial importance are the Peshtani gypsum deposit, composed of Permian gypsum-bearing deposits 700-1000 m thick, which is traced over an area of about 60 km 2 with significant gypsum reserves, as well as the Kerchishta native sulfur deposit, confined to dolomitic limestones of the Upper Cretaceous (S content of about 30% ). Comparatively small and numerous deposits are known in Gomsik, Luciano, Katieli, Voskopoe, and others. They are magnesite and confined to tectonic zones in the ultrabasic rocks of the Mirdita zone.
On the territory of Albania, deposits of clay, cement raw materials, as well as thermal and mineral deposits have been identified, explored and used.
History of the development of mineral resources. The earliest evidence of the use of flint rocks for making tools dates back to the Paleolithic (about 500-100 thousand years ago). In the 6th millennium BC. clay began to be widely mined for the construction of dwellings and the manufacture of ceramic dishes. The first copper tools in Albania appear in the 5th-4th millennium BC, but the ore sources of this copper are not known. Mining of the Copper and Bronze Ages was not studied in Albania. It is assumed that from the 5th-4th centuries. BC. extensive mining of building stone begins. It acquired its maximum scope from the 2nd-1st centuries. BC, when the territory of modern Albania became part of the Roman provinces of Dalmatia and Macedonia. During the Roman Empire, the Selenica natural bitumen deposit was developed.
Mining. General characteristics. For many centuries, Albania was an agrarian and raw material appendage of Turkey or Italy and could not create a national heavy, in particular mining, industry. Since the beginning of the 2nd quarter of the 20th century, chromium and copper ores have been developed. The systematic development of the mining industry began after the establishment of people's power (1944), when with the help of a comprehensive geological study of the territory of Albania, a mining industry began to be created on the basis of the identified and explored reserves of oil, coal, iron-nickel ores and other minerals (Table 2).
Oil industry. The first oil field, Kuchova (Stalin), was discovered in 1934 and has been developed since 1935; by the 50s. identified 6 oil and 6 . Of the 60 promising structures for oil and gas, several are being drilled in a small depression south of the city of Shkoder. The total maximum capacity of Albania is over 3.5 million tons. The most significant of them are located in Balshi and Fier (the productivity of the latter is over 1 million tons per year), the rest of the plants have a small capacity and are located directly near the fields. The production of technical bitumen in 1974 exceeded 1 million tons per year. Albania meets its needs with its own oil, is an exporter of crude oil and bitumen, and is moving to the export of petroleum products. Over 90% of bitumen is exported to European countries, mainly to Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, as well as to the GDR and Poland. In addition, Albania exports various petroleum products to the socialist countries of Europe (export volume is 100-150 thousand tons per year).
Natural gas production has reached 0.45 billion m3 per year, the development of the gas industry, apparently, will be determined by export policy, since gas consumption within Albania is negligible.
Extraction of natural bitumen from the Selenica deposit 10-30 thousand tons per year; they are sent exclusively for export, mainly to Yugoslavia. In solid bitumen, technical grades are distinguished: black, coal-like, brown, powdery, detrital and bituminous rock. Black and brown bitumen are used for remelting into commercial bitumen, and the rest - as fuel. It is developed by open and underground methods.
The opening scheme and the system for developing coal deposits depend on their mining and geological conditions. The Mzezavodome deposit was discovered by shafts, Memaliay, Mborya, Drenova - by adits. Excavation by short lavas. Shallow areas of coal basins are mined in an open way using small-scale mechanization. The growth in coal production in 1975-80 was due to the commissioning of a new coal mining enterprise in the Valiyasi region.
The exploitation of chromium ore deposits in Albania began in the first half of the 20th century, reached its greatest scale during the 2nd World War of 1939-45, and then fell sharply due to the development of known deposits. In the 50s. new deposits were discovered and explored (Bulkiza and others). Exploited deposits of chromium ores are located in zones of great depths of the erosional cut of hypermafic massifs and mountainous terrain, which makes it possible to open ore bodies with adits and trenches. Therefore, it is economically feasible to develop even small but closely spaced ore deposits.
A negative factor is the poor development of infrastructure in mountainous areas. Increasing extraction of chromium ores stimulates the construction of new processing plants and ferroalloy plants. By 1980, enrichment plants in Bulkiza, Martinesti, Kukes and a ferrochromium plant in Burreli were put into operation. Marketable ores contain 42% Cr 2 O 3 , 13% FeO and 22% Al 2 O 3 . All mined ores and produced ferroalloys have been exported since 1978, mainly to capitalist countries Western Europe(until 1978 in KHP).
The extraction of iron-nickel-cobalt ores began in 1958 and by 1982 had increased 2.5 times. Commercial ores contain (%): 51 Fe, 0.1 Ni and 0.06 Co. Mines and processing plants are operating in Guri, Kuchi, Prenyasi, etc. It is planned to increase production through the construction of new mining and smelting enterprises. Such enterprises are created and partially put into operation in Elbasan. In 1980, the 1st stage of the iron-nickel mine in Prenyasi was put into operation. Until the mid 70s. mined iron-nickel ores were completely exported, mainly to the capitalist countries of Western Europe; with the construction of metallurgical, nickel and ferroalloy plants, the transition to the export of rough, and later refined metals, begins.
Copper ore deposits of the Rubik, Kurbneshi and Gegyani groups are being developed by the underground method. Copper smelters in Rubik and Geghani produce 8.5-12.5 thousand tons of blister copper, which is almost completely exported (until 1978 to KHP, later to capitalist countries). In 1980, a copper ore beneficiation plant was launched in Rehov, refineries in Rubik and Kpye, as well as a copper rolling plant in Shkodër; the country is switching to the export of refined copper and the simplest rolled products.
In Albania, phosphate fertilizers are produced at the Lyachi plant from low-grade phosphorites from the Fushe-Barda and Nivika deposits. Cement plants operate on local raw materials in the cities. Shkoder, Elbasan, Fouche Kruja, Korca and Vlore.
The main sources of table salt production are connected with Narta Bay and Karavastay Bay, which are almost completely fenced off from the open sea by bars. Exploitation of explored deposits of rock salt Dumra and Delvina is supposed.
Non-metallic Construction Materials- sand, gravel.
Personnel training. Seal. Prior to the establishment of people's power in Albania, there were no national geologists and mining engineers. Since 1946, the training of such specialists has been carried out in the CCCP and other socialist countries, after the creation of the State University in Tirana in 1957 - at its geological faculty, where research is also conducted in the field of geology and.
planning and industrialization. Fuel and energy base. Mining industry.
Pretentious plans economic development Albania was largely dependent on assistance from the USSR and other Eastern European countries, and after the termination of this assistance in the mid-1960s, there was a decrease in the pace of economic development. The mining industry was especially in need of re-equipment. It should also be borne in mind that in the post-war period, Albania's export markets were in Eastern Europe and the USSR, and vital imports came from there. In the late 1980s, relations began to improve with the countries of Western Europe, but the lack of investment, poor management and political instability led to a sharp economic downturn in 1990-1991.
In 1992, Albania's GDP fell sharply compared to 1989 levels, and urgent measures were required to further develop the economy. The government put forward a reform agenda that included a shift from a command economy with centralized control to a market economy and private enterprise. First of all, most of the agricultural sector, small and medium-sized enterprises were privatized, and then the turn came large enterprises. In 1996, these efforts, combined with foreign aid, yielded some positive results; $700 per capita, and inflation has dropped to a few percent. However, these achievements were overshadowed by the rise in unemployment, officially over 20%, and the spread of corruption. Further progress in transforming the economy as a whole has been hampered by a lack of reliable infrastructure and effective financial system. Ultimately, the financial pyramids that shook society at the turn of 1996 and 1997, political instability in 1997 and the confrontation of forces in 1998 brought the economy to the brink of complete collapse. In 1997, the GDP shrank by 7% and the foreign trade balance by 22%.
Objectively evaluate economic situation Albania is difficult. Under the communist regime, all information was classified, and information relating to the post-communist period should be treated with caution.
Five year development plans National economy on the basis of industrialization have been developed since 1950, the first of them covered the period 1951-1955. These plans, called prospective, outlined the control figures for the production of products of the main sectors of the economy and regulated resource provision needed to complete planned tasks. Detailed annual or quarterly plans, known as operational plans, determined the specific tasks of each enterprise.
However, Albania itself had a very limited and weak base for industrialization. Without the integration of the country into a larger market and large foreign loans, all the efforts made at the national level were doomed to very modest results. Therefore, the industrialization of Albania was closely dependent on the assistance of the USSR and other socialist countries, and from the beginning of the 1960s to the end of the 1970s, on the assistance of the PRC. In 1954 the national income was officially estimated at $270 million, or $200 per capita. Subsequently, statistical data were not published in the country, but, according to one of the Western estimates, in 1982 Albania's GDP was approx. $2.6 billion, or $880 per capita. In terms of per capita income, Albania occupied the last place among European countries.
In 1994, it was estimated that 48.4% of the economically active population worked in agriculture. In 1996, there were approx. 700 thousand Albanians, including 28% of the country's citizens of working age; them Money transfers accounted for about a third of Albania's GDP.
Industrialization along the lines of the USSR required the rapid development of Albania's natural resources - oil, natural gas, coal and hydropower.
Oil production in Albania was first carried out by Italian companies before World War II. The volume of production increased from 13,000 tons in 1935 to 134,000 tons in 1938, of which 105,000 tons were exported to Italy. After the end of the war, the development of this industry proceeded at a rapid pace. Oil production in 1987 reached approximately 3 million tons, while its reserves were estimated at 20 million tons. The main oil deposits are located in the Kuchov and Patosy regions. Albanian oil, which is characterized by high density, requires special processing. Before the war, almost all oil was sent by pipeline to Vlora, and from there by ship to an oil refinery in the Italian city of Bari. During the war, the Germans built two small oil refineries in Albania. To the large oil refinery built after the war in Tserrik near Elbasan with an annual capacity of 150 thousand tons, pipelines were laid from the fields in Kuchova and Patosi. In 1987 Albania produced 2.6 million tons of petroleum products. In the early 1970s, a large oil refinery was put into operation in Fier with a capacity of 450,000 tons per year. In the early 1990s, the production of petroleum products in Albania was maintained at the level of 600 thousand tons per year, but then decreased to 360 thousand tons (1997).
The production of natural gas, which began in 1938, declined significantly during the war years. However, in the 1950s it increased significantly and reached 40 million cubic meters. m in 1959. In the early 1960s, new gas fields were discovered. In 1985, 420 million cubic meters were produced. m, but in the 1990s there was a sharp drop in this industry: gas production was reduced to 102 million cubic meters. m in 1992 and 18 million cubic meters. m - in 1997.
The coal mining industry is poorly developed due to the limited reserves of hard coal. The country is dominated by brown coal deposits with low calorific value. The main centers of the coal mining industry are: Kraba, Valiyasi (near Tirana), Memaliai (north of Tepelena), Mborya and Drenova (near Korca). The development of coal deposits began in 1938, when production was only 3.7 thousand tons. During the Second World War, it increased to 132 thousand tons per year, and in 1987 reached 2.3 million tons, then in the 1990s this branch of the economy began to decline. In 1992, 366 thousand tons of coal were mined, and in 1997 - only 40 thousand tons.
Particular attention during the years of the communist regime was paid to the development of hydropower. Among the most important projects of that time were the construction of hydroelectric power plants on the Mati River, near Tirana, and especially a series of hydroelectric power plants on the Drin River in Northern Albania. Electricity generation increased from 3 million kWh in 1938 to 9.2 million in 1948 and 150 million in 1958. In 1970, approx. 900 million kWh of electricity, and the government announced the completion of electrification rural areas. In 1988, electricity production reached almost 4 billion kWh, of which 80% accounted for hydroelectric power stations. In the 1990s, electricity production declined and power outages became common, but by 1995 it was restored.
Albania is rich in minerals, especially chromium and copper ores. In the late 1980s, mining products accounted for approx. 5% of the value of industrial products and 35% of the value of exports.
Deposits of high quality chromite are found in different parts of the country. Chromite mines are located in Pogradec, Klösi, Letaje and near Kukes. The volume of extraction increased from 7 thousand tons in 1938 to 502.3 thousand tons in 1974 and 1.5 million tons in 1986. Deposits of copper ores are located mainly in northern Albania, in the districts of Puka and Kukes. The ore mined in 1986 contained 15 thousand tons of copper. Exploration and extraction of ores containing gold, silver, bauxite, nickel, manganese, and others are underway. In 1958, iron-nickel ore deposits were put into operation. The ore mined in 1987 contained 9 thousand tons of nickel. The extraction of iron ore was being established at the deposits in the valley of the Shkumbini river between Elbasan and Perparimi. In the 1990s, the extraction of all these ores fell sharply. In 1997 public sector only 157 thousand tons of chromites and 25 thousand tons of copper were mined.
Before 1925 there was almost no industry in Albania. It began to develop slowly only in the early 1930s, this process accelerated in 1939-1943 during the Italian occupation. At the end of World War II, several sawmills and factories for the production of olive oil and tobacco products, a large brewery, several enterprises for the production of soap, furniture, cardboard, etc. operated in the country. During the years of the communist regime, a metallurgical plant was built in Elbasan, a cement plant factories for the production of tannin and canned fish in Vlora, textile mills in Tirana and Berat, a factory for the production of rubber boots in Durres, cotton gins in Rogozhin and Fier, factories for the production of vegetable and fruit cans in Elbasan, Shkoder and Berat, a sugar factory in Korce and several other small enterprises in different parts of the country.
In the late 1980s, industrial output accounted for about half of the gross value of goods and services in Albania. The most important industries were associated with the extraction and enrichment of chromium and copper ores, oil refining, the production of electricity, machinery, etc. At the end of the 1980s, the share of food and textile industry products accounted for only about a third of the country's total industrial output. In the 1990s, the manufacturing industry was in deep crisis. By 1992, its production had declined by more than 50%, and in 1996 it was only 12% of GDP.
Handicrafts play an important role in the Albanian economy. They supply building materials (bricks and tiles), agricultural implements (ploughs, harrows), electrical appliances, and a wide range of consumer goods (including furniture, carpets, textiles, silverware, etc.). Most of the handicraftsmen are united in cooperatives. In 1990, the government allowed many handicraftsmen to work individually, and subsequently a complete privatization of handicraft production was carried out.
The level of agricultural production in Albania is traditionally low, because. natural factors are very unfavorable for its development. Resources of arable lands are small. In 1943 only 356,000 hectares were cultivated. In 1964 cultivated land occupied 521,000 hectares, which accounted for only 17% of the entire area of the country. Most of the arable land is concentrated in the coastal and central regions of Albania. In 1987, there were 714 thousand hectares under arable land, and 397 thousand hectares under pastures.
The collectivization of agriculture was accompanied by land reform aimed at the elimination of large private land ownership and the provision of land to "those who cultivate it." This reform, promulgated by the government in 1945 and approved by the People's Assembly on June 1, 1946, was soon put into practice. Its fundamental provisions were as follows: 1) orchards, vineyards and olive plantations were subject to confiscation; 2) religious organizations were left with 10 hectares of land; 3) a peasant family of six people received an allotment of 5 hectares and an additional 2 hectares for each person if the family was more numerous. Following the reform, collective and state farms began to be planted throughout the country. The process of collectivization accelerated from the mid-1950s, when a course was adopted for the complete co-operation of agriculture and the involvement of peasants in collective and state associations. In 1967, these farms owned 97% of the arable land. It was not until the 1990s that a privatization campaign began in agriculture, and by 1995 most farms were privately owned.
The main agricultural crops in Albania are corn and wheat. The sown area under grain crops increased from 140 thousand hectares in the pre-war years to 350 thousand hectares in 1988. The average annual harvest of corn increased from 134 thousand tons in the mid-1930s to 108 thousand tons in 1950 and 315 thousand tons at the end 1980s, and the average annual harvest of wheat - from 40 thousand tons in the mid-1930s to 200 thousand in 1973 and 589 thousand in 1988; in 1994, the corn harvest was 180 thousand tons, and wheat - 470 thousand tons.
The country has made significant progress in the cultivation of fiber crops, especially cotton, and tobacco. The cultivation of olives plays an important role. Other crops grown in Albania include rye, barley, oats, rice, sugar beets and potatoes. In the 1990s, there was an increase in gross agricultural output, and now it was more than 50% of GDP.
Despite some growth in the number of livestock, livestock productivity in Albania is low. The development of this industry is hampered by imperfect methods of its management, a shortage of feed, insufficient areas for keeping livestock, and some other factors. In 1996, there were 806,000 cattle, 98,000 pigs, 1,410,000 sheep, 895,000 goats and 4,108,000 poultry in Albania. Many of these figures declined in 1997-1998 when farmers slaughtered more livestock than usual.
Rail transport plays an important role in passenger and freight transport. The length of railways in 1990 was only 720 km. The main highway runs from north to south from Shkoder through Durres to Vlora, there are branches to Tirana and Pogradets (on the shores of Lake Ohrid). The last line connected the areas of extraction of iron-nickel and chromite ores with the metallurgical plant in Elbasan and the port of Durres. Railways Albania is connected to the city of Titograd (Yugoslavia) and is part of the European railway system.
For domestic transport, road transport is essential, although the private car fleet is small and the roads are in poor condition. The total length of paved roads is 2.9 thousand km.
Maritime shipping options are limited. In the 20th century Durres became the main foreign trade port, which has an advantageous position in the central part of the coast of the country and is connected by a network of roads with the hinterland. Among other ports, Vlore and Saranda stand out. There is a ferry service with the Italian port of Trieste and with the Greek island of Kerkyra (Corfu). Albania has several airports. The largest airport in the country, Tirana, has regular connections with major cities in Europe. The number of air passengers increased from 30,000 in 1990 to 200,000 in 1994.
Under the communist regime, wholesale trade was completely nationalized. Retail trade was predominantly state and cooperative. Foreign trade was also monopolized by the state.
It is known that in the 1960s import expenditures regularly exceeded export earnings. To compensate for this deficit, the country took foreign loans: until 1948 in Yugoslavia, in 1949–1961 in the USSR and other socialist countries, in 1961–1978 in the PRC. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the government decided to equalize the foreign trade balance by entering into barter agreements with Albania's partners. The country at that time provided itself with grain and fuel, which made it possible to keep imports under control. However, the developing industry needed to expand the export of finished and semi-finished products. In 1982, the value of Albania's foreign trade turnover was estimated at about $1 billion.
The main export item is chrome ore. Albania is one of the leading suppliers of this ore to the world market. Other exports are iron-nickel ore, copper, oil products, fruits and vegetables, tobacco and cigarettes. Important import items - machinery, industrial equipment, products chemical industry and some consumer goods. In 1948–1978, foreign trade mainly depended on the political course of the country. Until 1961, the main partner was the USSR, which accounted for about half of Albania's foreign trade turnover, in 1961-1978 this place was occupied by China. After severing ties with the PRC in 1978, Albania began to expand its circle of trade partners. For most of the 1980s, Yugoslavia was its largest partner. However, in the late 1980s, Yugoslavia moved to sixth place among Albania's trading partners, while ties with the countries of Eastern Europe were expanding. Trade with Greece declined sharply, but ties with other EU countries gradually improved. In 1988, none of the trading partners accounted for more than 10% of Albania's total foreign trade turnover. In the 1990s, the situation changed. In 1996 almost 90% of exports and 80% of imports were industrial developed countries Western Europe, mainly with Italy and Greece. Italy accounted for 58% of Albanian exports and 42% of imports, while Greece accounted for 13% and 21%, respectively. In the same 1996, Albania's foreign trade balance was reduced to a deficit of 245 million dollars, and its external debt amounted to 732 million dollars.
Monetary unit of Albania - lek. Leks are issued by the Albanian State Bank. The banking system changed in 1996 due to the establishment of a number of private banks, including foreign ones, primarily Italian ones.
The state budget of Albania in 1989 was 9.55 million leks in terms of income and 9.50 million leks in terms of expenditures, and in 1996 - 51.34 million and 72.49 million leks, respectively. Not charged under communist rule income tax from individuals, under the new regime it was introduced along with taxes on value added, real estate, corporate profits and business activities.
In 1992-1996, the EU provided humanitarian aid to Albania in the amount of approx. $560 million
For the preparation of this work, materials from the site http://www.krugosvet.ru/ were used.
For 1970-2016 Albania's industry at current prices increased by $0.65 billion (by 82%) to $1.4 billion; the change was $0.29 billion due to a population growth of $0.77 million, and also $0.37 billion due to an industry per capita growth of $124.9. The average annual growth of the Albanian industry is 0.014 billion dollars or 1.3%. The average annual growth of Albanian industry in constant prices was 1.1%. The share in the world decreased by 0.070%. The share in Europe decreased by 0.14%. The industry's minimum was in 1997 ($0.21 billion). The industry peaked in 2014 ($1.7 billion).
During 1970-2016 industry per capita in Albania increased by $124.9 (up 33.8%) to $494.3. The average annual growth of industry per capita in current prices was at the level of 2.7 dollars or 0.64%.
For 1970-1997 the industry of Albania in current prices decreased by 0.59 billion dollars (by 73.9%) to 0.21 billion dollars; the change was $0.35 billion due to a population growth of $0.94 million, and also $0.94 billion due to a $302.2 drop in industry per capita. The average annual industrial growth in Albania was at the level of -0.022 billion dollars or -4.8%. The average annual growth of the Albanian industry in constant prices was at the level of -2.2%. The share in the world decreased by 0.076%. The share in Europe decreased by 0.17%.
For the period 1970-1997. industry per capita in Albania increased by $302.2 (up 81.8%) to $67.1. The average annual growth of industry per capita in current prices is -11.2 dollars or -6.1%.
During 1997-2016 Albanian industry in current prices increased by $1.2 billion (7.0 times) to $1.4 billion; the change was -0.011 billion dollars due to a fall in population by 0.17 million, and also by 1.3 billion dollars due to the growth of industry per capita by 427.2 dollars. The average annual growth of the industry in Albania amounted to 0.065 billion dollars or 10.8%. The average annual growth of Albanian industry in constant prices was at the level of 5.9%. The share in the world increased by 0.0062%. The share in Europe increased by 0.033%.
For the period 1997-2016. industry per capita in Albania increased by $427.2 (7.4 times) to $494.3. The average annual growth of industry per capita in current prices is 22.5 dollars or 11.1%.
Industry of Albania in 1970 it was 0.79 billion dollars, ranked 61st in the world and was at the level of the industry of Cuba (0.85 billion dollars), the industry of Hong Kong (0.78 billion dollars), the industry of Ireland (0.76 billion dollars). The share of Albanian industry in the world was 0.079%.
In 1970, it was equal to 369.3 dollars, ranked 39th in the world and was at the level of industry per capita in Bulgaria (393.1 dollars), industry per capita in Czechoslovakia (374.9 dollars), industry per capita in Poland (351.3 dollars). The industry per capita in Albania was more than the industry per capita in the world ($273.2) by $96.2.
Comparison of industry between Albania and neighbors in 1970. The industry of Albania was less than the industry of Greece (2.8 billion dollars) by 71.3%. Industry per capita in Albania was larger than industry per capita in Greece ($320.2) by 15.3%.
Comparison of Albanian industry and leaders in 1970. The industry of Albania was less than the industry of the USA (290.1 billion dollars) by 99.7%, the industry of the USSR (164.8 billion dollars) by 99.5%, the industry of Japan (80.8 billion dollars) by 99%, the industry of Germany (77.5 billion . dollars) by 99%, UK industry (38.4 billion dollars) by 97.9%. Industry per capita in Albania was less than industry per capita in the US ($1,383.8) by 73.3%, industry per capita in Germany ($985.9) by 62.5%, industry per capita in Japan ($770.4) by 52.1%, industry per capita in Great Britain ($690.2) by 46.5%, industry per capita in the USSR ($679.8) by 45.7%.
The potential of Albanian industry in 1970. With industry per capita at the same level as industry per capita in the US ($1,383.8), Albania's industry would be $3.0 billion, 3.7 times the actual level. With industry per capita at the same level as industry per capita in Europe ($635.5), Albania's industry would be $1.4 billion, which is 72.1% more than the actual level. With industry per capita at the same level as industry per capita in Southern Europe ($399.9), Albania's industry would be $0.86 billion, 8.3% more than the actual level.
Industry of Albania in 1997 it was 0.21 billion dollars, ranked 161st in the world and was at the level of the industry of Niger (0.21 billion dollars), the industry of Chad (0.20 billion dollars). The share of Albanian industry in the world was 0.0029%.
In 1997, it was 67.1 dollars, ranked 174th in the world and was at the level of industry per capita in Kyrgyzstan (71.3 dollars), industry per capita in the Gambia (65.5 dollars), industry per capita in the Comoros (63.9 dollars). The industry per capita in Albania was less than the industry per capita in the world ($1,225.2) by $1,158.0.
Comparison of industry between Albania and neighbors in 1997. The industry of Albania was larger than the industry of Montenegro (0.2 billion dollars) by 27.7%, but was less than the industry of Greece (17.8 billion dollars) by 98.8%, the industry of Serbia (4.8 billion dollars) by 95.7%, Macedonian industry ($0.7 billion) by 68.7%. Industry per capita in Albania was less than industry per capita in Greece ($1,623.4) by 95.9%, industry per capita in Serbia ($493.7) by 86.4%, industry per capita in Macedonia ($331.4) by 79.8%, industry per capita in Montenegro (263.0 dollars) by 74.5%.
Comparison of Albanian industry and leaders in 1997. Albanian industry was 100% smaller than US industry ($1,679.2 billion), Japanese industry ($1,178.8 billion) by 100%, German industry ($514.1 billion) by 100%, Chinese industry ( 398.4 billion dollars) by 99.9%, UK industry (301.0 billion dollars) by 99.9%. Industry per capita in Albania was less than industry per capita in Japan ($9,288.9) by 99.3%, industry per capita in Germany ($6,308.4) by 98.9%, industry per capita in the USA ($6,170.4). ) by 98.9%, industry per capita in the UK ($5,159.5) by 98.7%, industry per capita in China ($316.5) by 78.8%.
The potential of Albanian industry in 1997. With industry per capita at the same level as Japan's industry per capita ($9,288.9), Albania's industry would be $28.7 billion, 138.4 times the actual level. With industry per capita at the same level as Southern Europe's industry per capita ($3,011.9), Albania's industry would be $9.3 billion, 44.9 times the actual level. With industry per capita at the same level as industry per capita in Europe ($2,956.7), Albania's industry would be $9.1 billion, 44.1 times the actual level. With industry per capita at the same level as that of Greece ($1,623.4), the best neighbor, Albania's industry would be $5.0 billion, 24.2 times the actual level. With industry per capita at the same level as industry per capita in the world ($1,225.2), Albania's industry would be $3.8 billion, which is 18.3 times the actual level.
Industry of Albania in 2016 amounted to 1.4 billion dollars, ranked 139th in the world and was at the level of the industry of Nepal (1.4 billion dollars). The share of Albanian industry in the world was 0.0091%.
Industry per capita in Albania in 2016 was 494.3 dollars, ranked 143rd in the world and was at the level of industry per capita in Belize (523.3 dollars), industry per capita in Uzbekistan (505.0 dollars), industry per capita in Santa Lucia (485.3 dollars), industry per capita in Honduras ($477.2). The industry per capita in Albania was less than the industry per capita in the world ($2,139.9) by $1,645.6.
Comparison of industry in Albania and neighbors in 2016. The industry of Albania was 3.2 times larger than the industry of Montenegro (0.4 billion dollars), but was less than the industry of Greece (23.2 billion dollars) by 93.8%, the industry of Serbia (8.2 billion dollars) by 82.3%, Macedonian industry (1.9 billion dollars) by 22.1%. Industry per capita in Albania was less than industry per capita in Greece ($2,074.3) by 76.2%, industry per capita in Serbia ($1,159.5) by 57.4%, industry per capita in Macedonia ($891.8) by 44.6%, industry per capita in Montenegro (710.3 dollars) by 30.4%.
Comparison of Albanian industry and leaders in 2016. The industry of Albania was less than the industry of China (3 730.3 billion dollars) by 100%, the industry of the USA (2 775.8 billion dollars) by 99.9%, the industry of Japan (1 099.7 billion dollars) by 99.9%, the industry of Germany (805.9 billion dollars) by 99.8%, the industry of India (431.8 billion dollars) by 99.7%. Industry per capita in Albania was greater than industry per capita in India ($326.0) by 51.6%, but was less than industry per capita in Germany ($9,838.8) by 95%, industry per capita in the USA ($8,615.7) by 94.3%, industry per capita in Japan ($8,608.5) by 94.3%, industry per capita in China ($2,657.8) by 81.4%.
Potential of Albanian industry in 2016. With industry per capita at the same level as industry per capita in Germany ($9,838.8), Albania's industry would be $28.8 billion, 19.9 times the actual level. With industry per capita at the same level as industry per capita in Europe ($4,612.1), Albania's industry would be $13.5 billion, 9.3 times the actual level. With industry per capita at the same level as Southern Europe's industry per capita ($4,028.6), Albania's industry would be $11.8 billion, 8.2 times the actual level. With industry per capita at the same level as industry per capita in the world ($2,139.9), Albania's industry would be $6.3 billion, which is 4.3 times the actual level. With industry per capita at the same level as that of Greece ($2,074.3), the best neighbor, Albania's industry would be $6.1 billion, 4.2 times the actual level.
| year | industry, billion dollars | industry per capita, dollars | industry, billion dollars | industry growth, % | share of industry in the economy, % | share of Albania, % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| current prices | constant prices 1970 | in the world | in Europe | in Southern Europe | ||||
| 1970 | 0.79 | 369.3 | 0.79 | 33.9 | 0.079 | 0.18 | 1.6 | |
| 1971 | 0.82 | 371.2 | 0.83 | 4.0 | 33.9 | 0.074 | 0.17 | 1.5 |
| 1972 | 0.84 | 373.2 | 0.86 | 4.0 | 33.9 | 0.066 | 0.15 | 1.3 |
| 1973 | 0.86 | 375.2 | 0.89 | 4.0 | 33.9 | 0.056 | 0.12 | 1.0 |
| 1974 | 0.89 | 377.7 | 0.93 | 4.1 | 33.9 | 0.049 | 0.11 | 0.85 |
| 1975 | 0.92 | 379.4 | 0.97 | 3.9 | 33.9 | 0.047 | 0.11 | 0.79 |
| 1976 | 0.94 | 381.8 | 1.0 | 3.9 | 33.8 | 0.044 | 0.11 | 0.77 |
| 1977 | 0.97 | 385.9 | 1.0 | 4.4 | 34.0 | 0.041 | 0.099 | 0.71 |
| 1978 | 0.99 | 386.2 | 1.1 | 3.5 | 33.8 | 0.036 | 0.085 | 0.61 |
| 1979 | 0.83 | 315.4 | 1.1 | 3.9 | 33.8 | 0.026 | 0.061 | 0.40 |
| 1980 | 0.77 | 285.7 | 1.2 | 5.7 | 34.4 | 0.021 | 0.051 | 0.32 |
| 1981 | 0.76 | 276.8 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 33.1 | 0.021 | 0.056 | 0.36 |
| 1982 | 0.79 | 285.0 | 1.3 | 4.9 | 33.8 | 0.022 | 0.060 | 0.40 |
| 1983 | 0.79 | 278.7 | 1.3 | -0.17 | 33.1 | 0.022 | 0.062 | 0.41 |
| 1984 | 0.80 | 274.4 | 1.3 | 0.46 | 33.8 | 0.022 | 0.065 | 0.41 |
| 1985 | 0.80 | 270.3 | 1.3 | 0.30 | 33.2 | 0.022 | 0.065 | 0.39 |
| 1986 | 0.84 | 274.7 | 1.4 | 7.2 | 33.6 | 0.020 | 0.056 | 0.31 |
| 1987 | 0.87 | 279.3 | 1.4 | 3.6 | 35.3 | 0.019 | 0.051 | 0.26 |
| 1988 | 0.91 | 286.2 | 1.4 | -0.13 | 35.9 | 0.018 | 0.050 | 0.25 |
| 1989 | 1.0 | 309.0 | 1.5 | 3.2 | 33.0 | 0.019 | 0.055 | 0.26 |
| 1990 | 0.86 | 263.1 | 1.4 | -1.1 | 38.3 | 0.015 | 0.040 | 0.19 |
| 1991 | 0.55 | 169.3 | 0.89 | -37.9 | 33.2 | 0.0093 | 0.026 | 0.12 |
| 1992 | 0.28 | 85.4 | 0.44 | -51.2 | 17.6 | 0.0044 | 0.013 | 0.059 |
| 1993 | 0.25 | 79.9 | 0.39 | -10.0 | 14.4 | 0.0041 | 0.013 | 0.067 |
| 1994 | 0.26 | 81.2 | 0.39 | -2.0 | 13.0 | 0.0039 | 0.013 | 0.065 |
| 1995 | 0.30 | 97.7 | 0.41 | 6.0 | 12.2 | 0.0042 | 0.013 | 0.070 |
| 1996 | 0.33 | 106.1 | 0.46 | 13.7 | 11.0 | 0.0045 | 0.014 | 0.070 |
| 1997 | 0.21 | 67.1 | 0.44 | -5.7 | 10.1 | 0.0029 | 0.0096 | 0.048 |
| 1998 | 0.21 | 67.4 | 0.48 | 10.0 | 9.3 | 0.0030 | 0.0097 | 0.047 |
| 1999 | 0.26 | 82.2 | 0.54 | 11.6 | 8.9 | 0.0036 | 0.012 | 0.059 |
| 2000 | 0.28 | 90.0 | 0.53 | -1.9 | 9.1 | 0.0037 | 0.014 | 0.072 |
| 2001 | 0.30 | 96.8 | 0.54 | 2.8 | 8.6 | 0.0042 | 0.015 | 0.076 |
| 2002 | 0.30 | 95.6 | 0.51 | -6.1 | 7.7 | 0.0041 | 0.014 | 0.069 |
| 2003 | 0.46 | 147.6 | 0.66 | 30.7 | 9.4 | 0.0056 | 0.019 | 0.087 |
| 2004 | 0.65 | 208.5 | 0.72 | 7.9 | 10.3 | 0.0068 | 0.023 | 0.11 |
| 2005 | 0.78 | 254.8 | 0.76 | 5.7 | 11.1 | 0.0075 | 0.026 | 0.13 |
| 2006 | 0.86 | 282.0 | 0.82 | 8.6 | 11.2 | 0.0075 | 0.026 | 0.13 |
| 2007 | 1.0 | 331.4 | 0.77 | -6.7 | 10.8 | 0.0077 | 0.026 | 0.13 |
| 2008 | 1.2 | 402.2 | 0.79 | 2.7 | 10.8 | 0.0083 | 0.029 | 0.15 |
| 2009 | 1.1 | 384.4 | 0.83 | 5.6 | 10.9 | 0.0088 | 0.033 | 0.16 |
| 2010 | 1.4 | 487.1 | 1.0 | 21.4 | 13.8 | 0.0096 | 0.040 | 0.21 |
| 2011 | 1.5 | 518.4 | 1.1 | 4.5 | 13.5 | 0.0089 | 0.038 | 0.21 |
| 2012 | 1.4 | 486.4 | 1.0 | -2.9 | 13.3 | 0.0082 | 0.037 | 0.22 |
| 2013 | 1.6 | 559.1 | 1.2 | 14.9 | 14.6 | 0.0093 | 0.041 | 0.24 |
| 2014 | 1.7 | 584.1 | 1.2 | 3.7 | 14.8 | 0.0096 | 0.043 | 0.25 |
| 2015 | 1.4 | 474.6 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 13.9 | 0.0086 | 0.040 | 0.23 |
| 2016 | 1.4 | 494.3 | 1.3 | 3.8 | 13.9 | 0.0091 | 0.042 | 0.24 |
Editor's Choice
In Albania, 74 settlements have the official status of a city. In this article we will talk about the largest and most interesting years for tourists in Albania. Since Albania is a small country, its main city - the capital has a population of just under half a million inhabitants. The next in importance and population is the main port of the country, Durres.
You will find a map with the location of the cities of Albania and their complete list at the end of the article.
The main city of Albania is its capital. Tirana is located 30 km from the coast. The city was founded in 1614 by the local landowner Suleiman Barjini on the site of an older settlement. Favorable geographical position contributed to rapid development and establishing it as a capital.
Now Tirana, as they say, is the main political, cultural and industrial center of Albania. 20 km north of the city in the village of Rinas is the only international airport in the country.
Shkodra is the main city in the north of the country. One of the most ancient and famous cities in Albania. It was founded in the 4th c. BC. Illyrians, who built a fortress on a high hill at the confluence of the rivers Buna and Drina.
In 168 Shkoder was captured by the Romans, after which the active construction and development of the city began. Nowadays, Shkodra is the main economic and cultural center of the region.
Durres is the second largest city, the largest port and the most popular resort. It is located on the coast, 40 km from the capital and 33 from the airport, so most tourists go here. The city has rich history, sandy beaches and constantly developing tourist infrastructure.
During the 24 centuries of its existence, Berat was often conquered and changed its name. Macedonians, Romans, Byzantium, Bulgarians, Ottomans ruled here. Now it is a small city located at the foot of a mountain range, on the banks of the Osumi River, with many well-preserved architectural monuments.
Berat is located in the interior of the country, 70 km south of the capital.
Vlora is a resort town - a port on the Adriatic coast. In fact, the first capital of Albania, the center of the struggle for the independence of the Albanian people. Now one of the most popular resorts in the country.
Saranda is a resort town in the south of Albania, on the border with Greece. The warm, Ionian Sea, wonderful beaches, ancient and natural attractions, the proximity of the Greek island of Corfu - all this makes Saranda the resort capital of southern Albania.
Gjirokastra is a small city in the south of Albania, 60 km from the seashore (Saranda) The old city of the Ottoman Empire is well preserved and is an object world heritage UNESCO. It is he who is the main attraction and attracts many tourists. Narrow streets, turret houses, many shops and cafes, and on a high hill a well-preserved old castle - a fortress. There is also a mosque, two churches of the 18th century and an oriental bazaar.
In addition, once every 4 years, the main musical event in Albania takes place in Gjirokastra - the international National Folklore Festival.
List of cities in Albanian and Russian alphabetically. The list includes settlements that have the status of a city with a population of 20,000 or more.
| City name in Albanian |
Name in Russian |
Population |
| Berat | Berat | 36 496 |
| Gjirokaster | Gjirokaster | 19 836 |
| Korçë | Korcha | 51 152 |
| Kruje | Kruya | 20 000 |
| Kuçovë | Kuchova | 12 654 |
| Lushnjë | Lushnya | 27 000 |
| Pogradec | Pogradec | 20 848 |
| Tirana | Tirana | 418 495 |
| Fier | fieri | 55 845 |
| Shkoder | Shkoder | 76 000 |
| Elbasan | Elbasan | 78 703 |
Interactive map of Albania with cities, roads. On the map, you can get a route between the cities of Albania, measure the distance and see the sights.
Burek with cheese and egg (Burek me djathë dhe vezë), Moussaka, Pilawa, Chevapchichi, Razhnichi, Meatballs "Chofte", Feta cheese (Djathë "Feta"), Yogurt "Kos" ("Kos"), Tuscan Cannelloni (Cannelloni në Toscana), Dried fruit "Oshaf" (Fruta e thatë "Oshaf"), White wheat bread (Bukë gruri), Cornbread ( Bukë misri), Rakia (Rakia), Shesh (Shesh), Zee (Komunikim).
Europe 93% Predominantly Italy, Serbia, Greece
Asia 5.6% Predominantly China, Turkey
North America 0.99% Predominantly USA
Africa 0.57% Predominantly Libya, Egypt
The pride of Albania is Skanderberg cognac. Its taste and organic qualities are so good that they have earned several international medals, and the drink itself is successfully exported. Skanderberg in Albania was considered a national hero, who was sung in songs. He is also known as Giorgi Kastrioti. The years of Skanderberg's life fell on the XIV-XIII centuries BC. He made a huge contribution to the anti-Ottoman movement of those times. Cognac is produced at the winery, called the "Liquor Factory". It was first produced in 1967. The composition of the drink includes mountain herbs, fruits, sugar syrup, caramel, etc. Cognac is made and stored only in oak barrels, which give it a special color and delicate aroma. Stores sell Skanderberg aged 3.5 years, 5, 6 and 13 years.
Albanian food industry does not use products containing GMOs
One of the national dishes of Albania is Fergesa tirane, or in a simple way - Tirana casserole. The origin of the dish is attributed to the capital of the country - Tirana. Locals most often serve it for lunch. The main ingredients include paprika, tomatoes and pickled cheese, which is sometimes replaced with cottage cheese. All of the above is pre-fried, then baked in the oven. Ferges is popular among vegetarians who eat it with potatoes or rice. The main part of the population cooks it with meat, usually with veal. In this case, the Tirana casserole serves as a side dish. In restaurants, this dish is served, most often, with bread for dipping. Fergesa tirane is not only tasty, but also inexpensive - the price for it in catering establishments rarely exceeds $ 3.
In Albania, a rather revered product is bread: wheat, rye and corn. Without it, the inhabitants of the country cannot imagine a single meal - even the local invitation to the table is translated as "let's go eat bread." Especially popular among Albanians are corn varieties that have been baked since ancient times. Previously, ordinary workers, mountaineers, ate such bread. Now corn and wheat cakes are neither more nor less than the national pride of the country. Here they are known under the name "burek". Cakes are prepared from many layers of dough, rolled out by hand. A filling is laid between the layers, which can be absolutely anything - greens, minced meat, custard. Burek is considered the most popular snack in Albania. It is sold in bakeries and fast food kiosks, served in cafes and restaurants, cooked at home for the festive table. Locals even snack on tortillas on their way to work.
There is no McDonald's in the country
The natural conditions of the country cannot be called favorable, but the share of the agricultural sector here is about 18% of GDP. The number of exported products is growing every year - in 2016 it was estimated at 855 million dollars. About 25% of the territory of Albania is allocated for this industry. Agriculture here specializes in the cultivation of tobacco, figs, wheat, corn, potatoes, etc. The specifics of the country include the active collection of medicinal and aromatic herbs. Albania is one of the top 20 olive growing countries in the world. Animal husbandry is actively engaged here: the number of livestock farms and apiaries is in the tens. Beekeeping is quite developed here: each region produces special honey, there are even quite rare species, for example, chestnut.
Various fish soups, gyuvech stew with potatoes and vegetables, tave-kozi lamb in yoghurt are tasty here.
General information. 2
Square. 2
Population. 2
Capital. 2
Official language. 3
Religion. 3
Geographic characteristics. 3
natural attractions. four
Largest cities. four
History of Albania. 5
Economy of Albania. 6
National currency. 6
Distribution of the able-bodied population by sectors. 6
Developing industries. 7
Leading Industries. 7
Communication paths. 7
Export. eight
International economic relations. 8
Economy in general. eight
Culture and art of Albania. 9
References 10
general information
Geographical position
Albania is located in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula, off the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The Strait of Otranto, 75 km wide, separates Albania from Italy. On land, Albania shares borders with Yugoslavia, Macedonia, and Greece.
Square
The area is 28.7 thousand km2.
Population
The population of Albania is about 3.4 million people. Albania is a one-national country, Albanians make up 97% of the population. They are the descendants of the ancient population of the Balkans - the Illyrians and Thracians.
Table 1. Population growth in Albania over the past 23 years:
Capital
The capital is the city of Tirana (560 thousand inhabitants).
Official language
The official language of the country - Albanian - is not similar to any of the European languages.
Religion
Most Albanians are Sunni Muslims.
Table 2. Distribution of religion among the population of Albania.
Geographic characteristics
A narrow hilly plain stretches along the Albanian coast of the Adriatic. In the south, east and north it is framed by high peaked mountain ranges overgrown with forests. The highest point in the country is Mount Korabi (2764 m). In the north of Albania, on the border with Yugoslavia, rises the massif of the North Albanian Alps. Albania partially owns three large lakes - Ohrid, Shkoder (Skadar) and Prespa.
Rivers
The largest rivers of the country are Drin and Mati.
Climate
The climate in Albania is Mediterranean, with dry hot summers (24-25 °C) and mild rainy winters (8-9 °C). In the mountains in winter, snow lies for several months.
natural attractions
The main natural attractions of Albania are mountains cut by deep narrow valleys and picturesque lakes, primarily Ohrid.
Largest cities
The largest cities of the country include Tirana, Durres, Shkoder, Vlora, Korca, Elbasan.
History of Albania
Independence of Albania was proclaimed in 1912. At the end of 1924 King Ahmet Zogu received power in Albania. In April 1939 Albania was occupied by fascist Italy, on November 29, 1944 the country was liberated. On January 11, 1946, the monarchy was overthrown and a people's republic was proclaimed. "People's Power" carried out the nationalization of enterprises, banks, means of transport and communications, introduced a monopoly of foreign trade. Since the beginning of the 60s, Albania's cooperation with the Soviet Union has been disrupted. Since 1946, the "People's Republic of Albania" has been a state of workers and the working peasantry. It was under the control of the communists. In the 1990s, the communist regime in Albania fell. In 1991, the first multi-party parliamentary elections were held. Political instability forced early elections to be held as early as 1992. Since 1998, relations with Yugoslavia have become more complicated. Albania supports ("initiates") the "struggle for independence" of Kosovo.
Economy of Albania
National currency
Monetary unit - "Lek"
Distribution of the working population by industry
Albania is an agro-industrial country.
Only 12% (110 thousand people) of the total number of able-bodied population are employed in the industry of Albania, this can explain the underdevelopment of the Albanian industry.
Agriculture is the most developed industry. It employs 56% of the working population. This is facilitated by the climate and good weather conditions conducive to the cultivation of many crops.
11% of the population, mostly men, are employed in various kinds of construction.
In 1997, 1.1 million citizens (about 30%) of Albania were economically active, which clearly characterizes it as an economically underdeveloped country.
In the industrial structure of Albania, the food and textile industries occupy the main place. There are deposits:
Table 2. Developed mineral deposits in Albania:
Emerging Industries
The first steps have been taken to create metallurgy, mechanical engineering, and chemistry. The mining industry is developing.
Leading Industries
The leading branch of agriculture is crop production. Main crops: wheat, corn, rice. Industrial crops: tobacco, sugar beet, cotton. Grapes, citrus fruits, olives, and potatoes are also grown. Livestock breeding is dominated by sheep and goat breeding.
Ways of communication
The main mode of transport is automobile. The length of motor roads is more than 7000 km, railway lines - 720 km.
Export
Main export items: bitumen, oil, iron-nickel and chromium ores, blister copper, cigarettes, fresh and canned fruits and vegetables.
International economic relations
China has been the main foreign economic partner (up to 45% of turnover) for many years. The new government declared priority cooperation with the United States and Western European countries.
Economy in general
In 1992-1997 the foundations were laid transition economy. The denationalization of the economy has been carried out. In 1995-1996, economic growth was noted. The privatization of land, housing stock, transport, trade and construction has been completed. In 1997 there was a collapse of numerous financial pyramids. Depositors lost over $1.2 billion. The economy suffered a loss of 2 billion dollars. In 1997 Albania was the most poor country Europe.
Albania, despite its small size, is rich in various minerals, which creates the basis for the development of industry (see Appendix 1, Fig. 2).
At present, the country's leading positions are occupied by the extractive industries. Chromites, iron-nickel, copper ore, brown coal, natural bitumen, oil and natural gas are mined.
In the structure of the manufacturing industry in Albania, the light industry occupies a leading position.
The most important industries are metallurgy, construction, woodworking, production of textiles, knitwear and footwear, industrial processing of agricultural products and animal husbandry. And at the core of everything industrial complex country lies the energy industry.
Energy is one of the fundamental industries in the industry of each state. Nowadays, electricity is the basis of any production. The fuel and energy industry in Albania is developing mainly on the basis of the use of hydropower resources and oil. The oil-producing and oil-refining industries are of great importance in the country's industry. Albania has its own oil and gas fields, but it should be noted that there are certain problems associated with the incomplete and irrational use of natural resources, as well as insufficient technical equipment for power plants. For example, according to estimates for 2005. the country produced 7,006 barrels of oil per day, while 29,000 barrels per day were consumed. From the given data it is not difficult to estimate the volume of oil imports. Here it is worth mentioning the fact that one of the export items of Albania is crude oil, and it imports processed high-quality oil.
It should also be noted this feature of the Albanian energy sector: 97% of electricity is produced by hydroelectric power plants (HPPs). HPPs are located on the rivers Mati, Bistrica, Drina and others, and the capacity of HPPs on the Drin River is twice the total capacity of other operating HPPs. It can be concluded that the country's electric power industry is mainly based on the use of hydropower resources.
The use of mountain rivers to generate electricity is undoubtedly profitable and promising, but there are certain problems with the operation of hydroelectric power plants. Thus, one of the main disadvantages of HPPs is their dependence on climatic conditions. For example, Albania experienced an acute energy crisis in 2005, caused by the worst drought in the last 20 years, which led to the shutdown of most hydroelectric power plants.
The electricity sector is given great attention in Albania and its development is going in two directions:
1. The leadership of the National Energy Corporation (NEC) is improving; correct calculation of electricity consumption; reduction of losses in the transmission of energy over a distance.
2. Construction of a new heating plant in the city of Vlore and a hydroelectric power station in the city of Shkodra.
It is also worth emphasizing that the government is interested in attracting foreign investors. It is known that Italian, Greek and Austrian companies are showing interest in building a cascade of 11 HPPs (on the Devola River) with a total capacity of 250 MW. Also, in connection with the inefficiency of the management of the Albanian energy system, the government is developing conditions for the transfer of KES to the management of foreign companies. Italian and German companies are showing interest in the project.
Also, steps have been taken in the country to create metallurgy, mechanical engineering and the chemical industry.
Another reason that Albania is now one of the economically backward European states is the fact that for a long time the mining and metallurgical complex occupied only a small part of industrial production, despite the fact that the country has unique deposits of non-ferrous metal ores. Non-metallic materials are also being developed, primarily dolomite. However, in the mid-2000s deposits of mainly chromite ores and, to a small extent, bauxite (which are now mined a little - 5 thousand tons per year - despite the fact that bauxite reserves are estimated at 12 million tons) were industrially developed.
The main chromite mining area is located to the northeast (Burkiza) and north of Tirana, there is also a ferrochromium plant in Burreli. A few decades ago, from the 1960s to the 1980s, Albania was one of the top three producers and exporters of chromite, second only to the raw material giants - South Africa and the Soviet Union. At that time, the country produced more than 1 million tons of chromites per year, while in our time production is at the level of 0.3 million tons annually. Moreover, more than half of the volume is just sinter ore, and only 10 thousand tons is concentrate.
