Shqipëri

Shqipëri, or Albania in English, is a sovereign state in Southeastern Europe on the western Balkans. It borders Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the north, North Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the southeast, with a coastline along the Adriatic and Ionian seas. The capital and largest city is Tirana. The official language is Albanian, with Greek and Macedonian spoken by minorities; Albanian has two main dialects, Gheg in the north and Tosk in the south. The population is about 2.8 million.

Shqipëri is a parliamentary republic. The President is the ceremonial head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government and holds executive power. The unicameral Kuvendi i Shqipërisë (Parliament) has 140 seats. The country is divided into 12 counties and several municipalities. The currency is the lek (ALL). Time zone is Central European Time (UTC+1), with daylight saving time.

Historically, the region was settled by Illyrian peoples and formed medieval Albanian principalities before falling under Ottoman rule for centuries. Albania declared independence in 1912, experienced a brief monarchy, and after World War II established a communist regime. Since 1990, it has pursued democratic reforms and a market economy. Albania joined NATO in 2009 and became an EU candidate country in 2014; negotiations for EU accession began in the early 2020s and remain ongoing.

Culturally, Shqipëri reflects a mix of religious traditions and a rich folk heritage. Islam, Roman Catholicism, and Eastern Orthodox Christianity are present, with a historical Bektashi community. UNESCO sites include Butrint, Berat, and Gjirokastër. The country is known for its Adriatic and Ionian coastlines, alpine landscapes, and distinctive music, cuisine, and crafts shaped by Illyrian, Balkan, and Mediterranean influences.