Shqipëria

Shqipëria, officially the Republic of Albania, is a country in Southeast Europe located on the western Balkan Peninsula. It lies along the Adriatic Sea to the northwest and the Ionian Sea to the southwest, bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, North Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the south. Its capital and largest city is Tirana. The official language is Albanian, with two primary dialects, Gheg in the north and Tosk in the south.

The country has a parliamentary republic system. The president serves as head of state with largely ceremonial duties, while the prime minister is the head of government. The unicameral Parliament (Kuvendi) has 140 members elected for four-year terms. Albania has pursued European integration and joined NATO in 2009; it is a candidate country for the European Union.

Historically, the region was inhabited by Illyrian tribes, later united under Roman and Byzantine rule, and then governed for centuries by the Ottoman Empire until independence in 1912. After World War II, Albania became a communist state under Enver Hoxha. The regime fell in the early 1990s, and the country began a transition to democracy and a market economy, leading to reforms and closer ties with Western institutions.

Geography and culture feature a mountainous landscape with the Albanian Alps, valleys, and a coastline that includes the Adriatic and Ionian seas. Notable sites include Lake Shkodër and major rivers such as the Drin. The population is predominantly Albanian, with religious communities practicing Islam and Christianity within a secular constitution. UNESCO World Heritage sites in Shqipëria include the historic centers of Berat and Gjirokastër and the ancient city of Butrint. The economy is developing, with services as the largest sector, growing tourism, and hydropower playing a key role. The lek is the currency.