tokë

Tokë is an Albanian noun with several related meanings. It most commonly denotes soil or earth—the mineral-organic material that covers the surface and supports plant life. It can also refer to land or country as a geographic area. When capitalized as Toka, the term denotes Earth, the planet, in scientific and educational contexts.

Soil consists of mineral particles, organic matter, water, and air. Its texture ranges from sandy to silty to clayey and influences water retention, drainage, and nutrient availability. Fertility depends on nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as soil pH and microbial activity. Soils are commonly described by layers or horizons, typically labeled A, B, and C, reflecting their formation and history.

In agriculture tokë underpins crops, pastures, and forestry. Land management aims to conserve soil, prevent erosion, and sustain productivity. In geography and everyday speech, tokë also denotes a region or territory within a country.

Culturally, tokë carries connotations of homeland and identity in Albanian literature and politics. Environmental concerns related to tokë include soil erosion, degradation, and loss of fertility due to intensive farming, deforestation, and pollution. Mitigation strategies include crop rotation, cover crops, reduced tillage, terracing, and afforestation.