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Background:
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Between
1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic
Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy.
The transition has proven difficult as successive
governments have tried to deal with high unemployment,
widespread corruption, a dilapidated infrastructure,
powerful organized crime networks with links to
government officials, and disruptive political
opponents. Albania has made incremental progress in its
democratic development since first holding multiiparty
elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain -
particularly in regard to the rule of law. Despite some
lingering problems, international observers have judged
elections to be largely free and fair since the
restoration of political stability following the
collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. In the 2005 general
elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a
decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and
corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing
the size of government. Although Albania's economy
continues to grow, the country is still one of the
poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy
and an inadequate energy and transportation
infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful
role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern
Europe, and is continuing to work toward joining NATO
and the EU. |
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Location:
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Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and
Ionian Sea, between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro
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Geographic coordinates:
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41 00 N,
20 00 E |
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Map references:
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Europe
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Area:
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total:
28,748 sq km
land: 27,398 sq km
water: 1,350 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly
smaller than Maryland |
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Land boundaries:
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total:
720 km
border countries: Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151
km, Serbia and Montenegro 287 km |
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Coastline:
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362 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of
exploitation |
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Climate:
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mild
temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry
summers; interior is cooler and wetter |
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Terrain:
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mostly
mountains and hills; small plains along coast |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest
point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764
m |
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Natural resources:
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petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper,
iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower |
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Land use:
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arable
land: 21.09%
permanent crops: 4.42%
other: 74.49% (2001) |
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Irrigated land:
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3,400 sq
km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along
southwestern coast; floods; drought |
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Environment - current issues:
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deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from
industrial and domestic effluents |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party
to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,
Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected
agreements |
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Geography - note:
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strategic
location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to
Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea) |
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Population:
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3,563,112
(July 2005 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14
years: 25.6% (male 476,989/female 434,298)
15-64 years: 65.8% (male 1,199,964/female
1,144,886)
65 years and over: 8.6% (male 141,559/female
165,416) (2005 est.) |
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Median age:
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total:
28.52 years
male: 27.95 years
female: 29.1 years (2005 est.) |
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Population growth rate:
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0.52%
(2005 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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15.08
births/1,000 population (2005 est.) |
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Death rate:
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5.12
deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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-4.8
migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) |
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Sex ratio:
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at
birth: 1.1 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
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Infant mortality rate:
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total:
21.52 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 21.96 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 21.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2005
est.) |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total
population: 77.24 years
male: 74.6 years
female: 80.15 years (2005 est.) |
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Total fertility rate:
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2.04
children born/woman (2005 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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NA% |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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NA |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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NA |
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Nationality:
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noun:
Albanian(s)
adjective: Albanian |
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Ethnic groups:
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Albanian
95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Serb,
Macedonian, Bulgarian) (1989 est.)
note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek
population ranged from 1% (official Albanian statistics)
to 12% (from a Greek organization) |
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Religions:
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Muslim
70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%
note: percentages are estimates; there are no
available current statistics on religious affiliation;
all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and
religious observances prohibited; in November 1990,
Albania began allowing private religious practice |
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Languages:
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Albanian
(official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach,
Romani, Slavic dialects |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 9 and over can read and write
total population: 86.5%
male: 93.3%
female: 79.5% (2003 est.) |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Republic of Albania
conventional short form: Albania
local long form: Republika e Shqiperise
local short form: Shqiperia
former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania
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Government type:
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emerging
democracy |
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Capital:
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Tirana
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Administrative divisions:
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12
counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Qarku i Beratit,
Qarku i Dibres, Qarku i Durresit, Qarku i Elbasanit,
Qarku i Fierit, Qarku i Gjirokastres, Qarku i Korces,
Qarku i Kukesit, Qarku i Lezhes, Qarku i Shkodres, Qarku
i Tiranes, Qarku i Vlores |
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Independence:
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28
November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire) |
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National holiday:
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Independence Day, 28 November (1912) |
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Constitution:
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adopted
by popular referendum on 28 November 1998 |
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Legal system:
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has a
civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the
International Criminal Court for its citizens |
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Suffrage:
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18 years
of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief
of state: President of the Republic Alfred MOISIU
(since 24 July 2002)
head of government: Prime Minister Sali BERISHA
(since 10 September 2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the
prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved
by parliament
elections: president elected by the People's
Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 24
June 2002 (next to be held June 2007); prime minister
appointed by the president
election results: Alfred MOISIU elected
president; People's Assembly vote by number - total
votes 116, for 97, against 19 |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral People's Assembly or Kuvendi Popullor (140
seats; 100 are elected by direct popular vote and 40 by
proportional vote for four-year terms)
elections: last held 3 July 2005 (next to be held
in 2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%;
seats by party - PD 56, PS 42, PR 11, PSD 7, LSI 5,
other 19 |
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Judicial branch:
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Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (chairman is elected
by the People's Assembly for a four-year term), and
multiple appeals and district courts |
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Political parties and leaders:
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Agrarian
Environmentalist Party or PAA [Lufter XHUVELI];
Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Nikolle LESI];
Communist Party of Albania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI];
Democratic Alliance Party or PSD [Neritan CEKA];
Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Legality Movement
Party or PLL [Ekrem SPAHIU]; Liberal Union Party or PBL
[Arjan STAROVA]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar)
or BNK [Adriatik ALIMADHI]; New Democratic Party or PDR
[Genc POLLO]; Party of National Unity or PUK [Idajet
BEQIRI]; Renewed Democratic Party or PDRN [Dashamir
SHEHI]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social
Democracy Party or PDS [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic
Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement for
Integration or LSI [Ilir META]; Socialist Party or PS
[Edi RAMA]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNj [Vangjel
DULE] |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kastriot
MUCO]; Front for Albanian National Unification or FBKSH
[Gafur ADILI]; Omonia [Jani JANI]; Union of Independent
Trade Unions of Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA]; Mjaft
Movement [ Erion VELIAJ]; Citizens Advocacy Office [Kreshnik
SPAHIU] |
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International organization participation:
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ACCT
(associate), BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU,
MIGA, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief
of mission: Acting Ambassador Kreshink COLLAKU
chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942
FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342 |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief
of mission: Ambassador Marcie B. RIES
embassy: Rruga Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana
mailing address: U. S. Department of State, 9510
Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510
telephone: [355] (4) 247285
FAX: [355] (4) 374957 and [355] (4) 232222 |
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Flag description:
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red with
a black two-headed eagle in the center |
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Economy - overview:
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Lagging behind its Balkan neighbors, Albania is making
the difficult transition to a more modern open-market
economy. The government has taken measures to curb
violent crime and to spur economic activity and trade.
The economy is bolstered by annual remittances from
abroad of $600-$800 million, mostly from Greece and
Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit.
Agriculture, which accounts for about one-quarter of
GDP, is held back because of frequent drought and the
need to modernize equipment, to clarify property rights,
and to consolidate small plots of land. Energy shortages
and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure contribute
to Albania's poor business environment, which make it
difficult to attract and sustain foreign investment. The
planned construction of a new thermal power plant near
Vlore and improved transmission and distribution
facilities will help relieve the energy shortages. Also,
the government is moving slowly to improve the poor
national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier
to sustained economic growth. On the positive side:
growth was strong in 2003-05 and inflation is not a
problem. |
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GDP (purchasing power parity):
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$18.05 billion
Note: Albania has a large gray economy that may
be as large as 50 percent of official GDP. (2005 est.)
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GDP (official exchange rate):
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$8.741 billion (2005 est.) |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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6% (2005 est.) |
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power parity - $4,900 (2005 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 23.6%
industry: 20.5%
services: 55.9% (2005 est.) |
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Labor force:
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1.09 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers)
(2004 est.) |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture 57%, non-agricultural private sector 20%,
public sector 23% (2004 est.) |
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Unemployment rate:
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14.4% officially; but may exceed 30% (2004 est.) |
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Population below poverty line:
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25% (2004 est.) |
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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2.5% (2005 est.) |
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Investment (gross fixed):
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22.6% of GDP (2005 est.) |
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Budget:
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revenues: $1.96 billion
expenditures: $2.377 billion, including capital
expenditures of $500 million (2005 est.) |
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Agriculture - products:
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wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets,
grapes; meat, dairy products |
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Industries:
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food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil,
cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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3.1% (2004 est.) |
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Electricity - production:
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5.68 billion kWh (2004) |
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Electricity - consumption:
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6.76 billion kWh (2004) |
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Electricity - exports:
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200 million kWh (2003) |
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Electricity - imports:
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1.08 billion kWh (2004 est.) |
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Oil - production:
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2,000 bbl/day (2004 est.) |
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Oil - consumption:
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7,500 bbl/day (2004 est.) |
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Oil - exports:
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0 bbl/day (2004 est.) |
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Oil - imports:
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5,500 bbl/day (2004 est.) |
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Oil - proved reserves:
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185.5 million bbl (1 January 2002) |
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Natural gas - production:
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30 million cu m (2001 est.) |
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Natural gas - consumption:
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30 million cu m (2001 est.) |
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Natural gas - exports:
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0 cu m (2001 est.) |
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Natural gas - imports:
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0 cu m (2001 est.) |
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Natural gas - proved reserves:
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3.316 billion cu m (1 January 2002) |
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Current account balance:
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$-475 million (2005 est.) |
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Exports:
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$708.8 million f.o.b. (2005 est.) |
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Exports - partners:
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Italy 71.7%, Canada 4.3%, Germany 4.3% (2004) |
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Imports:
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$2.473 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.) |
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Imports - partners:
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Italy 34.8%, Greece 19.9%, Turkey 7.7%, Germany 5.3%
(2004) |
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Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
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$1.45 billion (2005 est.) |
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Debt - external:
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$1.41 billion (2003) |
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Economic aid - recipient:
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ODA: $315 million (top donors were Italy, EU, Germany)
(2000 est.) |
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Currency (code):
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lek (ALL) |
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Exchange rates:
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leke per US dollar - 103.07 (2005), 102.649 (2004),
121.863 (2003), 140.155 (2002), 143.485 (2001) |
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Fiscal year:
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calendar year |
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Telephones - main lines in use:
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255,000
(2003) |
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
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1.1
million (2003) |
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Telephone system:
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general assessment: despite new investment in fixed
lines, the density of main lines remains the lowest in
Europe with roughly 8 lines per 100 people; however,
cellular telephone use is widespread and generally
effective
domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line
capacity, mobile phone service has been available since
1996; by 2003 two companies were providing mobile
services at a greater density than some of Albania's
Balkan neighbors
international: country code - 355; inadequate
fixed main lines; adequate cellular connections;
international traffic carried by microwave radio relay
from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2003) |
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Radio broadcast stations:
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AM 13, FM
4, shortwave 2 (2001) |
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Television broadcast stations:
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3 (plus
58 repeaters) (2001) |
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Internet country code:
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.al |
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Internet hosts:
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455
(2004) |
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Internet users:
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30,000
(2003) |
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Airports:
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11 (2004
est.) |
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total:
3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2005 est.) |
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total:
8
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 4 (2005 est.) |
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Heliports:
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1 (2005
est.) |
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Pipelines:
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gas 339
km; oil 207 km (2004) |
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Railways:
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total:
447 km
standard gauge: 447 km 1.435-m gauge (2004) |
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Roadways:
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total:
18,000 km
paved: 7,020 km
unpaved: 10,980 km (2002) |
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Waterways:
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43 km
(2004) |
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Merchant marine:
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total:
25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 40,878 GRT/62,676 DWT
by type: cargo 24, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 2 (Denmark 1, Turkey 1)
registered in other countries: 1 (2005) |
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Ports and terminals:
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Durres,
Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore |
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Military branches:
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General Staff Headquarters, Land Forces Command (Army),
Naval Forces Command, Air Defense Command, Logistics
Command, Training and Doctrine Command |
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Military service age and obligation:
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19 years of age (2004) |
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Manpower available for military service:
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males age 19-49: 809,524 (2005 est.) |
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Manpower fit for military service:
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males age 19-49: 668,526 (2005 est.) |
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Manpower reaching military service age annually:
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males: 37,407 (2005 est.) |
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Military expenditures - dollar figure:
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$56.5 million (FY02) |
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Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
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1.49% (FY02) |
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Disputes - international:
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the
Albanian Government calls for the protection of the
rights of ethnic Albanians in neighboring countries, and
the peaceful resolution of interethnic disputes; some
ethnic Albanian groups in neighboring countries advocate
for a "greater Albania," but the idea has little appeal
among Albanian nationals; thousands of unemployed
Albanians emigrate annually to nearby Italy and other
developed countries |
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Illicit drugs:
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increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest
Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the
Balkan route and - to a far lesser extent - cocaine from
South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium
and growing cannabis production; ethnic Albanian
narcotrafficking organizations active and expanding in
Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with
regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and
illegal aliens |
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