There is little information in English about tourism in Albania . The official promotion office does not have a translated version and it is normal to turn to the internet for advice and recommendations during your holiday. In this section you will find answers to most of your questions
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Information from Albania
USEFUL INFORMATION
Official Name
Republic of Albania (Republika e Shqipërisë)
Language of Albania
Albanian, with two basic dialects, Guego and Tosco (spoken in the north and south of the Skumbin River respectively) is the official language of Albania, although you may find people who speak English or Italian
Where is Albania – Area and borders
Located in southeastern Europe in the Western Balkans, Albania has an area of 28,748 square kilometres (28,748 sq km). To the north it borders Montenegro ; to the northeast, Kosovo; to the east, Republic of North Macedonia , while to the south and southeast is Greece .
Administrative division
Albania is divided into twelve regions, called qarqe (counties or prefectures): Berat, Diber, Durrës, Elbasan, Fier, Gjrokastra, Korça, Kukes, Lezha, Shkodra, Tirana and Vlora. The 12 qarqe are further subdivided into 36 rrethe (districts).
Geography
Albania’s geography has a very mountainous inland part and a strip of coastline to the west on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The highest point is Mount Korab, which is 2,764 metres high.
Population
The population of Albania is around 2,870,000 (January 2018), with a notable proportion of Albanians living in other parts of the world. There are Albanian communities in nearby regions or countries such as close to two million in the territory of Kosovo; more than 300 thousand in the Republic of North Macedonia; as well as in Montenegro and Serbia (Presevo Valley) or the United States.
The capital and district of Tirana has 883,996 inhabitants, following Durrës: 289,628; Elbasan: 278,547; Shkodra 204,994; Vlora189,282; Korça 210,178).
Climate in Albania
Albania’s climate is Mediterranean on the coast, while inland, as you move up into the mountains, the climate becomes continental, with lower temperatures that can reach negative values, and snow. In the green mountainous areas, rainfall tends to exceed 2000mm, while near the sea it is around 800mm. Summers are pleasant and hot on the coast, allowing you to enjoy the beaches, with temperatures in the high 30s.
Official Currency
The official currency of Albania is the lek. The equivalence of the euro lek in February 2020 is 1 €uro = 122.52 leks. The euro and the dollar are generally accepted in most shops and tourist activities.
Safety in Albania
Despite what you may sometimes hear, Albania is a safe country, with low crime rates and friendly, hospitable people who help travellers and alert them in the event of a dangerous situation or tourist scam.Women have no problem travelling alone.
What is the capital of Albania
Tirana is the capital of Albania since 1912 and the city with the largest population.
Festivals and events
Albania is a country rich in traditions and folklore. Various festivals are held throughout the year, including folk culture festivals, film, music and art festivals.
Religion
More than half of the population (around 56%) is Muslim, 10.03% Catholic and 6.75% Orthodox, but religion and confession are becoming less and less important, especially among young people. As a curiosity, Albania was the first atheist country in the world, banning the existence of God by law. Nowadays any religion is tolerated as freedom of confession.
What the flag of Albania looks like
The flag of Albania is red with the figure of a black double-headed eagle in the centre.
Maps of Albania
In this map section you can find different maps of Albania .
Form of Government
Albania has been governed politically by a parliamentary republic since independence
Economy
Albania’s economy has traditionally been centred on agriculture and mining, but in recent years it has been trying to grow in the industrial sector. Foreign tourism is growing, which allows the arrival of investments to improve transport infrastructures.
Travel insurance
It is advisable to take out medical insurance to cover medical expenses such as evacuation or medical repatriation.
Passport and Visa
For EU citizens, there is no need to apply for a visa to enter Albania, and a valid passport with at least six months of expiry is sufficient. Most Latin American countries, such as Mexico, do not require a visa. Even so, it is always best to check with the embassy or consulate.
It is possible to enter for three months without a visa as a tourist. For a stay of 3 to 6 months as a tourist, it is necessary to apply for an entry permit or a visa from the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Voltage and plugs
In Albania the Voltage is 220 volts, Frequency: 50 Hz and Type C / F plugs are used (the same as in Spain), so no charging adaptor is needed.
Time Use
Albania has the same time as Spain.
Travel Guides and Travel Books to Albania
There are not many printed travel guides to Albania but there are several that provide an in-depth knowledge of Albania’s history, places to visit and attractions.
False myths and prejudices
Albania has a bad reputation, and an undeserved one at that. Often associated with poverty or the mafia, the country is trying to improve its economy and move closer to the European Community with which it maintains ….
It is true that one of the biggest problems in the economy is organised crime, as well as corruption in public office.