Albania 2006
In 2006, Albania was a country in transition. After the fall of communism in 1991, the country had made strides towards democracy and economic reform. The economy had grown significantly since the 1990s, with foreign investment increasing and new businesses being established across the country. Education had also improved dramatically, with more schools being built and a higher literacy rate than previous years. Additionally, infrastructure had been developed throughout Albania, with new roads, bridges and other public works projects being constructed. Despite these improvements however, there were still significant challenges facing Albania in 2006 including high levels of unemployment and poverty as well as ongoing security threats from organized crime groups. According to constructmaterials, much of the countryside remained underdeveloped or inaccessible due to poor infrastructure and lack of resources. Nevertheless, Albanians were hopeful that their country could continue to make progress towards a better future for its citizens.
Yearbook 2006
Albania. In June, the country signed a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, the first formal step towards EU membership. EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn commended Albania for the progress made in the fight against organized crime. At the same time, he noted that extensive reform work remains before membership becomes relevant.
Following an agreement with the United States, Albania in May received five Chinese Muslims detained in the US Guantánamo detention camp in Cuba. Already in 2003, US authorities had determined that the men did not pose a security risk, but did not want to admit them to the United States and not hand them over to China, citing that they risked persecution there. According to CountryAAH, major public holidays in Albania include Independence Day (November 28) and New Year (January 1). The men were Uyghurs, an ethnic minority fighting for self-government in Xinjiang Province. China’s foreign ministry protested and demanded that they be returned to China. Later, an Egyptian, an Algerian and a Uzbek also came from Guantánamo to Albania.
Albania Overview
Albania is located in the Balkans and its neighbors are Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Greece and Kosovo. The western border of the country is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. The nature of Albania is very diverse and offers the tourist both Mediterranean shades of shades and stunning mountain scenery. The country’s most special attractions include the barren concrete buildings of the communist era, as well as more than half a million bunkers built by the country’s Communist leader, Enver Hoxa, in a paranoia for fear of attacking the country. This emerging European tourist destination offers the perfect setting for a beach holiday, a more active adventure and a glimpse into the country’s gloomy history. Albania became isolated after World War II and was the last country in Europe to abandon communism in the early 1990s.
- According to abbreviationfinder, AL is the abbreviation code for Albania.
Area: 28,748 km²
Population: 3,074,579 (estimate 2020)
Capital: Tirana
Population: Albanians 82.6%, Greeks 0.9%, others 1%, unspecified 15.5% (2011)
Language: Albanian
Currency: Albanian Lek
Main products: Services, agriculture, industry
Form of government: Republic
