Are you looking for lesser-known facts about Albania? Here is a collection of interesting and fun facts about Albania which You’ve Never Heard Before as well as you can also read general information about Albania such as culture, history, government rule, etc.

Albania is a country in southeastern Europe. It is bounded on the north-west by Montenegro, in the northeast by the border of Kosovo, and in the south and southeast by the border of Greece. To its west lies the Adriatic Sea and to the southwest is the coastline of the Lonian Sea.

Albania is also a member of the United States, NATO, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the World Trade Organization. Also, the country is a founding member of the Energy Community, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and the Mediterranean Union.

General facts about Albania

• Total Population – 2.88 million (28.8 lakhs)2017
• Highest Mountain – Mount Korab 2,764 metres (9,068 ft).
• Total Area –28,748 km²
• National Day – November 28
• Currency – Albanian lek
• National Song – “Afghan National Anthem”
• Capital – Tirana

Amazing Facts About Albania For Tourists and Kids

1. Tirana Is The Capital City Of Albania, It has an area of 16.1 sq mi (41.8 sq km) and a population of 421,286 (2011).Tirana is the capital city of Albania and is considered as the heart of the country. The city of Tirana is for its rich culture and heritage. The clubs, bars, cafes and tavernas here are worth visiting, Tirana is worth exploring both day and night. The hospitality shown towards the tourists is such that after visiting in this city you will feel that you have roamed the whole country.

Watch Albania Beauty

2. In 1995, a law was passed for citizens to pay taxes on traffic-lights in their domestic cities.The residents of Shkodra were also taxed, like all cities, but protested heavily, so there is no traffic light in Shkodra City, one of the oldest cities in Europe and the fifth-largest in Albania.

3. The highest elevation point in Albania is Maja Korabit(Golem Korab) at an altitude of more than 2700 meters, this peak is located on the border with Macedonia – it remains the highest elevation point for both countries.

4. You may be surprised to learn that speedboats are banned in Albanian, speedboats were used to smuggle humans and narcotics from Albania to the shores of Italy and Greece.Hence the Albanian government banned speedboats

5. People of this country hang dead animals on their houses, it is believed that by doing this evil spirits do not enter the house.

6. In 1999, 4,80,000 ethnic Albanian refugees returned to Albania due to the war in neighboring Kosovo.1999- NATO announces a ceasefire on the bombing as soon as Serb troops begin withdrawing after an 11-week bombing of Kosovo.NATO Secretary-General Havia Solana announced that the 79-day bombing operations by NATO airplanes had been halted. This illegal penetration reduced the country’s resources.

7. The great woman of Albania is Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, who is known to the rest of the world as Mother Teresa. She was born in Skopje, now part of Macedonia. Mother Teresa is the only Albanian to win a Nobel Prize.

She was born on 26 August 1910 in an Albanian family. The world knows her as Mother Teresa, but in reality, he name was Agnes Gonzha Boyajiju. She had served the oppressed people of India and spent his whole life in serving leprosy patients and orphans. Due to her work, she has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Let’s know some special things about them ..

• Mother Teresa was a Catholic, but she had citizenship of India. Along with India, She had citizenship of several other countries, including the Ottoman, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia.In the year 1946, She pledged to serve the poor and helpless. For selfless service, Teresa established the ‘Missionaries of Charity’ in Kolkata in 1950. In 1981, She changed her name.
• Mother Teresa of Albania origin did what she did for the poor and suffering people in Kolkata, it is considered unprecedented in the world.
• She started his organization with 12 members and now this organization is working in 133 countries. They have 4501 sisters in 133 countries.Mother Teresa received many awards during her lifetime for service and upliftment of the poor and underprivileged. Most prominent among them was the Nobel Peace Prize received in 1979, which was awarded to him for his service to humanity.
• Mother Teresa lived in Kolkata till her death and even today her institution is working for the poor. She has also been awarded the Bharat Ratna, Templeton Prize, Order of Merit and Padma Shri with the Nobel Peace Prize.
• Let me tell you, She died on 5 September 1997 due to constantly declining health.

8. Free primary and secondary education is provided in Albania.

Most Albanian live outside Albania. Countries such as Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, and the United States have Albanian citizens.

9. Yugoslavia, Greece, Romania, and Albania, situated on the banks of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea,
are called ‘Balkan states’.

10. Muslims Majority Country.

The 2011 census shows that about 60% of Sunni and Becketshi Shia Muslims, making it the largest religion in the country. About 17% are Christians, making it the second-largest religion, and 17% are either undeclared or from another religion.

11. Transport in the country of Albania is underdeveloped. There are four airports and 677 km of railways. Buses are abundant, but their time tables are not fixed.

12. When the Communist era ended in the year 1991, the country had around 3 million people and only 3,000 cars. Only party officials were allowed to use cars, there was a restriction on the use of cars by individual common people.

13. Albania’s economy is high-middle income. Most of the country’s income depends on the service sector, as well as on the industrial and agricultural sectors of the country.

14. The Albanians have named Albania as “Shqiperi“.

15. The national and ethnic symbol of the Albanian people is the eagle.

16. The current national flag of Albania is red, with a 2-headed eagle on the red background.

17. Aediaei is the name of the powerful tribe that once ruled Albania.

18. Lazarrat Village is called the cannabis capital of Albania. This village makes the country the largest exporter of cannabis in Europe.

26. 200000 Bunkers

Between 1960 and 1980, about 200000(two lakh) military bunkers were built during the Cold War in Albania, a country in North-Eastern Europe. Now, these bunkers are being converted into homes, cafes, and resorts.

250 bunkers have been converted into resorts. They are also getting a good response. More than one and a half thousand tourists are reaching every day.British photographer Robert Hawkman said that while the world was making rockets, the rulers here were building bunkers. Albania became the poorest country in Europe due to the construction of bunkers. But now things are changing. A large number of foreign tourists are coming to see the bunker.

27. Jewish History Museum

Simon Burso’s museum is the only treasure that goes into the history of the Jews and investigates every aspect related to them.Thousands of people from all over the world have visited this museum, which opened in May 2018. “I am worried about the future of this museum,” says Bursho’s wife Angelina with very moist eyes The historian Simon Bursho continued to maintain the museum for a long time.
This picture is of a museum in Albania, the Muslim majority country of Europe. This museum in Berat, a city on the southern end of Albania, has a 500-year-old history of the Jews in its treasury, along with their stories, saving all the heritage.

The relationship between the Muslim country of Albania and the Jews is very interesting. Albania is believed to be the only Balkan state under Nazi rule where the Jewish population increased after World War II. The reason for the increase in population was that ordinary families settled there who sheltered hundreds of refugees coming from Nazi torture.
The Jewish community first came to Berat from Spain in the 16th century. Not only this, when the German administration took control of Albania in the year 1943 during the Second World War, the local administration there refused to give the hidden Jews in the country. The result of this heroism and bravery was that during the war the Jewish population there had increased from several hundred to 2000.A rich history of religious tolerance is also seen in the country even today. Even in Berat, you will see the church and the mosque standing opposite each other.

28. Women have converted themselves into men

There is a village in southern Europe, named Albanian. The village is well-known for its unique practices and traditions. It is said that there is a shortage of women in this village because most of the women have now become men.

According to the report, there is a village in Albanian, Europe where the traditions are still male predominant.
That is, the families consider their father’s authority as supreme.
Here women are kept only for sex. There has been a rule in this village for a long time, which people know by the name ‘Kanun‘. Women are considered family property under this law, they are kept away from basic amenities.
Not only this, but they are also not allowed to do their jobs or business.

Oath to stay virgin
In such a situation, the women here have to accept peculiar conditions to get equal rights to the man.
They have to remain virgins throughout their life.This condition is quite difficult but there is no other option. The oath is administered in front of 12 village elders. Women can take this oath at any age.After taking this oath, the lifestyle of the women becomes like men. they can openly smoke cigarettes and alcohol. Also can live life as the owner of the house.

Historical Facts About Albania

The current Albania region is part of the Roman province of Dalmatia, Macedonia, and Moesia. Albania declared
independence in 1912, after the Ottoman Empire had completely fallen in Europe after the Balkan War.The state of Albania was invaded by Italy in 1939, Albania saw considerable social and political changes in the communist era, and also the isolation of many international communities. The Socialist Republic was dissolved in 1991 and the Republic of Albania was founded

Albania is a nation with a parliamentary republic. Tirana, the capital of this country, is its industrial and economic stronghold, where the country has a population of more than 800,000.

Free market facilities have opened the doors of foreign investment in the country, especially because of this,
the country has seen the most development in the traffic and energy sector.

Albania’s Human Development List (HDI) is very high and citizens of the country are also provided with good health
care and facilities for free primary and secondary education.

The economic system of Albania depends on the upper and middle-class income and most of the country’s income also comes from the service sector. After this, the main sources of income include the industrial and agricultural sectors.

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History of Bunkers In Albania

Bunkers are often found on borders, which protect a country from the attack of enemies. But there is a country in the world where bunkers are found at every step. The name of this country is Albania. This country remained completely isolated from the rest of the world during several decades of communist rule.

Its dictator Enver Hoxha was so afraid of enemies that he built bunkers all over the country. Albania’s guide says that today these bunkers have become the means of expansion of tourism.

Reason for making bunkers….

Fear of war

If you move from the Adriatic coast of Albania towards the inner part of the country, then you will be seen to be bunker in every step. A circular crown is placed above the walls. These bunkers were built in the 1970s.
At that time Albania was a country completely isolated from the world.

When Albania’s relations with the Soviet Union deteriorated. Enver felt that every country, from neighboring countries Yugoslavia and Greece to America and the Soviet Union, was about to invade Albania.
With this fear, Enver Hoxha started building bunkers for the protection of the whole country. These bunkers have been built from the Gulf of Valor to the hills of the capital Tirana. From the border of Montenegro to the island of Corfu, Greece.According to rough estimates, nearly 200000 bunkers were built in the country under the rule of Enver Hoxha.

Economic burden of construction of bunkers

Even today these bunkers are scattered all over the country. From the hills to the fields, from the highway to the beach, bunkers are dominated. It is said that the cost of building a bunker is equivalent to building a two-bedroom
house.
Because of this, Albania became the poorest country in Europe. These bunkers created such an economic legacy that the people of Albania are still carrying the burden.
Enver Hoxha gave a mantra to the people of his country – Always be ready. His mood was made from the experience
found in the second world war.

Lessons learned from defeat

During the Second World War, Albania was defeated by the Italian army in just 5 days. However, the occupation of
Italy was resisted by the people of Albania through guerrilla warfare.

With the help of Yugoslavia and Britain and America, the people of Albania continued to attack the forces of Italy and Germany. Enver Hoxha was the leader of this guerrilla fight.
In November 1944, Albania managed to free from fascist forces. The credit for this victory goes to the leftist army
of 70 thousand people.

When the rebels became dictators

After the end of the Second World War, Enver Hoxha took all power into his hands and became a dictator.
At first, Enver decided to go with the Soviet Union. But Albania’s relations with other countries continued to deteriorate.Albania severed ties with Yugoslavia in 1947. Enver believed that the people of Yugoslavia were deviating from socialism.

When Nikita Khrushchev became the leader of the Soviet Union in 1961, Enver also severed ties with the Soviet Union.After this, Enver tried to establish a relationship with Mao Zedong, China. However, this friendship also did not last long.When Mao invited US President Richard Nixon to visit Beijing in 1972, Anwar Hoxha ended his ties with China as well.By 1978, China had withdrawn all its advisors from Albania.

Military training to every citizen

After this, the isolated Anwar Hoxha started worrying about the attack of enemies all the time.Then he issued the order to build a bunker all over the country. Ever felt that the forces of NATO countries would attack Albania from neighboring Greece. He was also suspicious of Yugoslavia. Enver feared that the Soviet Union might also attack him via Bulgaria.
If any country attacked, the small army of Albania could not stand in front of them. That is why Enver Hoxha decided that with the help of the public, he would face a possible attack. Military training was made compulsory for every citizen.So that if needed, an army can be raised immediately.

Construction of 13 thousand bunkers

Albania started the bunker building campaign from 1975. Whereas he separated from the Soviet Union in 1968.
For seven years, experts from Albania studied all the options for the country’s security.It was decided that separate parts of the bunkers should be made and taken to a place and then assembled and given the shape of a bunker.
The team of Pelamb Duraj was given the responsibility to build 13 thousand bunkers. This was such a huge campaign that bunker goods were being prepared in every factory in Albania. Cement factories were making pieces of pre-finished concrete. Army workers used to give them the form of a bunker.

Some important days in the history of Albania

• 1939 – Italy invades shortly before the start of the Second World War. And King Jong fled to Greece.
• 1941 – Enver Hoxha becomes the head of the new Albanian Communist Party. And Tirana was made the capital of the country.
• 1943 – German army invades and conquers Albania.
• 1944 – German is expelled from the country after communist resistance. Inver Hoxha appointed as the country’s new leader.
• 1948 – Albania breaks its ties with Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union begins to provide financial assistance to Albania.
• 1955 – Albania becomes the founding member of the Warsaw Pact.
• 1985 – After ruling for almost half a century, Stalinist dictator Inver Hoxha died.
• 1989 – Communists ruled in Eastern Europe.
• 1990 – Independent political party was formed. Albanians were also empowered to travel abroad.
• 1991 – In the multi-party election, the Communist Party and the coalition named 169 seats out of a total of 250, the new Democratic Party also succeeded in naming 75 seats.
• 1999 – NATO launches an air raid against the Yugoslav military. In Kosovo, thousands of fleeing people were attacked by the Serb army. Due to this, the Sharnartis migrated to Albania on a large scale.
• 2009 – Albania officially joined NATO and applied for membership in the European Union.
• 2014 – European Commission declares Albania a member of the European Union.

Tourism in Albania

Albania is known for its magnificent beaches and culture. This place is a center of attraction for those interested in skiing, bike riding and walking.The Albania country of Europe is very beautiful. This country is considered very good for visiting. In such a situation, if you are planning to go here, then these 10 places must be visited.

1.Museum

Albania’s National Historical Museum is quite popular. Located in Tirana, this museum is the largest in the country. It was established on 28 October 1981. There are a lot of history-related objects in this 27,000 square meter museum.

2.Lura National Park

It is located on the eastern side of Lures. Surrounded by high mountains, this park seems very close to nature. Probably, for this reason, it is said that he who has not seen the beauty of Lura has not seen Albania up close. A large number of tourists visit here.

3.Zoo

The zoo is also the best place to hang out in Tirana, Albania. It can be enjoyed with children and friends. Apart from bears, lions, lamas, monkeys, wolves, foxes, birds of many rare species attract tourists. This Zoo of Albania was established in 1966.

4.Art Gallery

The National Gallery of Art is also a good venue to visit in Albania. It was established on 11 January 1954. The National Gallery of Art State Museum is a research as well as a scientific institution.The visual art of Albania is often depicted through temporary exhibitions.

5.Bar

Going to the Jericho Cocktail Bar in Albania is a different fun. This is a famous place in Albania to enjoy c**ktails with music. There is a unique confluence of c**ktails and music in the dark of night. In such a situation, the tourists who come here can enjoy this nightlife.

6.Cableway

Dajti Express is just 15 minutes away from Tirana, Albania. It provides an unforgettable experience for tourists visiting here.A 15-minute trek to Mount Daze on the longest cableway in the Balkans offers a chance to see the beauty of the city. Tourists find this cableway journey quite exciting.

7.Beach

Gjipe Beach in Albania can also provide a good place for tourists to roam. This beach is located between Dhermi and Vuno two cities in southern Albania.Small stones are found on this beach. Its water is very clear. Hiking in the evening looks exciting.

If you know any new things about Albania, then definitely tell through the comments so that other people can read,
thanks.

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