Albania: The Land

With a population of 3.3 million people, Albania is bordered on the north and east by the former Yugoslavia, on the south by Greece, and the Adriatic and Ionian Seas on the west. Albania, while one of the smallest countries in Europe (11,100 square miles or the size of Maryland), has throughout history played a key role due to its strategic location between Italy, Greece and the former Yugoslavia. Three quarters of the country consists of mountains and plateaus, part of the Alps, which run through the country from north to south. A coastal plain runs along the western edge of the country. This coastal region has a Mediterranean-like climate, allowing Albania to grow many crops, including olive trees, citrus groves and vineyards.

Albania is one of the less densely populated countries in Europe, about 300 people per square mile. Nearly two-thirds of the population reside in rural areas. Tirana, the capital, is the largest city withe nearly 300,000 inhabitants.