🇦🇱 Albania
Albania is a country located in the Balkans, in Southeastern Europe. It has an area of about 28,748 square kilometers and a population of about 2.9 million people.
Albania has a long and complex history, dating back to ancient times. The region has been inhabited by various peoples, including the Illyrians, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans.
In the 15th century, Albania came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, which controlled the country for more than four centuries. During this time, the Albanian people developed their own distinct culture, language, and customs.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Albanian independence movement grew, and in 1912, Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire. However, the country was occupied by various powers during the First World War and the Balkan Wars.
After the Second World War, Albania became a communist state under the rule of Enver Hoxha, who ruled the country until his death in 1985. In 1991, Albania transitioned to a multiparty democracy and a market-based economy, after a period of political and economic turmoil.
In recent years, Albania has made progress in developing its economy, and it has become a candidate country for membership in the European Union. The country has a rich cultural heritage, with a diverse mix of influences from its neighboring countries and its Ottoman past. Albania's official language is Albanian and the currency is Lek.
Albania Travel Taboo
Albania is a welcoming and friendly country, but as with any destination, it is important to be aware of and respect local customs and traditions in order to avoid causing offense or breaking taboos. Some things to keep in mind when traveling in Albania include:
- Dress Code: Albanians tend to dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites or more rural areas. It is best to dress conservatively and avoid wearing revealing clothing.
- Religion: Albania is a predominantly Muslim country, with a significant Orthodox and Catholic minority. It's best to be respectful of religious customs and traditions, for example, by covering your head when entering a mosque or removing shoes before entering a church.
- Greeting: Greeting people with a handshake is common but in rural areas, or when meeting older people, a kiss on each cheek is also common.
- Alcohol: While drinking is a part of Albanian culture, it's best to avoid excessive drinking and behaving in a way that may be considered offensive or disruptive.
- Politics: Albania is a country with a long history of political instability, and it's best to avoid discussing politics or controversial issues with strangers, especially those with political or ideological leanings.
- Personal Space: Albanians tend to stand close to one another while talking and this may be perceived as "intrusive" to foreigners, but it's not meant to be rude or disrespectful.
- Tipping: Tipping is common practice in Albania, usually rounding up to the nearest whole number or leaving small change is enough,
- Photography: Be respectful of local customs and it is best to ask permission before taking pictures of people, especially in rural areas.
- Nature and Outdoor: Albania is known for its beautiful landscapes and nature, and it is important to respect these areas. It is forbidden to pick plants, pick mushrooms, or engage in other activities that damage the environment. Also, it is important to follow marked hiking trails and not to leave any trash behind.
Albania Local Food
Albania is known for its delicious and unique traditional cuisine, which reflects the country's rich cultural heritage and its history of trade and migration. Some popular Albanian dishes include:
- Byrek: a savory pastry filled with spinach and feta cheese, or meat and onions, that is often served as a snack or a light meal.
- Qofte: meatballs made with a mixture of ground meat and spices, often served as an appetizer or as a main course.
- Dolma: stuffed grape leaves, vegetables or vine leaves with a mixture of meat and rice and are often served as an appetizer or as a main course.
- Bakllava: a sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey or syrup.
- Rakia: traditional spirit made from different fruits, most commonly plums, apricots, and grapes.
- Tavë Kosi: a traditional baked dish made with yoghurt and meat (usually lamb or chicken) and traditionally served with rice or bread.
- Fërgesë: a traditional dish made with mixed vegetables and meat or fish, typically cooked in a clay pot and served with polenta.
- Kaçkavall: a traditional cheese made from a blend of cow and sheep's milk, it's often grilled, fried or melted and served as a side dish or as an ingredient in sandwiches.
- Tavë Dheu: traditional dish made with yogurt, butter, and eggs, topped with melted cheese.
Albania Festiaval
Albania has a rich cultural heritage and many festivals that reflect its traditions, customs, and history. Some examples include:
- New Year's Day: celebrated on January 1st, it's a day to bring good luck for the upcoming year.
- Dita e Verës: celebrated on March 14th, It marks the arrival of spring, and it is celebrated with traditional music and dancing, games, and bonfires
- Independence Day: celebrated on November 28th, it marks the day in 1912 when Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire. It's a national holiday and it's celebrated with parades, speeches, and patriotic ceremonies
- Dita e Flamurit: celebrated on November 28th, it's the Flag Day, and it's a day to honor the Albanian flag.
- Dita e Arbëreshëve: celebrated on December 23rd, it's the Day of the Arbëreshë, an ethnic minority in Italy with Albanian origin, and it's a day to celebrate their culture, language, and traditions.
- Gjirokastër National Folk Festival: held annually in August, it is an international festival of music, dance and folklore, it's held in the city of Gjirokastër, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it's one of the biggest and most important cultural events in Albania.
- The Summer Festival of Saranda: held annually in June and July, it is a festival of music, theater and dance, it's held in the coastal city of Saranda, where visitors can enjoy live performances by local and international artists.
Albania History
Albania is a country located in the Balkans in Southeast Europe, it has a long and complex history, dating back to ancient times. The region has been inhabited by various peoples, including the Illyrians, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. The Illyrians are considered to be the indigenous people of Albania, and they developed their own distinct culture, language, and society, which laid the foundation for later civilizations that ruled the land.
- In the Middle Ages, Albania was ruled by different empires, mainly the Byzantine and the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman rule lasted from the 15th century until the early 20th century, and during this time, the Albanians developed their own distinct culture, language, and customs, under the Ottoman's millet system which recognized religious communities.
- In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Albanian independence movement grew, and in 1912, Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire. However, the country was occupied by various powers during the First World War and the Balkan Wars.
- After the Second World War, Albania became a communist state under the rule of Enver Hoxha, who ruled the country until his death in 1985. During this period, the country was isolated from the rest of the world and experienced significant economic and political difficulties.
- In 1991, Albania transitioned to a multiparty democracy and a market-based economy, after a period of political and economic turmoil. The country has since made progress in developing its economy and has become a candidate country for membership in the European Union.
- Throughout its history, Albania has been shaped by its geographical position and its various conquering empires and cultures. The country has