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Albania -
A General View
Once one of
the world's most closed and controlled countries, Albania has made
headlines as a trouble spot - a place that descended into anarchy
twice in the last decade, once after the collapse of its communist
regime, and again after the collapse of pyramid investment schemes.
People can see the lingering effects of chaos and destruction -
but on the whole they will find a different Albania than the one
they have read about and people who are open to the world and sincerely
hospitable.
This sunny slice of Mediterranean coast has been ground down for
years by poverty and too many five-year plans and relics from one
of the longest dictatorships in Eastern Europe.
But Albania still
manages to show a traditional Mediterranean charm. It offers spectacular
views; breath-taking coastlines described as "the last wild
beaches of the Mediterranean", rugged mountains and ancient
cities with historic monuments.
Administratively the country Albania is divided in 12 Regions, 36
Districts, 65 Municipalities and 309 communities. "Regions"
are administrative territorial units that include some "Districts",
units with geographic, economic, social and cultural relations.
Tirana
Tirana City,
capital of Albania and Tirana District, is situated in the centre
of Albania. It is the most important administrative, cultural, economic,
and industrial centre of the Republic of Albania.
Tirana District (Great Tirana) comprises Tirana Municipality (Tirana
City) and 18 communities. "Tirana" stands here for "Tirana
Municipality" and it is specified in cases when the information
is about Tirana District.
Urbanisation is the most characteristic phenomenon of the last decade.
More and more people have left rural areas for urban ones. The population
in Tirana District has doubled because of the natural growth and
the inner migration.
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