Albania lies on the west coast of the Balkan Peninsula:
Albania lies on the west coast of the Balkan Peninsula in south-east Europe. Albania was established as an independent state in 1912. Republic was formed in 1920. In 1992, a non communist government was elected. There was economic collapse and social unrest. It became Europe’s first Muslim state in December 1992.
Albania descended into anarchy and chaos in early 1997 when widespread protests over failed high-risk investment funds (pyramid finance scheme) turned into a drive to oust the government of Dr. Sali Berisha, which was blamed for allowing fraudulent investment schemes and accused of profiting from them. Violence erupted and Albanians fled by the thousands to Greece and Italy. Security Council authorized a UN force for Albania. Elections were held in June-July. Berisha quit in disgrace.
People are mostly Muslims. Public worship was outlawed in 1957. The right to practice religion was restored in 1990. Liberalization measures included freedom to travel abroad. Albania left the organization of Islamic conference (OIC) in August 1998.
More than 40 percent of the land is farmland producing wheat, maize, sugar, beet, cotton and tobacco and supporting a heavy livestock population mainly sheep and goats. Important minerals: coal, oil, chrome, copper and nickel. Industries: textiles, woolen fabrics, leather goods, petrol, cement, sugar, beer and cigarettes.