Page 60 - Crossroads of the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Slovenia
P. 60
• Capital: Tirana
• Languages: Albanian
• Geography: Occupying an area slightly smaller than Maryland, Albania lies between
Greece to the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north. The geography is mostly
mountains and hills, small plains along the coast, with farmland in between the two.
• Population: 3,029,278 (estimate)
• Religions: Muslim 56.7%, Roman Catholic 10%, Orthodox 6.8%, atheist 2.5%, Bektashi
Z_SP] " `Y^[PNTʭPO !
• Time Zone: Albania is on Central European Time (six hours ahead of Eastern Time).
Summer hours operate from the last Sunday in March until the last weekend in October.
National Holidays: Albania
In addition to the holidays listed below, 03/22 Nevruz Day
Albania celebrates a number of national
05/01 Labour Day/May Day
holidays that follow a lunar calendar, such
L^ 0L^_P] LYO =LXLOLY ?Z ʭYO Z`_ TQ dZ` $ 8Z_SP] ?P]P^L -PL_TʭNL_TZY /Ld
will be traveling during these holidays,
please visit www.timeanddate.com/ 11/28 Independence Day
holidays.
11/29 Liberation Day
01/01 New Year’s Day
12/8 National Youth Day
03/14 Summer Day
12/25 Christmas Day
Historical Overview of Albania
Ancient Illyria
Historians have traced the roots of Albania back to the ancient tribes of Illyria, known to
inhabit the Balkan Peninsula since around 1000 B.C. The Illyrians were skilled sailors and
N]LQ_^XPY LYO M`TW_ XLYd TX[]P^^TaP QZ]_TʭPO NT_TP^ BSPY _SP 2]PPV^ L]]TaPO TY _SP "_S
century B.C., the Illyrians were able to establish trade with them and continued to live
peacefully.
The Roman Empire, Byzantium, and Ottoman Rule
With the growth of the Roman Empire, the Illyrians came under attack during a long war
which led to the Balkan states coming under Roman control around 167 B.C. During this
period, the Illyrians continued to live peacefully and this was known as a time of great
prosperity in the region, until the Roman Empire was split around 395 A.D. and Illyria was
incorporated into the Byzantine Empire.
60
