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Compare Fiji (2006) - Albania (2008)

Compare Fiji (2006) z Albania (2008)

 Fiji (2006)Albania (2008)
 FijiAlbania
Administrative divisions 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western 12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane, Vlore
Age structure 0-14 years: 31.1% (male 143,847/female 138,061)


15-64 years: 64.6% (male 293,072/female 292,312)


65 years and over: 4.3% (male 17,583/female 21,074) (2006 est.)
0-14 years: 24.1% (male 454,622/female 413,698)


15-64 years: 66.6% (male 1,228,497/female 1,170,489)


65 years and over: 9.3% (male 154,352/female 178,865) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products
Airports 28 (2006) 11 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 25


914 to 1,523 m: 7


under 914 m: 18 (2006)
total: 8


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 4 (2007)
Area total: 18,270 sq km


land: 18,270 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 28,748 sq km


land: 27,398 sq km


water: 1,350 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than New Jersey slightly smaller than Maryland
Background Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji, led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939. Communist partizans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. International observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government. The election, and particularly the orderly transition of power, was considered an important step forward. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU. Albania, with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been a strong supporter of the global war on terrorism.
Birth rate 22.55 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 15.16 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $720.5 million


expenditures: $728.3 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
revenues: $2.752 billion


expenditures: $3.129 billion (2007 est.)
Capital name: Suva (on Viti Levu)


geographic coordinates: 18 08 S, 178 25 E


time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
name: Tirana (Tirane)


geographic coordinates: 41 19 N, 19 49 E


time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)


daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Climate tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter
Coastline 1,129 km 362 km
Constitution enacted on 25 July 1997 to encourage multiculturalism and make multiparty government mandatory; effective 28 July 1998 adopted by popular referendum on 22 November 1998; promulgated 28 November 1998
Country name conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands


conventional short form: Fiji


local long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands/Matanitu ko Viti


local short form: Fiji/Viti
conventional long form: Republic of Albania


conventional short form: Albania


local long form: Republika e Shqiperise


local short form: Shqiperia


former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania
Death rate 5.65 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 5.33 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $127 million (2004 est.) $1.55 billion (2004)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Larry Miles DINGER


embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva


mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva


telephone: [679] 331-4466


FAX: [679] 330-0081
chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. John L. WITHERS, II


embassy: Rruga e Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana


mailing address: US Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510


telephone: [355] (4) 247285


FAX: [355] (4) 232222
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Jesoni VITUSAGAVULU


chancery: 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 240, Washington, DC 20007


telephone: [1] (202) 337-8320


FAX: [1] (202) 337-1996
chief of mission: Ambassador Aleksander SALLABANDA


chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942


FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342
Disputes - international none the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians in neighboring countries, and the peaceful resolution of interethnic disputes; some ethnic Albanian groups in neighboring countries advocate for a "greater Albania," but the idea has little appeal among Albanian nationals; the mass emigration of unemployed Albanians remains a problem for developed countries, chiefly Greece and Italy
Economic aid - recipient $63.9 million (2004) ODA: $318.7 million


note: top donors were Italy, EU, Germany (2005 est.)
Economy - overview Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports, remittances from Fijians working abroad, and a growing tourist industry - with 300,000 to 400,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign exchange. Fiji's sugar has special access to European Union markets, but will be harmed by the EU's decision to cut sugar subsidies. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity but is not efficient. Long-term problems include low investment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the government's ability to manage its budget. Yet, because of a tourist boom, short-run economic prospects are good, provided tensions do not again erupt between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians. Overseas remittances from Fijians working in Kuwait and Iraq have increased significantly. Lagging behind its Balkan neighbors, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime, and recently adopted a fiscal reform package aimed at reducing the large gray economy and attracting foreign investment. The economy is bolstered by annual remittances from abroad of $600-$800 million, mostly from Albanians residing in Greece and Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit. Agriculture, which accounts for more than one-fifth of GDP, is held back because of lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. Energy shortages and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment, which make it difficult to attract and sustain foreign investment. The completion of a new thermal power plant near Vlore and improved transmission line between Albania and Montenegro will help relieve the energy shortages. Also, the government is moving slowly to improve the poor national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth. On the positive side, macroeconomic growth was strong in 2003-07 and inflation is low and stable.
Electricity - consumption 721.4 million kWh (2003) 3.323 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2003) 300 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2003) 371 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 775.7 million kWh (2003) 5.385 billion kWh (2005)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m


highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m
Environment - current issues deforestation; soil erosion deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% (1998 est.) Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Serb, Macedonian, Bulgarian) (1989 est.)


note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from 1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization)
Exchange rates Fijian dollars per US dollar - 1.691 (2005), 1.7331 (2004), 1.8958 (2003), 2.1869 (2002), 2.2766 (2001) leke per US dollar - 92.668 (2007), 98.384 (2006), 102.649 (2005), 102.78 (2004), 121.863 (2003)
Executive branch chief of state: President Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda (since 18 July 2000)


head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10 September 2000)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament


elections: president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president; election last held 8 March 2006 (next to be held in 2011)


election results: Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda elected president by the Great Council of Chiefs; percent of vote - NA
chief of state: President of the Republic Bamir TOPI (since 24 July 2007)


head of government: Prime Minister Sali BERISHA (since 10 September 2005)


cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved by parliament


elections: president elected by the People's Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); four election rounds held between 8 and 20 July 2007 (next election to be held in 2012); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: Bamir TOPI elected president; People's Assembly vote, fourth round (three-fifths majority (84 votes) required): Bamir TOPI 85 votes, Neritan CEKA 5 votes
Exports NA bbl/day 1,240 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco
Exports - partners US 19.7%, Australia 17%, UK 12.3%, Japan 5.4%, Samoa 4.1% (2005) Italy 67.7%, Serbia and Montenegro 5.8%, Greece 5.4% (2006)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove red with a black two-headed eagle in the center
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 8.9%


industry: 13.5%


services: 77.6% (2001 est.)
agriculture: 21.7%


industry: 20.3%


services: 58% (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 1.7% (2005 est.) 5% (2007 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 00 S, 175 00 E 41 00 N, 20 00 E
Geography - note includes 332 islands; approximately 110 are inhabited strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)
Heliports - 1 (2007)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 3.4%


highest 10%: 24.4% (2004)
Illicit drugs - increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and growing cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens
Imports NA bbl/day 21,600 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals
Imports - partners Singapore 27.4%, Australia 23.6%, NZ 18.9%, Thailand 4.5% (2005) Italy 32%, Greece 17.7%, Turkey 8.1%, Germany 5.7% (2006)
Independence 10 October 1970 (from UK) 28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 2% (2007 est.)
Industries tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower
Infant mortality rate total: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 13.63 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 10.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
total: 20.02 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 20.46 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 19.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3% (2005) 3% (2007 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Irrigated land 30 sq km (2003) 3,530 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of Appeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term), and multiple appeals and district courts
Labor force 137,000 (1999) 1.09 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers) (September 2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 70%


industry and services: 30% (2001 est.)
agriculture: 58%


industry: 15%


services: 27% (September 2006 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 720 km


border countries: Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro 172 km, Serbia 115 km
Land use arable land: 10.95%


permanent crops: 4.65%


other: 84.4% (2005)
arable land: 20.1%


permanent crops: 4.21%


other: 75.69% (2005)
Languages English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects
Legal system based on British system has a civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court for its citizens
Legislative branch bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats; 14 appointed by the president on the advice of the Great Council of Chiefs, 9 appointed by the president on the advice of the Prime Minister, 8 on the advice of the Opposition Leader, and 1 appointed on the advice of the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, 3 reserved for other ethnic groups, 1 reserved for the council of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open seats; members serve five-year terms)


elections: House of Representatives - last held 25 August through 1 September and 19 September 2001 (next to be held 6-13 May 2006)


election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - SDL 27.5%, FLP 26.5%, MV 4.2%, NLUP 1.3%, NFP 1.2%, independents 1.4%, UGP .3%; seats by party - SDL 32, FLP 27, MV 6, NLUP 2, NFP 1, independents 2, UGP 1
unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 seats; 100 members are elected by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 3 July 2005 (next to be held in 2009)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PD 56, PS 42, PR 11, PSD 7, LSI 5, other 19
Life expectancy at birth total population: 69.82 years


male: 67.32 years


female: 72.45 years (2006 est.)
total population: 77.6 years


male: 74.95 years


female: 80.53 years (2007 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 93.7%


male: 95.5%


female: 91.9% (2003 est.)
definition: age 9 and over can read and write


total population: 98.7%


male: 99.2%


female: 98.3% (2001 census)
Location Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece in the south and Montenegro and Serbia to the north
Map references Oceania Europe
Maritime claims measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines


territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added
territorial sea: 12 nm


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Merchant marine total: 7 ships (1000 GRT or over) 15,867 GRT/8,432 DWT


by type: passenger 3, passenger/cargo 2, roll on/roll off 2


foreign-owned: 1 (Australia 1) (2006)
total: 24 ships (1000 GRT or over) 56,550 GRT/85,521 DWT


by type: cargo 23, roll on/roll off 1


foreign-owned: 1 (Turkey 1)


registered in other countries: 3 (Georgia 2, Panama 1) (2007)
Military branches Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF): Land Forces, Naval Forces (2006) Land Forces Command (Army), Naval Forces Command, Air Defense Command, General Staff Headquarters (includes Logistics Command, Training and Doctrine Command) (2007)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $36 million (2004) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 2.2% (FY02) 1.49% (2005 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970) Independence Day, 28 November (1912)
Nationality noun: Fijian(s)


adjective: Fijian
noun: Albanian(s)


adjective: Albanian
Natural hazards cyclonic storms can occur from November to January destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought
Natural resources timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower
Net migration rate -2.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) -4.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Pipelines - gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2007)
Political parties and leaders Conservative Alliance Party/Matanitu Vanua or CAMV [Ratu Josefa DIMURI]; Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; Fiji Democratic Party or FDP [Filipe BOLE] (a merger of the Christian Democrat Alliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian Association Party or FAP, Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarily Fijian) [Sitiveni RABUKA], and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [Ofa SWANN]); Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY]; General Voters Party or GVP (became part of United General Party); Girmit Heritage Party or GHP; Justice and Freedom Party or AIM; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party or LFR; National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [Pramond RAE]; Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA]; Party of National Unity or PANU [Ponipate LESAVUA]; Party of the Truth or POTT; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua or SDL [Laisenia QARASE]; United General Party or UGP [Millis Mick BEDDOES] Agrarian Environmentalist Party or PAA [Lufter XHUVELI]; Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Nard NDOKA]; Communist Party of Albania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance Party or AD [Neritan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Legality Movement Party or PLL [Ekrem SPAHIA]; Liberal Union Party or BLD [Arjan STAROVA]; Movement for National Development or LZhK [Dashamir SHEHI]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Adriatik ALIMADHI]; New Democratic Party or PDR [Genc POLLO]; Party of National Unity or PUK [Idajet BEQIRI]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social Democracy Party of Albania or PDSSh [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Ilir META]; Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNj [Vangjel DULE]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Citizens Advocacy Office [Kreshnik SPAHIU]; Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kastriot MUCO]; Front for Albanian National Unification or FBKSH [Gafur ADILI]; Mjaft Movement; Omonia [Jani JANI]; Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA]
Population 905,949 (July 2006 est.) 3,600,523 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line 25.5% (1990-91) 25% (2004 est.)
Population growth rate 1.4% (2006 est.) 0.529% (2007 est.)
Radio broadcast stations AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 13, FM 46, shortwave 1 (2005)
Railways total: 597 km


narrow gauge: 597 km 0.600-m gauge


note: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; used to haul sugarcane during harvest season (May to December) (2005)
total: 447 km


standard gauge: 447 km 1.435-m gauge (2006)
Religions Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2%


note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim minority
Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%


note: percentages are estimates; there are no available current statistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female


total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.099 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.863 male(s)/female


total population: 1.042 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Suffrage 21 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications center


domestic: NA


international: country code - 679; access to important cable links between US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; 2 satellite earth stations - 2 INMARSAT (Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains low with roughly 10 lines per 100 people; however, cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density is approximately 60 telephones per 100 persons


domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003 two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's Balkan neighbors; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005; internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital


international: country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2007)
Telephones - main lines in use 102,000 (2003) 353,600 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular 142,200 (2004) 1.53 million (2005)
Television broadcast stations NA 65 (3 national, 62 local); 2 cable networks (2005)
Terrain mostly mountains of volcanic origin mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast
Total fertility rate 2.73 children born/woman (2006 est.) 2.03 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 7.6% (1999) 13% official rate, but may exceed 30% due to preponderance of near-subsistence farming (2007 est.)
Waterways 203 km


note: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges (2004)
43 km (2007)
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