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Compare Macedonia (2008) - Albania (2007)

Compare Macedonia (2008) z Albania (2007)

 Macedonia (2008)Albania (2007)
 MacedoniaAlbania
Administrative divisions 85 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aerodrom (Skopje), Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Butel (Skopje), Cair (Skopje), Caska, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa, Cesinovo, Cucer-Sandevo, Debar, Debartsa, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Drugovo, Gazi Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija, Gjorce Petrov (Skopje), Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda (Skopje), Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rastusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Saraj (Skopje), Skopje, Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari (Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci


note: the ten municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses collectively constitute the larger Skopje Municipality
12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane, Vlore
Age structure 0-14 years: 19.8% (male 210,418/female 195,884)


15-64 years: 69.1% (male 715,997/female 704,739)


65 years and over: 11.1% (male 99,892/female 128,985) (2007 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 grapes, wine, tobacco, vegetables; milk, eggs wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products
Airports 17 (2007) 11 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 10


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


under 914 m: 8 (2007)
total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 7


914 to 1,523 m: 3


under 914 m: 4 (2007)
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: 25,333 sq km


land: 24,856 sq km


water: 477 sq km
total: 28,748 sq km


land: 27,398 sq km


water: 1,350 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Vermont slightly smaller than Maryland
Background Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991, but Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations. The United States began referring to Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, in 2004 and negotiations continue between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name issue. Some ethnic Albanians, angered by perceived political and economic inequities, launched an insurgency in 2001 that eventually won the support of the majority of Macedonia's Albanian population and led to the internationally-brokered Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting by establishing a set of new laws enhancing the rights of minorities. The undetermined status of neighboring Kosovo, implementation of the Framework Agreement, and slow economic growth continue to be challenges for Macedonia. Between 1990 and 1992 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 12.02 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 15.16 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $2.381 billion


expenditures: $2.456 billion (2007 est.)
revenues: $2.608 billion


expenditures: $3.1 billion (2007 est.)
Capital name: Skopje


geographic coordinates: 42 00 N, 21 26 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
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 warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 362 km
Constitution adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991; amended November 2001 by a series of new constitutional amendments strengthening minority rights and in 2005 with amendments related to the judiciary adopted by popular referendum on 22 November 1998; promulgated 28 November 1998
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Macedonia


conventional short form: Macedonia


local long form: Republika Makedonija


local short form: Makedonija


note: the provisional designation used by the UN, EU, and NATO is Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)


former: People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia
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 8.78 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 5.33 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $2.561 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $1.55 billion (2004)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Gillian A. MILOVANOVIC


embassy: Bul. Ilindenska bb, 1000 Skopje


mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, US Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch)


telephone: [389] 2 311-6180


FAX: [389] 2 311-7103
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 Zoran JOLEVSKI


chancery: 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 667-0501


FAX: [1] (202) 667-2131


consulate(s) general: Southfield (Michigan)
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 ethnic Albanians in Kosovo object to demarcation of the boundary with Serbia in accordance with the 2000 Macedonia-Serbia and Montenegro delimitation agreement; Greece continues to reject the use of the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia 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 $230.3 million (2005) ODA: $318.7 million


note: top donors were Italy, EU, Germany (2005 est.)
Economy - overview At independence in September 1991, Macedonia was the least developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of Yugoslavia ended transfer payments from the central government and eliminated advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absence of infrastructure, UN sanctions on the downsized Yugoslavia, and a Greek economic embargo over a dispute about the country's constitutional name and flag hindered economic growth until 1996. GDP subsequently rose each year through 2000. However, the leadership's commitment to economic reform, free trade, and regional integration was undermined by the ethnic Albanian insurgency of 2001. The economy shrank 4.5% because of decreased trade, intermittent border closures, increased deficit spending on security needs, and investor uncertainty. Growth barely recovered in 2002 to 0.9%, then averaged 4% per year during 2003-07. Macedonia has maintained macroeconomic stability with low inflation, but it has so far lagged the region in attracting foreign investment and job creation despite making extensive fiscal and business sector reforms. Official unemployment remains the highest in Europe at 35%, but may be somewhat overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be more than 20 percent of GDP, that falls outside official statistics. 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 reduce the large gray economy. 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 about one-quarter 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 planned construction of a new thermal power plant near Vlore and improved transmission and distribution facilities eventually 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, growth was strong in 2003-06 and inflation is low and stable.
Electricity - consumption 8.929 billion kWh (2006) 3.323 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2006) 300 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 2.994 billion kWh (2006) 371 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 5.935 billion kWh (2006) 5.385 billion kWh (2005)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Vardar River 50 m


highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m


highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m
Environment - current issues air pollution from metallurgical plants deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, 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
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 Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma (Gypsy) 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 census) 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 Macedonian denars per US dollar - 45.174 (2007), 48.978 (2006), 48.92 (2005), 49.41 (2004), 54.322 (2003) leke per US dollar - 98.384 (2006), 102.649 (2005), 102.78 (2004), 121.863 (2003), 140.155 (2002)
Executive branch chief of state: President Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 12 May 2004)


head of government: Prime Minister Nikola GRUEVSKI (since 26 August 2006)


cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by the government coalition parties VMRO/DPMNE, NSDP, PDSh/DPA, and several small parties


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); two-round election last held 14 April and 28 April 2004 (next to be held by April 2009); prime minister elected by the Assembly following legislative elections


election results: Branko CRVENKOVSKI elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Branko CRVENKOVSKI 62.7%, Sasko KEDEV 37.3%
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 4,134 bbl/day (2004) 1,240 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities food, beverages, tobacco; textiles, miscellaneous manufactures, iron and steel textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco
Exports - partners Serbia and Montenegro 23.2%, Germany 15.6%, Greece 15.1%, Italy 9.9%, Bulgaria 5.4%, Croatia 5.2% (2006) Italy 67.7%, Serbia and Montenegro 5.8%, Greece 5.4% (2006)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description a yellow sun with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of the red field red with a black two-headed eagle in the center
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 12.1%


industry: 28.6%


services: 59.3% (2007 est.)
agriculture: 22.3%


industry: 20.9%


services: 56.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.6% (2007 est.) 5% (2006 est.)
Geographic coordinates 41 50 N, 22 00 E 41 00 N, 20 00 E
Geography - note landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe 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%: 2.4%


highest 10%: 29.6% (2003)
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA% (2004)
Illicit drugs major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe; although not a financial center and most criminal activity is thought to be domestic, money laundering is a problem due to a mostly cash-based economy and weak enforcement 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 23,150 bbl/day (2004) 21,600 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, automobiles, chemicals, fuels, food products machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals
Imports - partners Russia 15.1%, Germany 9.8%, Greece 8.5%, Serbia and Montenegro 7.5%, Bulgaria 6.7%, Italy 6% (2006) Italy 32.1%, Greece 17.7%, Turkey 8.1%, Germany 5.7% (2006)
Independence 8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsed independence from Yugoslavia) 28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire)
Industrial production growth rate 1.6% (2007 est.) 3.4% (2005 est.)
Industries food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower
Infant mortality rate total: 9.53 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 9.69 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 9.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 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) 2% (2007 est.) 2.4% (2006 est.)
International organization participation BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, 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 550 sq km (2003) 3,530 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch Supreme Court - the Assembly appoints the judges; Constitutional Court - the Assembly appoints the judges; Republican Judicial Council - the Assembly appoints the judges 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 890,000 (2007 est.) 1.09 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers) (September 2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 21.7%


industry: 32.6%


services: 45.7% (September 2006)
agriculture: 58%


industry: 15%


services: 27% (September 2006 est.)
Land boundaries total: 766 km


border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Serbia 221 km
total: 720 km


border countries: Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro 172 km, Serbia 115 km
Land use arable land: 22.01%


permanent crops: 1.79%


other: 76.2% (2005)
arable land: 20.1%


permanent crops: 4.21%


other: 75.69% (2005)
Languages Macedonian 66.5%, Albanian 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census) Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects
Legal system based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction has a civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court for its citizens
Legislative branch unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (120 seats; members elected by popular vote from party lists based on the percentage of the overall vote the parties gain in each of six electoral districts; to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 5 July 2006 (next to be held by July 2010)


election results: percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE 33%, SDSM 22%, BDI/DUI 12%, PDSh/DPA 7%, NSDP 6%, VMRO-Narodna 6%, other 14%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE 45, SDSM 32, BDI/DUI 17, PDSh/DPA 11, NSDP 7, VMRO-Narodna 6, other 2
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: 74.21 years


male: 71.73 years


female: 76.88 years (2007 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: 96.1%


male: 98.2%


female: 94.1% (2002 census)
definition: age 9 and over can read and write


total population: 98.7%


male: 99.2%


female: 98.3% (2001 census)
Location Southeastern Europe, north of Greece Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece in the south and Montenegro and Serbia to the north
Map references Europe Europe
Maritime claims none (landlocked) territorial sea: 12 nm


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Merchant marine - 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 Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM): Joint Operational Command, with subordinate Air Wing (Makedonsko Voeno Vozduhoplovstvo, MVV), Special Operations Regiment (2007) Land Forces Command (Army), Naval Forces Command, Air Defense Command, General Staff Headquarters (includes Logistics Command, Training and Doctrine Command) (2007)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 6% (2005 est.) 1.49% (2005 est.)
National holiday Ilinden Uprising Day, 2 August (1903); note - also known as Saint Elijah's Day Independence Day, 28 November (1912)
Nationality noun: Macedonian(s)


adjective: Macedonian
noun: Albanian(s)


adjective: Albanian
Natural hazards high seismic risks destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought
Natural resources low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower
Net migration rate -0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) -4.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Pipelines gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2007) gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2006)
Political parties and leaders Democratic Alliance [Pavle TRAJANOV]; Democratic League of Bosniaks [Rafet MUMINOVIC]; Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSh/DPA [Menduh THACI]; Democratic Party of Serbs [Ivan STOILJKOVIC]; Democratic Party of Turks [Kenan HASIPI]; Democratic Renewal of Macedonia [Liljana POPOVSKA]; Democratic Union of Albanians or BDSh [BardYL MAHMUTI]; Democratic Union of Vlachs for Macedonia [Mitko KOSTOV]; Democratic Union for Integration or BDI/DUI [Ali AHMETI]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Nikola GRUEVSKI]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-People's Party or VMRO-Narodna [Gjorgji TRENDAFILOV]; League for Democracy [Gjorgi MARJANOVIC]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Jovan MANSIEVSKI]; Liberal Party [Stojan ANDOV]; National Alternative [Harun ALIU]; National Democratic Union or BDK [Hysni SHAQIR]; New Social Democratic Party or NSDP [Tito PETKOVSKI]; Party for Democratic Prosperity or PPD/PDP [Abduljhadi VEJSELI]; Party for European Future or PEI [Fijat CANOSKI]; Party of Free Democrats or PSD [Ljubco JORDANOVSKI]; Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia or SDSM [Radmila SEKERINSKA]; Socialist Party of Macedonia or SP [Ljubisav IVANOV-ZINGO]; Union of Romas or SR [Saliu SHABAN]; United Party for Emancipation or OPE [Nezdet MUSTAFA] 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 SPAHIU]; Liberal Union Party or BLD [Arjan STAROVA]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Adriatik ALIMADHI]; New Democratic Party or PDR [Genc POLLO]; Party of National Unity or PUK [Idajet BEQIRI]; Renewed Democratic Party or PDRN [Dashamir SHEHI]; 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 Federation of Free Trade Unions [Svetlana PETROVIC]; Federation of Trade Unions [Vanco MURATOVSKI]; World Macedonian Congress [Todor PETROV] 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 [Erion VELIAJ]; Omonia [Jani JANI]; Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA]
Population 2,055,915 (July 2007 est.) 3,600,523 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line 30% (2005) 25% (2004 est.)
Population growth rate 0.263% (2007 est.) 0.529% (2007 est.)
Radio broadcast stations AM 29, FM 20, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 13, FM 46, shortwave 1 (2005)
Railways total: 699 km


standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (223 km electrified) (2006)
total: 447 km


standard gauge: 447 km 1.435-m gauge (2006)
Religions Macedonian Orthodox 64.7%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.37%, other and unspecified 1.63% (2002 census) 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: 1.08 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.074 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.016 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.774 male(s)/female


total population: 0.997 male(s)/female (2007 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 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: competition from the mobile-cellular segment of the telecommunications market has led to a drop in fixed-line telephone subscriptions


domestic: combined fixed line and mobile telephone density exceeds 90 per 100 persons


international: country code - 389
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 490,900 (2006) 353,600 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1.417 million (2006) 1.53 million (2005)
Television broadcast stations 31 (plus 166 repeaters) (1995) 65 (3 national, 62 local); 2 cable networks (2005)
Terrain mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast
Total fertility rate 1.57 children born/woman (2007 est.) 2.03 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 35% (2007 est.) 13.8% official rate, but may exceed 30% due to preponderance of near-subsistence farming (2006 est.)
Waterways - 43 km (2007)
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