Albania: flag, capital, currency and history

Albania, officially the Republic of Albania, is a country in Southeast Europe, Europe. Its capital is Tirana. The currency is the Albanian lek. Languages spoken include Albanian.

Quick facts about Albania

Official name: Republic of Albania
Capital: Tirana
Region: Europe, Southeast Europe
Currency: Albanian lek (ALL, L)
Languages: Albanian
Calling code: +355
Internet domain: .al
Area: 28,748 km² (11,100 sq mi)
Land borders: Montenegro, Greece, North Macedonia, Kosovo
Demonym: Albanian
National day: Independence Day, November 28

Flag of Albania

Download the flag of Albania as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇦🇱.

SVG (vector)

History of Albania

The Albanians are descended from or linked to ancient Balkan peoples such as the Illyrians, and the region later formed part of the Roman and Byzantine worlds. It came under Ottoman rule in the late medieval period, after resistance led by figures such as Skanderbeg in the fifteenth century. Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, and was occupied by Italy in 1939. After the Second World War a communist government ruled for decades in relative isolation. Multiparty politics returned in the early 1990s. It is a parliamentary republic with Tirana as its capital.

Key dates

15th centuryOttoman rule is established over Albanian lands despite resistance led by Skanderbeg.
1912Albania declares independence from the Ottoman Empire at Vlora.
1939Italy invades and occupies Albania.
1944Communist-led forces take power as the Second World War ends in the country.
1991Multiparty elections are held, ending one-party communist rule.
2009Albania joins NATO.

A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.