General Information

Capital:

Tiranë

Area:

28,750 sq km (11,100 sq mi)

Form of government

Unitary multiparty republic with a single legislative body

GDP per capita

Purchasing power parity - $1,650 (1999 est)

Population

3,364,571 (July 1999 est.)

Ethnic composition

Albanian - 95%

Greek - 3%

Other - 2%

(Vlachs, Gypsies, Serbs, Jews, Montenegrins, Macedonians, Bulgarians)

The Albanians are divided into two main branches: the Ghegs and the Tosks. The River Shkumbi forms the rough border between the two groups, with the Ghegs occupying the area to the north and the Tosks the area to the south. The groups are distinguished by minor differences in physical traits, dialects and customs.

Official Language(s)

Albanian (Tosk is the official dialect)

Minority Language(s)

Greek, Serbian, Macedonian, others