Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: religious groups; tribal leaders; ethnically based groups; Taliban
International organization participation:
ADB, CICA, CP, ECO, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO(correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner),SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Khojesta F. EBRAHIMKHEL
chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-6410
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Karl W. EIKENBERRY
embassy: The Great Masood Road, Kabul
mailing address: U.S. Embassy Kabul, APO, AE 09806
telephone: [93] 0700 108 001
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), red, and green, with the national emblem in white centered on the red band and slightly overlapping the other two bands; the center of the emblem features a mosque with pulpit and flags on either side, below the mosque are numerals for the solar year 1298 (1919 in the Gregorian calendar, the year of Afghan independence from the UK); this central image is circled by a border consisting of sheaves of wheat on the left and right, in the upper-center is an Arabic inscription of the Shahada (Muslim creed) below which are rays of the rising sun over the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great"), and at bottom center is a scroll bearing the name Afghanistan; black signifies the past, red is for the blood shed for independence, and green can represent either hope for the future, agricultural prosperity, or Islam
note: Afghanistan had more changes to its national flag in the 20th century than any other country; the colors black, red, and green appeared on most of them
National anthem:
name: "Milli Surood" (National Anthem)
lyrics/music: Abdul Bari JAHANI/Babrak WASA
note: adopted 2006; the 2004 constitution of the post-Taliban government mandated that a new national anthem should be written containing the phrase "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great) and mentioning the names of Afghanistan's ethnic groups
Economy ::Afghanistan
Economy - overview:
Afghanistan's economy is recovering from decades of conflict. The economy has improved significantly since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 largely because of the infusion of international assistance, the recovery of the agricultural sector, and service sector growth. Despite the progress of the past few years, Afghanistan is extremely poor, landlocked, and highly dependent on foreign aid, agriculture, and trade with neighboring countries. Much of the population continues to suffer from shortages of housing, clean water, electricity, medical care, and jobs. Criminality, insecurity, weak governance, and the Afghan Government's inability to extend rule of law to all parts of the country pose challenges to future economic growth. Afghanistan's living standards are among the lowest in the world. While the international community remains committed to Afghanistan's development, pledging over $67 billion at four donors' conferences since 2002, the Government of Afghanistan will need to overcome a number of challenges, including low revenue collection, anemic job creation, high levels of corruption, weak government capacity, and poor public infrastructure.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$29.81 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $27.38 billion (2009 est.)
$22.34 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$16.63 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
8.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 22.5% (2009 est.)
3.4% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 $1,000 (2009 est.)
$800 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 31%
industry: 26%
services: 43%
note: data exclude opium production (2008 est.)
Labor force:
15 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 39
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 78.6%
industry: 5.7%
services: 15.7% (FY08/09 est.)
Unemployment rate:
35% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 40% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
13.3% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 20.7% (2008 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
15% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 14.92% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$3.943 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 100 $2.819 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of broad money:
$4.149 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 125 $2.915 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$363.6 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 $20.06 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Agriculture - products:
opium, wheat, fruits, nuts; wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins
Industries:
small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, apparel, food-products, non-alcoholic beverages, mineral water, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper
Industrial production growth rate:
Electricity - production:
285.5 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Electricity - consumption:
231.1 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
230 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Oil - consumption:
5,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Oil - imports:
4,404 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Natural gas - production:
30 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84
Natural gas - consumption:
30 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Natural gas - proved reserves:
49.55 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
Current account balance:
-$2.475 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 $85 million (2008 est.)
Exports:
$547 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 $603 million (2008 est.); note - not including illicit exports or reexports
Exports - commodities:
opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
Exports - partners:
US 26.47%, India 23.09%, Pakistan 17.36%, Tajikistan 12.51% (2009)
Imports:
$5.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $4.5 billion (2007)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and other capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products
Imports - partners:
Pakistan 26.78%, US 24.81%, India 5.15%, Germany 5.06%, Russia 4.04% (2009)
Debt - external:
$2.7 billion (2008/2009) country comparison to the world: 134 $8 billion (2004)
Exchange rates:
afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 50.23 (2009), 50.25 (2008), 50 (2007), 46 (2006), 47.7 (2005), 48 (2004)
Communications ::Afghanistan
Telephones - main lines in use:
129,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 139
Telephones - mobile cellular:
12 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 57
Telephone system:
general assessment: limited fixed-line telephone service; an increasing number of Afghans utilize mobile-cellular phone networks
domestic: aided by the presence of multiple providers, mobile-cellular telephone service continues to improve rapidly
international: country code - 93; multiple VSAT's provide international and domestic voice and data connectivity (2009)
Broadcast media:
state-owned broadcaster, Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), operates a series of radio and television stations in Kabul and the provinces; an estimated 50 private radio stations, 8 TV networks, and about a dozen international broadcasters are available; more than 30 community-based radio stations broadcasting (2007)
Internet country code:
.af
Internet hosts:
46 (2010) country comparison to the world: 211
Internet users:
1 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 98
Communications - note:
Internet access is growing through Internet cafes as well as public "telekiosks" in Kabul (2005)
Transportation ::Afghanistan
Airports:
53 (2010) country comparison to the world: 89
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 19
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 34
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 9 (2010)
Heliports:
11 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 466 km (2009)
Roadways:
total: 42,150 km country comparison to the world: 87 paved: 12,350 km
unpaved: 29,800 km (2006)
Waterways:
1,200 km; (chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT) (2008) country comparison to the world: 59
Ports and terminals:
Kheyrabad, Shir Khan
Military ::Afghanistan
Military branches:
Afghan Armed Forces: Afghan National Army (ANA, includes AfghanNational Army Air Force, ANAAF) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
22 years of age; inductees are contracted into service for a 4-year term (2005)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,800,888
females age 16-49: 6,413,647 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,888,358
females age 16-49: 3,641,998 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 378,996
female: 357,822 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.9% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 75
Transnational Issues ::Afghanistan
Disputes - international:
Pakistan has built fences in some portions of its border with Afghanistan which remains open in some areas to foreign terrorists and other illegal activities
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 132,246 (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced in south and west due to drought and instability) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
world's largest producer of opium; poppy cultivation decreased 22% to 157,000 hectares in 2008 but remains at a historically high level; less favorable growing conditions in 2008 reduced potential opium production to 5,500 metric tons, down 31 percent from 2007; if the entire opium crop were processed, 648 metric tons of pure heroin potentially could be produced; the Taliban and other antigovernment groups participate in and profit from the opiate trade, which is a key source of revenue for the Taliban inside Afghanistan; widespread corruption and instability impede counterdrug efforts; most of the heroin consumed in Europe and Eurasia is derived from Afghan opium; vulnerable to drug money laundering through informal financial networks; regional source of hashish (2008)
page last updated on January 13, 2011
======================================================================
@Akrotiri (Europe)
Introduction ::Akrotiri
Background:
By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The southernmost and smallest of these is the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Western Sovereign Base Area.
Geography ::Akrotiri
Location:
Eastern Mediterranean, peninsula on the southwest coast of Cyprus
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 123 sq km country comparison to the world: 223 note: includes a salt lake and wetlands
Area - comparative:
about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 47.4 km
border countries: Cyprus 47.4 km
Coastline:
56.3 km
Climate:
temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
Environment - current issues:
hunting around the salt lake; note - breeding place for loggerhead and green turtles; only remaining colony of griffon vultures is on the base
Geography - note:
British extraterritorial rights also extended to several smalloff-post sites scattered across Cyprus; of the Sovereign Base Area(SBA) land, 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by theMinistry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land
People ::Akrotiri
Population:
approximately 15,700 live on the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia including 7,700 Cypriots, 3,600 Service and UK-based contract personnel, and 4,400 dependents country comparison to the world: 219
Languages:
English, Greek
Government ::Akrotiri
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Akrotiri
Dependency status:
a special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus
Capital:
name: Episkopi Cantonment (base administrative center for Akrotiri and Dhekelia)
geographic coordinates: 34 40 N, 32 51 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Constitution:
Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960, effective 16 August 1960, functions as a basic legal document
Legal system:
the Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own court system to deal with civil and criminal matters; laws applicable to the Cypriot population are, as far as possible, the same as the laws of the Republic of Cyprus
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Administrator Major General Jamie GORDON (since October 2008); note - reports to the British Ministry of Defense
elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; the administrator appointed by the monarch
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
the flag of the UK is used
National anthem:
note: as a United Kingdom area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Economy ::Akrotiri
Economy - overview:
Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military and their families located in Akrotiri. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7715 (2010), 0.7338 (2009), 0.6827 (2008)
note: on 1 January 2008 Akrotiri and Dhekelia adopted the euro along with the rest of Cyprus
Communications ::Akrotiri
Broadcast media:
British Forces Broadcast Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite TV service as well as BFBS radio broadcasts to the Akrotiri Sovereign Base (2009)
Military ::Akrotiri
Military - note:
Akrotiri has a full RAF base, Headquarters for British ForcesCyprus, and Episkopi Support Unit
page last updated on January 12, 2011
======================================================================
@Albania (Europe)
Introduction ::Albania
Background:
Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939. Communist partisans 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; however, there have been claims of electoral fraud in every one of Albania's post-communist elections. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges to reduce crime and corruption, promote economic growth, and decrease the size of government. The election, and particularly the orderly transition of power, was considered an important step forward. Albania joined NATO in April 2009 and is a potential candidate for EU accession. 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.
Geography ::Albania
Location:
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece in the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 28,748 sq km country comparison to the world: 144 land: 27,398 sq km
water: 1,350 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 717 km
border countries: Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro 172 km, Kosovo 112 km
Coastline:
362 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter
Terrain:
mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 20.1%
permanent crops: 4.21%
other: 75.69% (2005)
Irrigated land:
3,530 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
41.7 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.71 cu km/yr (27%/11%/62%)
per capita: 546 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought
Environment - current issues:
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
Geography - note:
strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)
People ::Albania
Population:
2,986,952 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23.1% (male 440,528/female 400,816)
15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,251,001/female 1,190,841)
65 years and over: 9.8% (male 165,557/female 190,710) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 30 years
male: 28.9 years
female: 31.1 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.249% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
Birth rate:
11.88 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Death rate:
6.04 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165
Net migration rate:
-3.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
Urbanization:
urban population: 47% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.123 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 15.11 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 123 male: 16.79 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 13.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.22 years country comparison to the world: 59 male: 74.65 years
female: 80.11 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.47 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Albanian(s)
adjective: Albanian
Ethnic groups:
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)
Religions:
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
Languages:
Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach,Romani, Slavic dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 9 and over can read and write
total population: 98.7%
male: 99.2%
female: 98.3% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
2.9% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 148
Government ::Albania
Country name:
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
Government type:
republic
Capital:
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
Administrative divisions:
12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane, Vlore
Independence:
28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 November (1912)
Constitution:
approved by parliament on 21 October 1998; adopted by popular referendum on 22 November 1998; promulgated 28 November 1998
Legal system:
has a civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court for its citizens
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
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 (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by the 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; Assembly vote, fourth round (three-fifths majority, 84 votes, required): Bamir TOPI 85 votes, Neritan CEKA 5 votes
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Kuvendi (140 deputies; 100 deputies elected directly in single member electoral zones with an approximate number of voters; 40 deputies elected from multi-name lists of parties or party coalitions according to their respective order)
elections: last held on 28 June 2009 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PD 68, PS 65, LSI 4, other 3
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term) and multiple appeals and district courts
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Party for Justice andIntegration or PDI [Tahir MUCHEDINI]; Republican Party or PR [FatmirMEDIU]; Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Ilir META];Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA]; Unity for Humen Rights Party orPBDNJ [Vangjel DULE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Citizens Advocacy Office [Kreshnik SPAHIU]; Confederation of TradeUnions of Albania or KSSH [Kastriot MUCO]; Front for AlbanianNational Unification or FBKSH [Gafur ADILI]; Mjaft Movement [EltonKACIDHJA]; Omonia [Ligorag KARAMELO]; Union of Independent TradeUnions of Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA]
International organization participation:
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, NATO, OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, SECI,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gilbert GALANXHI
chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alexander ARVIZU
embassy: Rruga e Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana
mailing address: US Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510
telephone: [355] (4) 2247285
Flag description:
red with a black two-headed eagle in the center; the design is claimed to be that of 15th-century hero George Castriota SKANDERBERG, who led a successful uprising against the Turks that resulted in a short-lived independence for some Albanian regions (1443-1478); an unsubstantiated explanation for the eagle symbol is the tradition that Albanians see themselves as descendants of the eagle; they refer to themselves as "Shkypetars," which translates as "sons of the eagle"
National anthem:
name: "Hymni i Flamurit" (Hymn to the Flag)
lyrics/music: Aleksander Stavre DRENOVA/Ciprian PORUMBESCU
note: adopted 1912
Economy ::Albania
Economy - overview:
Albania, a formerly closed, centrally-planned state, is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. Macroeconomic growth averaged around 6% between 2004-08, but declined to about 3% in 2009-10. Inflation is low and stable. 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 representing about 15% of GDP, mostly from Albanians residing in Greece and Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit. The agricultural sector, which accounts for over half of employment but only about one-fifth of GDP, is limited primarily to small family operations and subsistence farming because of lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. Energy shortages because of a reliance on hydropower, and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment and lack of success in attracting new foreign investment needed to expand the country's export base. The completion of a new thermal power plant near Vlore has helped diversify generation capacity, and plans to upgrade transmission lines between Albania and Montenegro and Kosovo would help relieve the energy shortages. Also, with help from EU funds, the government is taking steps to improve the poor national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$23.95 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $23.23 billion (2009 est.)
$22.49 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
Albania has an informal, and unreported, sector that may be as large as 50% of official GDP
GDP (official exchange rate):
$11.58 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 3.3% (2009 est.)
7.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 $7,800 (2009 est.)
$7,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 21.2%
industry: 19.5%
services: 59.3% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
1.1 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 58%
industry: 15%
services: 27% (September 2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
12.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 12.8% (2009 est.)
note: these are official rates, but actual rates may exceed 30% due to preponderance of near-subsistence farming
Population below poverty line:
25% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.2%
highest 10%: 25.9% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
26.7 (2005) country comparison to the world: 126
Investment (gross fixed):
29.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 19
Public debt:
59.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 58.1% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 2.2% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
5.25% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 71 6.25% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
12.66% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 13.02% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$2.708 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 113 $2.995 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$9.096 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 105 $9.279 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$7.701 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $8.231 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Agriculture - products:
wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products
Industries:
food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower
Industrial production growth rate:
3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Electricity - production:
2.888 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Electricity - consumption:
3.603 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
2.475 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
5,400 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
Oil - consumption:
36,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 108
Oil - exports:
749 bbl/day (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Oil - imports:
24,080 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Oil - proved reserves:
199.1 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Natural gas - production:
30 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Natural gas - consumption:
30 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 205
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71
Natural gas - proved reserves:
849.5 million cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Current account balance:
-$1.245 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 -$1.845 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$1.339 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $1.048 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco
Exports - partners:
Italy 58.75%, Greece 9.69%, Austria 6.73%, China 5.68% (2009)
Imports:
$4.337 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $4.264 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Italy 29.94%, Greece 14.05%, Turkey 7.1%, Germany 6.9%, China 5.39% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.992 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 $2.37 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.55 billion (2004) country comparison to the world: 143
Exchange rates:
leke (ALL) per US dollar - 106.5 (2010), 94.979 (2009), 79.546 (2008), 92.668 (2007), 98.384 (2006)
Communications ::Albania
Telephones - main lines in use:
363,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 107
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.162 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 102
Telephone system:
general assessment: despite new investment in fixed lines teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is now exceeds 100 per 100 persons
domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003, two companies were providing mobile services at a greater teledensity than some of Albania's 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 (2009)
Broadcast media:
2 public television networks, one of which transmits by satellite to Albanian-language communities in neighboring countries; more than 60 private television stations operating; many viewers can pick up Italian and Greek TV broadcasts via terrestrial reception; cable TV service is available; 2 public radio networks and roughly 50 private radio stations; several international broadcasters are available (2008)
Internet country code:
.al
Internet hosts:
15,098 (2010) country comparison to the world: 117
Internet users:
1.3 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 90
Transportation ::Albania
Airports:
5 (2010) country comparison to the world: 177
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 896 km country comparison to the world: 96 standard gauge: 896 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 18,000 km country comparison to the world: 117 paved: 7,020 km
unpaved: 10,980 km (2002)
Waterways:
43 km (on the Bojana River) (2010) country comparison to the world: 105
Merchant marine:
total: 25 country comparison to the world: 92 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 23, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 1 (Turkey 1)
registered in other countries: 4 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Panama 3) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore
Military ::Albania
Military branches:
Joint Force Command (includes Land, Naval, and Aviation BrigadeCommands), Joint Support Command (includes Logistic Command),Training and Doctrine Command (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
19 years of age (2004)