Location: Southeastern Europe, along the Adriatic Sea coast, bordering Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro
Capital: Tirana
Tourist Attractions: Albania one of the poorest nations in Europe, is known for its traditional Mediterranean charm, spectacular landscapes, ancient archeological sites and fascinating medieval towns. Tourist attractions in Albania include the historic town of Shkodra (one of the oldest cities in Europe), the capital city of Tirana, famous for its architecture, including the famous Ethem-Bey Mosque and Tirana Clock Tower, and the amazing ancient ruins at Butrint. Berat, popularly referred as the “city of a thousand windows” for its red-roofed houses with innumerable windows, is another tourist attraction. The ancient city of Durres, famous for its Tower, ancient City Wall and Roman Amphitheater, and the 13th century Gjirokastra Castle are also worth visiting.
Access: Many airlines including Albanian Airlines operate direct flights from Tirana to major European cities. There are regular ferry connections between port towns of Durres, Vlora and Shen Gjini in Albania, and Bari and other ports in Italy. Bus services also operate between Tirana and Istanbul (Turkey), Sofia (Bulgaria) and Athens (Greece).
Climate: Albania has a mild Mediterranean climate, with marked variation between winter and summer temperatures. While the average cool and wet winter temperature averages about 7° C(October to May), the hot and humid summer temperatures average 24° C(June to September).