Albania. Land and Economy

Albania is bordered on the west by the Adriatic Sea, on the north and the northeast by Yugoslavia, on the east by Macedonia, and on the southeast and the south by Greece. About 70 per cent of the land is mountainous.

In the northern part of the country, the North Albanian Alps gradually give way to thick forests of oak, elm, and conifers in the central uplands. The central uplands flatten out to the west and form the Adriatic coastal plain. The mountains of the south extend down to the Albanian Riviera, where their sheer cliffs plunge into the Adriatic Sea.

Albania's coastal region has a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Rain falls mostly in the winter, but the distribution is uneven, with the northern mountains receiving the most rain.

The unspoiled woodlands and sandy beaches, right, that line the shore of the Adriatic Sea make Albania's west coast an area of great scenic beauty. Pine forests have been planted along the coast to prevent erosion

Standard of living. Living standards are extremely low for the people of this mountainous country. About 60 per cent of Albania's people work on farms and the remainder work in factories, plants, and other industrial facilities. All workers are expected to put in an 8-hour day, 6 days a week. Wages are controlled by the government, and incomes are small, but the Albanians pay no income tax and prices of food and other consumer items are strictly regulated by the government. Health care, social services, and education are free.

Very few Albanians own such modern conveniences as a television set. Before 1991 , people were forbidden by law to own an automobile. Their diet consists mainly of bread, cheese, milk, and vegetables. In 1 967, the Communist government outlawed all religious groups and seized their property. Before the ban went into effect, about 70 per cent of the Albanians were

Muslims, about 20 per cent belonged to the Eastern Orthodox Church, and about 1 per cent were Roman Catholics. In 1 990, a new law permitted the public practice of religion, and places of worship began to reopen.

In modern Albania, the small clans have united into two distinct groups—the Ghegs and the Tosks. Most of the Ghegs live north of the Shkumbin River and speak a different Albanian dialect than the Tosks, who live south of the river.

Pedestrians crowd the sidewalks and streets of Tirane, Albania's capital and largest city. Most Albanians use buses, bicycles, and trains to get around because few people can afford the luxury of owning an automobile

Agriculture and industry. Although the Communist government encouraged the development of industry, Albania remains a primarily agricultural country. The most important farming regions are located on the Adriatic coastal plain. The valleys in the interior of the country, particularly Korce in the southeast region, are also used for agriculture.

Albania's chief crops are corn, grapes, olives, potatoes, sugar beets, and wheat. Farmers also raise livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and chickens. Under the Communist government, all agriculture in Albania was organized into state or collective farms. The government tried to increase agricultural production by introducing modern equipment and chemical fertilizers. In 1991 , the new government took steps toward breaking up the socialist agricultural system and establishing private ownership of the land. Today, much farmland is privately owned.

A small town in the central uplands of Albania nestles in the mountain slopes. Albania is a land of towns and villages. Only 11 Albanian cities have populations of more than 20,000

Albania still has only a few industrial plants. Many small businesses are now privately owned. But the government still owns many larger businesses, especially mines and factories. The chief manufactured products include cement, fertilizers, food products, and textiles. Many of these light industries are centered in Tirane, Albania's capital and largest city.

Albania is rich in mineral deposits, and mining is the leading industrial activity. Albania is an important producer and exporter of chromite, and lignite (brown coal) is mined in central and southern Albania. Albania's mines also produce copper and nickel. An extensive reforesting program has been successful in replanting forests that had been cleared, and the country's forests are another important resource.