Date of independence, or formation date: 1912
Date when current borders were established: 1921
National day: Nov 28
Vehicle country identifying code: AL
Time zone (hours plus or minus from GMT): +1
International telephone dialling code: +355
Internet country identifying code: .al

Lying at the southeastern end of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the heel of Italy, Albania is a poverty-stricken, mountainous country which became a one-party communist state in 1944. The "land of the eagles," as it is known by its people, became a multiparty democracy in 1991. It has struggled to progress from the economic collapse and regional strife which characterized the 1990s, and remains one of the poorest countries in Europe.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004