AECID - Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo

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Name: Albania.

Area: 28,748 Km2.

Mediterranean coastline: 362 Km.

Population (World Bank data): 3.4 million in 2000.

Annual population growth (World Bank data): 0.9%.

Population distribution (World Bank data): 42% urban, 58% rural.

Human Development Index (2001 UNDP Report): 85 of 162.

Distribution by productive sectors (World Bank data): primary, 51% of GDP, secondary, 26.3% and tertiary, 22.7%.

Access to drinking water (2001 UNDP Report): 76% in 1995.

Annual per capita energy consumption (IUCN system): 678 Kw/hours.

Geographical description: Albania is a mountainous country, 70% above 300 metres. These mountains, forming a northwest-southeast column, rise suddenly from the coastal lands to altitudes of more than 2,400 metres. The west coast is the most densely populated region, with low hills and valleys opening out to the sea. This is also where most of the land is farmed, and even here these flat lands are interrupted by small hills. Most soils are difficult to cultivate, because of drainage and irrigation problems. Only the young, light soils close to the rivers are cultivated easily, although they also flood frequently. Albania is earthquake-prone.

The longest river, of 282 Km, is the Drina, with its source in Serbia and Macedonia and crossing northern Albania. Other important rivers are the Seman, the Shkumbin and the Aóös. Because most rivers flow at high altitudes in the mountains, they often run through gorges making it extremely difficult to exploit them for irrigation, although they are suitable for the large reservoirs which produce cheap electricity for Albania and neighbouring countries. Irrigation is only possible in the lower parts of the valley.

Climate: In January, the coldest month, temperatures range between 2º and 12º C. Averages in the warmest month, August, are from 17º to 31º C. Annual coastal rainfall averages are 1,000 mm but this can reach 2,500 m in the mountains.


Natural resources: Albania is rich in natural resources. Near Tirana, there are large lignite deposits, and close to Selenicë, natural asphalt. There are large reserves of mineral deposits such as chrome, copper, iron and nickel in the northwest. Natural gas and oil are found in the southwest of the country. The forests have for centuries provided fuel in the form of wood and charcoal.

Main environmental problems: Both the former Communist regime and the new administrations have exploited timber on a large scale. As a consequence of this policy, most forests are degraded, wildlife is threatened and farming has taken up wooded zones. The effects of deforestation, pasturing and flooding have generated major erosion.

Oil and mineral extraction have also created serious environmental problems, by polluting the air, soil and underground waters, particularly in the centre of the country. Air pollution generated by metallurgical, chemical and oil complexes is especially intense, while rivers and lakes are affected by untreated domestic and industrial wastes. Public education in conservation, pollution control and recycling is limited, and the government has focused its resources on economic growth more than in environmental questions. However, at the beginning of the nineties, several environmental interest groups were created, and the government set up a committee to educate the public and offer solutions to environmental problems.

Albania is a party to international accords on biodiversity, climate change and wetlands, thus joining with the international community in its concern over environmental degradation.