ETYMOLOGY OF THE NAME "ALBANIA"

A curious item about Albania is her very name, that is, the etymology of the word "Albania." The country was known as Illyria in ancient times and until the eleventh century A.D. Since the name "Albania" appears in 13th century Latin dictionaries, the term was probably in use even earlier. During the Middle Ages the Albanians called their country Arb'r or Arb'n and referred to themselves as Arb'resh or Arb'nesh. To this day, there are communities of Albanians who migrated to Greece and Italy, in the wake of foreign invasions and pressures, who know themselves by those names (11). According to the Albanian scholar Konitza, the term "Albania" did not displace "Illyria" completely until the end of the fourteenth century (12). The term is believed to derive from "Albanoi," the name of an Illyrian tribe in what is now north-central Albania, which was first mentioned in the second century A.D. by Ptolemy, the Alexandrian astronomer. The term slowly spread to other Illyrian tribes until its usage became universal among all the Albanian people.

Ionian Sea

The Ionian Sea is an elongated embayment of the Mediterranean Sea, south of the Adriatic Sea. It is bounded by southern Italy including Calabria, Sicily, and the Salento peninsula to the west, southern Albania to the north, and west coast of Greece. All major islands in the sea belong to Greece. They are collectively referred to as the Ionian Islands, the major ones being Corfu, Zakynthos, Kephalonia, Ithaca, and Lefkada. There are ferry routes between Patras and Igoumenitsa, Greece, and Brindisi and Ancona, Italy, that cross the east and north of the Ionian Sea, and from Piraeus westward. The sea is one of the most seismically active areas in the world.

Albania prepares to vote in crucial election

Albania is gearing up for local elections, widely viewed as a test of democracy for the Balkan country in light of efforts to join the European Union. “More than the results, the real importance of these elections are the values of the democracy that should win," parliamentary speaker Ilir Meta told AFP. Over 3.3 million people in the southeast Europe republic will go to the polls on Sunday. According to the latest opinion polls, the ruling Socialist-led coalition would emerge the undisputable winner of the vote. Prime Minister Edi Rama has promised that the elections' outcome will give added momentum to “economic development” in the country. However, since the demise of Communism in the country about twenty years ago, there have never been smooth elections in the country. Opposition leader Luzlim Basha, who is also the mayor of the capital Tirana, has warned supporters to be on look for what he called "fake and rigged” votes. Nevertheless, Basha forecast the elections to be a vote "against the ruling majority". Albania is one of the poorest countries in Europe. One in seven people in the country live below the poverty line. Albanians living in Greece, Italy and other countries are said to have a definitive role in the outcome of the elections.

The best beaches of the Albanian Riviera

Albania’s rugged coastline, with traditional villages nestled in isolated bays and golden beaches lapped by turquoise waters, was a revelation when travellers first started discovering the country a decade ago. Since then Europe’s last untouched beaches have changed almost beyond recognition, but there’s still plenty of reason to come here and explore this magnificent coastline where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet. You may have heard of the Albanian Riviera and its beaches, once catchwords of true backpackerdom – their names were synonymous with unspoilt sands backed by rolling hills covered in olive groves, rustic accommodation right next to the water, and grilled meats and cold beers for the equivalent of a handful of change. Inevitably that hasn’t endured; asphalt roads now connect all but the most far-flung of the Riviera’s villages, while hotels, restaurants and holiday homes dot the coastline. Today you’re more likely to be competing for beach space with a day-tripping family from Tirana than a crowd of international shoestringers. And yet, despite the Riviera’s transformation, there are still idyllic and breathtaking spots along this craggy coast.

Gjirokaster

Gjirokastra /Gjirokastër, Argirokaster, Argirokastro/ or Gjirokaster is uniquely picturesque settlement and an outstanding example of an Ottoman merchant town. Gjirokastra is one of the most beautiful cities in Albania and one such of the few still surviving in the Balkans. Situated in

Vazhdo per te linku

Located 10 km from the city of Korca, the Fir of Drenova Park covers an area of 1,380 hectares.

Kruja - Kruje

The first Albanian feudal state was declared at Krujë - Kroja by the Archon Progon in 1190. Progon's older son, Gjin Progonović was Lord of Krujë and Elbasan from 1200 to 1208. The