Albania's terrain consists of plains along the coast rising up to hills and mountains inland.  The highest of these, Mount Korab, stands at 2,764 m towards the Macedonian border.  The mountains are particularly rugged in the south of the country, which is reminiscent of neighbouring Greece with its olive groves, old ruins, spectacular coast and dry Mediterranean climate.  Natural hazards can include summer droughts, occasional floods, destructive earthquakes and tsunamis along the south west coast.

Albania’s long chequered past saw occupancy by many, and this country, known to it’s people as ‘Land of the Eagle’, only immerged from 47 years of communist rule in 1992.  This was spurred by the collapse of communism in most of Eastern Europe, and by impending national crisis.  The government had already conceded to a coalition with the Democratic opposition, but the catalyst for real change came about after food production and distribution ceased due to poor economic planning, resulting in riots and an impending mass exodus of refugees.  This was averted by EU financial aid and the Italian Army supervising food shipments.  The economy essentially collapsed again in 1997 after an investment programme endorsed by the government was exposed as a pyramid scheme swindle.  It involved as many as one in seven inhabitants losing investments; led to more civil unrest; and yet another change of government.

Albania is now considered a stable country with an emerging democracy through a parliamentary republic, and it is attempting to integrate with its European neighbours.  2003 saw the first talks with the EU and the government hopes to join the EU in around 2010, although this highly optimistic.  However, it remains the second poorest nation in Europe after Moldova despite a rapidly improving free market economy and low inflation.  Reform has been quick and generally well-managed, with foreign trade and investment encouraged particularly in the gas and oil industries which, along with mining, agriculture, timber, textiles and tourism, make up areas of potentially large-scale enterprise.  Unfortunately this is hampered by high unemployment, poor infrastructure, energy shortages and organised crime.  The government is actively trying to redress these problems and unemployment percentages are coming down, but progress is slow.

Although Albania has some good hospitals, medical facilities tend to be basic, and if medical attention is required it is best sought out of the country if at all possible. Mobile phone coverage is very good.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600. All offices are closed at weekends.

Punctuality is expected for business meetings, European practices are observed and business cards are common. It should be noted that a nod of the head signifies no, and a shake, yes!