Geography
The 70 percent of the country that is mountainous is rugged and often inaccessible. This has often cut off Albania from the rest of the Balkans. The remainder, an alluvial plain, receives precipitation seasonally, is poorly drained, and is alternately arid or flooded. Much of the plain’s soil is of poor quality. The largest Albanian River the Drin travels westward to the Adriatic.
CLIMATE: The Albanian climate varies greatly, with the Mediterranean coast having hot winters cool winters with low rainfall. Those in the mountains have lower temperatures and hight rainfall and snowfall.Albania is located in the western part of the Balkan peninsula. It borders the former Yugoslavia (Serbia-Montenegro) and Kosova in the north and the east, (FYR of) Macedonia in the east, and Greece in the south. It has access to the Adriatic and Ionian Seas in the west. From the Strait of Otranto, Albania is less than 100 km (60 miles) from Italy. The country covers a total of 28,000 squared kilometers (11,000 squared miles) and its population is 3.3 million.
Albanian Climate
Albania has a mild, Mediterranean climate. Many visitors will find that it never gets cold in the lowlands. The Ionian Cost, in particular, is very clement; with aver age winter temperatures of 8-10 °C (46-50F).
In Tirana and in other inland cities on the plains, temperature sometimes drops below freezing, but this is usually only at night, and it is rare for ice or snow to last more than a day.
The country enjoys a good deal of sunny weather, with an average of around 300 sunny days each year. Most of Albania’s annual rainfall occurs between late autumn and early spring; outside of the mountainous areas, it is unusual for it to rain in summer.
In the summer, visitors often find the inland towns to be quite hot, with July usually being the warmest month. In Tirana, for example, temperatures occasionally reach 40 °C (104F). Many hotels and restaurants have air conditioning. The best places to be in midsummer are on the coast, where sea breezes keep the average temperatures down to a more tolerable 25-30 °C (73-86F), or in the high mountains.
If you have the luxury of choice, the best times of year to come for sightseeing are spring and fall. In autumn the orchards blaze with the bright orange of the persimmons and the cooler colors of the citrus fruits, while in spring the apple and cherry blossoms cover the roadsides with their pastel-toned blossoms.
The long spring evenings are a good time to enjoy the terrace and sidewalk cafes which are ubiquitous throughout the country, while in September and October it is still warm enough to swim on the southern coast.
Albania > Flights
All international flights are made from and to Rinas Airport, 25 kilometers from Tirana. Rinas Airport can be reached at (42) 333 69.
ADRIA AIRWAYS
Tirana-Ljubljana (LJLJ ADR 1704-1705): Six times a week.
ALITALIA
Tirana-Rome (AZA 500/501): Seven times a week.
AUSTRIAN AIRLINES
Tirana-Vienna : Five times a week
HEMUSAIR
Tirana-Sofia (LBSF HMS 801/802): Twice a week.
Tirana-Tunis (TIA HMS 976/980): Once a week.
MALEV
Tirana-Budapest (LHBP 430/431): Twice a week.
OLYMPIC
Tirana-Athens (LGAT OAL 115/117/8): Twice a week.
SWISSAIR
Tirana-Zurich (ISZH SER 458/459): Four times a week.
TURKISH AIRLINES
Tirana-Istambul (STB JP 1708/1709): Three times a week.
Driving Distances in KM
From Tirana to:
Ballsh 138
Berat 122
Bilisht 208
B.Curri 255
Bulqizë 132
Burrel 96
Corovodë 171
Delvinë 300
Durrës 39
Elbasan 54
Ersekë 224
Fier 113
Gramsh 96
Gjirokastër 232
Kavajë 48
Koplik 134
Korçë 181
Kukës 208
Laç 45
Lezhë 69
Librazhd 78
Lushnje 83
Peqin 85
Peshkopi 183
Përmet 217
Pogradec 140
Pukë 175
Rreshen 78
Sarandë 284
Shkodër 116
Tepelenë 200
Vlorë 147
Lezhë 66
Foreign Embassies in Albania
Ambasada Amerikane
U.S.A Embassy
Rr. e Elbasanit, #103 Tirana, Albania
Tel: 24 72 85 Fax. 23 22 22
Ambasada Angleze
British Embassy
Rr.” Skënderbej” # 12 Tirana,Albania
Tel: 23 49 73 Fax. 24 76 97
Ambasada e Arabisë Saudite
Saudi Arabia Embassy
Blv. “Dëshmorët e Kombit” Tirana, Albania
Tel: 24 83 06 Fax. 22 99 82
Ambasada Austriake
Austrian Embassy
Rr. “Frederik Shiroka” #3Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:austemb@adanet.com.al
Tel: 23 31 44 Fax. 23 31 40
Ambasada Boshnjake
Bosnia-Hercegovina Embassy
Rr. “Themistokli Gërmenji” #5 Tirana, Albania
Tel: 23 04 54 Tel: / Fax. 23 48 48
Ambasada Bullgare
Bulgarian Embassy
Rr. “Skënderbej” #12 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:bgemb@icc.al.eu.org
Tel: 23 31 55 Fax. 23 22 72
Ambasada Çeke
Czech Embassy
Rr. “Skënderbej” #10 Tirana, Albania
Tel: 23 21 17
Ambasada Daneze
Danish Embassy
Rr. “Nikolla Tupe” #1 Ap.4 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:ambadane@icc.al.eu.org
Tel:25 74 22 Fax. 25 74 20
Ambasada Egjiptiane
Egyptian Embassy
Rr. “Skënderbej” #43 Tirana,Albania
Tel: 23 30 22 Fax. 23 22 95
Ambasada Gjermane
German Embassy
Rr. “Skënderbej” #8 Tirana, Albania
Tel: 27 45 05 Fax. 23 34 97
Ambasada Greke
Greek Embassy
Rr.“Frederik Shiroka” #3 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:grembtir@albnet.net
Tel: 22 39 59 Fax. 23 44 43
Ambasada Hollandeze
Royal Netherlands Embassy
Rr. “Asim Zeneli” #10. Tirana, Albania
E-Mail: tir@minbuza.nl
Tel: 24 08 26 Fax. 23 27 23
Ambasada Hungareze
Hungarian Embassy
Rr. “Skënderbej” #16 Tirana, Albania
Tel: 23 32 38
Ambasada Iraniane
Iranian Embassy
Rr. “Skënderbeu” #21/1 Tirana, Albania
Tel: 22 78 69 Fax. 23 04 09
Ambasada Italiane
Italian Embassy
Rr.”Lekë Dukagjini” Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:ambattia@icc.al.eu.org
Tel: 23 40 45 Fax. 25 09 21
Ambasada Jugosllave
Yugoslavia Embassy
Rr.e Durrësit, #192 Tirana, Albania
Tel: 23 20 89 Fax. 22 30 42
Ambasada Kanadeze
Canadian Embassy
Rr.“Brigade VIII” #2, Ap.1 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:canadalb@canada.gov.al
Tel: 25 72 74 Fax. 25 72 73
Ambasada Kineze
Chinese Embassy
Rr.”Skënderbej” #57 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:cnem@adanet.com.al
Tel: 22 83 03 Fax. 23 31 59
Komuniteti Europian
Delegation of European Commission
Rr.“Donika Kastrioti”, Vila #42 Tirana, Albania
Tel: 23 08 71 Fax. 23 07 52
Ambasada Kroate
Croatian Embassy
Rr.“Naim Frashëri” #12 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:croembassy@interalb.net
Tel: 22 83 90 Fax. 23 05 78
Ambasada Libiane
Libyan Embassy
Rr. “4 shkurti”, #48 Tirana, Albania
Tel: 22 81 01 Fax. 23 20 98
Ambasada e Maltës
Maltese Embassy
c/o Rogner Europapark Hotel Tirana, Albania
Tel:/ Fax. 22 36 36
Ambasada Maqedonase
Macedonian Embassy
Rr. “Lek Dukagjini” Vila#2 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:macambas@albnet.net
Tel: 23 30 36 Fax. 23 25 14
Ambasada Polake
Polish Embassy
Rr. e Durrësit, #123 Tirana, Albania
Tel: 23 41 90 Fax. 23 33 64
Ambasada Rumune
Romanian Embassy
Rr. “Themistokli Gërmenji” #1 Tirana, Albania
Tel:/Fax. 25 60 71/72
Ambasada Ruse
Russian Embassy
Rr. “Asim Zeneli”# 5 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:rusemb@icc.al.eu.org
Tel: 25 60 40/44 Tel: 25 60 46
Ambasada Turke
Turkish Embassy
Rr.e Kavajës #31 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:turkemb@adanet.com.al
Tel: 23 33 99 Fax. 23 27 19
Ambasada e Vatikanit
Vatican Embassy
Rr. e Durresit #13 Tirana, Albania
Tel:23 35 16 Fax. 23 20 01
Ambasada Zviceriane
Swiss Embassy
Rr.e Elbasanit #81Tirana, Albania
SWISSAMB@adanet.com.al
Tel: 23 48 90 Fax. 23 48 89
European Organisations
Këshilli i Europës-Council of Europe
Rr. “Donika Kastrioti” # 6 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:coealb@coe.al.org
Tel:/Fax. 24 33 75
OSBE – OSCE
Rr. “Donika Kastrioti” # 6
E-Mail:osce-er@icc.al.eu.org Tirana, Albania
Tel: 23 59 92 Fax. 23 59 94
Misioni Europian i Monitorimit
European Union Monitoring Mission
Rr. “Donika Kastrioti” #1 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:ecmm-mot@icc.al.eu.org
Tel: 22 39 42 Fax. 23 32 47
ECAM
Rr. “4 Shkurti”, #32 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:sf@octas.com
Tel:25 71 68 Fax. 24 48 75
Banka Europiane për
Rindërtim & Zhvillim
European Bank for Reconstruction & Development
Rr. “4 Shkurti” # 26 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:morenog@tir.ebrd.com
Tel: 23 28 98 Fax. 23 05 80
ECHO
Rr. “Vaso Pasha”, #7/1 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:mizeti@echo.al.eu.org
Tel: 23 25 96 Fax. 23 25 96
KFW
Rr. “Mihal Grameno”, #3/3 Tirana, Albania
Tel: 34 04 88 Fax. 34 00 17
Netherland Development Organisation
Vila Gjermane #8/6 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:registry@snv.al.eu.org
Tel:/ Fax. 37 51 10
Ndihma e Popullit Norvegjez
Norwegian People’s Aid
Rr. Ismail Qemali #30 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:bjorn@npa.icc-al.org
Tel: 25 71 73 Fax. 25 71 72
Fondacioni Shqiptar i Shoqërisë Civile
Albanian Civil Society Foundation
Rr. “Asim Vokshi” # 137 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:acsfrol@albaniaonline.net
Tel:/Fax. 238 056
Komiteti Shqiptar i Helsinkit
Albanian Helsinki Committee
Rr. “Sami Frashëri” #20 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:helsinki@ngo.org.al
Tel: 23 36 71
Qendra Karter-Carter Center
Rr. “Abdyl Frashëri” # 4/4 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:m_hoffman@carter-icc.al.org
Tel: 257 672 Cel. 03820 41419
Instituti i Studimeve Bashkëkohore
Institute for Contemporary Studies
Rr. “Vaso Pasha” #7 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:ics@isb.Icc-al.org
Fax. 234 868 Tel: 234 868
Instituti i Studimit, Politikave & Ligjeve
Institute for Policy & Legal Studies
Rr. “Ismail Qemali” #27 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:info@ipls.org Tel: / Fax. 258 191
Forumi i Pavarur i Gruas
Independent Forum Of Albanian Women
Rr. “Reshit Çollaku” #100 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:fpgsh@albaniaonline.net
Tel.247 269 Fax. 228 309
Forumi i OJQ-ve
NGO Forum
Rr. “Jani Vreto” #14 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:angof@adanet.com.al
Tel:/Fax. 230 893
SOROS
Rr. “Pjetër Bogdani” # 23/1 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:all@osfa.soros.al
Tel: 234 621 Fax. 235 856
World Vision
Rr. “Nikolla Tupe” #17 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:tirana@wvi.org
Tel: 258 333 Fax. 258 332
I M F
Rr. “Lekë Dukagjini” #3
E-Mail:imf@albnet.net
Tirana, Albania
Tel: 230 821 Fax. 227 732
PNUD
Rr. “4 Shkurti” #35 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:registry.al@undp.org
Tel: 233 122 Fax. 232 075
UNESCO
Rr. “4 Shkurti” # 17, Ap. 23 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail: unesco@icc-al.org
Tel:/Fax. 234 851
USAID
Rr. “Elbasanit” Tirana, Albania
Tel: 247 285 Ext.1053
Fax. 232 222
WHO
Rr. “Sotir Kolea” #36 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:head@who.albnet.net
Tel: 22381 Fax. 371 831
GTZ
Rr. “Themistokli Gërmenji” Tirana, Albania
Tel: 25 17 92
Governmental Agencies
Fondi Shqiptar i Zhvillimit
Albanian Development Fund
Rr. e Durrësi Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:eneida@a-d-f.org
Tel: 23 48 85
Agjensia për Zhvillimin Ekonomik
Agency for Economic Development
Blv. “Zhan D’Ark” Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:aeda@albnet.net
Tel: 25 07 68
Dhoma e Tregtisë
Chamber of Commerce
Rr. e Kavajes Nr.6 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:kabineti@abisnet.com.al
Tel: 23 02 84
Agjensia Kombëtare e Mjedisit
National Enviromental Committee
Blv. “Zhan D’Ark” Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:mdeliana@albnet.net
Tel: 36 52 29
Fondi Rural-Rural Fund
Rr. “Ismail Qemali “#32 Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:ffrural@albaniaonline.net
Tel: 25 19 10
Korporata Energjitike Shqiptare
National Electricity Corporation
Blloku “Vasil Shanto” Tirana, Albania
E-Mail:kesh@icc.al.eu.org
Tel:/ Fax. 23 20 46
Drejtoria e Përgjithshme e PTT
General Department of PTT
Rr. “Myslym Shyri” #42 Tirana, Albania
Tel: 22 72 04 Fax. 23 37 72
Drejtoria e Përgjithshme e Doganave
General Department of Customs
Rr. “Sami Frashëri” Tirana, Albania
Tel: 24 39 20/21 Fax. 24 39 14
Komiteti i Zhvillimit të Turizmit
Tourism Development Committee
Blv “Zhan D’Ark” #2 Tirana, Albania
Tel: 25 83 23 Fax. 25 83 22