Albania

SHORT INFORMATION

Geography of Albania

Albania has a total area of 28,748 km2 (11,100 sq mi). It shares a 172 km (107 mi) border with Montenegro to the northwest, a 115 km (71 mi) border with Kosovo to the northeast, a 151 km (94 mi) border with Macedonia to the north and east, and a 282 km (175 mi) border with Greece to the south and southeast.

SHORT INFORMATION

Health in Albania

Mains water is chlorinated and is fine for brushing teeth. However, bottled water is advised for drinking, especially outside Tirana. Brucellosis and tuberculosis are present in Albanian dairy cattle. Unpasteurised milk and homemade cheese should be avoided; however, in cafes and restaurants the milk is always UHT, and therefore safe.

HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS

Easter in Albania

For a long time, roughly half-a-century, celebrating a religious festivity was a pure act of rebellion in Albania. Former dictator Enver Hoxha in his attempt to create the homo-sovieticus had banned anything from Christmas to Carnivals. Any challenge to the rule and you could be drop-shipped to the gulags as priority mail.