albania

A detailed Summary of albania

Past and present, ancient and modern, young and old, Muslim and Christian, rich and poor, north and south, urban and rural, monarchist and socialist: the extremes of Albanian society are vivid, it’s tensions palpable. But Albania is not “another Yugoslavia:” it is more like a tensegrity framework, a stable structure of rigid poles positioned in space - and linked together by flexible cables. The cables are stressed but, barring catastrophe, they will not snap. Albania, this land that is breathtakingly beautiful, but only few Americans can tell Albania from Albany or Alabama, and fewer still would be able to find the country on the map. Despite it’s spectacular and varied beauty, it’s rich natural resources, and it’s extraordinary tradition of hospitality, Albania has always been the most isolated country in Europe, and from World War II until very recently, one of the most isolated countries on earth.

Since 1991, Albania has welcomed foreign visitors but, as the poorest country in Europe, it has attracted relatively few of them. Yet there are many reasons why the outside world should be interested in Albania and concerned for it’s future. Albania is a Balkan country and thus a crossroads

Also in early 1997, several fraudulent investment schemes failed, costing thousands of Albanians their savings. A lot of people lost everything they had: their homes, land, money and everything else. The economic disruption and political scandal prompted Albanians in several cities to protest and riot. A sporadic rebellion broke out, and several parts of the country were virtually ungoverned. To prevent the outbreak of an all-out civil war, President Berisha appointed a Socialist, Bashkim Fano, to lead a government of national reconciliation. He also promised new legislative elections in June 1997. The Socialist Party won control of the assembly in those elections and chose Rexhep Mejdani as the new president. ( Albania a country study)

In his traditional New Year's message to the Albanian people, Alia welcomed the changes that had been occurring in the country and claimed that 1991 would be a turning point in terms of the economy. A constitution created a multiparty parliamentary democracy and guaranteed freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and organization. But despite positive signs of change, many Albanians were still trying to leave their country. At the end of 1990, as many as 5,000 Albanians crossed over the mountainous border into Greece. Young people motivated by economic dissatisfaction made up the bulk of the refugees. ( the Albanians)

Traditional clothing consists of colorfully embroidered shirts and dresses. Traditional clothing was discouraged under the Communists in favor of inexpensive, modern clothing made by the state. Traditional costumes are still worn in many rural and upland areas, especially among women. Urban homes were owned by the state, consisting chiefly of apartment blocks with attached cultural and recreational facilities and state-owned stores. In the countryside dwellings were usually one- or two-story family houses, mostly for peasants living on collective farms, and small apartment blocks for workers on state farms. People who lived in larger dwellings could buy them from the state for small fees. Over the next few years, many state properties became private and a market for private homes developed. Still, housing construction in the mid-1990s did not keep pace with the country’s high rates of birth and migration to cities. As a result, some cities were overcrowded and the number!

ied to flee the country through Western embassies. A multinational relief operation arranged for safe evacuation of more than 5000 Albanians, and 20,000 more sailed illegally to Italy in vessels seized at civilian ports. ( Albania a country study)

Foreign journalists who visited Albania in spring 1990 reported that Alia enjoyed considerable popular support as he toned down the APL’s harsh rhetoric on ideological issues and raised widespread hopes that finally Albania was on the way to rejoining Europe. (David Binder’s reports in the New York Times, May 14, 15, 25, and 27, 1990; and the Times (London), April 30, 1990.) In March 1991 elections to the People's Assembly took place. The Communist Party and its allies dominated, but the newly formed Democratic Party won a substantial minority of seats. In April 1991 an interim constitution was passed. Parliament elected Alia to the new post of Albanian president. Following a general strike by thousands of workers, the government resigned and a co

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Approximate Word count = 2269
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous