Albania (/ælˈbeɪniə, ɔːl-/ ( listen) a(w)l-BAY-nee-ə; Albanian: Shqipëri or Shqipëria; Gheg

Albanian: Shqipni or Shqipnia also Shqypni or Shqypnia),[6] officially the Republic of

Albania (Albanian: Republika e Shqipërisë, pronounced [ɾɛpuˈblika ɛ ʃcipəˈɾiːsə]), is a country in
Southeast Europe on the Adriatic and Ionian Sea within the Mediterranean Sea. It shares land
borders with Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo  to the northeast, North Macedonia to the
[a]

east, Greece to the south and maritime borders with Greece, Montenegro and Italy to the west.
Geographically, the country displays varied climatic, geological, hydrological and morphological
conditions, defined in an area of 28,748 km2 (11,100 sq mi). It possesses remarkable diversity with
the landscape ranging from the snow-capped mountains in the Albanian Alps as well as
the Korab, Skanderbeg, Pindus and Ceraunian Mountains to the hot and sunny coasts of
the Albanian Adriatic and Ionian Sea along the Mediterranean Sea.
Historically, the country has been inhabited by numerous civilisations such as
the Illyrians, Thracians, Ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans.
The Albanians established the autonomous Principality of Arbër in the 12th century. The Kingdom of
Albania and Principality of Albania formed between the 13th and 14th centuries. Prior to the Ottoman
conquest of Albania in the 15th century, the Albanian resistance to Ottoman expansion into Europe
led by Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg won them acclaim over most of Europe.
Albania (/ælˈbeɪniə, ɔːl-/ ( listen) a(w)l-BAY-nee-ə; Albanian: Shqipëri or Shqipëria; Gheg
Albanian: Shqipni or Shqipnia also Shqypni or Shqypnia),[6] officially the Republic of
Albania (Albanian: Republika e Shqipërisë, pronounced [ɾɛpuˈblika ɛ ʃcipəˈɾiːsə]), is a country in
Southeast Europe on the Adriatic and Ionian Sea within the Mediterranean Sea. It shares land
borders with Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo  to the northeast, North Macedonia to the
[a]

east, Greece to the south and maritime borders with Greece, Montenegro and Italy to the west.
Geographically, the country displays varied climatic, geological, hydrological and morphological
conditions, defined in an area of 28,748 km2 (11,100 sq mi). It possesses remarkable diversity with
the landscape ranging from the snow-capped mountains in the Albanian Alps as well as
the Korab, Skanderbeg, Pindus and Ceraunian Mountains to the hot and sunny coasts of
the Albanian Adriatic and Ionian Sea along the Mediterranean Sea.
Historically, the country has been inhabited by numerous civilisations such as
the Illyrians, Thracians, Ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans.
The Albanians established the autonomous Principality of Arbër in the 12th century. The Kingdom of
Albania and Principality of Albania formed between the 13th and 14th centuries. Prior to the Ottoman
conquest of Albania in the 15th century, the Albanian resistance to Ottoman expansion into Europe
led by Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg won them acclaim over most of Europe.