Download This Sample
This sample is exclusively for KidsKonnect members!
To download this worksheet, click the button below to signup for free (it only takes a minute) and you'll be brought right back to this page to start the download!
Sign Me Up
Table of Contents
Albania is a country located in the Balkan peninsula facing the Adriatic and Ionian Sea providing it with a long coastline. Albanians were historically invaded by a number of foreign ethnicities, including the Visigoths, Huns, Bulgars, Slavs, and the Turks.
See the fact file below for more information on the Albania or alternatively, you can download our 25-page Albania worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
- Since the ancient ages, Albania had inhabitants populating the state of Epirus, towns of Apollonia and Epidamn (now part of Macedonia) before it became a Roman province.
- Majority of the Albanian region became part of the Byzantium during the collapse of the Roman Empire. Until the 6th century, Albanians continuously suffered from foreign invasions, including the Goths, Huns, and the Slavs.
- By the end of the 14th century, Albania was caught between the conflicting interests of the Ottoman Empire and Byzantium. After the Turks won the two-century-long fight, Albania was islamized.
- In 1912, Albania gained independence from the Ottoman Empire.
- After the First World War, the National Assembly of Albania declared the country as independent of foreign powers and declared Tirana as its capital. The declaration was supported by European countries, including Great Britain, Italy, France, and Yugoslavia. By 1928, Zogu named himself as King.
- In April 1939, Italian troops invaded Albanian territories. Moreover, the fascist Italian and Albanian king signed a union which let Zogu escape while his men served the Italian army.
- After the Italian invasion, Albania was annexed by the Germans in September 1943.
- In the beginning of the century, the Albanian government focused on its integration into the European Union as well as NATO.
ALBANIAN FLAG
- In 1912, the current flag of Albania was adopted. It consists of a red leaf where a black double-headed eagle is pictured.
- The flag was said to be associated with a national hero from the 15th century who was a general of the Turkish army.
- The dominant red color represents the virtues of valor, courage, and strength present among the people of Albania. While the double-headed eagle was inspired by the Byzantine Empire.
GEOGRAPHY
- Albania is known as ‘the country of eagles’ and is situated in Eastern Europe, west of the Balkan Sea and east of the Adriatic and Ionian Sea.
- Geographically, it shares frontiers with Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Greece. There are about 374, 801 people living in its capital, Tirana.
- Mt. Jezerca serves as the highest summit in Albania at 2,693 meters and is located in the Dinaric Alps in the north.
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
- Based on the latest statistics of the United Nations, Albania has 2,937,646 inhabitants.
- People speak Albanian as the major language and is divided into two dialects: the Tosk (spoken in the southern region) and the Gheg (in the north).
- The golden eagle has been used in Albania as a national symbol since the 10th century as a sign of courage, bravery, heroism, and freedom.
- Majority of their traditions and customs, called The Kanun, originated from the Illyrian tribe. The Kanun has four pillars signifying Honor, Hospitality, Right Conduct, and Kin Loyalty which guide its people. Moreover, the customs identify an honor code called Besa which ensures its people follow the right conduct by honoring promises.
- About 66% of Albanians are followers of Allah, while 17% are Christians, and 17% undeclared or atheist.
- Living under Stalinist government, much of Albanian cuisine depleted due to poor standard of living. Among the few dishes that survived is qumështor, a custard dish made of flour, eggs, and milk and is usually serve before the beginning of Lent.
GOVERNMENT
- Albania’s government is a unitary parliamentary constitutional republic wherein the head of state is the President and the Prime Minister serves as the head of government.
- The legislative power lies in the parliament, while the Prime Minister with its Cabinet exercise the executive power.
- Through a secret vote and approval of the majority of the Albanian parliament, a president is elected for 5 years. Each year, a general election is followed by the President’s appointment of Prime Minister.
- Between 1999 and 2002, Ilir Meta became the youngest prime minister in the history of Albania at the age of 30.
ADDITIONAL FACTS
- There are about 7 to 10 million Albanians living throughout Europe, meaning more Albanians reside outside Albania than those inhabiting the country.
- Among its most famous landmarks include the Albanian Riviera, Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Llogara Pass, Saranda,and the UNESCO city of Gjirokastra.
Albania Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Albania across 25 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Albania worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Albania which is a country located in the Balkan peninsula facing the Adriatic and Ionian Sea providing it with a long coastline. Albanians were historically invaded by a number of foreign ethnicities, including the Visigoths, Huns, Bulgars, Slavs, and the Turks.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Albania Facts
- Basic Info
- Looking Back
- My Flag
- Let’s think About This!
- True or False
- Write Three…
- About Albania
- Varied Albania
- Bridge the Gap
- Birds Migration
Link/cite this page
If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.
Link will appear as Albania Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, May 3, 2019
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.