Origin of the name Albania

Albania derives from the same Indo-European source as the name of

the Alps, which also appears in the Scottish "Albainn", for "highlands".
Alternatively, "Albania" may derive from the ancient Indo-European
root *albho, meaning "white", which also gave the name Albion, the
ancient name of England.








Heroes of Albania


Ismail Qemali
Ismail Qemal Bej Vlora (16 January 1844 24
January 1919), was a distinguished leader of the
Albanian national movement, and founder of the
modern Albanian state as its first head of state and
government.

Skanderbeg
Gjergj Kastrioti Sknderbeu (1405 17 January 1468), commonly
known as Skanderbeg (from Turkish: skender Bey, meaning "Lord
Alexander", or "Leader Alexander"), was a 15th-century Albanian
nobleman




eriz Topulli
(1880 - 15 July 1915) was a patriotic nationalist figure and guerrilla
fighter. He was the younger brother of Bajo Topulli. He was known for
fighting the Turks in 1907 and 1908 and then, after the Turks left, the
Greeks, who invaded in 1913 and 1914.

History Through Historical Timelines
Prehistoric
The history of Albania emerged from the prehistoric stage from the 4th century BC, with early
records of Illyria in Greco-Roman historiography. The modern territory of Albania has no
counterpart in antiquity, comprising parts of the Roman provinces of Dalmatia (southern
Illyricum) and Macedonia (particularly Epirus Nova).
Middle Age
The territory remained under Roman (Byzantine) control until the Slavic migrations of the 7th
century, and was integrated into the Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century. After the weakening
of the Byzantine Empire and the Bulgarian Empire in the middle and late 13th century, most of
the territory of modern-day Albania became part of Serbia. Initially, as a part of the Serbian
Grand Principality and in 14th century as a part of the Serbian Empire. The territorial nucleus of
the Albanian state formed in the Middle Ages, as the Principality of
Arbr and the Kingdom of Albania. The first records of the Albanian
people as a distinct ethnicity also date to this period.






Ottoman Period
At the dawn of the establishment of the Ottoman Empire in Southeast Europe, the geopolitical
landscape was marked by scattered kingdoms of small principalities. The Ottomans erected
their garrisons throughout southern Albania by 1415 and established formal jurisdiction over
most of Albania by 1431.[32] Along with the Bosniaks, Muslim Albanians occupied an
outstanding position in the empire, and were the main pillars of Ottoman policy in the Balkans.
However, on 1443 a great and longstanding revolt broke under the lead of the Albanian
national hero Skanderbeg, which lasted until 1468, many times defeating major Ottoman
armies led by sultans Murad II and Mehmed II.
Independence
Albania's independence was recognized by the Conference of London on 29 July 1913, but the
drawing of the borders of Albania ignored the demographic realities of the time.[40] The short-
lived monarchy (19141925) was succeeded by an even shorter-lived first Albanian Republic
(19251928), to be replaced by another monarchy (19281939). Albania was occupied by
Fascist Italy and then by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Albania has an incredibly hospitable culture and its own particular traditions of courtesy. Many
Albanian traditions of hospitality come from The Kanun, or "The Code", a 15th-century text
written by the powerful Dukagjin clan, although many of the laws written in the code date from
earlier times. Albanians are friendly and very open towards foreigners that visit their country. If
you are lucky enough to be invited to visit an Albanian's home, you will be treated as royalty. As
written in The Kanun, the guest will be shown the highest respect by being offered a seat at the
head of the table. The guest is then regaled with the best the family has to offer, usually taking
the form of homemade raki, traditional liquor. Such traits of character as hospitality, high
motivation, benevolence and readiness to fight to a finish are considered to be typical for
Albanian people.
It is an Albanian tradition to shake hands when meeting
one another, and in many cases, they kiss each other on
the cheeks, generally four times. One of the most
common gesticulation confusions arises from the fact
that Albanians nod their heads up and down to mean
"yes", and shake their heads left to right to indicate
"no". Another specific Albanian gesture that may be
confusing to foreigners is when the palm is placed in the
chest, it expresses thanks.
The official language is Albanian which is a revised and merged form of the two main dialects, Gheg
and Tosk, but with a bigger influence of Tosk as compared to the Gheg.
Albania is quite colorful with its long list of traditional dances. Every city and village have its own
disunited dance some of which can be listed as; Shota, Napoloni, Pogonishte etc.
The cuisine of Albania is influenced by Greek, Turkish and Italian cuisines. Every region in Albanian has
its own unique dish. The most important characteristic of the cuisine is the usage of Mediterranean
herbs like Oregano, Black Pepper, Mint, Rosemary and Basil especially while cooking meat and fish. Olive
oil and butter is also an important ingredient of the dishes. Albanian farmers grow every vegetable
present in the Mediterranean region which results in a large variety of salads in the list of cuisines. Meat
is heavily used in various dishes in most of the country. Gjell is the main dish of lunch, slowly cooked
meat and salad of fresh vegetables.
DURRES 24.05.2014