History of Albania

History of Albania

The area known as Albania today has been populated since prehistoric times. In antiquity, much of it was settled by the Illyrians, who are the ancestors of  present-day Albanians. It was around the turn of the third millennium B.C. that an Indo-European population settled there. The result of this melding of  cultures was the creation of a population incorporating the unique cultural and linguistic characteristics of the whole Balkan Peninsula. Based on this ancient population, the Illyrian people developed through the second millennium and the frst century B.C. After its collapse in the year 30 B.C., Illyria came under the control of the Roman Empire. Upon the division of the Roman Empire in 395 A.D., Illyria became a part of the Byzantine Empire.  The Greeks arrived in the 5th century B.C. to establish self-governing colonies in Epidamnos (now Durrës), Apollonia, and Butrint, and they established an expansive trading system with the Illyrians, who formed tribal states in the IV century B.C.  The expanding Illyrian kingdom clashed with Rome in 229 B.C. A lengthy struggle ensued and resulted in the extension of  Roman control over the entire Balkan area by 167 B.C. Under the Romans, Illyrians enjoyed relative peace and prosperity. Large agricultural estates fourished under slave labor. Like the Greeks, the Illyrians managed to preserve their own language and traditions despite centuries of Roman rule. Over time the people gradually replaced their old gods with the new Christian faith championed by Emperor Constantine. Trade continued to fourish during this time. The main route between Rome and Constantinople, the Via Egnatia, passed through the port at Durrës. When the Roman Empire was divided in 395 A.D., Illyria fell within the Eastern Empire, later known as the Byzantine Empire. Three early Byzantine Emperors (Anastasius I, Justin I and Justinian I) were Illyrian in origin. Ongoing invasions by Visigoths, Huns, Ostrogoths, and Slavs continued through the 5th and 6th centuries.

Language of Albania

Learn Albanian is the official language in Albania.

It comprises a separate, original branch

in the family of the Indo-European

languages, and can be linguistically traced

to its Illyrian origins. In its lexicon one can

see influences from Italian, old and new

Greek, Latin, and Slavic languages. Despite

these influences, Albanian has retained

its original, distinct nature and structure.

 The alphabet is comprised of 36 letters,

each pronounced the same way, regardless

of usage. This enables visitors to quickly

and easily learn a few essential phrases to

facilitate communication. Many Albanians,

particularly in larger cities, speak English.

Population

 The population of Albania numbers

3,150,886, with a density of 113 people per

square kilometer. Population is growing

by 0.73% per year. A slight majority of the

population, about 51%, lives in rural areas.

 The average life expectancy is 75 years for

females and 69 for males. The vast majority

of inhabitants are Albanian, with ethnic

minorities, comprised primarily of Greeks

and Macedonians, representing only about

2% of the population. Tirana is the capital

and largest city with 800,000 inhabitants.

Other important cities with significant

populations include Durrës, Elbasan,

Shkodër, and Vlora