Albania explained to kids

Albania is a small country in Europe. It is about the same size as the state of Maryland in the United States. Albania is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the south and southeast. Albania has a coast along the Adriatic Sea to the west and the Ionian Sea to the southwest. The capital and largest city is Tirana. Albania is one of the poorest and least developed countries in Europe. The economy is mostly based on agriculture, with some industry and tourism. Some of the main crops grown in Albania are tobacco, olives, grapes, and wheat. The country also has forests, and minerals such as copper, chromium, and oil. The Albanian people are of Illyrian, Thracian, and Dacian descent. Albanian is the official language, and the main religion is Islam. Albania was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire for centuries. In 1912, Albania declared independence, but was later occupied by Italy and Germany in World War II. After the war, Albania became a communist country. In 1991, Albania became a democracy again. The Albanian landscape is varied. There are high mountains, lowlands, and coastal areas. Some of the tallest mountains in Albania are Mount Korab, Mount Jezerca, and Mount Maja Jezerca. Albania has a population of about 3 million people.