The capital of Albania, Tirana is
also the largest city in the country, and the centre for administration and government; it
is also an important industrial and economic centre. For many years during the rule of the
Soviet-dominated communists, Tirana had stagnated; but in the past few years, with
democracy slowly creeping in, there have been changes- for the better. Bars and
restaurants are springing up all over the city; Western goods are trickling into the
markets, and the cultural scenario looks promising.
Tirana wears a new look nowadays,
and much of the city is in the middle of getting a facelift- preparatory to greeting
crowds of tourists. Efforts are on to promote the city and the country as a holiday
destination, and even though the tourists are still a mere trickle, the chances look
bright for Tirana’s potential as a destination.
F A C
T B O X
Population
320,000
Language
Albanian
Religion
Sunni
Muslim, Christian (Albanian Orthodox/Roman Catholic)
