Albania is a country in southern Europe, located in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula on the Strait of Otranto, the southern entrance to the Adriatic Sea. The capital city is Tirana (Tiranë). Albanians refer to themselves as shqiptarë—often taken to mean "sons of eagles,” though it may well refer to "those associated with the shqip (i.e., Albanian) language”—and to their country as Shqipëria. They generally consider themselves to be descendants of the ancient Illyrians, who lived in central Europe and migrated southward to the territory of Albania at the beginning of the Bronze Age, about 2000 BCE. Because of its location on the Adriatic and Ionian seas, Albania has long served as a bridgehead for various nations and empires seeking conquest abroad. In the 2nd century BCE the Illyrians were conquered by the Romans, and from the end of the 4th century CE they were ruled by the Byzantine Empire. After suffering centuries of invasion by Visi goths, Huns, Bulgars, and Slavs, the Albanians were finally conquered by the Ottoman Turks in the 15th century. Ottoman rule cut off Albania from Western civilization for more than four centuries, but in the late 19th century the country began to remove itself from Ottoman influence and to rediscover old affinities and common interests with the West. Albania was declared independent in 1912, but the following year the demarcation of its boundaries by the great powers of Europe (Austria-Hungary, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Russia) assigned about half its territory and people to neighboring states. Ruled as a monarchy between the World Wars, Albania emerged from the violence of World War II as a communist state that fiercely protected its sovereignty and in which almost all aspects of life were controlled by the ruling party. But with the collapse of other communist regimes beginning in 1989, new social forces and democratic political parties emerged in Albania. That shift reflected the country's continuing orientation toward the West, and it accorded with the Albanian people's long-standing appreciation of Western technology and cultural achievements—even while retaining their own ethnic identity, cultural heritage, and individuality.

Tirana, Albanian Tiranë, is the capital city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded in 1614 by Sulejman Pasha Bargjini a local ruler who constructed a mosque, a bakery and a hamam (Turkish sauna). The town gradually became a trading center at a junction of roads and caravan trails. It was chosen to be the capital of Albania in 1920 by a congress at Lushnjë. Under King Zog I (reigned 1928-39), Italian architects were employed to replan the city. The focus is Skanderbeg Square, whose Etehem Bey Mosque (1819) is now flanked by the Soviet-built Palace of Culture. Nearby is the University of Tirana (1957). The old city stretches to the east and north of the main square and features alehouses and historic architecture. Tirana has museums, a national institute of folklore, a national theatre, and a concert hall. Skanderbeg Square has a large statue of Skanderbeg (Gjergj Kastrioti), the Albanian national hero. Today, Tirana is a city that grows and changes every day as the center of political and administrative life of Albania. Housing almost all state institutions, diplomatic representatives, and becoming the largest center of education in the country, Tirana remains vital to the country's prosperity. Tirana is a city filled with hotels, restaurants, bars, pubs, youth and artistic centers that provide an active and diverse cultural life for locals and foreigners alike. The city continues to be an important center of national and international activities, such as seminars, conferences, festivals, spectacles, and more, making it a well- known and inviting city. Tirana was selected as European Youth Capital 2022

The Communist Block was the former residence of senior members of the Communist Party. It was known to be a restricted area to ordinary citizens. Block area has a unique story. Some of the city's most beautiful villas are settled here since the pre-war period. Enver Hoxha returned it in his own and to the "comrades" of communist leadership residence. The existing houses were enlarged and expanded, almost hiding behind the greenery and scary atmosphere surrounding the forbidden area of the capital. Today, this neighborhood is no longer the one covered by greenery, but a special amal- gam of multi-storey buildings, villas converted into international residences, luxury boutiques, cafes and clubs packed in a small area. Block area has turned into one of the largest and most frequented night-life spots especially by youth, due to the diversity of services and luxury pubs. Definitely, whoever wants more nightlife, light and nightclub, should go to the Block.

The palace and its beautiful garden, with big trees, colorful flowers and statues were inaugurated in May of 1941. Its construction actually began in 1936, and the initial project was designed by the Italian architect Julio Berté. The complex, both structure and garden, were commissioned by King Zog I, who intended to use them as his residence. After Italy's invasion of Albania in 1939, and King Zog's exile from the coun- try, he never had a chance to see the Palace fully constructed so the initial plans for the project changed. The construction was overseen by another Italian architect, Gerardino Bosio, who had different plans for it. The building served as a functioning Royal palace only once, for King Vittorio Emanuele III of Italy during his only visit to Albania in May 1941. The name "Palace of Brigades" was given in 1945 in honor of the partisan brigades that liberated it, a name which was used during the communist regime. Starting from 1992, after the fall of communism, the official name of this residence is "Presidential Palace". Since 1945 the building serves as the Presidential Palace for official receptions.

Beginning from April 2016, "Bunk'Art" is open to the public permanently. In June 1978, the dictator Enver Hoxha inaugurated the anti-nuclear bunker built by the then communist government. It is a 5 floors underground building with 106 rooms and a congress hall, now transformed into a historical-artistic center called "Bunk'Art". "Bunk'Art" contains: The Historical Exhibition, the Museum Exhibition and Artistic Installations. The historical exhibition reflects: 1) Italy's landing period in Albania, the resistance of the Albanian people and the capitulation of Italy. (1939-1943), 2) Diplo- macy during the War (1941-1945), 3) German invasion and the Albanian resistance, the struggle for power and liberation of Albania (September 1943 - November 1944), 4) After the War: Hope and Disappointment 1945 - 1947), 5) Red Albania 1945-1990. The museum exhibition includes: 1) Enver Hoxha's Chamber, 2) Mehmet Shehu's Chamber, 3) Military Liaison Museum, 4) Supporting Battalion Museum, 5) Officer's Room, 6) Headquarters Staff Room, 7) Museum of Telecommunication.

This villa was the home of the former communist dictator Enver Hoxha, and is a construction of the Communist Era (1974). This complex imitates the architecture of the 30's, and consists of a heavy concrete construction with large slabs of white stone. This home sits in the middle of the old Communist Block, known in Albanian as 'ish-Blloku', and has been an intangible object, taboo, with a lot of mysteries at the time of the communist dictatorship.

Founded in the 6th century B.C.E. and known in Antiquity as Aulona, Vlorë was built in one of the most beautiful spots in southern Albania. Its shores present a unique mixture of rocky and sand beaches, and the gorgeous vistas of the Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Islands stretch in front of the city. Vlorë is the starting point of the Albanian Riviera, and its shores are bathed by both the Adriatic and the Ionian Seas. It is one of the most popular destinations for tourism in Albania, thanks also to the proximity of the Orikum and Amantia archaeological parks and Llogara National Park. Beyond its heavenly beaches and natural wonders, the city is of historical importance for Albania, having hosted its First National Assembly, where Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire on November 28, 1912.