Tiranë (or Tirana) is the capital and largest city of Albania, a small republic on the Adriatic Sea in southeastern Europe. A centuries-old city, Tiranë is located near the center of the country along the Ishm River.

Places of interest

At the center of Tiranë is Skanderbeg Square. Constructed in the mid-1900s, the square is named after Skanderbeg, the Albanian national hero. A large statue of Skanderbeg on a horse dominates the south side of the square. On a corner of the square is the Ethem Bey Mosque, built over the course of nearly three decades beginning in the late 18th century. The nearby Palace of Culture houses a concert hall that hosts opera and ballet performances. Also on Skanderbeg Square is the National Historical Museum, which traces Albanian history from ancient to modern times. Nearby is the University of Tiranë, established in 1957.

Economy

For many years Albania has been one of the poorest nations in Europe. Outside Tiranë, the country's economy is based mainly on farming. The capital is the nation's industrial center, with factories for making clothing, foods, and wood and paper products. Coal is mined near the city. Tourism began expanding in Albania in the 1990s, and many residents of Tiranë work in hotels and restaurants. Construction was another growing industry in the city in the early 21st century.

History

Tiranë was founded in the early 17th century by a Turkish general. Located near several main roads, the town gradually developed into a busy trading center. Albania became an independent country in 1912, and Tiranë became its capital in 1920. From 1939 to 1944, during World War II, Albania was overrun by Italian and German forces. Tiranë was the center of the country's resistance movement against the invaders.

Albania was declared a Communist republic in 1946. Tiranë then expanded with help from the Communist governments of the Soviet Union and China. Over the decades, however, Albanians grew increasingly unhappy with Communist rule. Protests in Tiranë helped bring about the end of Communism in Albania in 1990, and a new government was elected in 1992. Demonstrations returned to Tiranë in 1997 when many people lost money by investing in a plan promoted by the country's government. More than 1,500 people died in clashes between protestors and police. Population (1999 estimate), 279,000.