In the capital city of Tirana, Albania

 "In our city Spring came from the sky, not from the soil, which was ruled by stone that recognizes no seasonal change."-- Ismail Kadaré

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(in southeastern Europe) Albania, a country in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula on the Strait of Otranto, the southern entrance to the Adriatic Sea, is found on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea, and shares land borders with Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, North Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the south. Tirana is its capital and largest city, followed by Durrës, Vlorë, and Shkodër.

+ Albanians 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. They have lived in relative isolation and obscurity through most of their history, in part because of the rugged terrain of their mountainous land, but also because of a complex of historical, cultural, and social factors.

+ 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. After suffering centuries of invasion by Visigoths, Huns, Bulgars, and Slavs, the Albanians were 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 distance itself from Ottoman influence and to rediscover old affinities and common interests with the West.

+ 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, while retaining their own ethnic identity, cultural heritage, and individuality.

+ A visit to Tirana (shown here) offers a glimpse into Albania’s recent history and the taste of a vibrant, rapidly evolving capital. The city combines fascinating architectural reminders of the country’s communist period with a distinctly youthful energy, perhaps best encapsulated by the metamorphosis of the monumental 1988 Tirana Pyramid into a youth-focused cultural hub. The city center is walkable and full of places to simply "be;" take a seat on the benches of Skanderbeg Square, where nature never feels far away, thanks to the vast Grand Park and majestic Mount Dajti, which flanks the city. For great views of the city's surroundings, head up Mount Dajti with the cable car. To find the best of Tirana nightlife, go to the Blloku neighborhood."