Albania

Albania, under Ottoman rule for five centuries, declared independence in 1912. Enver Hoxha's isolationist communist regime (1944-85) was one of the most totalitarian in Europe. The collapse of pyramid schemes triggered a near-civil-war in 1997. Albania joined NATO in 2009 and is an EU candidate state. It has maintained good relations with both neighbours and the West.

• Existed: 1912 CE – present
• Type: Entity
• Government: Parliamentary Republic
• Capital: Tirana