Albania - Land of the Mountain Eagle Quiz

Answer: Shqiperia

Officially the name is "Republika e Shqiperise", which means Republic of Albania. The country is situated in south-eastern Europe, a region also called the Balkan Peninsula. Perhaps surprisingly, it is located less than 72km (45 miles) from the country of Italy - they are joined by the Strait of Otranto.

Albania, as well as being the English name, was also the Medieval Latin and Medieval Greek name for the country. Arbanitia was also used in Medieval Greek.
Tirane (English: Tirana) is the capital city of Albania.

Answer: True

This is true - the flag shows a double-headed eagle in black against a red background. The eagle on the flag is said to be derived from the seal of freedom fighter Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, who in the 15th century led a revolt against the Ottoman Empire. The flag was officially adopted in 1992, although many before were very similar.

Answer: Montenegro

The lake is named after an Albanian city, Shkoder or Shkodra, which is in northern Albania. The other names, Skadar and Scutari, are the names in Montenegrin and Italian respectively. The lake has a surface area of approximately 370 - 530 sq. kilometers (143 - 205 sq. miles), and eventually empties into the Adriatic Sea. Two thirds of the lake is actually considered to be in Montenegro - this part is a national park.

Answer: 12

These are called "qarku" or "qarqe" in Albanian. They are further divided into 36 districts and 351 municipalities. Most counties share the name with the capital city of each and include Berat, Elbasan, Shkoder, and Tirane.

Answer: Islam

Sources differ in the given percentage values, but it's generally agreed that Islam is the most common religion practised in Albania (The CIA Factbook gives the percentage as 70% practising Islam). Again according to the 2010 CIA Factbook, 20% are Albanian Eastern Orthodox, and 10% are Roman Catholics. Albania is known for the harmony that exists across its different religions and inter-religious marriages are not only very popular, but in some places, the rule.

Answer: False

Albania has four land borders: Montenegro in the northwest, Kosovo in the northeast, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the south. The country also has two borders with seas: the Adriatic Sea to the west, and the Ionian Sea to the southwest. Between Albania and Italy there is the Strait of Otranto, which links the two seas together.

Answer: Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Mother Teresa was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu on 26th August 1910 - however, she always regarded August 27 as her true birthday due to being baptized on this day. Her family came from Shkoder, Albania. At 18 years of age, in 1928 Agnes went to India as a missionary, never to see her mother or sister again, as missionaries in these days never went home.

She took the name Teresa, and received Indian citizenship also in this year. Her father died when she was only eight years old, but she saw her brother again in 1979 when she accepted her Nobel Peace Prize.

Answer: Indo-European

There are around 7.5 million speakers of Albanian, primarily in Albania, but also elsewhere in the Balkans. Of course, minority groups exist in countries like the United States, UK, Germany, Australia, and Turkey. Albanian forms its own subdivision in the Indo-European family, in which there are no other languages.

The language is written using the Latin alphabet, with some accented Albanian letters.

Answer: Adriatic Sea

In contrast, the country's highest point (2764m, or 9068ft) is Mount Korab (Albanian: Maja e Korobit, Macedonian: Golem Korab), which is located on the Albanian-Macedonian border.

Several people have now mailed to tell me that the low plain of Myzeqe is the lowest point, however I can find only one source that says Myzeqe has an elevation of 0 m - most say around 20-30 m above sea level, and every source I've seen holds the Adriatic Sea to be Albania's lowest point at 0 m.

Answer: Drin

Sources vary on the length of the Drin, but consensus appears to be approximately 170 to 180 miles (270 to 290 km). The river gives two tributaries; one runs into the Bojana River, while the other empties into the Adriatic Sea. There are three dams on the river, which is very important for Albania's electricity production.