World Atlas 2010 (4th edition)

83

N

ro

ht

A

bl

a

ni

an

A

lps

Lake Scutari

LakeOhrid

Lake Prespa

Bl

ack

Dr

in

L

um

i^

i

D

ev

ol

li

t

Lu

m

i^

i^ V

jo

së

s

V

ard

ar

Ionian Sea

A

d

r

i

a

t

i

c

S

e

a

St

ra

it^

of^

Ot

ranto

Mljet

Palagruza

ALBANIA

MACEDONIA

MONTENEGRO

KOSOVO

(disputed)

GREECE

ITALY

BULG

AR

IA

SKOPJE

TIRANA

PODGORICA

PRI

‹

TINA

Bitola

Berat

Durrës

Elbasan

Fier

Gjirokastër

Korçë

Kuçovë

Lushnjë

Sarandë

Shkodër

Tepelenë

Vlorë

Dubrovnik

Gostivar

Kavadarci

Ki

âevo

Ko

â

ani

Kumanovo

Ohrid

Prilep

Strumica

Tetovo

Veles

‹tip

Trebinje

Lezhë

Gevgelija

Pe

jë

Prizren

Ferizaj

Under an extreme communist regime between 1944 and 1991, Albania was for many years the only officially atheist state in the world whereall forms of religion were banned by law.

Historically, European eels migratedthousands of miles from theSargasso Sea to live most of theirlives in Lake Ohrid, before returningto the Atlantic to spawn and die.Modern hydroelectric projects haveprevented this epic journey, but effortsare underway to restore accessto the lake.

Konispol

Macedonia's capital, Skopje, was hit by a devastating earthquake in 1963. Around80% of the city's buildings were damagedor destroyed and over 1000 people killed.

In February 2008, Kosovo (a UN Protectorate within Serbia since 1999) declared independence. Although recognized by several countries, Kosovo’s decision has proved controversial with other states wary of setting a precedent for separatist groups within their own borders. It is therefore likely to be some time before Kosovo becomes universally recognized.

(^5678)
5 6 7 8
0 km
100
0 miles
100

EUROPE

E

D

B

A

C

86

79

87

79