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