Albania is a small, mountainous country in the Balkan Peninsula of Southeastern Europe. It has a long coastline along the Adriatic and Ionian seas. The country shares borders with Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece. In terms of its history, Albania was under Ottoman rule for several centuries, which influenced its culture and religion. The country has a Muslim majority, with about 17% of the population being Christians, divided primarily between Orthodox and Catholic denominations. After World War Two, Albania became a Stalinist state under Enver Hoxha and remained isolated until it transitioned to democracy in 1990. Albania has made significant progress in recent years, moving from a lower middle-income to an upper middle-income country. Its economy has shown resilience, experiencing a rebound after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and earthquakes. The government has focused on tourism, agriculture, and digitization for economic recovery. The country is implementing structural reforms to foster equitable growth, improve governance, and enhance public service delivery. Albania also tries to enhance regional connectivity and access to global markets, promoting faster growth. It has trade agreements with the EU and Turkey and is a member of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). The country is a candidate for EU accession and has joined organizations like the World Trade Organization (WTO) and NATO. Although Albania faces challenges such as fiscal deficits, public debt, and non-performing loans, the government and international partners like the World Bank are working to overcome these obstacles and achieve long-term development goals. With its beautiful landscapes, rich history, and potential for economic growth, Albania presents opportunities for progress and increased prosperity.