Albania chose early with the unheralded (even in Albania itself) Olta Boka singing a lower mid table effort. learn more here
We have a ballad! Soporific music lovers all over Europe can rest easy. Mr Frederick Ndoci and Mrs Aida Ndoci will be warbling through a tedious Balka-lite mumble. Read more here
Luiz Ejilli and his flower pot hat will represent Albania in 2006 with "Fire & Cold" read more here
Situated on the coast of the Adriatic Sea and bordered by Greece, Macedonia and the Yugoslavia Federal Republic, lies Albania. This pint-sized, sunny slice of Adriatic coast has been ground down for years by poverty, blood vendettas and too many five year plans...but Albania still manages to pack a wild punch of traditional Mediterranean charm and Soviet-style inefficiency. It is a giddy blend of religions, styles, cultures and landscapes.

...The oldest woman in Albania - and perhaps the world - has died at the age of 123 and was to be buried beside the husband she resented being forced to marry at 14. Born on August 22, 1880, Hava Rexha died in the picturesque central Albanian village of Shushice, where she had spent her whole life.... 18/11/03

But...
The security situation in Albania remains unstable. The presence of unexploded munitions along the Albania/Kosovo border is suspected. Armed robberies, assaults, mobster assassinations, bombings and carjackings have been reported.

Tirana
"Currently, the city suffers waste management problems, lack of running water and electricity. Despite the problems, Tirana has also experienced a very rapid growth in the construction of new buildings. It is alleged that many of these buildings are the result of money laundering operations...Tirana is presently trying to develop a tourist industry."
732 Moors raid into southern France. Andorra appeal to Charlemange for assistance who sweeps the Moors out of Andorra. The Carta de Fundacio d'Andorra, establishes Andorra's independence. 10th-12thC's Counts of Urgel, the overloards of Andorra, battled throughout this period with the Moors 1278 The Acte de Pareage establishes the co-rule of the Bishop of Urgel and the Count of Foix over the country, and agrees to pay an annual tribute called questia. This is still the basis of Andorra's constitution and is still paid to Bishop of Urgel & the President of France. These are referred to as "co-princes", and hence the "Principality of Andorra". 1419 Andorra petitioned to establish a local parliament, and the Council Of The Land was established 1793 Andorra mobilised its 500 militia (having no army) for the first time in around 1000 years following the overthrow of the French government. 1806 Napoleon issues Imperial Decree, confirming Andorra's rights of independence. 1880 "The Battle of the Casino", in which Andorra supports a French gambling syndicate in an attempt to set up operations, which fails following Spanish protests, and relocates to Monaco 1893 Andorra gets its first telegraph line to the outside world 1933 High ranking disaffected Andorrans sponsor attempt of a Russian to proclaim himself King Boris I of Andorra. It fails. 1970 Women granted right to vote and hold office
 

John & James Belushi was/is ethnic Albania

King Zog, who did little except play poker and smoke as many as a hundred and fifty perfumed cigarette a day.

Mother Theresa who, on the other hand, never smoked (I assume).		  
 

Life expectancy

 80 men 86 women
Airports None
Radios 238 per 1,000 people
Internet Users 665.7 per 10,000 people
Railway Network None
Death Penalty abolished in 1990