Albanians refer to themselves as shqiptarë, often interpreted as “sons of the eagle,” and to their country as Shqipëria. Descendants of the ancient Illyrians, they possess a rich and distinctive historical and cultural heritage.

Owing to its strategic location along the Adriatic Sea, Albania has long served as a crossroads for civilizations and empires. In the 2nd century BC, the Illyrian territories were incorporated into the Roman Empire, and from the late 4th century AD they came under the rule of the Byzantine Empire. Over the centuries, the region experienced successive incursions by various groups, including Goths, Huns, and Slavic tribes. In the 15th century, Albania was gradually incorporated into the Ottoman Empire.

Ottoman rule, which lasted for more than four centuries, significantly shaped Albania’s social, political, and cultural development. In the late 19th century, the Albanian National Awakening (Rilindja Kombëtare) marked a renewed movement toward cultural identity, language, and political independence, alongside a reorientation toward Europe. Albania declared its independence in 1912; however, the subsequent delineation of its borders by the Great Powers in 1913 left substantial Albanian populations outside the new state.

Between the two World Wars, Albania was partly governed as a monarchy. Following World War II, in November 1944, it emerged as a communist state, where the ruling party exercised extensive control over political, economic, and social life. With the collapse of communist regimes across Eastern Europe beginning in 1989, Albania underwent a profound political transformation, leading to the establishment of a pluralistic democratic system.

This transition reaffirmed Albania’s orientation toward Europe and the West, while preserving its distinct cultural identity and historical heritage.