coast. Russia owned Alaska until the
United States bought it in 1867. U.S.
Secretary of State William H. Seward
negotiated the deal. Because many
Americans thought the purchase was a
waste of money, Alaska was sometimes
called Sewards Folly.
Gold discoveries in neighboring parts of
Canada and in Alaska itself drew people
to the area in the 1890s and early 1900s.
A half century later, in 1959, Alaska
became the 49th state in the Union.
Oil discoveries, especially along the Arctic
coast, changed the states economy.
In the 1970s the Trans-Alaska pipeline
was built to transport oil from the Arctic
oil fields. The pipeline made Alaska second
only to Texas in U.S. oil production.
In the early 21st century
environmental groups, government officials,
and business leaders debated
whether to open up more governmentowned
land in Alaska to oil exploration.
..More to explore
Aleut Arctic Regions Eskimo
Juneau Tundra
A visitor looks across a bay at a glacier in Alaskas Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park.
Facts About
ALASKA
Flag
Population
(2000 census)
626,932rank,
48th state; (2008
estimate)
686,293rank,
47th state
Capital
Juneau
Area
663,267 sq mi
(1,717,854 sq
km)rank, 1st
state
Statehood
January 3, 1959
Motto
North to the
Future
State bird
Willow
ptarmigan
State flower
Forget-me-not
64 Alaska BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Albania
The Republic of Albania in eastern
Europe is the smallest country on the
Balkan Peninsula. During most of its
history Albania has been ruled by other
countries and empires. The capital is
Tirane.
Geography
Albania is bordered by Greece, Macedonia,
Kosovo, and Montenegro. Its
western border is the Adriatic Sea. Most
of Albania is mountainous. The highest
mountain is Korab, at 9,026 feet (2,751
meters). Albanias only lowland area lies
along the coast. The longest river is the
Drin. Albania has warm, dry summers
and mild, wet winters. Temperatures are
more extreme in the mountain regions
than on the coast.
Plants and Animals
Forests once covered much of Albania.
After centuries of clearing and livestock
grazing, many areas now have only
bushes and scrub. The remaining forests
have oak, beech, and pine trees.
Hunting has left few wild animals,
except in the remote forests. Among
them are wolves, jackals, wild hogs,
bears, deer, and chamois (goatlike animals).
The mild climate attracts many
birds, however.
People and Culture
The people of Albania are divided into
two major groups: the northern Gegs
and the southern Tosks. Each group
speaks its own dialect, or variation, of
the Albanian language. Minority groups,
including Vlachs and Greeks, make up
about 8 percent of Albanias population.
The citadel, or fortress, at Kruje was the
stronghold of Albanias national hero,
Skanderbeg. In the 1400s he fought to keep
the Ottoman Turks from invading Albania.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Albania 65
About 39 percent of Albanians are Muslim.
Others are Eastern Orthodox,
Roman Catholic, or not religious.
Economy
The Albanian economy is one of the
poorest in Europe. More than half of the
workers are farmers. Albanias chief
crops are vegetables, grains, melons, and
potatoes. Sheep, goats, cattle, and poultry
are the major livestock.
Albania manufactures textiles, glass
products, leather, iron, steel, and office
machinery. Its mines provide chromium
and copper. The southwestern part of
the country is rich in petroleum (oil)
and natural gas.
History
The Illyrians, ancient ancestors of the
Albanians, were likely the first people to
live in what is now Albania. The Gegs
were Illyrians who settled in the north.
The Tosks were Illyrians of the south.
The Romans invaded in the 100s BC. In
AD 395 the Roman Empire split into
two halves. Albania was in the eastern
part, the Byzantine Empire. Bulgaria
and Serbia later controlled the area.
In the late 1300s Albania became part of
the Islamic Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman
Turks ruled the country for almost
500 years. Albania gained its independence
in 1912.
In 1928 Albanias president declared
himself King Zog I. After Italy invaded
Albania in April 1939, Zog fled the
country. Germany took over from 1943
to 1944.
In 1944 Communist leader Enver
Hoxha took over the Albanian government.
Hoxha led Albania for four
decades. During this period the Communist
country was cut off from the rest
of the world. After Hoxhas death in
1985, Albania reopened relations with
many countries.
In 1998 and 1999 fighting broke out
between Serbs and Albanians living in
Kosovo. At the time, Kosovo was a province
of Serbia that bordered Albania,
and most of its residents were ethnic
Albanians. Many of them crossed into
Albania from Kosovo. Most of the refugees
returned to Kosovo after the fighting
ended, but some stayed in Albania.
In 2008, Albanians rejoiced when
Kosovo declared independence from
Serbia.
..More to explore
Balkan Peninsula Byzantine Empire
Communism Islam Kosovo
Ottoman Empire Tirane
Albanian women tend to their crops.
Facts About
ALBANIA
Population
(2008 estimate)
3,194,000
Area
11,082 sq mi
(28,703 sq km)
Capital
Tirane (Tirana)
Form of
government
Republic
Major cities
Tirane (Tirana),
Durres, Elbasan,
Shkoder
66 Albania BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Albany
Population
(2000 census)
95,658; (2007
estimate)
94,172
Albany is the capital of the U.S. state of
New York. The citys port on the Hudson
River has long been a major shipping
center. The port lies along a water
route that links the Great Lakes to the
Atlantic Ocean. State government also
plays a large role in Albanys economy.
The first permanent settlement was
founded on the site in 1624. Later the
Dutch and then the English controlled
the village. The English named it
Albany in 1664. An important meeting
called the Albany Congress was held in
the city in 1754. At that meeting
Benjamin Franklin proposed a plan to
unite all the American Colonies under
one government. Albany became the
capital of New York in 1797. In the
early 1800s a railroad and the Erie
Canal were built through Albany. They
helped the city grow as a center of
transportation.
..More to explore
Albany Congress Erie Canal
Albany Congress
The Albany Congress was a meeting
held in Albany, New York, in 1754. Representatives
of some of Great Britains
American Colonies met with members
of the Native American Iroquois Confederacy.
The main purpose of the meeting
was to discuss plans for the French
and IndianWar, which was just beginning.
But the meeting is now remembered
for its plan to unite the colonies.
The plan was written mostly by Benjamin
Franklin. It called for one government
for all the colonies. The leader was
The statehouse in Albany is the center of
New York States government.
In 1754 representatives of the American