5 - The Prehistory of Albania

Summary

GEOGRAPHICAL INTRODUCTION

Situated in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula and facing the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, Albania occupies a most favourable position for mediating between Europe and Asia. It is separated from the coast of Italy by only seventy-two kilometres, while its river valleys with their numerous tributaries give easy access at relatively low altitudes to the interior of the Balkans. From early times the valley of the Shkumbi was traversed by the ‘Via Egnatia’, the principal route connecting Rome and Byzantium. The Drin and the White Drin connect the Adriatic to the basin of the Morava and so to the banks of the Danube. The Semeni, with one of its tributaries, the Devoll, and the Vijosë with the Sarandaporos lead without serious difficulty to the Haliacmon valley and the Aegean. The sea-lanes too bring Albania into contact with countries facing the Mediterranean. Thus from the earliest times, the inhabitants of Albania have been able to develop links with many regions, not only within the Balkans but also in the rest of Europe and in Asia.

Apart from its favourable geographical situation, Albania enjoys conditions particularly conducive to intensive economic development. Land is fertile, and there are extensive pastures and dense forests; mountain ranges rich in minerals (copper in particular), allowed the development of metallurgy at an early date; the coastline lends itself perfectly to the development of navigation and sea-trade. Finally, the climate is kindly. Being situated in a sub-tropical zone, Albania has a climate well suited to man's economic existence; the combination of maritime and continental conditions creates a great variety of vegetation and agricultural produce.