Albania and Slovenia: To Compare and Contrast By Sam Student Associated Press

Balkan Republics, Europe-- conquered by the Byzantine Empire and Albania and Slovenia, two of the Balkan the Ottoman Turks. Slovenia was Republics, are alike, but at the same time invaded by the Austrian and Hungarian they are very different. Most of their Empire. problems come from what makes them different. Their differences are in their One thing that both countries ethnic groups, religions, governments, have in common is their alphabet. They languages, and other things. Although both use Latin words in their language. they have their differences, they have But their languages are different. many similarities in how they originated, Albanians speak Albanian or Greek. their economy and their alphabet. Slovenians speak Serbo-Croatian and Slovenian. The literacy rate for Slovenia Albania is 11,100 square miles is 99% but it is only 72% in Albania. with a population of 3,490,435 people. Their monetary unit is the Lek. The Religion has caused problems GDP per capita of Albania is $1650. between the two countries. Both The capital of Albania is Tirane. The countries have Roman Catholics and government is a democracy. Muslims. But Albania is mostly Muslim, and Slovenia is mostly Roman Catholics. Slovenia is smaller than Albania and has only 7, 819 square miles. The The economies of the two population is 1,927,593. The monetary countries are similar. Both grow wheat, unit is the Slovenian Tolar. Slovenia’s potatoes, corn, beets, grapes, and sugar. capital is Ljubljana. The government is They both produce textiles and a parliamentary democracy. The GDP chemicals. However, Albania has per capita is $10,300. vegetables, fruit, meat, dairy products, food processing, lumber and oil. While Both Albania and Slovenia Slovenia has hops, cattle, sheep, poultry, originated from the Illyrain people. Aluminum, zinc, and lead. However, their ethnic groups vary. Albania is 95% Albanian and 3% Greek. Albania and Slovenia are both Slovenia’s population is 91% Slovene Balkan Republics. They are alike in and 6% Serb-Croatian. many ways, but they still have conflicts with each other due to differences in Both countries were invaded by religion, their ethnic backgrounds, and the Romans. Albania was also the difference in their wealth.