Albanian Geographical Research (1912–2024): Trends, Milestones, And Novelties

Abstract

Following the fall of the communist regime in the early 1990s, Albania began its transition to democracy and a market economy, allowing geography as a scientific discipline to break free from ideological constraints. This shift enabled researchers to explore critical topics such as migration, economic restructuring, climate change, coastal management, urban and rural development, spatial planning, land use, territorial reforms, and tourism.

This paper traces the evolution of geographical research in Albania from 1912 to 2024, focusing on recent decades marked by thematic and applied approaches. Geography in Albania has transitioned from general, descriptive studies to more comparative, analytical, and prognostic research. This shift reflects a growing capacity to interpret the complex interactions between nature, society, and economic processes at multiple scales.

There has also been a notable movement from theoretical inquiries to those with practical relevance, broadening the discipline’s scope across diverse subfields. Albanian geographers have increasingly contributed to national and regional development by offering spatial insights into contemporary challenges.

By analysing over a century of Albanian geographical thought, this study highlights the expanding role of geography in informing public policy and guiding sustainable development in a globalized context.