Известия Русского географического обществаИзвестия Русского географического общества0869-6071The Russian Academy of Sciences1264010.31857/S0869-6071151219-34Research ArticleThe main trends of spatial development of modern AlbaniaMartynovV. L.martin-vas@yandex.ruSazonovaI. E.iesazonova@mail.ruThe Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia13052019151219340805201908052019Copyright © 2019, Russian academy of sciences2019<p>The article deals with the main problems of spatial development of modern Albania. It is argued that the study of Albania by Russian socio-economic geography has paid little attention. In the Russian mass consciousness, this country is surrounded by alot of inventions that have nothing to do with reality: one of these inventions is the perception of Albania as apurely Muslim country and in general the outpost of the Islamic world. In fact, Albania is amulti-religious state, but religious differences do not matter much for Albanians. In the geodemographic development of modern Albania there is asteady increase in the share of the center of the country, which now exceeds 50% of the population. As aCenter, the authors consider two main cities, Tirana and Durres, that does not correlate with the official zoning of Albania. The sharp increase in the share of the Center shows the similarity of Albania with Asian states, and in general it can be argued that Albania geographically belongs to Europe, and socially, demographically and historically is closer to Asia. The spatial structure of Albania's economy is characterized by an increase in the share of the Center with adecrease in its economic efficiency, as well as the lag of the North from the South, due to the factor of economic and geographical position. 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