xandtrick
05-09-2008, 08:43 PM
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Albania is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Major roads in Albania are often in very poor repair. Traveling throughout Albania is the most dangerous activity for locals and tourists. According to recent police statistics, the majority of fatalities in country were caused by vehicle accidents. The poor traffic conditions are caused by lack of traffic police enforcement, traffic lights, and general infrastructure. Recent electricity shortages have resulted in sporadic blackouts throughout the country that can happen any hour of the day or night. Such outages affect traffic signals and street lights, making driving increasingly treacherous at any time of day. Travel at night outside the main urban areas is dangerous and should be avoided due to deplorable road conditions. During the winter months, travelers may encounter dangerous snow and ice conditions on the roads throughout mountainous regions in northern Albania. Buses travel between most major cities almost exclusively during the day, but they are often unreliable and uncomfortable. Many travelers looking for public transport prefer to use privately owned vans, which function as an alternate system of bus routes and operate almost entirely without schedules or set fares. Please note that many of these privately owned vans may not have official permission to operate a bus service and may not adhere to accepted safety and maintenance standards. Persons wishing to use privately owned vans should exercise caution. There are no commercial domestic flights and few rail connections.
Please refer to our Road Safety (http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1179.html) page for more information. Visit the website of the country?s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety at insert site here.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by Albanian carriers, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Albania's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For further information, travelers may visit the FAA's Internet web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Albania's customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Albania of some items. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Albania in Washington, D.C. or one of Albania's Consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.
Please see our Customs Information (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1468.html).
As noted previously, the Albanian government considers any person in Albania of Albanian parents to be an Albanian citizen. In addition to being subject to all Albanian laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may be subject to Albanian laws that impose special obligations. Male Albanian citizens are subject to compulsory military service regulations. See our information pertaining to dual nationality (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html).
Albania is a cash economy. Credit cards and travelers checks are not generally accepted, except at the major new hotels in Tirana and some international airline offices. Travelers' checks can be changed at banks in larger towns.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Albania?s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Albania are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1467.html).
Under Albanian law, police can detain any individual for up to 10 hours without filing formal charges. U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a copy of their U.S. passports with them at all times to show proof of identity and U.S. citizenship if questioned by local officials.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children?s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption (http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/adoption_485.html) and international parental child abduction (http://travel.state.gov/family/abduction/abduction_580.html).
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Albania are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department?s travel registration web site (https://travelregistration.state.gov/) and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Albania. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at Rruga Elbasanit 103, tel. (355) (4) 247285; fax (355) (4) 232222. The U.S. Embassy web site is http://tirana.usembassy.gov/.
* * *
This replaces the Country Specific Information dated January 19, 2007, to update sections on Entry and Exit Requirements, Safety and Security, Crime, Medical Facilities and Health Information, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions and Aviation Safety Oversight.
More... (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1076.html)
Major roads in Albania are often in very poor repair. Traveling throughout Albania is the most dangerous activity for locals and tourists. According to recent police statistics, the majority of fatalities in country were caused by vehicle accidents. The poor traffic conditions are caused by lack of traffic police enforcement, traffic lights, and general infrastructure. Recent electricity shortages have resulted in sporadic blackouts throughout the country that can happen any hour of the day or night. Such outages affect traffic signals and street lights, making driving increasingly treacherous at any time of day. Travel at night outside the main urban areas is dangerous and should be avoided due to deplorable road conditions. During the winter months, travelers may encounter dangerous snow and ice conditions on the roads throughout mountainous regions in northern Albania. Buses travel between most major cities almost exclusively during the day, but they are often unreliable and uncomfortable. Many travelers looking for public transport prefer to use privately owned vans, which function as an alternate system of bus routes and operate almost entirely without schedules or set fares. Please note that many of these privately owned vans may not have official permission to operate a bus service and may not adhere to accepted safety and maintenance standards. Persons wishing to use privately owned vans should exercise caution. There are no commercial domestic flights and few rail connections.
Please refer to our Road Safety (http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1179.html) page for more information. Visit the website of the country?s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety at insert site here.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by Albanian carriers, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Albania's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For further information, travelers may visit the FAA's Internet web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Albania's customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Albania of some items. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Albania in Washington, D.C. or one of Albania's Consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.
Please see our Customs Information (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1468.html).
As noted previously, the Albanian government considers any person in Albania of Albanian parents to be an Albanian citizen. In addition to being subject to all Albanian laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may be subject to Albanian laws that impose special obligations. Male Albanian citizens are subject to compulsory military service regulations. See our information pertaining to dual nationality (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html).
Albania is a cash economy. Credit cards and travelers checks are not generally accepted, except at the major new hotels in Tirana and some international airline offices. Travelers' checks can be changed at banks in larger towns.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Albania?s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Albania are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1467.html).
Under Albanian law, police can detain any individual for up to 10 hours without filing formal charges. U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a copy of their U.S. passports with them at all times to show proof of identity and U.S. citizenship if questioned by local officials.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children?s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption (http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/adoption_485.html) and international parental child abduction (http://travel.state.gov/family/abduction/abduction_580.html).
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Albania are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department?s travel registration web site (https://travelregistration.state.gov/) and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Albania. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at Rruga Elbasanit 103, tel. (355) (4) 247285; fax (355) (4) 232222. The U.S. Embassy web site is http://tirana.usembassy.gov/.
* * *
This replaces the Country Specific Information dated January 19, 2007, to update sections on Entry and Exit Requirements, Safety and Security, Crime, Medical Facilities and Health Information, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions and Aviation Safety Oversight.
More... (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1076.html)