- Albania - The World Factbook (cia.gov)
After declaring independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, Albania experienced a period of political upheaval that led to a short-lived monarchy, which ended in 1939 when Italy conquered the country. Germany then occupied Albania in 1943, and communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960) and then with China (until 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended communist rule and established a multiparty democracy.
- Sloan Peak (summitpost.org)
Sloan Peak stands high above peaks of the Mountain Loop Highway. It’s distinctive profile makes it visible across wide regions of the Cascades. The first ascent was made by Harry Bedal and Nels Skaar on July 30, 1921. Some say Sloan resembles a ship gliding across a snowy sea. It’s nearest higher neighbor is Glacier Peak to the east.