Qindarka is a monetary unit in Albania and the spelling might seem difficult at first glance. However, if we break it down into its phonetic sounds, it becomes easier to understand. The word can be transcribed as /cɪn'dɑːrkə/. The 'q' in the word is actually pronounced as a 'c', while the 'd' is silent. The stress is on the second syllable and the final 'a' is pronounced as an 'ə'. With this insight, spelling and pronouncing Qindarka correctly should be a breeze!
Qindarka is the currency unit of Albania, which was in circulation between 1966 and 1992. The word 'qindarka' originated from the Albanian language, where 'qind' means 'hundred' and 'ark' means 'exchange rate'. Therefore, the term qindarka can be loosely translated to mean "hundred exchange rate."
The qindarka was introduced by the Albanian government as a replacement for the lek, the previous currency used in the country. The value of the qindarka was set at 100 lekë, making it equal to one hundredth of a lek.
Qindarka banknotes and coins were minted in various denominations, such as 1, 3, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 qindarka. These tokens featured iconic Albanian symbols, historical figures, and representations of industry and agriculture.
However, the economic instability of Albania, coupled with inefficient monetary policies and inflation, led to the devaluation of the qindarka. Eventually, the government decided to reintroduce the lek as the official currency in 1992, rendering the qindarka obsolete.
Today, qindarka coins and banknotes are primarily used as collectors' items or curiosities, as they serve as reminders of a significant period in Albania's economic history.
The word qindarka is derived from Albanian, a language spoken primarily in Albania and also in various regions of the Balkans such as Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. In Albanian, qindarka means hundredth or one hundred and is also the name of a former currency unit in Albania. It is an amalgamation of the words qind meaning hundred and -arka meaning small unit or fractional part.