General information about Macedonia
Official name:Republic of Macedonia (English),Република Македонија (Macedonian)
Note: the provisional designation used by the UN, EU, and NATO is Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).
Government type: Parliamentary democracy
Capital Skopje (in Macedonian Скопје)
Languages: Macedonian 66.5%, Albanian 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census)
Currency: Macedonian Denar (1EUR= 61,59 Denar) (rate 21/11/2010).
Inhabitants: 2,072,086 (July 2010 est.).
Area: 25,333 sq km
Border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Kosovo 159 km, Serbia 62 km (total border lenght: 766 km)
Independence: 8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsed independence from Yugoslavia)
National holiday: Ilinden Uprising Day, 2 August (1903); note - also known as Saint Elijah's Day
Constitution: Adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991; amended November 2001 by a series of new constitutional amendments strengthening minority rights and in 2005 with amendments related to the judiciary.
Background: Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991, but Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations. The United States began referring to Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, in 2004 and negotiations continue between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name issue. Some ethnic Albanians, angered by perceived political and economic inequities, launched an insurgency in 2001 that eventually won the support of the majority of Macedonia's Albanian population and led to the internationally-brokered Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting by establishing a set of new laws enhancing the rights of minorities. The undetermined status of neighboring Kosovo, implementation of the Framework Agreement, and a weak economy continue to be challenges for Macedonia. Since the 17th December 2005 Macedonia is a candidate EU-member state.
Pratical information
-My own experience-
Macedonia is a very nice country and the people have a lot of hospitality. With English you could help yourself, especially in the big cities like Skopje and Bitola and of course the number one tourist place of Macedonia, Ohrid. But of course, like everywhere, people like it when you know some Macedonian sentences. The best way coming there is by plane. You can fly to the airport Skopje, which is 30 minutes driving from the city. During the summer regular flights are flying also to Ohrid.
There are not a lot of trains running in Macedonia; they are slow, but cheap! International services exist to Nis-Belgrado (2 per day), and to Thessaloniki in Greece (2 a day). Since short you can also take the train to Kosovo. Busses are departing regularly to almost every city in the country. Especially Skopje-Ohrid by bus is no problem.
Macedonia is relatively safe. Of course you need to watch out for your luggage and your wallet, but tell me a place where you do not need to watch out? Everywhere in Macedonia you get a receipt if you are buying something in a shop, or when you go to a bar or restaurant.
With taxi drivers it is different: make a fixed price with them, or share a cab (which is common in Macedonia). For a cab from Skopje airport to the city center you should not pay more then 800-1000 Denar (?), I say this with prudence....
NOTE: From 01/09/2008 you need to proof that you have a health insurance which is valid in Macedonia! Bring your European Health insurance card (for Dutch people) or something else where is clearly stated that you have a health insurance which covers also Macedonia. If you don't have it then you need to pay an additional insurance at the border!
National holidays
In Macedonia the governments follow the Orthodox calendar, although a part of Macedonia is Muslim and the will celebrate Muslim holidays. Here the official holidays of Macedonia:
1st January: New Year
6-7 January: Orthodox Christmas
8th March: International Women's Day
1st-2nd Easter Day ((following the Orthodox calendar)
1st May: Labour day
24st May: St Cyrilus and St Methodius Day
2nd August: Ilinden (National Holiday)
8th September: Independence Day
