Macedonia Guide

January 31, 2021 findjobdescriptions

Macedonia – country information

Country name	Macedonia
Official name	Republic of Macedonia
Capital	Skopje
Continent	Europe
Area	25,713 km²
Population	2,062,294 (2012)
Foundation of a state	8/9/1991
The highest mountains	Korab massif 2764 m, Titov vrh 2748 m
Longest rivers	Vardar 388 km
State system	a pluralist republic with a unicameral parliament
The biggest cities	Skopje (capital) 450,000, Bitola 90,000, Kumanovo 70,000
Official language	Macedonian
Ethnicity/National Composition	Macedonians 64.6%, Albanians 21%, Turks 4.8%, Romanians 2.7%, Serbs 2.2%, others 4.7%
Religious affiliation	Orthodox about 60%, Muslims 20%, other Christians 15%
Currency	1 dinar (Din) = 100 para
gross domestic product (GDP)	US$10,465 (2012)
Average life expectancy of the population	73.97 years (2006)
Structure of GDP	agriculture and fishing 16%, mining and industry 42%, construction 4%, services 38%

Macedonia – neighboring states

State	Capital	Area	Population
Albania	Tirana	28,748 km²	2,821,977
Bulgaria	Sofia	110,912 km²	7,282,041
Kosovo	Pristina	10,887 km²	1,815,606
Greece	Athens	131,957 km²	10,815,197
Serbia	Belgrade	77,474 km²	7,181,505

Country overview

According to Abbreviationfinder, Macedonia is a small country in the center of the Balkan Peninsula. Due to the name and possible territorial claims, it was not recognized by neighboring Greece. After the Balkan Wars (1912–1913), both Greece and Bulgaria acquired Macedonian territories, and both states fear that Macedonian nationalists will demand their return.

Macedonia (the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – FYROM) is a state in southeastern Europe. Shared borders in the north with Kosovo, Serbia, in the west with Albania, in the south with Greece, in the east with Bulgaria.

Has no access to the sea. The capital is Skopje. The official language is Macedonian. Currency – Macedonian Denar. Religion – Orthodoxy.

The climate is temperate-subtropical. The temperature in winter is +12*С, in summer +23*С.

In order to attract tourists to their country, Macedonia from March 16, 2013 canceled visas for Russians. All interested citizens of our country can visit Macedonia not only without a visa, but also without any additional tourist vouchers.

Resorts and attractions in Macedonia

Speaking of Macedonia, it is impossible not to recall Alexander the Great and his many conquests. Actually, modern Macedonia occupies no more than 40% of its historical area, another half is the territory of Greece, which is why countries periodically have a dispute over whose land it is. The locals may ask you if you consider Macedonia to be Greece. The answer is obvious.

There are three Macedonias in the world (three parts of historical Macedonia). Pirin – the smallest part, which is located in Bulgaria. Aegean – the largest, which is located in Greece. Vardar – modern Macedonia.

Macedonia offers two types of holidays. Ski resorts and a trip around the country to see medieval buildings and small towns that look like pictures from the history books.

Tours to Macedonia are holidays at ski resorts, many interesting excursions, wide opportunities for hiking and mountain tourism, exciting fishing and rafting (rafting on rapids on large inflatable frameless boats – rafts).

Macedonian resorts – Popova-Shapka, Ponikva, Negorski-Bani, Lagadin, Mavrovo (ski resort), Kezhovitsa, Banya-Bansko, Debarski-Bani.

Visiting card of Skopje, the capital of the Republic of Macedonia, can rightfully be called a stone bridge that connected the northern and southern (old and new) parts of the city, located on the banks of the Vardar River. This bridge is the oldest in the Macedonian capital and one of its main attractions. The emblem with the image of the bridge adorns the flag of the city. Currently, the bridge is being restored in order to return it to its original appearance.

Interesting facts

The second poorest (after Albania) country in Europe.

Ohrid beads. Have you ever heard such a phrase? If not, then you should know that Ohrid beads are an adornment made of fish scales skillfully created by Macedonian jewelers. This product is incredibly similar to real pearls.

Country data

Location: Southeast Europe

Time zone: CET

Total area: 25,713 km²

Land area: 25,433 km²

Water area: 280 km²

Length of the state border: 766 km

Bordering countries:
Albania: 151 km
Bulgaria: 148 km
Greece: 246 km
Kosovo: 159 km
Serbia: 62 km

Coastline: 0 km

Capital: Skopje

Municipalities: 71
Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Caska, Centar Zupa, Cesinovo-Oblesevo, Cucer Sandevo, Debar, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Grad Skopje, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostusa, Novaci, Novaci, Mogila, Selo, Ohrid, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vrapciste, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci

Electric current: 220 V / 50 Hz

Telephone code: 00 389 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: Golem Korab 2,764 m

Population

Population: approx. 2.1 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: 0.2% per year

Population density (residents per km²): 82

Life expectancy: 73 (male), 79 (female)

Official language: Macedonian

Religions:

65% Macedonian Orthodox
33% Muslim
2% other

Climate

In the continental climate, the summer months are very warm.

In winter the temperature often drops below 0 ° C.

Currency / finance

Currency unit: Macedonian Denar (MKD)

Classification: 1 denarius = 100 deni

ATMs: There are individual ATMs in Skopje and Ohrid.

International credit cards: These are only accepted by a few larger hotels and shops. It is not recommended to use it because of frequent cases of fraud.

Regulations: The national currency may be imported and exported up to an amount of 20,000 MKD.

An unlimited amount of foreign currencies can be imported and exported. From an equivalent value of EUR 2,000, these must be declared.

All exchange receipts should be kept until departure.

Cash payments in euros are also possible in many shops.

Customs regulations

The following may be carried duty-free:

20 cigarettes
1 liter of alcoholic beverages

(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

Travel advice

Due to the refugee situation, a state of emergency has been declared for some parts of the country.

A fence has been erected on the border with Greece, which is controlled by military forces.

It is strongly advised that no unknown hitchhikers are taken when driving the car. The criminal offense of smuggling can very quickly arise, which is punished with long prison sentences.