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Country Guide > Europe > Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of | |
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General Information Area 25,713 sq km (9928 sq miles). The former Yugoslav republic of ‘Macedonia’ is only one of three areas of the historical region of ‘Macedonia’, which includes Pirin Macedonia (Bulgaria) and Aegean Macedonia (Greece), with a total area of 66,600 sq km (25,700 sq miles), most of which is in Greece. In deference to Greek sensibilities, the United Nations and other international organisations have formally recognised Macedonia under the interim name of ‘The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’; however this is gradually reverting to ‘The Republic of Macedonia’.
Population 2,022,547 (official estimate 2002). Population Density 79.7 per sq km. Capital Skopje. Population: 467,257 (2002). Geography Roughly rectangular in shape, and on the strategic Vardar Valley north–south communications route, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic) is landlocked, bordering Serbia & Montenegro to the north, Albania to the west, Greece to the south and Bulgaria to the east. Government Republic since 1991. Gained independence from Yugoslavia (now Serbia and Montenegro) in 1991. Head of State: President Branko Crvenkovski since 2004. Head of Government: Premier Hari Kostov since 2004. Language Macedonian (a slavonic language using the Cyrillic script) is the most widely used language. Albanian, Turkish and Serbo-Croat are also used by ethnic groups. English, French and German are widely spoken. Religion 67 per cent of the population are Eastern Orthodox Macedonians and around 23 per cent are Muslim Albanians. There are also Muslim Turks and Serbian Orthodox minorities. As elsewhere in the former Yugoslav federation, local politics are now strongly divided along national confessional lines. Time GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Electricity 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Communications Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 389. Outgoing international code: 00. All telecommunications services are generally working normally. Mobile telephone GSM 900 network operated by Cosmofon and Makedonski Telekomunikacii (website: www.mobimak.com.mk). Coverage is limited to the main towns. Internet ISPs include Macedonia On-Line (website: www.mol.com.mk). There are a few Internet cafes in the main towns. Post Services work normally. Press The main daily newspapers are Dnevnik, Flaka e Vėllazėrimit, Nova Makedonija and Vecer (an evening paper). Weekly papers include Fokus and Puls. The Macedonian Times comes out monthly in English and Macedonian. Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |
