World Atlas: Macedonia. On this page you can see the map, country flag and many detailed information about the people, history and economy of Macedonia.
Here you can find online selected information about the geography, inhabitants, government, economy and history of Macedonia. Included are selected statistics, an overview map and the detailed map of Macedonia. But let's start with the flag of Macedonia here:
Macedonia - Overview:
What you should know about Macedonia? Let's start with this: Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991. Greek objection to Macedonia’s name, insisting it implies territorial pretensions to the northern Greek province of the same name, and democratic backsliding have stalled the country’s movement toward Euro-Atlantic integration. Immediately after Macedonia declared independence, Greece sought to block Macedonian efforts to gain UN membership if the name “Macedonia” was used. Macedonia was eventually admitted to the UN in 1993 as “The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,” and at the same time it agreed to UN-sponsored negotiations on the name dispute. In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, but the issue of the name remained unresolved and negotiations for a solution are ongoing. Since 2004, the US and over 130 other nations have recognized Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia. Ethnic Albanian grievances over perceived political and economic inequities escalated into an insurgency in 2001 that eventually led to the internationally brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement (OFA), which ended the fighting and established guidelines for constitutional amendments and the creation of new laws that enhanced the rights of minorities. Relations between ethnic Macedonians and ethnic Albanians remain fragile, however. A nearly three-year political crisis that engulfed Macedonia finally ended in June 2017 following a six-month-long government formation period after a closely contested early legislative election in December 2016. The crisis began after the 2014 legislative and presidential election, and escalated in 2015 when the opposition party began releasing wiretap content that it alleged showed widespread government corruption. Although Macedonia became an EU candidate in 2005, the country still faces challenges, including overcoming the political crisis, fully implementing the OFA, resolving the outstanding name dispute with Greece, improving relations with Bulgaria, halting democratic backsliding, and stimulating economic growth and development. At the 2008 NATO Summit in Bucharest, Romania, the Allies agreed that Macedonia would be invited to join the Alliance as soon as a mutually acceptable resolution to the name dispute was reached with Greece.
Geography of Macedonia
Where on the globe is Macedonia? The location of this country is Southeastern Europe, north of Greece. Total area of Macedonia is 25,713 sq km, of which 25,433 sq km is land. So this is not a large country. How could we describe the terrain of the country? This way: mountainous with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar Rive. The lowest point of Macedonia is Vardar River 50 m, the highest point Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m. And the climate is warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall.
Inhabitants of Macedonia
Let's take a look how many people live in Macedonia. The number is: 2,103,721 (July 2017 est.). So this is not very populous country. Who lives here? Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Romani 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 est.). What are the languages in Macedonia? Macedonian (official) 66.5%, Albanian 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Romani 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 est.). And the religions: Macedonian Orthodox 64.8%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.4%, other and unspecified 1.5% (2002 est.). How old are the people in average? 37.9 years. We have to add that this number is the median - so one half of the people is older than this, one half is younger. And what is their life expectancy (at birth)? This: 76.4 years. Where the people live in Macedonia? Here: a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations. The major urban areas of Macedonia are: Skopje (capital) 503,000 (2015).
Government and Economy of Macedonia
The capital of Macedonia is Skopje and the government type parliamentary republic. Let's take a look at the administrative divisions - 70 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina) and 1 city (grad); 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, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Skopje, Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vrapciste, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci. Regarding the economy of Macedonia, important industrial products are food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts. Important agricultural products are grapes, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs. The most important export commodities are foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco; textiles, miscellaneous manufactures, iron, steel; automotive parts and the most important export partners are Germany 40.9%, Kosovo 13.5%, Serbia 7.7%, Bulgaria 4.5% (2016). The most important import commodities are machinery and equipment, automobiles, chemicals, fuels, food products and the most important import partners are Germany 12.2%, UK 10.7%, Serbia 7.9%, Greece 7.3%, China 6.2%, Italy 5.6%, Turkey 5.1%, Bulgaria 4.6% (2016). How rich is Macedonia and how rich are people in this country? The most important number here is GDP per capita (PPP): $15,200 (2017 est.). This is quite good. Let's add that this means Gross Domestic Product per person, which is recalculated with respect to the relative cost of local goods and services. And one more important number - population below poverty line: 21.5% (2015 est.).