General Info About Macedonia
Government type: The Republic of Macedonia is a South East European country, north of Greece and west of Bulgaria. Parliamentary democracy. Macedonians make up 66% of Macedonia’s population of 2 million, Albanians 23%, and Turks, Vlach, and Serbs, the rest (1994 census).
Capital: Skopje is the capital of Macedonia with over 600,000 inhabitants.
Languages: Macedonian 66.5%, Albanian 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census)
Macedonian is the official language of the country and it is also spoken by the Macedonian minorities in Greece, Bulgaria, and Albania, and by the Macedonian Diaspora around the world.
Currency: Macedonian Denar (1EUR= 61,28 Denar) (rate 27/03/2016).
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)
Religion: Most of the residents are of Eastern Orthodox Christian and Muslim faith, while some are Roman Catholic or Protestant.
The State symbol is a golden sun symbolizing the freedom of the country and its people.
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.
National holidays: In Macedonia the governments follow the Orthodox calendar, although a part of Macedonia is Muslim and they celebrate Muslim holidays. These are 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
24th May: St Cyrilus and St Methodius Day
2nd August: Ilinden (National Holiday)
8th September: Independence Day
Macedonia is known for hospitality, rich culture and history, and love for good wine and great traditional food.