| Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of |
Introduction Geography People Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of | Introduction | Top of Page

Background: | International recognition of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM) independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 was delayed by Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols. Greece finally lifted its trade blockade in 1995, and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, despite continued disagreement over FYROM's use of "Macedonia." FYROM's large Albanian minority and the de facto independence of neighboring Kosovo continue to be sources of ethnic tension.

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of | Geography | Top of Page

Location: | Southeastern Europe, north of Greece

Geographic coordinates: | 41 50 N, 22 00 E

Map references: | Europe

Area: | total: 25,333 sq km land: 24,856 sq km water: 477 sq km

Area - comparative: | slightly larger than Vermont

Land boundaries: | total: 748 km border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 228 km, Yugoslavia 221 km

Coastline: | 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: | none (landlocked)

Climate: | warm, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall

Terrain: | mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River

Elevation extremes: | lowest point: Vardar River 50 m highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,753 m

Natural resources: | chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten, nickel, low-grade iron ore, asbestos, sulfur, timber, arable land

Land use: | arable land: 24% permanent crops: 2% permanent pastures: 25% forests and woodland: 39% other: 10% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: | 830 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: | high seismic risks

Environment - current issues: | air pollution from metallurgical plants

Environment - international agreements: | party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note: | landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of | People | Top of Page

Population: | 2,046,209 (July 2001 est.)

Age structure: | 0-14 years: 22.92% (male 243,715; female 225,349) 15-64 years: 66.94% (male 688,484; female 681,225) 65 years and over: 10.14% (male 92,043; female 115,393) (2001 est.)

Population growth rate: | 0.43% (2001 est.)

Birth rate: | 13.5 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate: | 7.7 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Net migration rate: | -1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Sex ratio: | at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate: | 12.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: | total population: 74.02 years male: 71.79 years female: 76.43 years (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate: | 1.79 children born/woman (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: | less than 0.01% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: | less than 100 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: | less than 100 (1999 est.)

Nationality: | noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian

Ethnic groups: | Macedonian 66.6%, Albanian 22.7%, Turkish 4%, Roma 2.2%, Serb 2.1%, other 2.4% (1994)

Religions: | Macedonian Orthodox 67%, Muslim 30%, other 3%

Languages: | Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3%

Literacy: | definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of | Government | Top of Page

Country name: | conventional long form: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia conventional short form: none local long form: Republika Makedonija local short form: Makedonija abbreviation: FYROM

Government type: | emerging democracy

Capital: | Skopje

Administrative divisions: | 123 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aracinovo, Bac, Belcista, Berovo, Bistrica, Bitola, Blatec, Bogdanci, Bogomila, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Cair (Skopje), Capari, Caska, Cegrane, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa, Cesinovo, Cucer-Sandevo, Debar, Delcevo, Delogozdi, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dobrusevo, Dolna Banjica, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov (Skopje), Drugovo, Dzepciste, Gazi Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Izvor, Jegunovce, Kamenjane, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda (Skopje), Klecevce, Kocani, Konce, Kondovo, Konopiste, Kosel, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kuklis, Kukurecani, Kumanovo, Labunista, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Lukovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovi Anovi, Meseista, Miravci, Mogila, Murtino, Negotino, Negotino-Poloska, Novaci, Novo Selo, Oblesevo, Ohrid, Orasac, Orizari, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnia, Podares, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Rostusa, Samokov, Saraj, Sipkovica, Sopiste, Sopotnika, Srbinovo, Star Dojran, Staravina, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari (Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Topolcani, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Velesta, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vitoliste, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Vratnica, Vrutok, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zileno, Zitose, Zletovo, Zrnovci note: the seven municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses collectively constitute "greater Skopje"

Independence: | 17 September 1991 (from Yugoslavia)

National holiday: | Uprising Day, 2 August (1903)

Constitution: | adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991 note: Democratic Party for Albanians (DPA), which is now a member party of the government, is calling for a rewrite of the constitution to declare ethnic Albanians a constituent national group and allow for greater regional autonomy

Legal system: | based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts

Suffrage: | 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: | chief of state: President Boris TRAJKOVSKI (since 15 December 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Ljubco GEORGIEVSKI (since 30 November 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by the government coalition parties VMRO-DPMNE, LDP, and DPA elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 November 1999 (next to be held NA October 2004); prime minister elected by parliament; election last held NA November 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: Boris TRAJKOVSKI elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Boris TRAJKOVSKI 52.4%, Tito PETKOVSKI 46.2%

Legislative branch: | unicameral Assembly or Sobranje (120 seats - 85 members are elected by popular vote, 35 members come from lists of candidates submitted by parties based on the percentage that parties gain from the overall vote; all serve four-year terms) elections: last held 18 October and 1 November 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE 43, SDSM 27, PDP 14, DA 13, DPA 11, VMRO-VMRO 6, LDP 4, SP 1, Roma Party 1

Judicial branch: | Constitutional Court; Judicial Court of the Republic; judges for both courts are elected by the Judicial Council

Political parties and leaders: | Democratic Alternative or DA [Vasil TUPURKOVSKI, president]; Democratic Party for Albanians or DPA [Arben XHAFERI, president]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Ljubcho GEORGIEVSKI, president]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-True Macedonian Reform Option or VMRO-VMRO [Boris STOJMANOV]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Risto GUSTERVO]; Party for Democratic Prosperity or PDP [Imeri IMERI, president]; Social-Democratic Alliance of Macedonia or SDSM (former Communist Party) [Branko CRVENKOVSKI, president]; Socialist Party of Macedonia or SP [Ljubisav IVANOV, president]; Union of Romanies of Macedonia or SRM [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders: | NA

International organization participation: | ACCT (associate), BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US: | chief of mission: Ambassador Ljubica Z. ACEVSKA chancery: 3050 K Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 337 3063 FAX: [1] (202) 337-3093 consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: | chief of mission: Ambassador Michael M. EINIK embassy: Bul. Ilinden bb, 91000 Skopje mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) telephone: [389] (91) 116-180 FAX: [389] (91) 117-103

Flag description: | a rising yellow sun with eight rays extending to the edges of the red field

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of | Economy | Top of Page

Economy - overview: | At independence in November 1991, Macedonia was the least developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of Yugoslavia ended transfer payments from the center and eliminated advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absence of infrastructure, UN sanctions on its largest market Yugoslavia, and a Greek economic embargo hindered economic growth until 1996. GDP has subsequently increased each year, rising by 5% in 2000. Successful privatization in 2000 boosted the country's reserves to over $700 million. Also, the leadership demonstrated a continuing commitment to economic reform, free trade, and regional integration. Inflation jumped to 11% in 2000, largely due to higher oil prices.

GDP: | purchasing power parity - $9 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: | 5% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita: | purchasing power parity - $4,400 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: | agriculture: 12% industry: 25% services: 63% (2000)

Population below poverty line: | 25% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: | lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): | 11% (2000 est.)

Labor force: | 1 million (1999 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: | agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Unemployment rate: | 32% (2000)

Budget: | revenues: $1.06 billion expenditures: $1 billion, including capital expenditures of $107 million (1996 est.)

Industries: | coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel, textiles, wood products, tobacco

Industrial production growth rate: | 3% (2000)

Electricity - production: | 6.395 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source: | fossil fuel: 82.25% hydro: 17.75% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)

Electricity - consumption: | 5.992 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports: | 30 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports: | 75 million kWh (1999)

Agriculture - products: | rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, millet, cotton, sesame, mulberry leaves, citrus, vegetables; beef, pork, poultry, mutton

Exports: | $1.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Exports - commodities: | food, beverages, tobacco; miscellaneous manufactures, iron and steel

Exports - partners: | Germany 22%, Yugoslavia 22%, US 12%, Greece 7%, Italy 6% (2000)

Imports: | $2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Imports - commodities: | machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; food products

Imports - partners: | Germany 13%, Ukraine 13%, Russia 10%, Yugoslavia 8%, Greece 8% (2000)

Debt - external: | $1.4 billion (2000)

Economic aid - recipient: | $100 million from the EU (2000)

Currency: | Macedonian denar (MKD)

Currency code: | MKD

Exchange rates: | Macedonian denars per US dollar - 64.757 (January 2001), 65.904 (2000), 56.902 (1999), 54.462 (1998), 50.004 (1997), 39.981 (1996)

Fiscal year: | calendar year

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of | Communications | Top of Page

Telephones - main lines in use: | 408,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular: | 12,362 (1997)

Telephone system: | general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: NA

Radio broadcast stations: | AM 29, FM 20, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios: | 410,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations: | 31 (plus 166 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions: | 510,000 (1997)

Internet country code: | .mk

Internet Service Providers (ISPs): | 6 (2000)

Internet users: | 30,000 (2000)

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of | Transportation | Top of Page

Railways: | total: 699 km standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (233 km electrified) note: a 56-km extension of the Kumanovo-Beljakovci line to the Bulgarian border at Gyveshevo is under construction (2001)

Highways: | total: 8,684 km paved: 5,540 km (including 133 km of expressways) unpaved: 3,144 km (1997)

Waterways: | note: lake transport only, on the Greek and Albanian borders

Pipelines: | 10 km

Ports and harbors: | none

Airports: | 16 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: | total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: | total: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2000 est.)

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of | Military | Top of Page

Military branches: | Army (includes Air and Air Defense Forces), Police Force

Military manpower - military age: | 19 years of age

Military manpower - availability: | males age 15-49: 548,183 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service: | males age 15-49: 442,053 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually: | males: 17,905 (2001 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: | $76.3 million (FY00/01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: | 2.17% (FY00/01)

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of | Transnational Issues | Top of Page

Disputes - international: | dispute with Greece over its name; February 2001 agreement with Yugoslavia settled alignment of boundary, stipulating implementation within two years

Illicit drugs: | increasing transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe