FEW FACTS ABOUT MACEDONIA

Landlocked in the heart of the Balkans, Macedonia is one of Europe's youngest, smallest countries, but is simultaneously one of its oldest nations. History goes back a long way here, witness the many ancient and early medieval monuments.
A country of wild mountains, fertile plains and huge lakes, Macedonia is an emerging destination for leisure and business travellers alike.

Now, some brief facts about Macedonia...

Official Name: Republic of Macedonia

Land Area: 25,714 sq km (land & water surface; 9,929 sq miles)

Population: 2,063,122

Capital City: Skopje (467,257)

Latitude/Longitude: 41° 50'N, 22° 00'E

Anthem: "Today above Macedonia"

Government: Parliamentary Democracy (Parliamentary republic)

Independence: September 8th, 1991 (from SFR Yugoslavia)

Borders: total (766 km)

Neighboring Countries: Albania (151 km, to the West), Bulgaria (148 km, to the East), Greece (246 km, to the South) and Serbia (221 km, to the North).

Demographics: Macedonians 65%, Albanians 25%, Turks 3,9%, Roma 2,7% and Serbs 1,8%.

Languages Spoken: Macedonian 70%, Albanian 20%, Turkish, Serbo-Croat, Roma, Vlach.

Religion: Christianity (Macedonian Orthodox) 70%, Muslim 25%, Catholic and other 5%.

Currency: Macedonian Denar (since April 26, 1992)

United Nations Organization: since April 8th, 1993

Internet TLD: .mk

Country Phone Code: +389

Location: The Republic of Macedonia is located in South-East Europe, in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula.

Landforms: Macedonia is an elevated plateau of large, rolling hills and deep valleys, completely disected and surrounded by mountains. The Dinaric Alps extend down into Macedonia, and the highest point is in the Korab Mountain range, at 9,066 ft. (2,764m).
Major lakes include Ohrid, Prespa (both shared with Albania) and Doiran. Lake Ohrid is the deepest lake in the Balkans (935 ft.)
The Vardar River divides the country; other rivers of note include the Bregalnica and Cma.

Land Divisions: 34 counties and 85 municipalities.

Climate: Summers are warm (occasionally hot), with some rain; winters are cold with heavy snowfall.

Macedonia timeless

Welcome to Macedonia - The undiscovered paradise!

The Republic of Macedonia is a paradise of sun, mountains, rivers and lakes that offer the vacationer a complete change from the stress and routine of everyday life. From April to October, most places in Macedonia have an ideal climate that is perfect for relaxing on beaches or enjoying the beautiful nature of mountains and lakes.

While easily accessible from all points abroad, and boasting all the amenities of the Western world, Macedonia remains one of Europe’s last great undiscovered countries: a natural paradise of mountains, lakes and rivers, where life moves to a different rhythm, amidst the sprawling grandeur of rich historical ruins and idyllic villages that have remained practically unchanged for centuries.

Macedonia is a region that contains a great historical - geographical value, in southeastern Europe, in the south central part of the Balkan Peninsula and also has a magnificent past, and is a land full of historic treasures from more successive civilizations spanning 5,000 years. Many civilzations governed the region: Thracians, Yllirians, ancient Macedonians, Dardanians, Romans, Byzantines, Slavs and the Ottoman Turks.

All of them left numerious marks. Even if you spend only a short time in Macedonia, you can see a lot of this great heritage. The country is dotted with beautiful Orthodox churches, monasteries, Ottoman mosques, as well as many ancient towns and the first Slavic university in the world.

Macedonians are very proud to say:

1. Macedonia is the birthplace of Cyrillic script and cradle of the Slavic culture; and
2. World's first wireless internet country that has coverage of 95%.

Saint Clement and Saint Naum developed the Cyrillic alphabet and founded the first Slavic University in the world holding at a period 3,500 students; while On.net (a local ISP) developed the internet usage and made Macedonia to be the first country in the world with complete wireless broadband coverage with 95% of the population covered.

There is no doubt that one visit will not be enough, and you will want to come back again and again as you discover one extraordinary place after another.

Macedonians and the rest of the minorities living here, no matter how different, have one thing in common: the friendly and hospitable people of this unique country. They have rich cultural life, followed by their tradition and customs and the faith to God.

And the cusine ... is one of the most wealthy in Europe. The food food resembles the food of the southern Balkans, meaning loads of grilled meat and fish (known as skara), as well of many traditionaly cooked meals, appetizer, side dishes, salads, deserts.

One thing is known as certain:

Macedonia is a paradise, has many wonderfull landmarks and sacred mysteries still undiscovered by the tourists.

COME TO MACEDONIA !