Country name: Republic of North Macedonia
conventional short form: North Macedonia
local long form: Republika Severna Makedonija
local short form: Severna Makedonija
former: People’s Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia, Republic of Macedonia
etymology: the country name derives from the ancient kingdom of Macedon (7th to 2nd centuries B.C.)
Status Independent republic since 1991 through referendum
Languages Macedonian (Cyrillic alphabet), Albanian, Turkish dialects, Roma, Serb dialects
Population 2,077,328(2011 estimate): ethnic Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2%
Religion Orthodox Christian, Sunni and dervish Muslim, Roman Catholic, Methodist
Government Parliamentary democracy
Main political parties : SDSM ( Social Democratic Party of Macedonia), VMRO-DPMNE(Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation- Democratic Party of Macedonian National Unity ), DUI ( Democratic Union of Integration); NDR( National Democratic Revival) and DPA ( Democratic Party of Albanians)
President Stevo PENDAROVSKI (since 12 May 2019)
Prime Minister Zoran ZAEV (since 15 July 2020)
Municipalities 84, plus the City of Skopje= 85 ( next municipal elections 2022)
Capital Skopje
Other major towns Bitola, Kumanovo, Ohrid, Prilep, Shtip, Strumica, Tetovo,
Border countries Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece
Area 25,713 km²
National parks Mavrovo, Galichica, Pelister
UNESCO protected area Ohrid Lake and town
Total length of roads 10,591km ( surfaced: 6,000km)
Total railway 922km
Airports 17 ( international airports are Skopje and Ohrid)
Highest point Mount Korab 2,753m, bordering Albania
Lowest point River Vardar at Gevgelija border crossing: 45m above sea level
Time GMT+1
Currency Denar (MKD)
GDP Official: US$9.12bn ( World Bank, 2010); Purchasing Power Parity (PPP): US$19.46bn
Average annual income US$4,520 ( World Bank,2010)
International telephone code +389
Electricity 220 volts AC. Sockets are round two-pin.
Flag A yellow oval at the centre emanating eight yellow segments against a red background
National anthem ‘Today above Macedonia’ ( Денес над Македонија)
National flower Poppy
National animal Lion ( Panthera leo); Balkan lynx; Ohrid trout
National holidays 1-2 January ( New Year), 7 January ( Orthodox Christmas), April ( usually) (Easter), 1-2 May ( Labour ‘Day), 2 August ( Ilinden), 8 September ( Referendum Day), 11 October ( National Day)
