Macedonia is located on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe, and is slightly smaller in area than Dalarna. Due to a name conflict with Greece, the country is also known internationally as “The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”.
| Capital: | Skopje |
| Biggest city: | Skopje |
| State: | republic |
| Language: | Macedonian |
| Religion: | orthodox christianity, islam |
| Surface: | 25 333 km² |
| Population: | 2.1 million (2013) |
| Population density: | 82 residents per km² |
| Life expectancy: | 75 years |
| Illiteracy: | 4% |
| Currency: | Macedonian denar (MKD) 1 denar = SEK 0.16 |
| GDP per capita: | $ 9,400 (2010) |
| Time difference: | +0 hours |
| Electricity: | 220 V AC, 50Hz |
| National Day: | September 8 |
| Country area code: | 389 |
| 2-Letter country abbreviation: | MK (See more abbreviations on Abbreviationfinder) |
| Business: | service sector 58%, industry 28%, agriculture 14% |
| Climate: | temperate; cold winters and hot summers |
In the 300s BC. Macedonia was the center of Alexander the Great’s vast empire. Later the area became a Roman province and from the 400s AD. a series of rulers succeeded each other. The historic region of Macedonia is much larger than the current country, and also occupies the northern part of Greece.
Greece believes that Macedonia is de facto seizing the history of the ancient Macedonians. The Greek province of Macedonia is also larger in area than the country of Macedonia. Greece also considers that today’s Macedonians are slaves, and thus have no connection to ancient Macedonia.
While waiting for the name issue to be resolved, the provisional name “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” is used by the UN and in multilateral contexts. However, Sweden has recognized the name Republic of Macedonia.
The country has a good tourist climate. During the summers, the lakes Ohrid, Prespa and Dorjan are the most popular tourist attractions. During the winter, many go to the ski resorts of Mavrovo, Sarplanina, Krusevo and Kozuv. The excavations at the ancient Macedonian cities of Stobi and Heraklea are also popular tourist destinations.
The local culinary specialties include pork with cumin, stuffed pigeon and the local version of shop salad (with tomatoes, cucumbers and sheep cheese) which is found throughout the Balkans.
WORLD HERITAGE
The following objects in Macedonia are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The year in which the item was added to the list is indicated in parentheses.
- Ohrid Regions (1979)
ELECTRICAL OUTLET
Electricity and electrical outlets in Macedonia
Voltage: 220 V
Frequency: 50 Hz
Type of plug: C, F
Need an adapter: No, you do not need an adapter.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
Weather in Skopje
| Climate | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Christmas | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Average temperature °C | 0 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 13 | 6 | 1 |
| Day °C | 3 | 7 | 13 | 17 | 22 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 19 | 10 | 5 |
| Night °C | -3 | -1 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 1 | -2 |
| Rain (mm) | 30 | 30 | 40 | 30 | 50 | 40 | 30 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 40 |
Ohrid
Ohrid is a city in western Macedonia with 52,380 residents (2002). The city has existed since ancient times, when it was called Lychnidos. The Roman army and trade route Via Egnatia passed through Lychnidos. The name Ohrid is first mentioned in 879. It has been claimed that the Cyrillic alphabet was developed in Ohrid by Saint Clement of Ohrid, but this is uncertain and it is perhaps more likely that it was developed around Preslav’s literary school in Preslav. Ohrid was an important cultural center where writings were produced by Ohrid’s literary school.
In 1000, Ohrid was for a short time the capital of Macedonia’s first Slavic kingdom under Tsar Samuil. The city was then also the seat of the Archbishopric of Ohrid and many churches were built. Ohrid is today a tourist town.
Sveti Naum is a monastery located south of Lake Ohrid. It was built in 900 by Sankt Naum. From the monastery, Albania can be seen on the other side of the lake. Ohrid also has one of Macedonia’s largest hospitals, specializing in geriatrics and orthopedics.
In 1979, the city was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Skopje
According to Countryaah, Skopje is the capital of Macedonia and has just over 510,000 residents (2002). The city is the political, cultural, economic and academic center of the country.
Skopje is known from Roman times under the name Skupi. The city developed rapidly after World War II, a trend that was interrupted in 1963 when the city suffered a major earthquake. About 80 percent of the city’s buildings were demolished and more than 1,000 people died. Today, Skopje is a modern city with many monuments from the city’s past.
The city is located on the river Vardar, about 20 kilometers from the state border with Serbia, and has food, chemical, textile and metal industries. Furthermore, Skopje is located in an area with extensive tobacco cultivation.