Country name: Republic of Macedonia (Република Македонија)
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 Governing coalition: VMRO-DPMNE(Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation- Democratic Party of Macedonian National Unity ), DUI ( Democratic Union of Integration);in opposition: SDSM ( Social Democratic Party of Macedonia), NDR( National Democratic Revival) and DPA ( Democratic Party of Albanians)
President Gjorge Ivanov ( next presidential elections 2019)
Prime minister Nikola Gruevski ( next parliamentary elections 2018)
Municipalities 84, plus the City of Skopje= 85 ( next municipal elections 2018)
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)
