Information About Macedonia

macedonia

It was the historic day of September 9, 1991 when Macedonia came out of the clutches of Yugoslavia and attained independence. The peaceful dissolution of Yugoslavia resulted in the formation of three newer nations namely Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia along with – Macedonia. The culture of Macedonia shares the historic grounds with neighbouring countries significantly. The rich flora and fauna, lakes and national parks allure anyone having trifling interest in nature. Museums in Macedonia remind one of the great Ottoman Empire which influenced the country for years, while the undying liveliness of the capital city Skopje instils zeal through its unexpected attractions. Not to forget the diversity in cuisines and wineries for which the country is famous for and which, a very few small countries like Macedonia can afford to offer. A little bit of everything for everyone! Getting curious to know more about this watchful country? Here is the detailed section especially to serve the purpose. Have an instantaneous ride to Macedonia!

Fast Facts

Official Name: Republic of Macedonia
Capital: Skopje
Official Languages: Macedonian and Albanian
National Languages: Macedonian
Other Languages: Turkish, Roma, Serbian and Others
Demonym: Macedonian
Legislature: Unicameral Assembly or Sobranie
Independence: 8 September 1991
Constitution: 17 November 1991
Area: 25,713 square kilometres
Population: 2 million (UN, 2011)
Currency: Macedonian Denar
National Animal: Lion, Šarplaninec, Lynx

Interesting And Fun Facts About Macedonia

    • Macedonia is officially recognised as the Republic of Macedonia.
    • The country is landlocked territory with no direct access to sea.
    • Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) with an altitude of 2764m and Vardar River with an elevation of 50m are the highest and lowest points of Macedonia, respectively.
    • The country was formerly a part of Yugoslavia and did not gain independence from the kingdom until 1991. The independence was recognised two years later in 1993.
    • On exploring the inner regions of Macedonia, you will find the remnants of the civilisation as much as 3800 years old!
    • Around 55% of Macedonia’s population in the age range of 15 to 24 years is unemployed, making it the second most unemployed country after Armenia.
    • Kumanovo was the first luxury hotel opened in Macedonia. It was opened by the Popovic family in the year 1930.
    • The Lake Mavrovo is the largest artificial lake in Macedonia. It lies at an altitude of over 1,000 metres and has half submerged church at the centre of it, which is a prime tourist attraction.
    • Lake Ohrid in Macedonia is one of the deepest and oldest lakes in all of Europe.
    • Just outside the capital city, Skopje, is a place called Matka, which literally means ‘womb’. It is named after Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ and is solely dedicated to mothers giving new births and maintaining legacies generations after generations.
    • Macedonia is rich in nature’s beautiful endowments. It has around 50 lakes and numerous mountains. At least 16 mountains in Macedonia have an altitude higher than 2000m.
    • Mountains of Macedonia are classified as per their time of origin, geological composition, and the size and geographical orientation. Primarily, they form two categories: Rhodope – older mountain range and spread over a larger part, and Dinaric – younger group divided into 3 subgroups, namely, Vardar Zone, Pelagonia Massif and Shara Zone.
    • The Macedonian Stonehenge is the only discovered megalithic observatory in the Balkans. Built on the Volcano rocks, it was used to conduct researches on sun and moon, and was instituted about 4,000 years ago.
    • The lavish forests of the country are comprised of 210 families, 920 genera and 3,700 plant species while its rich fauna includes bears, wild boars, wolves, squirrels, chamois and deer.
    • Due to the presence of the relicts of Molika, the tertiary flora and the morphological and glacial relief in the alpine region, Pelister was declared as Macedonia’s first protected national park in 1948.
    • Though urbanised, the country has not lost its identity as an agricultural heartland of the Balkans, producing foodstuffs rich in Mediterranean and Central European taste.
    • Macedonia is famous for its wineries, producing red and white wines, which can easily compete with any French, Italian and Californian wine.
    • Macedonia’s natural threats are seen in the form of high seismic risks. Some rising environmental concerns of the country point towards air pollution from metallurgical plants.
    • Macedonia is famous for its 10 million years old ‘Stone Town’ – Kuklica, in the Kratovo region. The town has 120 stone figures, reaching heights of 10 metres.
    • As per 2011 estimates, Macedonia has a birth rate of 11.87 births/1000 population and a death rate of 8.95 deaths/1000 population. The country is ranked at 163rd position and 68th position in terms of birth rate and death rate, respectively.
    • Macedonia got the membership of United Nations in 1993 though under the provisional reference of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) due to the ongoing conflict with Greece over its name.
    • It is also a member of the Council of Europe and is a potential candidate for joining the European Union and the membership of NATO.