North Macedonia Facts and Culture

What is North Macedonia famous for?

• Food and Recipes: Breakfast is eaten about 9 AM by office workers, but earlier by factory laborers and rural residents. Dinner is the... More
• Family: The traditional family unit is an extended family consisting of a married couple, their unmarried daughters and their sons with... More
• Fashion: Western European styles are followed by the majority of urban Macedonians, within the limits of the budget. A clean, tidy... More
• Visiting: Relatives, friends and neighbors visit regularly and informally. However, it is important to give advance notice of a visit if... More
• Recreation: Soccer and basketball are the two most popular sports.  Table tennis and chess are also popular. In the cities a... More
• Cultural Attributes: Macedonian culture stresses the importance of the family. Parents sacrifice a great deal to support their children into adulthood, and... More
• Dating: Children often live with their parents till they are married. Young people are permitted to go out to movies, parks,... More
• Diet: Breakfast consists of bread, cheese and sometimes eggs. Root vegetables, grains and fruit, wine and meats are staples. Bean casserole... More

What is the capital of North Macedonia?

Capital	Skopje
Government Type	parliamentary republic
Currency	Macedonian Denar (MKD)
Total Area	9,928 Square Miles 25,713 Square Kilometers
Location	Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
Language	Macedonian 68%, Albanian 25%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 2%, other 2%
GDP - real growth rate	3.2%
GDP - per capita (PPP)	$14,000.00 (USD)

What is the population of North Macedonia?

Ethnic Groups	Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2%
Languages	The official language is Macedonian, which is written in a Cyrillic script. Albanian, Turkish, and Serbian are spoken widely. Sixty-seven per cent of the population in Macedonia are Macedonian, 22.9% are Albanian and there are between 2-3% Gypsy and Serb minorities.
Nationality Adjective	Macedonian
Nationality Noun	Macedonian(s)
Population	2,125,971
Population Growth Rate	0.22%
Population in Major Urban Areas	SKOPJE (capital) 499,000
Predominant Language	Macedonian 68%, Albanian 25%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 2%, other 2%
Urban Population	59.3%

What type of government does North Macedonia have?

• Executive Branch: chief of state: President Stevo PENDAROVSKI (since 12 May 2019) head of government: Interim Prime Minister Oliver SPASOVSKI (since 3 January... More
• Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal More
• Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Macedonia dual citizenship recognized: no residency... More
• National Holiday: Independence Day, 8 September (1991); also known as National Day More
• Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic, by... More
• Independence: 8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsed independence from Yugoslavia) More

What environmental issues does North Macedonia have?

• Overview: The Republic of Macedonia is a landlocked mountainous country. It is situated in southern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. Occupying... More
• Climate: Mostly a country of hills and mountains, Macedonia has a continental Mediterranean climate characterized by long, dry, rather hot summers... More
• Border Countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Serbia and Montenegro 221 km More
• Environment - International Agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone... More

How big is the North Macedonia economy?

• Economic Overview: Since its independence in 1991, Macedonia has made progress in liberalizing its economy and improving its business environment. Its low... More
• Industries: coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel, textiles, wood products, tobacco, food processing, buses, steel More
• Currency Name and Code: Macedonian Denar (MKD) More
• Export Partners: Greece 15.5%, Germany 13.1%, Serbia and Montenegro 10.4%, Slovenia 8.6%, Bulgaria 8.1%, Turkey 6%, Romania 4.7% More
• Import Partners: Greece 15.5%, Germany 13.1%, Serbia and Montenegro 10.4%, Slovenia 8.6%, Bulgaria 8.1%, Turkey 6%, Romania 4.7% More

What current events are happening in North Macedonia?
Source: Google News

What unique things can you discover about North Macedonia?

• Macedonia had the world's oldest President, Kiro Gligorov President of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia who was 83 years old.
• The youngest Prime Minister in world history is
  Ljupco Georgievski. He was 32 when he became Prime Minister of the Former Yogoslav Republic of Macedonia on Nov. 30, 1998.

What can you learn about North Macedonia in this video?

Macedonia Guide YouTube, Expoza Travel

What makes North Macedonia a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

Macedonia is a parliamentary democracy that is slowly but steadily transforming its economy. Tourist facilities are available in the capital, Skopje, and other major towns. In tourist centers, such as Skopje and Ohrid, European-standard hotels and other travel amenities are available. The standard of tourist facilities throughout the rest of the country varies considerably.

Crime

You should take the same precautions against becoming crime victims as you would in any U.S. city. Violent crime against U.S. citizens is rare. Pick-pocketing, theft, and other petty street crimes do occur, particularly in areas where tourists and foreigners congregate. Do not leave valuables, including cell phones and electronic items, in plain view in unattended vehicles. You should securely lock the windows and doors of your residence when it is not occupied. Organized crime is present in Macedonia; organized criminal activity occasionally results in violent confrontations between members of rival organizations. ATM use is generally safe; however, travelers should take standard safety precautions.

Pickpockets remain a problem in crowded areas of Skopje. Be aware of your belongings and surroundings at all times. Pickpockets use various diversionary tactics to distract victims; one method involves groups of children swarming around you and asking for money to find and take your wallet. Victims of pick pocketing should report the crime to the police and cancel their credit cards as soon as possible.

Taxis are a common and generally safe form of transportation. Use a legitimate, metered taxi to avoid conflicts about the fare.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Macedonia, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own, and criminal penalties vary from country to country. You can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Macedonia, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

If Arrested: If you are arrested in Macedonia, Macedonian authorities are required to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest. If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request the police or prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest.

Languages

The official language is Macedonian, which is written in a Cyrillic script. Albanian, Turkish, and Serbian are spoken widely. Sixty-seven per cent of the population in Macedonia are Macedonian, 22.9% are Albanian and there are between 2-3% Gypsy and Serb minorities.

Safety and Security

A small number of murders and armed robberies have occurred nationwide. None of these have targeted U.S. citizens or interests, but you should be aware of current events and your surroundings.

Macedonia has not experienced any incidents of large-scale public violence in recent years, although there have been occasions where protest activity devolved into localized violent incidents. Public protests, demonstrations, and strikes in response to world or local events can sporadically occur in Macedonia. Traffic disruptions and police diversion of traffic often occurs in connection with these demonstrations, particularly near the center of Skopje. While the vast majority of demonstrations in Macedonia are peaceful, you should be aware that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. You are urged to avoid demonstration areas if possible, and to exercise caution if traveling within the vicinity of any demonstrations. You should monitor media coverage to stay abreast of local events and should be aware of your surroundings at all times. Information regarding demonstrations in Macedonia can be found on the Embassy Skopje website. .

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

Driving safely in Macedonia requires excellent defensive driving skills. Many local drivers routinely ignore speed limits and other traffic regulations, such as stopping for red lights and stop signs. Drivers may make illegal left turns from the far right lane, or drive into oncoming lanes of traffic. The combination of speeding, unsafe driving practices, poor vehicle maintenance, the mixture of new and old vehicles on the roads, and poor lighting contributes to unsafe driving conditions. Drivers and passengers should always wear seatbelts in Macedonia. Pedestrians should exercise extreme caution when crossing the street, even when using crosswalks, as local drivers often do not slow down or stop for pedestrians.

A valid U.S. driver's license and an International Driving Permit are required for U.S. citizens driving in Macedonia. Macedonians drive on the right side of the road. Speed limits are generally posted. Most major highways are in good repair, but many secondary urban and rural roads are poorly maintained and poorly lighted. Horse-drawn carts, livestock, dead animals, rocks, or other objects are sometimes found in the roadway. Some vehicles are old and lack standard front or rear lights. Secondary mountain roads can be narrow, poorly marked, and lacking guardrails, and may quickly become dangerous in inclement weather. Public transportation in Macedonia is dilapidated. Roadside emergency services are limited.

In case of emergency, drivers may contact the police at telephone 192, the Ambulance Service at telephone 194, and Roadside Assistance at telephone 196.