MACEDONIA

INTRODUCTION

On November 20, 1991, MACEDONIA declared its independence from Yugoslavia. This declaration of independence was met with widespread anger by Macedonia's neighbors, particularly Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia. Nationalist elements within these countries claim that residents in Macedonia belonged, by virtue of language and culture, to one or all of their neighbors and should not have formed an independent nation.

Protests against Macedonian independence became particularly strong in Greece because the northernmost province of Greece is also called Macedonia. The Greeks claimed that they would not accept Macedonia's independence unless the country chose a different name. The United States and the European Union (EU) formally recognized Macedonia's independence in 1994. In April 1993, Macedonia was admitted as a member of the United Nations. It is also a member of INTERPOL, EBRD, FAO, IMF, and UNESCO.

MAJOR CITIES

Skopje

The capital city of Macedonia, Skopje, is a thriving city of 582,000 people. Located on the Vardar River, the city was once the capital of ancient Serbia and for well over 500 years, from 1392 to 1913, was under Turkish rule. After a tragic earthquake destroyed or severely damaged 80 percent of the city in 1963, Skopje underwent extensive reconstruction, and now has the appearance of a very modern city, with new high-rise apartment buildings, factories, schools, and office buildings far outnumbering older structures. In contrast, the citizens of Skopje are mostly recent arrivals; the classic flow from rural to urban areas is visible here, where the population at the time of the earthquake was only about 160,000. The resulting mixture of a contemporary city environment inhabited by people still adjusting to the dynamic pace of modern urban life-styles make Skopje a fascinating study of contrasts and a challenging environment. Skopje is easily accessible via airplane, railway, and highway. An international airport located 14 miles (23 kilometers) southeast of Skopje handles international flights.

Skopje is Macedonia's commercial and industrial center. Several industries that produce glass, beer, bricks, tobacco, canned fruits and vegetables, and electrical goods are located in the city. Other industries include woodworking and leather processing.

Skopje has no English-language schools, but there is a suitable boarding school in Thessaloníki (Greece). Local day-care centers for preschool children are available at nominal cost.

Recreation and Entertainment

Macedonia has several good ski resorts within one to two hours' drive from Skopje, and acceptable overnight lodging is available. Good-quality ski equipment can be bought locally at reasonable prices. Renting is undependable. The mountains and rivers of Macedonia offer extensive opportunities for climbing, camping, and hiking, but overnight camping is allowed only in designated areas.

Hunting and fishing are widely available, although moderately expensive. A hunter must join a local club. Rifles and shotguns may be imported only by specia permit, and guns should be separately packed and listed for easier customs clearance. Shotgun ammunition is locally available; rifle ammunition must be brought from the U.S.

Skopje has a tennis club with clay courts. There also is an indoor swimming pool of acceptable quality and an outdoor pool (summer only) of marginal quality. Facilities are available in winter for ice skating and sledding, and for basketball and soccer, although the courts and fields are fairly crowded.

The city has a zoo, several interesting museums, and a large park. Travel to Greece and Bulgaria is convenient, and more extensive tours to other parts of Europe are possible at greater expense. The Adriatic coast is one hour by air or a tiring, but scenic, ten hours by car.

The numerous movie theaters in Skopje often show American films with subtitles in Serbo-Croatian. An opera company, two theater groups, a ballet company, and a philharmonic orchestra are based here.

North and south of Skopje, it is possible to view vestiges of Macedonia's ancient past. Approximately four miles (seven kilometers) south of the city is the Church of Sveti Pantelejmon. This church, constructed in the 12th century, offers beautiful frescoes and breathtaking views of Skopje and the surrounding countryside. Another church, the Markov Manastir, is situated 11 miles (17 kilometers) south of Skopje and is filled with many exquisite 14th century frescoes.

Other 13th and 14th century frescoes, many of them quite beautiful, can be viewed at the Manastir Sveti Nikita (Monastery of St. Nicholas). This monastery is located nine miles (15 kilometers) north of Skopje and is easily accessible by car.

Ohrid

Situated in southwest Macedonia beside picturesque Lake Ohrid is the city of Ohrid. Ohrid is Macedonia's major resort area and tourist center. Tourists flock to Ohrid's Ulica Samuilova, which is the city's main street, in search of copper coffee sets, native jewelry, and rustic pottery. However, most visitors come to Ohrid to view the city's many medieval churches. Ohrid's oldest surviving church is the Church of St. Sophia. Constructed in the 11th century, the church has many exquisite frescoes. When the Turks took control of Ohrid in the late 14th century, the Church of St. Sophia was turned into a mosque and its frescoes covered with whitewash. The frescoes were uncovered during excavation work in the 1950s and, because of their protective coat of whitewash, were remarkably preserved. These religious frescoes, along with St. Sophia's many fine examples of Byzantine art, are popular tourist attractions. Another church, the Church of St. Clement, was built in Ohrid during the late 13th century. During the Turkish occupation of Macedonia, the Church of St. Clement was the only church allowed to hold Christian services. Therefore, it became a repository for many works of religious art, frescoes, and beautiful icons framed in silver. All of these treasures can be viewed by visitors. Other frescoes and icons can be seen at the 13th century Church of Sveti Jovan-Kaneo (St. John the Divine at Kaneo), which is nestled on a lovely hilltop overlooking Lake Ohrid. It is also possible to view the remains of the Church of St. Pantelelmon. This church, built by St. Clement, was the site of the first Slavic university. It was destroyed by the Turks in the late 17th century and a mosque, the Imaret Mosque, was built in its place.

In addition to tourism, many agricultural crops are grown near the city. Abundant supplies of fish in Lake Ohrid has led to the emergence of a thriving fishing industry. Ohrid had a population of roughly 47,000 in 2002.

OTHER CITIES

BITOLA is Macedonia's southernmost city. Located close to Macedonia's border with Greece, the city was founded by Slavic settlers in 1014. Under Turkish rule (1383-1913), Bitola became a thriving commercial, trading, and religious center. By the mid-seventeenth century, the city had over 70 mosques, many shops, and several commercial houses. Today, Bitola has a population of approximately 84,000 and is an important industrial center. Industries in the city manufacture carpets, textiles, and rubber products. Bitola's main attraction is the ruins of the ancient town of Heraclea Lyncestis, which is located two miles (three kilometers) from Bitola. Founded in the 4th century B.C., Heraclea offers visitors glimpses of well-preserved Roman baths, a large basilica filled with beautiful mosaics, an amphitheater, and wonderful examples of late classical and early Byzantine art.

The city of KUMANOVU is located in northern Macedonia. Located 15 miles (24 kilometers) northeast of Skopje, Kumanovu is an industrial center for canning and tobacco processing. The economy of this city of 78,000 is also heavily dependent on the trading of cattle, fruits, and liquor. The Staro Nagoricane Monastery, with its beautiful frescoes, is a popular destination for visitors. The monastery is located approximately eight miles (13 kilometers) east of Kumanovu.

The city of PRILEP is located 47 miles (76 kilometers) south of Skopje. During the 14th century, Prilep was an important commercial and political center. Vestiges of Prilep's medieval past include the monastery of Archangel Michael, the Church of St. Dimitri, and St. Nikola's Church. Constructed in 1299, St. Nikola's contains many beautiful religious frescoes. Today, Prilep is an agricultural center for tobacco and fruit grown near the city. Prilep's population in 2002 was approximately 56,000.

COUNTRY PROFILE

Geography and Climate

The Republic of Macedonia is roughly rectangular in shape and occupies an area of 9,928 square miles (25,713 square kilometers), which is slightly larger than Vermont. Macedonia is a landlocked country surrounded on the north by Serbia, on the south by Greece, on the west by Albania, and on the east by Bulgaria. The terrain of Macedonia is rather hilly, with deep basins and valleys. Macedonia has three large lakes, Lake Prespa, Lake Doiran, and Lake Ohrid. Lake Ohrid, which is nine miles (15 kilometers) wide and 938 feet deep, is the largest of the three lakes. Macedonia's major river is the Vardar. The Vardar River flows across Macedonia from northwest to southeast and eventually flows through Greece into the Aegean Sea. Macedonia is prone to earthquakes and has experienced several devastating earthquakes throughout history.

The climate of Macedonia is varied. Winters tend to be cold with heavy snowfall while summers and autumns are hot and dry.

Population

In July 2001, Macedonia had an estimated population of 2,046,000. Approximately 67 percent of the population are Macedonian. Albanians make up 23 percent of the population and are Macedonia's largest minority group. Most Albanians live in close communities along Macedonia's northwestern border with Albania. Ethnic Turks and Serbs make up four percent and two percent of the population respectively. Roma (Gypsies) account for 2 percent and other groups 2 percent.

The official language of Macedonia is Macedonian, which is similar to Bulgarian. However, the republic's sizeable Albanian population usually speaks Albanian. Other languages spoken in Macedonia include Turkish and Serbo-Croatian.

Macedonia is a land where several religions are represented. Approximately 67 percent of Macedonians are Eastern Orthodox, while 30 percent are Muslim. Macedonia's Albanian minority is overwhelmingly Muslim, although some are adherents of Roman Catholicism. Other minorities, such as the Turks, are also Muslim. Roman Catholics, Protestants, and others account for the remainder.

In 2001, life expectancy in Macedonia was approximately 72 years for males, 76 years for females.

Government

Macedonia is in the process of establishing a democratic system of government after years of Communist rule. In November and December 1990, elections for a multi-party, 120-seat National Assembly (Sobranje) were held in Macedonia. Results of the election showed that an alliance of two nationalist parties, the Movement for All-Macedonia Action (MAMA) and the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (IMRODPMNU), had captured 37 seats. The Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia (SDAM), which consists of former Communists, came in second with 31 seats. The Party for Democratic Prosperity (PDP), which represents Macedonia's powerful Albanian minority, garnered 25 seats. The Alliance of Reform Forces (ARF) took 19 seats. The rest of the seats in the Sobranje were captured by several small opposition parties.

On January 27, 1991, members of the Sobranje elected Kiro Gligorov as State President of Macedonia. Also, on March 23, 1991, the Sobranje chose a new prime minister, Nikola Kjusev, and authorized him to create a new government.

In 1991, Macedonia's government took several major steps toward independence from the former Yugoslavia. On January 25, the Sobranje stated that Macedonia was a sovereign state with a right to self-determination. On September 8, Macedonians were asked by their government to vote on a referendum declaring Macedonian independence from Yugoslavia. At least 75 percent of the voters in the referendum had cast ballots in favor of secession. Albanian voters, fearful that an independent Macedonia would lead to widespread discrimination against the Albanian community, boycotted the election. On November 17, 1991, the Sobranje approved a new constitution that formally declared independence from Yugoslavia.

Throughout 1992, Macedonia's status remained unsettled. Although Macedonia was no longer viewed as a member of Yugoslavia, neither was it seen as an independent nation in its own right. The government was also faced with growing opposition from Macedonia's large Albanian minority, which demanded political autonomy over Albanian-dominated regions of Macedonia. Frustration over the failure to obtain world recognition of Macedonia's independence had taken its toll on the government. On July 7, 1992, Macedonia's entire government resigned over its failure to convince other countries to unconditionally recognize Macedonian independence. Prime Minister Kjusev formed a new government on August 23, 1992. Macedonia was admitted to the United Nations in 1993. The current president is Boris Trajkoviski, and Ljupco Georgievski is the country's premier.

Commerce and Industry

Macedonia was one of the poorest of the six republics in the former Yugoslavia. The economy of Macedonia is dependent upon agriculture, but has had growth recently in service and industry sectors. Agriculture provides 12 percent of Macedonia's gross domestic product (GDP). Principal crops are rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, millet, citrus fruit, vegetables, and sesame.

Industrial capacity in Macedonia is centered in Skopje and is growing. Most industrial production is limited to the manufacturing of wood products, tobacco, and textiles. Macedonia is rich in minerals, particularly metallic chromium, lead, zinc, coal, and ferro-nickel. Metallurgy is a major industrial activity. Privatization of companies has helped the GDP and reserves rise.

Political turmoil, both internally and in the region as a whole, has hampered Macedonia's economic development. Macedonia's geographical isolation, technological backwardness, and political instability placed it far down the list of countries of interest to Western investors. In 1994, United Nations sanctions against neighboring Serbia and Montenegro and a blockade by Greece cost the Macedonian economy an estimated $2 billion. After pressure from the European Union, Greece lifted its embargo in 1995. In recent years, however, strong internal commitments to reform and free trade have helped bolster the country's economic development.

Transportation

Highways link Skopje with Ohrid and the Serbian capital of Belgrade. Macedonia's highways are in good condition.

Train service within Macedonia is inadequate. However, international train travel from Skopje to Athens, Greece and Belgrade, Serbia is fairly good.

Macedonia has sixteen airports. The largest airport, located 14 miles (23 kilometers) southeast of Skopje, handles international flights. A smaller airport is situated six miles (10 kilometers) north of Ohrid. Available flights between cities within Macedonia are very limited.

Communications

Telephone communication is available in Macedonia, although somewhat limited in remote areas. In 1997, there were approximately 408,000 telephones in Macedonia.

There are no English-language newspapers in Macedonia. All newspapers are published in Macedonian and Albanian.

There are both state-and privately-owned radio and television stations. Macedonia's main broadcasting organization, Radio-Television Skopje, transmits in Macedonian, Albanian, and Turkish.

NOTES FOR TRAVELERS

The Department of State advises travelers to Macedonia that political and economic changes in the region make travel there difficult and potentially dangerous, and recommends that travelers defer their visit. Those entering or leaving Macedonia by its land border with Greece may experience delays. Delays may also be experienced at the Serbian-Macedonian border, especially by Americans of ethnic Albanian descent. Periodic closings of the border with Kosovo have occurred with little or no prior notice. The overall level of violence has diminished, but armed inter-ethnic disputes continue. Travelers should be aware of the threat of landmines, bombings, and violent demonstrations.

U.S. citizens are urged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Skopje located at Ilindenska bb, 91000; telephone: (389)(2) 116-180.

LOCAL HOLIDAYS

Jan. 1 …New Year's Day

Jan. 7 …Christmas (Orthodox)

April/May …Easter^*

May 1-2 …Labor Day

Aug. 2…Day of the Ilinden Uprising

Sept. 8 …Independence Day

Oct. 11 …Veteran's Day

^*variable

RECOMMENDED READING

The following titles are provided as a general indication of the material published on this country:

Borza, Eugene N. In the Shadow of Olympus: The Emergence of Macedon. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1992.

Hammond, Nicholas G. The Macedonian State: The Origins, Institutions, & History. New York: Oxford University Press, 1990.

Hammond, Nicholas G. Miracle That Was Macedonia. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1991.

Yugoslavia. New York: Prentice Hall General Reference & Travel, 1991.