Republic of Macedonia 41978 226088071 2008-07-16T19:45:32Z AlleborgoBot 3813685 robot Adding: [[cu:Макєдоні́ꙗ]] {{sprotect|small=yes}} {{for|an explanation of terms related to Macedonia|Macedonia (terminology)}}<!--Note to editors: Please do not modify the country names used in the infobox below without first discussing the change on the talk page.--> {{Infobox Country |native_name = {{lang|mk|Република Македонија}}<br/>{{lang|mk-Latn|''Republika Makedonija''}}<ref name="language" /> |conventional_long_name = Republic of Macedonia |common_name = the Republic of Macedonia |national_anthem = ''[[Today over Macedonia|Денес над Македонија]]''<br /><small>([[English language|English]]: {{lang|en|"''Today over Macedonia''"}}) |image_flag = Flag_of_Macedonia.svg |image_coat = Coat_of_arms_of_the_Republic_of_Macedonia.svg |image_map = Europe location MKD.png |map_caption = {{map_caption |countryprefix=the |region=on the [[Europe|European continent]] |legend=European location legend en.png}} |[[Image:OpstiniMK.png|15px]] [[Skopje]] |latd=42 |latm=0 |latNS=N |longd=21 |longm=26 |longEW=E |largest_city = [[Skopje]] |official_languages = [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]]<sup>1</sup> |government_type = [[Parliamentary republic]] |leader_title1 = [[President of the Republic of Macedonia|President]] |leader_name1 = [[Branko Crvenkovski]] |leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia|Prime Minister]] |leader_name2 = [[Nikola Gruevski]] ([[VMRO–DPMNE]]) |sovereignty_type = [[History of Macedonia|Independence from]] |sovereignty_note = [[Yugoslavia]] |established_event4 = |established_date4 = |established_event5 = [[History of the Republic of Macedonia|Independence declared]]<br />[[History of the Republic of Macedonia#Road to Republic|Officially recognised]] |established_date5 = [[September 8]] [[1991]]<br />[[8 April]] [[1993]] |established_event6 = |established_date6 = |established_event7 = |established_date7 = |established_event8 = |established_date8 = |established_event9 = |established_date9 = |accessionEUdate = |EUseats = |area_km2 = 25,713 |area_sq_mi = 9,779 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |area_rank = 148th |area_magnitude = 1 E10 |percent_water = 1.9% |population_estimate = 2,038,514<ref>[http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996,39140985&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=detailref&language=en&product=Yearlies_new_population&root=Yearlies_new_population/C/C1/C11/caa10000] The population of Macedonia</ref> |population_estimate_year = Jan.&nbsp;01,&nbsp;2006 |population_estimate_rank = 143rd |population_census = 2,022,547 |population_census_year = 2002 |population_density_km2 = 79 |population_density_sq_mi = 205 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |population_density_rank = 111th |GDP_PPP_year = 2006 |GDP_PPP = $16.94 billion |GDP_PPP_rank = 103rd |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $7,645 |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = |GDP_nominal = $7,497 billion |GDP_nominal_rank = 124st |GDP_nominal_year = 2007 |GDP_nominal_per_capita = $3,647 |GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 95th |HDI_year = 2005 |HDI = {{increase}} 0.801 |HDI_rank = 69th |HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font> |Gini = 29.3 |Gini_year = 2004 |Gini_category = <font color="#009900">low</font> |currency = [[Macedonian denar]] |currency_code = MKD |time_zone = [[Central European Time|CET]] |utc_offset = +1 |time_zone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]] |utc_offset_DST = +2 |cctld = [[.mk]] |calling_code = 389 |ISO_3166-1_alpha2 = EE |ISO_3166-1_alpha3 = |ISO_3166-1_numeric = ? |alt_sport_code = MK |vehicle_code = MK |aircraft_code = MK |demonym = [[Macedonians (ethnic group)|Macedonian]] |footnote1 = [[Albanian language|Albanian]] is widely spoken in [[Polog|Western Macedonia]]. In some areas [[Turkish language|Turkish]], [[Serbian language|Serbian]], [[Romany language|Romany]] and [[Aromanian language|Aromanian]] are also spoken. }} The ''' Republic of Macedonia''' ({{lang-mk|Република Македонија}}, {{lang|mk-Latn|''Republika Makedonija''}}{{Audio|Makedonija.ogg|listen}}<ref name="language">[http://www.britannica.com/nations/Macedonia Britannica], ''Macedonia'', Retrieved on [[2007-06-18]].</ref>), often referred to as '''Macedonia''', is a [[landlocked]] country on the [[Balkans|Balkan peninsula]] in southeastern [[Europe]]. It is bordered by [[Serbia]] and [[Kosovo]] to the north, [[Albania]] to the west, [[Greece]] to the south, and [[Bulgaria]] to the east. It was admitted to the [[United Nations]] in [[1993]] under the provisional reference '''the former <!-- DO NOT CAPITALIZE "FORMER" - LOWER CASE IS CORRECT --> Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia'''<ref>UN Resolutions #817 of April 7 and #845 of June 18 of 1993</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.un.org/members/notes/yugoslavia.htm|title=Note on Yugoslavia|accessdate=2008-05-10}} "''By resolution A/RES/47/225 of 8 April 1993, the General Assembly decided to admit as a Member of the United Nations the State being provisionally referred to for all purposes within the United Nations as "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" pending settlement of the difference that had arisen over its name.''"</ref> commonly abbreviated to '''FYROM''',<ref> Bonk, M. R., Carlton R. A. (editors) (1997), ''International Acronyms, Initialisms & Abbreviations Dictionary'', 4th Edition, Detroit, New York, Toronto, London: Gale Research, LCCCN 85-642206, ISBN 0-8103-7437-4, ISSN 0743-0523, Volume 1, pg. 516 and Bonk, M. R (Project Editor) (2003), ''International Acronyms, Initialisms & Abbreviations Dictionary'', 32nd Edition, USA: Gale-Thompson Group, Volume 1, pg. 1789, ISBN 0-7876-4109-X (Part 2 D-I only)</ref><ref>Alongside the official long-form reference, the "FYROM" [[acronym]] is frequently used by international organizations such as the [http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=22590&Cr=Greece&Cr1=FYROM UN,] the [http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=594&lang=EN EU], the [http://osce.mobi/documents/rfm/2000/05/2270_en.pdf OSCE], the [http://ebu.ch/CMSimages/en/Guide4_2006_tcm6-49242.pdf?display=EN EBU,] the [http://imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2008/cr0848.pdf IMF,] the [http://info.worldbank.org/etools/docs/library/85673/devdebates/ECA1/alb_fiscalpolicy_eng.pdf World Bank], [http://www.wto.org/English/thewto_e/countries_e/macedonia_e.htm WTO] and [http://www.nato.int/fyrom/home.htm NATO] (All NATO documents referring to [[FYROM]] have to be accompanied by a footnote text 'Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name')</ref> pending resolution of a [[Macedonia naming dispute|naming dispute with Greece]].<ref>[http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/47/a47r225.htm United Nations Resolution 225 (1993)]</ref> Many other international institutions and countries have recognised the country under the same reference, although an overall majority of countries recognise it under its constitutional name.<ref>See [[Macedonia naming dispute#List of countries/entities using "Republic of Macedonia" in bilateral diplomatic relations|lists at ''Macedonia naming dispute'']]</ref> The Republic of Macedonia forms approximately 35.8% of the land and 40.9% of the population of the wider geographical [[Macedonia (region)|region of Macedonia]], as it was defined in the late 19th century. The capital is [[Skopje]], with 506,926 inhabitants according to a 2004 census, and there are a number of smaller cities, notably [[Bitola]], [[Kumanovo]], [[Prilep]], [[Tetovo]], [[Ohrid]], [[Veles (city)|Veles]], [[Štip]], [[Kočani]], [[Gostivar]] and [[Strumica]]. It has more than 50 natural and artificial lakes and sixteen mountains higher than 2,000 meters (6,550&nbsp;[[30.48 cm|ft]]). The country is a member of the [[United Nations|UN]] and the [[Council of Europe]] and a member of [[La Francophonie]], the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO), and the [[Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe]]. Since December 2005 it is also a candidate for joining the [[European Union]] and has applied for [[NATO]] membership. ==History== {{main|History of the Republic of Macedonia}} {{Ethnic Macedonians}} The lands governed by the Republic of Macedonia were previously the southernmost part of the Socialist Federative Republic of [[Yugoslavia]]. Its current borders were fixed shortly after [[World War II]] when the [[ASNOM|Anti-Fascist Assembly for the National Liberation of Macedonia]] declared the ''People's Republic of Macedonia'' as a separate nation within Yugoslavia. Over the centuries the territory which today forms the Republic of Macedonia was ruled by a number of different states and former empires. ===Ancient Regional History=== The first recorded state on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia was the [[Thraco-Illyrian]] kingdom of [[Paionia]], which covered the [[Vardar|Axius]] River valley and the surrounding areas.<ref>Encyclopaedia Britannica - Paeonia. [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9057963/Paeonia]</ref> [[Philip II of Macedon]] took over the southernmost regions of Paeonia in [[336 BC]] and founded the city of [[Heraclea Lyncestis]], near what is now Bitola.<ref>Macedonian Center for Archaeological Research. The Ancient Kingdom of Macedonia in the Republic of Macedonia. [http://www.macar.org/projects/projects_kingdom_intro.html]</ref> Philip's son [[Alexander the Great]] conquered the remainder of Paeonia, which then became part of his empire. Subsequently the territory was conquered by Rome and became part of two [[Roman provinces]]. The greater part was within [[Macedonia (Roman province)|Macedonia Salutaris]], but the northern border regions, inhabited by the [[Dardani]], became a part of [[Moesia Superior]].<ref> Encyclopaedia Britannica - Scopje. [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9068124/Skopje]</ref> By [[400 AD]] the [[Paeonians]] had lost their identity, and [[Paionia|Paeonia]] was merely a geographic term. ===The Medieval period=== {{main|South Slavs}} [[Image:700.png|thumb|left|250px|Presence of Slavic tribes c. 700 AD]] In the late 6th century AD, as Byzantine control over the area disintegrated, the region was increasingly settled by various [[Slavic tribes]] from the north, such as ''Draguvites, Bersites, Sagudates, Smoleanoi'' and ''Strymonoi''. During this decay in Byzantine power, some of the pre-Slavic inhabitants retreated to fortified Greek cities along the Aegean Sea, others took refuge in mountains, whilst many others were assimilated by the Slavs. These people were a large mix of indigenous Balkaners ([[Greeks]], [[Illyrians]] and [[Thracians]] as well as "Roman" settlers and ''foederati'' that had settled the area over the preceding centuries; sharing a sense of Graeco-Roman identity (by was of language and customs). The Slavs of Byzantine Macedonia organised themselves in autonomous rural societies called by the Greeks "Σκλαβινίαι" (''[[Sclaveni (military)|Sklaviniai]]''). The Byzantine emperors would aim to Hellenise and incorporate the ''Sklaviniai'' into the socio-economic rule of Byzantium. While Byzantine achieved this with the Slavs of the Thracian theme, the emperors had to resort to military expeditions to pacify the ''Sklaviniai'' of Macedonia, often repeatedly. These expeditions reached their peak with [[Justinian II]], and Byzantine accounts report that as many as 200,000 from Macedonia to central Anatolia, forcing them to pay tribute and serve in the imperial army. Whilst many of the Slavs in Macedonia had to acknowledge Byzantine authority, the majority remained ethnically independent, and continued to form the demographic majority in the region as a whole. Rather than forming a unified Slavic state, they continued to live as separate tribes. Circa 850 AD, the [[First Bulgarian Empire]] expanded into the region of Macedonia. John Fine suggests that Bulgaria's expansion into Macedonia was smooth, since Byzantine authority in the area was nominal, and most of the Slavic tribes of Macedonia willingly joined (the predominantly Slavic) Bulgarian confederacy.<ref>The early Medieval Balkans. John Fine Jr</ref> [[Image:svetinaum.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Medieval Orthodox Monastery of [[Sveti Naum|St. Naum]] on [[Lake Ohrid]] ]] The Slavic peoples of Macedonia accepted Christianity as their own religion around the 9th century, during the reign of prince [[Boris I of Bulgaria]]. The creators of the [[Glagolitic alphabet]], the [[Byzantine Greeks|Byzantine Greek]] monks [[Saint Cyril]] and [[Saint Methodius]], under the guidance of the [[Patriarchate]] at [[Constantinople]], were promoters of Christianity and initiated Slavic literacy among the Slavic people. They were based in [[Thessaloniki]], where Slavic was spoken universally as a second language after Greek, and used the Macedonian dialect spoken in the hinterland of Thessaloniki as the basis for what would become the universal ''Old Slavonic''. Their work was accepted in early medieval [[Bulgaria]] and continued by St. [[Clement of Ohrid]], creator of [[Cyrillic alphabet]] and St. [[Naum of Ohrid]] as founders of the [[Ohrid Literary School]]. [[Image:Ohrid in Macedonia3.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Fortress of [[Samuel of Bulgaria|Tsar Samuel]] ]] In 1014, Emperor [[Basil II]] finally defeated the armies of [[Tsar Samuil of Bulgaria|Tsar Samuil]] and by 1018 the Byzantines restored control over Macedonia (and all of the Balkans) for the first time since the 600s. However, by the late 12th century, inevitable Byzantine decline saw the region become contested by various political entities, including a brief [[Normans|Norman]] occupation in the 1080s. In the early 13th century, a revived [[Second Bulgarian Empire|Bulgarian Empire]] gained control of the region. Plagued by political difficulties the empire did not last and the wider geographical [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]] region fell once again under Byzantine control. In the 14th century, it became part of the [[Serbian Empire]], who saw themselves as liberators of their Slavic kin from Byzantine despotism. [[Skopje]] became the capital of [[Tsar Stefan Dusan]]'s empire. However, with Dusan's death, a weak successor and power struggles between nobles divided the Balkans once again. This coincided with the entry of the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman Turks]] into Europe. With no major Balkan power left to defend Christianity, the entire Balkans fell to Turkish rule - which would remain so for five centuries. ===The National Awakening=== Ottoman rule over the region was considered harsh. One of the earliest uprisings against Ottoman rule came in 1689 with [[Karposh's Rebellion]]. Several movements whose goals were the establishment of autonomous Macedonia, encompassing the entire region of [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]], began to arise in the late 1800s; the earliest of these was the [[IMRO|Bulgarian Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Committees]], later transformed to SMORO. In 1905 it was renamed as [[IMORO]] and after [[World War I]] the organization separated into the [[Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization|IMRO]] and the [[ITRO]]. The early organization did not proclaim any ethnic identities; it was officially open to "''...uniting all the disgruntled elements in Macedonia and the Adrianople region, regardless of their nationality...''".<ref name=glenny>M. Glenny, "The Balkans"</ref> The majority of its members were however Slavic/Bulgarian-speakers.<ref name=glenny/> In 1903, IMRO organised the [[Ilinden-Preobrazhenie Uprising]] against the [[Ottoman Turks|Ottomans]], which after some initial successes, including the forming of the [[Krushevo Republic]], was crushed with much loss of life. The uprising and the forming of the [[Krushevo Republic]] are considered the cornerstone and precursors to the eventual establishment of the Republic of Macedonia. ===Kingdoms of Serbia and Yugoslavia === [[Image:Balkan Wars Boundaries cleanup.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Boundaries on the Balkans after the First and Second [[Balkan War]]. ]] {{History of the Republic of Macedonia}}Following the two [[Balkan wars]] of 1912 and 1913 and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, most of its European held territories were divided between [[Greece]], [[Bulgaria]] and [[Serbia]]. The territory of the present-day Republic of Macedonia was then named ''{{lang|sr|Južna Srbija}}'', "[[Stara Srbija|Southern Serbia]]". After the [[First World War]], Serbia became part of the [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes]]. In 1929, the Kingdom was officially renamed the [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia]] and divided into provinces called [[banovina]]s. Southern Serbia ([[Vardar Macedonia]]), including all of what is now the Republic of Macedonia, became known as the [[Vardar Banovina]] of the [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia]]. ===Yugoslav Macedonia in World War II=== In 1941, Yugoslavia was occupied by the [[Axis Powers]] and the Vardar Banovina was divided between [[Bulgaria]] and [[Italy|Italian]]-occupied [[Albania]]. Local recruits and volunteers formed the Bulgarian 5th Army, based in Skopje, which was responsible for the round-up and deportation of over 7,000 Jews in Skopje and Bitola. Harsh rule by the occupying forces encouraged some to support the Communist [[Partisans (Yugoslavia)|Partisan]] resistance movement of [[Josip Broz Tito]]. ===Macedonia in Socialist Yugoslavia=== After the end of the [[Second World War]], when Tito became Yugoslavia's president, the ''People's Federal Republic of Yugoslavia'' was established. The ''[[People's Republic of Macedonia]]'' became one of the six republics of the Yugoslav federation. Following the federation's renaming as the [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]] in 1963, the People's Republic of Macedonia was likewise renamed, becoming the [[Socialist Republic of Macedonia]]. It dropped the "Socialist" from its name in 1991 when it peacefully seceded from Yugoslavia. {{main|Socialist Republic of Macedonia}} ===Declaration of independence=== The country officially celebrates [[September 8]], [[1991]] as [[Den na nezavisnosta|Independence day]] ({{lang-mk|Ден на независноста}}, ''Den na nezavisnosta''), with regard to the referendum endorsing independence from Yugoslavia, albeit legalising participation in future union of the former states of Yugoslavia. The anniversary of the start of the Ilinden-Preobrazhenie Uprising (St. Elijah's Day) on August 2 is also widely celebrated on an official level. [[Robert Badinter]] as a head of [[Arbitration Commission of the Peace Conference on the former Yugoslavia]] recommended EU recognition in January 1992.<ref>[http://www.ejil.org/journal/Vol4/No1/art8-02.html Recognition of States: Annex 3<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The Republic of Macedonia remained at peace through the [[Yugoslav wars]] of the early 1990s. A few very minor changes to its border with Yugoslavia were agreed upon to resolve problems with the demarcation line between the two countries. However, it was seriously destabilised by the [[Kosovo War]] in 1999, when an estimated 360,000 [[Albanians|ethnic Albanian]] refugees from Kosovo took refuge in the country. Although they departed shortly after the war, soon after, [[Macedonian NLA|Albanian radicals]] on both sides of the border took up arms in pursuit of autonomy or independence for the Albanian-populated areas of the Republic. ====Albanian Insurgency==== {{main|2001 insurgency in the Republic of Macedonia}} The [[2001 Macedonia conflict|civil war]] was fought between government and ethnic Albanian rebels, mostly in the north and west of the country, between March and June 2001. This war ended with the intervention of a [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization|NATO]] ceasefire monitoring force. In the [[Ohrid Agreement]], the government agreed to devolve greater political power and cultural recognition to the Albanian minority. The Albanian side agreed to surrender separatist demands and to fully recognise all Macedonian institutions. In addition, according to this accord, the NLA were to disarm and hand over their weapons to a NATO force. In 2005, the country was officially recognised as a [[European Union]] candidate state, under the reference "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia". ==Geography== {{main|Geography of the Republic of Macedonia}} ===Topography=== {{main|Mountains of the Republic of Macedonia}} [[Image:KorabMountain2.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Korab|Korab]] mountain, the highest mountain in the country]] [[Image:Solunska glava.jpg|thumb|right|Solunska glava peak on [[Jakupica]] mountain in spring]] The Republic of Macedonia is a [[landlocked]] country that is geographically clearly defined by a central valley formed by the Vardar river and framed along its borders by mountain ranges. The Republic's terrain is mostly rugged, located between the [[Šar Mountain|Šara]] and [[Osogovo]], which frame the valley of the [[Vardar]] river. Three large lakes — [[Lake Ohrid]], [[Lake Prespa]] and [[Dojran Lake]] — lie on the southern borders of the Republic, bisected by the frontiers with Albania and Greece. Ohrid is considered to be one of the oldest lakes and biotopes in the world.<ref>[http://www.moe.gov.mk/soer2/ohrid_a.htm Macedonian Ministry of Environment]</ref> The region is seismically active and has been the site of destructive earthquakes in the past, most recently in 1963 when [[Skopje]] was heavily damaged by a major earthquake, killing over 1,000. The Republic of Macedonia also has scenic mountains. They belong to two different ranges: Dinarska and Rodopska. The Dinarska range is the oldest with subsequent erosion; the Rodopska range is younger offering rugged, alpine scenery. The ten highest mountains in the Republic of Macedonia are: {| class="wikitable" |- |align="center" | Name|| align="center" width="8" | Height (m) || align="center" width="8" | Height (ft) |- |[[Mount Korab]] || align="right"| 2,764 || align="right"| 9,396 <!-- Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]] --> |- |[[Šar Mountain]] || align="right"| 2,747 || align="right"| 9,012 |- | [[Baba Mountain]] || align="right"| 2,601 || align="right"| 8,533 |- | [[Jakupica]] || align="right"| 2,540 || align="right"| 8,333 |- | [[Nidže]] || align="right"| 2,521 || align="right"| 8,271 |- | [[Deshat]] || align="right"| 2,373 || align="right"| 7,785 |- | [[Galičica]] || align="right"| 2,288 || align="right"| 7,507 |- | [[Stogovo]] || align="right"| 2,273 || align="right"| 7,457 |- | [[Jablanica]] || align="right"| 2,257 || align="right"| 7,405 |- | [[Osogovo]] || align="right"| 2,251 || align="right"| 7,383 |- | [[Mount Bistra]] || align="right"| 2,163 || align="right"| 7,096 |- | [[Plačkovica]] || align="right"| 1,754 || align="right"| 5,754 |} ===Climate=== [[Image:Macedonian mountains.jpg|thumb|Macedonian mountains covered with snow]] The Republic of Macedonia has transitional climate from Mediterranean to continental. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are moderately cold. Average annual precipitation varies from 1,700 mm (67 inches) in the western mountainous area to 500 mm (20 inches) in the eastern area. There are three main climatic zones in the country: temperate Mediterranean, mountainous and mildly Continental. Along the valleys of the [[Vardar]] and [[Strumica]] rivers, in the regions of [[Gevgelija]], [[Valandovo]], [[Dojran]], [[Strumica]] and [[Radovish]] the climate is temperate Mediterranean. The warmest region is the [[Demir Kapija]] and [[Gevgelija]] region, where the temperature in July and August frequently exceeds 40 C. The mountainous climate is present in the mountainous regions of the country and it is characterised by long and snowy winters and short and cold summers. The spring is colder than the fall. The majority of the country has a moderate continental climate with warm and dry summers and relatively cold and wet winters. There are 30 main and regular weather stations in the country. ===Wildlife=== [[Phytogeography|Phytogeographically]], the Republic of Macedonia belongs to the Illyrian province of the [[Circumboreal Region]] within the [[Boreal Kingdom]]. According to the [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF]] and Digital Map of European Ecological Regions by the [[European Environment Agency]], the territory of the Republic of Macedonia can be subdivided into four [[ecoregion]]s: the [[Pindus Mountains mixed forests]], [[Balkan mixed forests]], [[Rodope montane mixed forests]] and [[Aegean and Western Turkey sclerophyllous and mixed forests]]. ==Administrative regions== ===Regions=== [[Image:MSR.png|250px|right|thumb|Macedonian statistical regions]] {{main|Statistical Regions of the Republic of Macedonia}} Macedonia's statistical regions exist solely for legal and statistical purposes. The regions are: * [[Skopje statistical region|Skopje]] * [[Pelagonia statistical region|Pelagonia]] * [[Polog statistical region|Polog]] * [[Eastern statistical region|Eastern]] * [[Southeastern statistical region|Southeastern]] * [[Northeastern statistical region|Northeastern]] * [[Southwestern statistical region|Southwestern]] * [[Vardar statistical region|Vardar]] ===Municipalities and cities=== {{main|Municipalities of the Republic of Macedonia|List of cities in the Republic of Macedonia}} In August 2004, the Republic of Macedonia was reorganised into 85 municipalities (''{{lang|mk|opštini}}''; sing. ''{{lang|mk|opština}}''), 10 of which comprise [[Greater Skopje]]. This is reduced from the previous 123 municipalities established in September, 1996. Prior to this, local government was organised into 34 administrative districts. ==Politics== {{main|Politics of the Republic of Macedonia}} The Republic of Macedonia is a [[parliamentary democracy]] with an executive government composed of a coalition of parties from the unicameral legislature ({{lang|mk|Собрание, ''Sobranie''}}) and an independent judicial branch with a constitutional court. The Assembly is made up of 120 seats and the members are elected every four years. The role of the President of the Republic is mostly ceremonial, with the real power resting in the hands of the President of the Government. The President is the commander-in-chief of the state armed forces and a president of the state Security Council. The President of the Republic is elected every five years and he or she can be elected twice at most. The current President is [[Branko Crvenkovski]]. [[Image:BrankoCrvenkovskiMacedonFlag.JPG|2100px|thumb|right|President of the Republic of Macedonia, [[Branko Crvenkovski]]]] With the passage of a new law and elections held in 2005, local government functions are divided between 78 municipalities ({{lang|mk|општини, ''opštini''}}; [[Grammatical number|singular]]: {{lang|mk|општина, ''opština''}}). The capital, [[Skopje]], is governed as a group of ten municipalities collectively referred to as the "City of Skopje". Municipalities in the Republic of Macedonia are units of local self-government. Neighbouring municipalities may establish co-operative arrangements. The country's main political divergence is between the largely ethnically-based political parties representing the country's ethnic Macedonian majority and Albanian minority. The issue of the power balance between the two communities led to a brief war in 2001, following which a power-sharing agreement was reached. In August 2004, the Republic's parliament passed legislation redrawing local boundaries and giving greater local autonomy to ethnic Albanians in areas where they predominate. After a troublesome pre-election campaign, the country saw a relatively calm and democratic [[Macedonian parliamentary election, 2006|change of government]] in the elections held on [[5 July]] [[2006]]. The elections were marked by a decisive victory of the centre-right party [[VMRO-DPMNE]] led by [[Nikola Gruevski]]. Gruevski's decision to include the [[Democratic Party of Albanians]] in the new government, instead of the [[Democratic Union for Integration]] - [[Party for Democratic Prosperity]] coalition which won the majority of the Albanian votes, triggered protests throughout the parts of the country with a respective number of Albanian population. However, recently a dialogue was established between the Democratic Union for Integration and the ruling VMRO-DMPNE party as an effort to talk about the disputes between the two parties and to support European and NATO aspirations of the country.<ref>[http://limun.hr/en/main.aspx?id=127474 Limun.hr - Ahmeti accepts the invitation for dialog with Gruevski<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===Parliament=== [[Image:Parliament Skopje.jpg|220px|thumb|Parliament Building in Skopje]] ===Government=== ===Law and courts=== Judiciary power is exercised by courts, with the court system being headed by the Judicial Supreme Court, Constitutional Court and the Republican Judicial Council. The assembly appoints the judges. ===Foreign relations=== {{main|Foreign relations of the Republic of Macedonia}} The [[Republic of Macedonia]] became a member state of the [[United Nations]] on [[April 8]], [[1993]], eighteen months after its independence from the former [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]]. It is referred within the UN as "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia", pending a resolution to the long-running dispute about the country's name. Other international bodies, such as the [[European Union]],<ref>{{cite web | author = European Commission | title = Background information - The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia | url = http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/international/bilateral/background/mk1_en.html | accessdate = 2006-10-01 }}</ref> [[European Broadcasting Union]],<ref>{{cite web | author = European Broadcasting Union | title = Members' Logos | url = http://www.ebu.ch/members/members_logos.php | accessdate = 2006-10-01 }}</ref> and the [[International Olympic Committee]] <ref>{{cite web | author = International Olympic Committee | title = LIST OF NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES PARTICIPATING IN THE XIX OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES IN SALT LAKE CITY | url = http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_258.pdf | accessdate = 2006-10-01 }}</ref> have adopted similar conventions. [[NATO]] also uses the reference in official documents but adds an explanation on which member countries recognize the constitutional name.<ref>{{cite web | author = North Atlantic Treaty Organisation | title = "The situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is critical" | url = http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2001/0723/e0725a.htm | accessdate = 2006-10-01 }}</ref> The [[United Nations member states|UN's member states]] all recognise the country but are [[Macedonia naming dispute|divided over what to call it]]. A number of countries recognise it by its constitutional name – the [[Republic of Macedonia]] – rather than the UN reference, notably three of the five permanent [[UN Security Council]] members (the [[United States]],<ref> {{cite news |title = US snubs Greece over Macedonia | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3981499.stm | format = HTML | work = | publisher = BBC News Online | pages = | page = | date = 4 Nov 2004 | accessdate = 2006-10-01 | language = English}} </ref> [[Russia]], and the [[People's Republic of China]]) and over 100 other UN members;<ref>"[http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/Opinion/comm_20050916Tziampiris.html Naming the solution]", ''[[Kathimerini]]'' English edition, 16 September 2005</ref> but the constitutional name is never used in relations where a country not recognizing the constitutional name is a party. [[Image:Robevihouse.JPG|thumb|250px|The architecture in the town of [[Ohrid]]]] [[Image:BitolaCity.jpg|thumb|250px|The architecture in the city of [[Bitola]]]] ====Macedonia naming dispute==== {{main|Macedonia naming dispute}} After the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991, Macedonia's name and history became the object of a dispute between Greece and the Republic of Macedonia <ref>Floudas, Demetrius Andreas; {{cite web |publisher= 24 (1996) Journal of Political and Military Sociology, 285|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3719/is_199601/ai_n8752910 | title= "A Name for a Conflict or a Conflict for a Name? An Analysis of Greece's Dispute with FYROM” |accessdate=2008-02-11}}</ref> (see also [[Vergina Sun]]). From 1992 to 1995, the two countries also engaged in a dispute over the Republic's first flag, which incorporated the [[Vergina Sun]] symbol, a symbol of the ancient Kingdom of [[Macedon]]. Its adoption by the Republic, on [[3 July]] [[1992]], was seen as a reaction by Skopje to Athens' pressure to change the name. This aspect of the dispute was resolved when the flag was changed under the terms of an interim accord agreed between the two states in October 1995. Even when the European Union-nominated Arbitration Commission (consisting of the five presidents of constitutional courts - German, French, Italian, Spanish and Belgian) has handed down its opinion that "that the use of the name `Macedonia' cannot therefore imply any territorial claim against another State",<ref>[http://www.ejil.org/journal/Vol4/No1/art8-02.html European Journal of International Law]</ref> Greece objected the use of the term Macedonia in the newly sovereign state and resorted to disputing its use.<ref> Floudas, Demetrius Andreas; {{cite web |publisher= in: Kourvetaris et al (eds.), ''The New Balkans'', East European Monographs: Columbia University Press, 2002, p. 85 |url=http://www.intersticeconsulting.com/documents/FYROM.pdf | title= "Pardon? A Name for a Conflict? FYROM's Dispute with Greece Revisited”}}</ref> Due to the dispute over the name, the [[United Nations]] agreed to a provisional reference — "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" ({{lang-mk|Поранешна Југословенска Република Македонија}}) — when it became a member state in 1993 [http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/47/a47r225.htm]. Most international organisations adopted the same convention, including the [[European Union]], [[NATO]], the [[International Monetary Fund]], the [[European Broadcasting Union]], and the [[International Olympic Committee]], among others. The [[European Union|EU]] recognises the country as the ''former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia'' and the negotiations with the EU are held using this reference,<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/archives/pdf/key_documents/2005/package/sec_1425_final_analytical_report_mk_en.pdf EC report]</ref> <ref>[http://europa.eu/abc/maps/applicants/fyrom_en.htm EUROPA - The EU at a glance - Maps - FYROM<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> EC report]. The same reference is also used in any discussion to which Greece is a party <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1737425.stm BBC]</ref> but is inconsistently used by other countries. Bulgaria uses the name ‘Republic of Macedonia’ even if it is seen as interfering with the traditional use of the name ‘[[Pirin Macedonia]]’,<ref>[http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bulgarian_Policies_on_the_Republic_of_Macedonia ''Bulgarian Policies on the Republic of Macedonia'']. Sofia: Manfred Wörner Foundation, 2008. 80&nbsp;pp. ISBN 978-954-92032-2-6</ref> insisting however that any solution to the naming dispute with [[Greece]] should "take account of the historical, cultural, and other realities related to the geographic region of [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]]".<ref>[http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=91876 Macedonia Press Blames Bulgaria for Anti-Macedonian Campaign], Sofia News Agency, 03.04.2008</ref> On the other hand, the government of the Republic of Macedonia never signs any documents with a name different than the constitutional name.<ref>[http://www.legaltext.ee/text/en/PH2877.htm Copy of declaration by Prime Minister Ljubčo Georgievski]</ref> However, an increasing number of countries have abandoned the [[United Nations]] provisional reference and have recognised the country as the ''Republic of Macedonia'' or simply ''Macedonia'' instead. These include four of the five permanent [[UN Security Council]] members, the [[United States]], [[Russia]], [[United Kingdom]] and the [[People's Republic of China]], as well two of its immediate neighbours, [[Bulgaria]] and [[Serbia]]. Negotiations continue between Greece and the Republic of Macedonia but have yet to reach any settlement of the dispute. ==Military== {{main|Military of Republic of Macedonia}} Macedonian military - the ''[[Macedonian Armed Forces]]'' - is the name of the unified armed forces of the Republic of Macedonia with ''Macedonian Army'', ''[[Macedonian Air Force]]''. The national defence policy aims to guarantee the [[preservation]] of the [[independence]] and [[sovereignty]] of the state, the [[integrity]] of its land area and airspace and its constitutional order. Its main goals remain the development and maintenance of a credible [[capability]] to defend the nation's vital interests and development of the [[Military of Republic of Macedonia|Armed Forces]] in a way that ensures their [[interoperability]] with the armed forces of [[NATO]] and [[European Union]] member states and their capability to participate in the full range of [[NATO|Alliance missions]]. The Ministry of Defence develops the defence strategy and works out the assessment of the possible threats and risks. The MOD is also responsible for the defence system, training, readiness of the Armed Forces, the equipment and the development and it proposes the defence budget.<ref>http://www.morm.gov.mk:8080/morm/en/ARM/Defence-Structure.html National Command Management</ref> ==Economy== {{main|Economy of the Republic of Macedonia}} Recently ranked as the fourth 'best reformatory state' out of 178 countries ranked by the [[World Bank]], the Republic of Macedonia has undergone considerable economic reform since independence.<ref name = "worldbank">[http://www.worldbank.org The World Bank<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The country has developed an open economy with trade accounting for more than 90% of GDP in recent years. Since 1996, the country has witnessed steady, though slow, economic growth with GDP growing by 3.1% in 2005. This figure is projected to rise to an average of 5.2% in the 2006-2010 period.<ref name = "worldbank-devdata">http://devdata.worldbank.org/AAG/mkd_aag.pdf</ref> The government has proven successful in its efforts to combat inflation, with an inflation rate of only 3% in 2006 and 2% in 2007<ref name = "worldbank"/> and has implemented policies focused on attracting foreign investment and promoting the development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The current government introduced a [[flat tax]] system with the intention of making the country more attractive to foreign investment. The flat tax rate was 12% in 2007 and will be further lowered to 10% in 2008. <ref>http://www.vlada.mk/english/News/December2006/ei8-12-2006.htm Government of the Republic of Macedonia</ref><ref>http://www.nuwireinvestor.com/articles/macedonias-new-flat-tax-51002.aspx Macedonia's Flat Tax</ref> Despite these successes, as of 2005 Macedonia's unemployment rate was 37.2%<ref>http://www.worldbank.org.mk Macedonian unemployment rate</ref>and as of 2006 its poverty rate was 22%.<ref name = "worldbank-devdata"/> Corruption and a relatively ineffective legal system also act as significant restraints on successful economic development. The Republic still has one of the lowest [[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|per capita GDPs]] in Europe. Furthermore, the country's [[grey market]] is estimated at close to 20% of GDP.<ref>The 2006 CIA Factbook https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mk.html CIA Factbook Macedonia</ref> In terms of structure, as of 2005 the service sector constituted by far the largest part of GDP at 57.1%, up from 54.2% in 2000. The industrial sector represents 29.3% of GDP, down from 33.7% in 2000 while agriculture represents only 12.9%, up from 12%.<ref>[http://devdata.worldbank.org Welcome to World Bank Group<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Textiles represent the most significant sector for trade, accounting for more than half of total exports.<ref>[http://www.macedonianembassy.org.uk/economy.html Macedonian Embassy London<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Other important exports include iron, steel, wine and vegetables.<ref> http://www.mfa.gov.mk/default1.aspx?ItemID=290 Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs</ref> ===Resources=== ===Infrastructure and e-Infrastructure=== Macedonia, together with [[Montenegro]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] and [[Kosovo]], belonged to the less developed region of the former Yugoslavia. It suffered severe economic difficulties after independence, when the Yugoslav internal market collapsed and subsidies from Belgrade ended. In addition, it faced many of the same problems faced by other former socialist East European countries during the transition to a market economy. Its main land and rail exports route, through [[Serbia]], remains unreliable with high transit costs, thereby affecting the export of its formerly highly profitable, early vegetables market to Germany. ===Trade and investment=== {{main|Greek investments in the Republic of Macedonia}} The outbreak of the [[Yugoslav wars]] and the imposition of sanctions on [[Serbia]] and [[Montenegro]] caused great damage to the Republic's economy, with Serbia constituting 60% of its markets prior to the disintegration of Yugoslavia. When Greece imposed a trade embargo on the Republic in 1994–95, the economy was also affected. Some relief was afforded by the end of the Bosnian war in November 1995 and the lifting of the Greek embargo, but the [[Kosovo War]] of 1999 and the 2001 Albanian crisis caused further destabilisation. Since the end of the Greek embargo, [[Greece]] has become the most important business partner of the Republic of Macedonia. Many Greek companies have bought former state companies in the country, such as the oil refinery Okta, the baking company Zhito Luks, a marble mine in [[Prilep]], textile facilities in [[Bitola]] etc. Other key partners are [[Germany]], [[Italy]] and [[Slovenia]]. ===Tourism=== {{main|Tourism in the Republic of Macedonia}} ==Demographics== {{main|Demographics of the Republic of Macedonia}} The Republic of Macedonia has an estimated population of 2,061,315<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mk.html#People CIA World Factbook]</ref> citizens. Following is a list of the largest Macedonian cities according to the 1994 census data (as the 2002 census data<ref>{{ cite web |title=Census of Population, Households and Dwellings in the Republic of Macedonia, 2002 - Book XIII, Skopje, 2005. |publisher=State Statistical Office of the Republic of Macedonia |url=http://www.stat.gov.mk/pdf/kniga_13.pdf |language=English, Macedonian }}</ref> does not list both city populations and municipality populations): {| border=0 align=right cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 0px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |<div style="position: relative">[[Image:MIHPM(MG).png|top]] <div style="position: absolute;font-size:165%;left:179px;top:75px">'''[[Skopje|SKOPJE]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:140%;left:130px;top:254px">'''[[Bitola]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:140%;left:155px;top:125px">'''[[Veles (city)|Veles]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:140%;left:225px;top:110px">'''[[Štip]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:140%;left:274px;top:200px">'''[[Strumica]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:140%;left:60px;top:45px">'''[[Tetovo]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:140%;left:220px;top:45px">'''[[Kumanovo]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:140%;left:168px;top:190px">'''[[Prilep]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:130%;left:85px;top:100px">'''[[Gostivar]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:140%;left:68px;top:239px">'''[[Ohrid]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:140%;left:33px;top:220px">'''[[Struga]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:140%;left:300px;top:110px">'''[[Kočani]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:140%;left:300px;top:170px">'''[[Radoviš]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:140%;left:70px;top:10px">'''[[Kosovo|KOSOVO]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:140%;left:200px;top:-10px">'''[[Serbia|SERBIA]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:140%;left:348px;top:25px">'''[[Bulgaria|BULGA-<br>RIA]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:140%;left:254px;top:300px">'''[[Greece|GREECE]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:140%;left:-40px;top:200px">'''[[Albania|ALBA-<br>NIA]]'''</div> |- |<center>Largest cities in the Republic of Macedonia</center> </div> </div> |} {| class="wikitable" |- |colspan="5" align="center"| '''Largest Macedonian cities and municipalities''' |- | align="center" |City|| align="center" | City<br>Population || align="center" | Coat<br/>of arms || align="center" | Administrative<br>division || align="center" | Division<br>Population |- |[[Skopje]] || align="right"| 444,000 || align="center" | [[Image:OpstiniMK.png|25px]] || [[Greater Skopje]]|| align="right"|506,926 |- |[[Bitola]] || align="right"| 80,000 || align="center" | [[Image:Bitola New coat.jpg|25px]]|| [[Bitola municipality]]|| align="right"| 95,385 |- | [[Kumanovo]] || align="right"| 71,000 || align="center" | [[Image:MMCA(Kumanovo).png|20px]]|| [[Kumanovo municipality]] || align="right"| 105,484 |- | [[Prilep]] || align="right"| 68,000 || align="center" | [[Image:Coat of arms of Prilep.png|25px]] || [[Prilep municipality]] || align="right"| 76,768 |- | [[Tetovo]] || align="right"| 60,000 || align="center" | [[Image:MMCA(Tetovo).png|25px]] || [[Tetovo municipality]] || align="right"| 86,580 |- | [[Ohrid]] || align="right"| 51,000 || align="center" | [[Image:Coat of Arms of Ohrid.png|30px]] || [[Ohrid municipality]] || align="right"| 55,749 |- | [[Veles (city)|Veles]] || align="right"| 48,000 || align="center" | [[Image:Veleshki grb.png|20px]]|| [[Veles municipality]] || align="right"| 55,108 |- | [[Gostivar]] || align="right"| 46,000 ||align="center" | [[Image:Gostivarski grb.png|25px]] || [[Gostivar municipality]] || align="right"| 81,042 |- | [[Štip]] || align="right"| 42,000 || align="center" | [[Image:MMCA(Shtip).png|25px]] || [[Štip municipality]] || align="right"| 47,796 |- | [[Strumica]] || align="right"| 40,000 || align="center" | [[Image:Strumichki grb.jpg|25px]] || [[Strumica municipality]] || align="right"| 54,676 |- | [[Kočani]] || align="right"| 27,000 || align="center" | [[Image:Grb na kocani.jpg|25px]]||[[Kočani municipality]] || align="right"| 38,092 |- | [[Radoviš]] || align="right"| 16,223 || align="center" | [[Image:Radovishi grb.jpg|20px]] || [[Radoviš|Radoviš municipality]] || align="right"| 28,244 |} {| border=1 cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin: 0.5em 0 0 0; border-style: solid; border: 1px solid #7f7f7f; border-right-width: 2px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |- | style="background:#F5F5DC;" | | style="background:#F5F5DC;" align="center" | Number | style="background:#F5F5DC;" align="center" | % |- | style="background:#c1c1c1;" | '''TOTAL''' | style="background:#c1c1c1;" align="right"| '''2,022,547''' | style="background:#c1c1c1;" align="right"| 100 |- | style="background:#F5F5DC;" | [[ethnic Macedonians|Macedonians]] | align="right"|1,297,981 | align="right"|64.18 |- | style="background:#F5F5DC;" | [[Albanians]] | align="right"|509,083 | align="right"|25.17 |- | style="background:#F5F5DC;" | [[Turkish people|Turks]] | align="right"|77,959 | align="right"|3.85 |- | style="background:#F5F5DC;" | [[Roma people]] | align="right"|53,879 | align="right"|2.66 |- | style="background:#F5F5DC;" | [[Serbs]] | align="right"|35,939 | align="right"|1.78 |- | style="background:#F5F5DC;" | [[Vlachs]] | align="right"|9,695 | align="right"|0.48 |- | style="background:#F5F5DC;" | others | align="right"|38,011 | align="right"|1.88 |} The largest ethnic group in the country are the [[Macedonians (ethnic group)|Macedonians]]. The following table shows ethic affiliation of the population according to the 2002 census:<ref>{{ cite web |title=Census of Population, Households and Dwellings in the Republic of Macedonia, 2002 - Book XIII, Skopje, 2005. |publisher=State Statistical Office of the Republic of Macedonia |url=http://www.stat.gov.mk/pdf/kniga_13.pdf |language=English, Macedonian }}</ref> ====The Jewish community==== {{main|History of the Jews in the Republic of Macedonia}} The [[Jewish]] community of the Republic of Macedonia, which numbered some 7,200 people on the eve of [[World War II]], was almost entirely destroyed during the War, with only 2%<ref>{{ cite web |author=Christopher Deliso, Balkanalysis.com |url=http://www.balkanalysis.com/2007/03/14/macedonia%E2%80%99s-jewish-community-commemorates-the-holocaust-and-embraces-the-future/ |title=Macedonia's Jewish Community Commemorates the Holocaust, and Embraces the Future }}</ref> of Macedonian Jews surviving the [[Holocaust]]. After their liberation and the end of the War, most opted to emigrate to [[Israel]]. Today, the country's Jewish community numbers approximately 200 persons, almost all of whom live in [[Skopje]]. Most Macedonian Jews are [[Sephardic]] - the descendants of 15th century refugees who had fled the [[Spanish Inquisition|Spanish]] and [[Portuguese Inquisition]]s. ===Ethnic and cultural diversity=== {{main|Macedonian language}} A wide variety of languages are spoken in the Republic of Macedonia, reflecting its ethnic diversity. The official and most widely spoken language is [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]], which belongs to the Eastern branch of the [[South Slavic languages|South Slavic]] language group. Macedonian is closely related to and [[mutual intelligibility|mutually intelligible]] with [[Bulgarian language|Standard Bulgarian]]. It also has some similarities with standard [[Serbian language|Serbian]] and the intermediate [[Torlakian dialect|Torlakian]] and [[Shopi|Shop]] dialects spoken mostly in southern Serbia and western Bulgaria (and by speakers in the north and east of Macedonia). The [[standard language]] was [[Codification (linguistics)|codified]] in the period following [[World War II]] and has accumulated a thriving literary tradition. Other languages including [[Albanian language|Albanian]], [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]], [[Romani language|Romani]], [[Turkish language|Turkish]], [[Serbian language|Serbian]], Vlach ([[Aromanian language|Aromanian]] and [[Megleno-Romanian language|Megleno-Romanian]]), [[Circassian language|Circassian]], [[Greek language|Greek]] and others are spoken roughly in proportion with their associated ethnic groups. Macedonian is the only language explicitly designated as an official national language in the constitution. It also provides however that languages spoken by over 20% of the total population are also official—at present, only Albanian fulfills this requirement—additionally, in municipalities where at least 20% of the population is from other ethnic minorities, their individual languages are used for official purposes in local government. ==Science== ===Education=== The Macedonian education system consists of: * [[Kindergarten|pre-school education]] * [[primary education]] * [[secondary education]] * [[higher education]] The higher levels of education can be obtained at one of the four state universities: [[Skopje University|Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje]], [[Bitola University|St. Clement of Ohrid University of Bitola]], [[Tetovo University|State University of Tetovo]] and [[Shtip University|Goce Delchev University of Shtip]]. There are a number of private university institutions, such as the European University,<ref>[http://www.oic.org.mk/en/Default-en.htm OIC]</ref> Slavic University in Sveti Nikole, the [[South East European University]] and others. The [[United States Agency for International Development]] has underwritten a project called "Macedonia Connects" which has made the Republic of Macedonia the first all-broadband wireless country in the world.<ref>[http://macedonia.usaid.gov/English/Articles/macedonia-wifi.html U.S. Agency for International Development<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The Ministry of Education and Sciences reports that 461 schools (primary and secondary) are now connected to the internet. In addition, an Internet Service Provider (On.net), has created a MESH Network to provide WIFI services in the 11 largest cities/towns in the country. ==Society== ===Cinema and media=== ===Culture=== {{main|Macedonian culture (Slavic)|Music of the Republic of Macedonia|Public holidays in the Republic of Macedonia|List of Macedonians (ethnic group)}} [[Image:Tanec folk ensemble Macedonia 1.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Traditional Macedonian female [[Hora|''oro'']] (folk dance)]] The Republic of Macedonia has a rich cultural heritage in [[art]], [[architecture]], [[poetry]], and [[music]]. It has many ancient, protected religious sites. Poetry, cinema, and music festivals are held annually. Macedonian music styles developed under the strong influence of Byzantine church music. The Republic of Macedonia is amongst one of the countries with the most beautiful preserved Byzantine fresco paintings, mainly from the period between the 11th and 16th centuries. There are several thousands square metres of fresco painting preserved, the major part of which is in very good condition and represent masterworks of the Macedonian School of ecclesiastical painting. In the Republic of Macedonia the past meets the present. Its age-old architecture and monasteries and churches of exquisite beauty make an interesting contrast to the super modern new architecture. Most of the Macedonian monasteries, built in various periods, and particularly those built between the 11th and 15th–16th centuries, have been completely preserved until today. The Macedonian collection of icons, and in particular the Ohrid ones, are among the most valuable collections in the world today. After the Sinai and the Moscow collection of icons, it is third in importance in Orthodoxy. From a Byzantological aspect, it is unique. The most important cultural events in the country are the [[Ohrid]] Summer festival of classical music and drama, the [[Struga Poetry Evenings]] which gather poets from more than 50 countries in the world, Skopje May Opera Evenings, International Camera Festival in [[Bitola]], Open Youth Theatre and [[Skopje Jazz Festival]] in Skopje etc. ===Religion=== The majority (64.7%) of the population belongs to the [[Macedonian Orthodox Church]] (which declared [[autocephaly]] in 1968, that is still not recognised by the Serbian and other [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]es, although the Archbishop's Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church, with Decision No. 06/1959, has recognised the autonomy of the Macedonian Orthodox Church <ref>[http://www.mpc.org.mk/English/MPC/history-mpc.asp History of the Macedonian Orthodox Church]</ref> [[Muslim]]s comprise 33.3% of the population and other Christian denominations comprise 0.37%. The remainder (1.63%) is recorded as "unspecified" in the 2002 national census.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mk.html CIA World Factbook]</ref> Most of the native Albanians, Turks and Bosniaks are Muslims, as are a minority of the country's ethnic Macedonian population, known as [[Macedonian Muslims]]. Altogether, there are more than 1200 churches and 400 mosques in the country. The Orthodox and Islamic religious communities have secondary religion schools in Skopje. There is an Orthodox theological college in the capital. Macedonia has the largest proportion of Muslims of any country in Europe after [[Turkey]], [[Albania]] and [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]. ====Orthodox==== {{main|Macedonian Orthodox Church}} The [[Macedonian Orthodox Church]] is the dominant church in the country. It has 10 provinces (seven in the country and three abroad), 10 bishops, and about 350 priests. Macedonians, who are the majority of the population, are generally Orthodox Christians. A total of 30,000 people are baptised in all the provinces every year. The church has issues with the [[Serbian Orthodox Church]] after the separation and self-declaration of autocephaly (not recognised by any other Orthodox church) in 1967. However, the Archbishop's Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church, with Decision No. 06/1959, has recognised the autonomy (self-dependence) of the Macedonian Orthodox Church). After the negotiations between the two churches were suspended, the Serbian Orthodox Church recognised a group led by Zoran Vraniškovski (also known as [[Archbishop Jovan of Ohrid]], a former Macedonian church bishop, as the [[Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric|Archbishop of Ohrid]]. The reaction of the Macedonian Orthodox Church was to cut off all relations with the clergy of the Ohrid Archbishopric and to prevent bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church from entering the Republic of Macedonia. Bishop Jovan was jailed for 18 months for "defaming the Macedonian Orthodox church and harming the religious feelings of local citizens" by distributing Serbian Orthodox church calendars and pamphlets.<ref>[http://www.iwpr.net/?p=bcr&s=f&o=257037&apc_state=henibcr200508 Church Rivalry Threatens to Brim Over<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ====Catholicism==== The [[Macedonian Greek Catholic Church|Macedonian Byzantine Catholic Church]] has approximately 11,000 adherents in the Republic. The Church was established in 1918, and is made up mostly of converts to [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholicism]] and their descendants. The Church is of the [[Byzantine Rite]] and is in communion with the Roman and [[Eastern Catholic Church]]es. Its liturgical worship is performed in [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]]. ====Protestant Christianity==== There is a small [[Protestant]] community. The most famous Protestant in the country is the former president [[Boris Trajkovski]]. He was from the Methodist Community, which is the largest and oldest Protestant Church in the Republic, dating back to the late nineteenth century. Since the 1980s the small Protestant community has grown, partly through new confidence and partly with outside missionary help. ====Judaism==== {{main|History of the Jews in the Republic of Macedonia}} The [[Jewish]] community of the Republic of Macedonia, which numbered some 7,200 people on the eve of [[World War II]], was almost entirely destroyed during the War, with only 2% of Macedonian Jews surviving the [[Holocaust]]<ref>[http://www.balkanalysis.com/2007/03/14/macedonia%E2%80%99s-jewish-community-commemorates-the-holocaust-and-embraces-the-future/ Balkanalysis.com » Blog Archives » Macedonia's Jewish Community Commemorates the Holocaust, and Embraces the Future]</ref>. After their liberation and the end of the War, most opted to emigrate to [[Israel]]. Today, the country's Jewish community numbers approximately 200 persons, almost all of whom live in [[Skopje]]. Most Macedonian Jews are [[Sephardic]] - the descendants of 15th century refugees who had fled the [[Spanish Inquisition|Spanish]] and [[Portuguese Inquisition]]s. ==Gallery== <center><gallery> Image:25092005(025).jpg|[[Lake Ohrid]] viewed from the [[Church of St. John at Kaneo]] Image:Bogorodica.jpg|[[Saint Bogorodica Precista Monastery]] near [[Kičevo]] Image:Mount Pelister MK.jpg|National park [[Pelister]] Image:BitolaWinter.jpg|The city of [[Bitola]] Image:Panair Korab.jpg|[[Mount Korab]] – The highest mountain in the country Image:MountShara.jpg|[[Šar Mountain|Šar mountain]] Image:Meister von Nerezi 001.jpg|St. Panteleimon church near [[Skopje]] Image:Architecture.jpg|The city of [[Bitola]] Image:OhridCity.jpg|The city of [[Ohrid]] located on the shores of [[Lake Ohrid]] Image:Morodvis.jpg| Morodvis (Crkvište - Morobisdon) archaeological site near [[Kocani]] Image:Sv trojca.jpg| Holy Trinity Orthodox church in [[Radoviš]] </gallery></center> ==See also== {{portal|Republic of Macedonia|Flag-map of FYR Macedonia.svg}} * [[Macedonia (terminology)]] * [[Macedonians (ethnic group)|ethnic Macedonians]] * [[Communications in the Republic of Macedonia]] * [[Foreign relations of the Republic of Macedonia]] * [[Military of the Republic of Macedonia]] * [[Transportation in the Republic of Macedonia]] * [[Socialist Republic of Macedonia]] * [[Public holidays in the Republic of Macedonia]] ==Notes and references== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== {{portal|Republic of Macedonia|Nuvola_Macedonian_flag.svg}} {{sisterlinks|Republic of Macedonia}} {{wikiatlas|the Republic of Macedonia}} {{cookbook}} <!-- Wikipedia is not a link list nor a Web directory. If your link points to a site that does not cover many subjects about Estonia, it's most likely in the wrong place here and you should go and search for a more specific article. --> </div> {{MultiCol}} '''General''' *[http://www.vlada.mk/english/index_en.htm Macedonian E-Government] *[http://www.investinmacedonia.com/ Business and investment in Macedonia] *[http://digital.library.unt.edu/govdocs/crs/search.tkl?q=macedonia&search_crit=fulltext&search=Search&date1=Anytime&date2=Anytime&type=form Reports about Macedonia] *[http://www.morm.gov.mk:8080/morm/en/homepage.html Macedonian Ministry of Defence] *[http://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi2007/pdf/c143.pdf Worldwide Governance Indicators for Macedonia, 1996-2006] '''Travel''' *[http://www.exploringmacedonia.com National Tourism Portal] *[http://www.inyourpocket.com/macedonia/en City Guide Maps] {{ColBreak}} '''Pictures''' *[http://360macedonia.com Panoramas of Macedonia] *[http://galerija.vmacedonia.net Photo Gallery] '''Entertainment''' *[http://macedonian-babes.blogspot.com Macedonian Babes] {{EndMultiCol}} </div> {{Republic of Macedonia topics|state=collapsed}} {{Template group |title = [[Image:Nuvola filesystems www.png|23px]] Geographic national |list = {{Regions of Macedonia}} {{Municipalities of Macedonia}} }} {{Template group |title = [[Image:Crystal Clear app browser.png|23px]] Geographic international |list = {{Countries of Europe}} }} {{Template group |title = [[Image:Nuvola apps galeon.png|23px]] International membership |list = {{Council of Europe members}} {{NATO}} {{EU countries and candidates}} {{La Francophonie}} {{CEFTA}} }} {{Template group |title = [[Image:Nuvola apps gaim.png|23px]] Languages |list = {{Slavic States}} }} <!--Categories--> [[Category:Republic of Macedonia| ]] [[Category:Landlocked countries|Macedonia]] [[Category:Slavic countries|Macedonia]] [[Category:Member states of La Francophonie]] <!--Other languages--> [[af:Republiek van Masedonië]] [[als:Republik Makedonien]] [[am:የመቄዶንያ ሬፑብሊክ]] [[ar:مقدونيا]] [[arc:ܩܘܛܢܝܘܬܐ ܕܡܩܕܘܢܝܐ]] [[roa-rup:Machedonia]] [[frp:Rèpublica de Macèdonie]] [[ast:República de Macedonia]] [[gn:Masendoña]] [[az:Makedoniya Respublikası]] [[zh-min-nan:Makedonija Kiōng-hô-kok]] [[be:Рэспубліка Македонія]] [[be-x-old:Рэспубліка Македонія]] [[bs:Republika Makedonija]] [[br:Republik Makedonia]] [[bg:Република Македония]] [[ca:República de Macedònia]] [[cv:Македони Республики]] [[ceb:Republika sa Macedonia]] [[cs:Republika Makedonie]] [[cy:Gweriniaeth Macedonia]] [[da:Makedonien]] [[de:Mazedonien]] [[dsb:Makedońska]] [[et:Makedoonia]] [[el:Πρώην Γιουγκοσλαβική Δημοκρατία της Μακεδονίας]] [[es:República de Macedonia]] [[eo:Respubliko Makedonio]] [[eu:Mazedoniako Errepublika]] [[fa:مقدونیه]] [[fo:Lýðveldið Makedónia]] [[fr:Macédoine (pays)]] [[fy:Masedoanje (lân)]] [[gv:Pobblaght ny Massadoan]] [[gl:Macedonia (ARIM) - Македонија (ПЈРМ)]] [[hak:Mâ-khì-tun]] [[ko:마케도니아 공화국]] [[hy:Մակեդոնիա]] [[hi:मैसिडोनिया]] [[hsb:Republika Makedonska]] [[hr:Republika Makedonija]] [[io:Republiko Macedonia]] [[id:Republik Makedonia]] [[os:Республикæ Македони]] [[is:Lýðveldið Makedónía]] [[it:Repubblica di Macedonia]] [[he:מקדוניה]] [[jv:Republik Makedonia]] [[pam:Republic of Macedonia]] [[ka:მაკედონია]] [[kk:Македония Республикасы]] [[kw:Repoblek Makedoni]] [[sw:Jamhuri ya Masedonia]] [[ht:Repiblik d Masedoni]] [[ku:Komara Makedonyayê]] [[la:Respublica Macedonica]] [[lv:Maķedonijas Republika]] [[lt:Makedonija]] [[li:Macedonië (land)]] [[hu:Macedónia]] [[mk:Република Македонија]] [[ms:Republik Macedonia]] [[nah:Macedontlān]] [[nl:Macedonië (land)]] [[ne:म्यासेडोनिया]] [[ja:マケドニア共和国]] [[ce:Македони]] [[no:Republikken Makedonia]] [[nn:Republikken Makedonia]] [[oc:Republica de Macedònia]] [[uz:Makedoniya Respublikasi]] [[ps:مقدونيه]] [[pms:Macedònia]] [[nds:Republiek Makedonien]] [[pl:Macedonia]] [[pt:República da Macedónia]] [[crh:Makedoniya Cumhuriyeti]] [[ro:Republica Macedonia]] [[rmy:Republika Makedoniya]] [[qu:Makidunya]] [[ru:Республика Македония]] [[se:Makedonia dásseváldi]] [[sco:Republic o Macedonie]] [[sq:Ish Republika Jugosllave e Maqedonisë]] [[scn:Ripùbblica di Macidonia]] [[simple:Republic of Macedonia]] [[sk:Macedónsko]] [[cu:Макєдоні́ꙗ]] [[sl:Republika Makedonija]] [[sr:Република Македонија]] [[sh:Republika Makedonija]] [[fi:Makedonian tasavalta]] [[sv:Makedonien]] [[tl:Republika ng Masedonya]] [[ta:மாக்கடோனியக் குடியரசு]] [[th:ประเทศมาซิโดเนีย]] [[vi:Cộng hòa Macedonia]] [[tg:Ҷумҳурии Мақдуния]] [[tr:Makedonya Cumhuriyeti]] [[udm:Республика Македония]] [[uk:Республіка Македонія]] [[ur:مقدونیہ]] [[vec:Republica de Macedonia]] [[vo:Makedoniyän]] [[fiu-vro:Makõdoonia Vabariik]] [[war:Republika han Masedonya]] [[wo:Réewum Maseduwaan]] [[zh-yue:馬其頓共和國]] [[diq:Cumurêtê Makedonya]] [[bat-smg:Makeduonėjė]] [[zh:馬其頓共和國]]