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Official name: Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Area: 25 713 km˛
Administrative divisions: Macedonia is divided into 30 counties (opštini).
Cities:
Population: 2,1 million people
Ethnic groups:
Macedonian (66,4%), Albanian (23%), Turks (3,9%), Serbian (2%), other (4,7%)
Official language: Macedonian
Religion:
Orthodox (67%), Muslim (30%), Roman-Catholic (0,5%), other (2,5%)
Official currency: Macedonian denar (MKD)
Exchange rate: 1 EUR = 61,2 MKD (last update 02.08.03)
Political system: Parliamentary democracy
President: Boris Trajkovski
Prime Minister: Branko Crvenkovski
Political parties:
Social Democratic League of Macedonia, successor of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia, is committed to the idea of Macedonia transforming itself into a market economy and it advocates moderate and conciliatory policies towards ethnic minorities and other neighbouring countries.
Liberal-Democratic Party of liberal-democratic orientation is supported by entrepreneurs running private businesses.
Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity is a very conservative, nationalist party troubled by many internal scandals.
Liberal Party of Macedonia enjoys a moderate popularity and is of liberal orientation.
Democratic Union for Integration is a moderate party of the Albanian minority.
Democratic Party of Albanians favours full independence of the Albanian minority from Macedonia.
Albanian Democratic Prosperity Party advocates autonomy for the Albanian minority in Macedonia.
Elections:
Climate
Continental climate with hot summer and cold winters.
The annual average temperature is °C, ranging from -2°C in January to 32°C in July.
Macedonia is one hour ahead of standard GMT, in the same time belt as most Western European countries. There is no time difference between Belgium/Germany/the Netherlands and Croatia.
By plane
| Km | Driving time (hours) | |
| Amsterdam | 2 182 | 22 |
| Belgrade | 439 | 5 |
| Berlin | 1 601 | 19 |
| Bratislava | 946 | 12 |
| Brussels | 2 139 | 21,5 |
| Bucharest | 639 | 8,5 |
| Budapest | 802 | 9,5 |
| Copenhagen | 1 992 | 25 |
| Frankfurt | 1 743 | 18 |
| Ljubljana | 970 | 10,5 |
| London | 2 466 | 25 |
| Munich | 1 386 | 14,5 |
| Paris | 2 224 | 22 |
| Prague | 1 259 | 15 |
| Rome | 773 | 17 |
| Sofia | 232 | 3,5 |
| Vienna | 988 | 12 |
| Vilnius | 1 844 | 24 |
| Warsaw | 1 474 | 18 |
| Zagreb | 832 | 9 |
Macedonia’s infrastructure includes 9 400 kilometers of road network which was partially modernized during the last decade. An important corridor crosses Macedonia from north to south, connecting Belgrade to Thessalonica, which for over half of the distance is a highway and for the rest it is a standard two lane with a slow vehicle lane highway. On the Ohrid-Bitola and Veles-Kocani-Delcevo link towards Bulgaria there is only a partial two-lane highway. The link towards Kosovo is of low quality and rather slow.
Macedonia has two international airports, one in Skopje and one in Ohrid. The main one is the one located in the capital city with regular flights to a few European cities. It is possible to fly into one of the neighbouring airports. Belgrade, Sofia and Budapest have daily direct flights to Skopje. The Bulgarian capital is only 3,5 hours drive away. The airport at Ohrid serves chiefly for tourist traffic.
The 900 km of railway is partially electrified (233 km). The railway link from Belgrade to Thessalonica goes through Macedonia. The local connections are rather slow and uncomfortable.
Average gross wage (2001): 155 EUR
Average wage for a manual labourer: 100 - 110
Average wage for economist leaving university: 200 - 250 EUR
There are great regional differences in the wage level. Therefore when looking for staff, it is important not to pay exuberant wages, as they will not motivate your local staff at all, but on the other hand beware not to pay too low wages, as they will without doubt demotivate your local staff. Eastwards takes care of your recruitment of local top management, sales and financial management or specialists, and will consult you which wage packages are most suitable for the job responsibilities and place of employment you offer.
| 2000 | 2001 | |
| Inflation | 5,8% | 5,5% |
| Real GDP growth rate (change to previous year) | -4,1% | 4% |
| GDP per capita | 1 885 EUR | 1853 EUR |
| Unemployment | 32,1% | 30,5% |
| 2001 | Percentage of the total | |
| Exports to DE | 237 mil. USD | 20,6% |
| Imports from DE | 213 mil. USD | 12,6% |
| 2001 | Percentage of the total | |
| Export to NL | 45 mil. USD | 3,9% |
| Imports from NL | 46 mil. USD | 2,7% |
| 2001 | Percentage of the total | |
| Export to EU | 563 mil. USD | 48,7% |
| Imports from EU | 717 mil. USD | 42,4% |
International passport needed for entering the country, you will be controlled at the border. EU nationals do not need a visa for entering the country.
Cultural heritage & gastronomy
Macedonia, the cradle of eastern Slavic literature has a rich medieval heritage of Ortodox churches and monasteries as well as Muslim Mosques. A famous regional tourist destination is the lake Ohrid, the deepest lake in the Balkan Peninsula set in a extremely picturesque surroundings. Skopje’s trademark is the old city with its Turkish bazaar and ancient churches.
Historic cities: Skopje, Bitola
Smaller historic places: Strumica
Nature: Lake Ohrid, Lake Prespa, Mt. Pelister, Dojran
Gastronomy
The Macedonian cuisine was greatly influenced by the Turkish one and bears great resemblance to the dishes offered in the other Balkan countries. Ajvar (side dish of paprika and tomatoes), kajmak (heavy cream) and tursija (peppers) are the most favourite apetizers. Meat specialties (pork and lamb) occupy a central position in the Macedonian cuisine. A few national dishes are: gjuveč (chicken stew), mučkalica, tavče na gravče (baked beans), sarma od kisela zelka (stuffed cabbage rolls), sarma od lozov list (stuffed grape leaves), kjbeapčinja (similar to kebab), pečeno jagnje so zelka (steamed lamb with cabbage). Traditional desserts: sutljas (rice pudding), strudla, medenjaci.
Skopje is more expensive than the rest of the country as well as Ohrid during the tourist season.
| MKD | EUR | |
| bread | 20-30 | 0,33-0,5 |
| 0,5 l of beer | 30 | 0,5 |
| 1 cup of coffee | 30-100 | 0,5-1,65 |
| 1 bottle of wine | 50-250 | 0,82-4,13 |
| 1 litre of milk | 50 | 0,82 |
| 1 kg of chicken meat | 180 | 3 |
| 1 litre of petrol | 52,5 | 0,86 |
| 1 litre of diesel oil | 38 | 0,62 |
| Taxi services | 5+15/km | 0,08+0,24/km |
| Average cost of meal | 5-10 | |
| Real estate/m2 | 400-1000 EUR/m2 | |
| 1 movie ticket | 2 | |
| Average cost of lodging | 65-100 |
| Public institutions | 07.00-15.00 |
| Business offices | 08.00 - 16.00 |
| Banks | 08.00 -19.00(weekdays) |
| 08.00-12.00 (Saturdays) | |
| Department stores | 08.00-20.00(weekdays) |
| 08.00-15.00 (Saturdays) | |
| Shops (grocery stores) | 08.00-20.00 |
| 08.00-13.00 (Saturdays) |
| 2004 | |
| New Year’s Day | January, 1st |
| Orthodox Christmas | January, 6th -7th |
| Woman’s Day | March, 8th |
| Labour Day | May, 1st |
| St. Cyril and St. Methodus | May, 24th |
| St.Elijah’s Uprising Day | August, 2nd |
| Independence Day | September, 8th |
| Christmas | December, 25th -26th |
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