Macedonia : Alexander The Great`s own Country.

Macedonia : Positional Maps, Flag and short note

Macedonia:

Country Details

The historic country of Macedonia was once the Kingdom of Macedon, ruled by Alexander the Great (355-325 BC)

Over many centuries it was exploited by the Romans, Byzantines, Bulgars and Serbs; finally conquered by the Ottoman Empire.

Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991, but Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and its symbols delayed international recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia."

In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations. The United States began referring to Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, in 2004 and negotiations continue between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name issue, and to date, it has yet to be decided."

Quick Facts and Figures

Official Name Republic of Macedonia

Capital City Skopje (452,000)

Population 2,114,550

Latitude/Longitude 41 50'N, 22 00'E

Languages Macedonian, Albanian, others

Official Currency Macedonian Denar

Religions Eastern Orthodox, Musim, others

Land Area 25,715 sq km (9,929 sq miles) 

Jakupica_mountain_Republic_of_Macedonia

Landforms Macedonia is an elevated plateau of large, rolling hills and deep valleys, completely disected and surrounded by mountains. The Dinaric Alps extend down into Macedonia, and the highest point is in the Korab Mountain range, at 9,066 ft. (2,764m). 

Mount_Korab,_Republic_of_Macedonia

The Republic of Macedonia is a predominantly mountainous country. The average altitude of the terrain is 850 meters. Approximately 80% of the country consists of hills and mountains.

Big Lake (2218 m) – glacier lake on Pelister Mountain

Major lakes include Ohrid, Prespa (both shared with Albania) and Doiran. Lake Ohrid is the deepest lake in the Balkans (935 ft.)

The Vardar River divides the country; other rivers of note include the Bregalnica and Cma.

Land Divisions 34 counties and 123 municipalities

Interesting Facts About Macedonia

 A 2002 Census reveals that 64% of its population are Macedonian, 25% Albanian, 4% Turkish, 3% Roma, 2%, Serb, 0.5% Bosniaks and 0.5% Vlachs.

Christianity and Islam are the dominating religions in this country.

Macedonian_women.

Traditional Macedonian clothing in a market near Lake Ohrid

Clothing, iron and steel classify as the nation’s main exports and the largest sources of annual revenue.

Macedonian-steel-Factory

Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish, Serbian, Vlach, and Roma are the common languages spoken.

Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation

Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation – Democratic Party for Macedonian Unity (VMRO-DPMNE), Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), Democratic Party for Integration (DUI) and Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA) are some of the major political parties in Macedonia.

Macedonian-style moussaka, amazingly simple and delicious.

Jar label for chili flavoured ajvar.

Macedonia is famous for mouth watering dishes such as Musaka, Tavèe-Gravèe, Kebapi and Ajvar which is a bell pepper spread.

Kebapi

The parliament approved legislation giving ethnic Albanians greater local autonomy in their predominant zones and redrawing local boundaries.

Macedonia contained around 900,000 internet users by July 2008, around 44 percent of the population.

As a small and open economy, Macedonia stands vulnerable to economic developments in Europe and hence still remains dependent on its Europe Union (EU) membership for continued economic growth.

Parliamentary elections are held every four years, when the Prime Minister is elected. The President of Macedonia is elected for a five-year term.

Bears in Macedonia

Macedonia’s fauna is rich and includes exotic bears, chamois, foxes, wolves, squirrels and wild boars.

Macedonia_chamois

Macedonian wolves

Republic of Macedonia in the south borders the region of Greek Macedonia due to which Greece raised mayhem over possible territorial aspirations and historical associations of Macedonia with selective Greek region history.

Public TV in Macedonia has three national channels that face stiff competition from private networks.

Macedonia has maintained macroeconomic stability with low inflation, but it has so far lagged the region in attracting foreign investment and creating jobs, despite making extensive fiscal and business sector reforms.

Alexander the Great Statue Installed in Skopje

Alexander the Great, a member of the Angread Dynasty and a pivotal fixture in ancient history hails from the land of Macedonia.

A long lasting dispute with Greece over the country's constitutional name and flag hindered economic growth until 1996.

Monuments_of_Delcev_and_Gruev_under_Macedonian_flag

Macedonian Capital Skopje: Skopje City-at-night

Skopje, the capital city of Macedonia is a common tourist attraction especially for its affluent heritage, popular markets and dazzling monuments.

Daut Pasha Amam interior

Macadonia  Markets