Quick Facts

Location: Macedonia is comfort zone that is now knocking on the doors of Europe and in the meantime is a safe, welcoming, amazing and still mystic place that waits to be explored and visit. Located in South-eastern Europe, in the central part of Balkan Peninsula, Macedonia shares it's borders, culture and traditions with Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia;

Geographic coordinates: latitudes - 41° 50° north, longitudes - 22° 00° east;

Area: total: 25, 333 sq km: land: 24 856 sq km, water: 477 sq km;

Population: 2 066 718 (July 2009);

Largest cities: Skopje (capital, 587 300m area, 452 500 city proper), Bitola, Ohrid, Kumanovo, Tetovo, Prilep;

Government: Parliamentary democracy;

Head of Government: President of Republic; Prime Minister;

Year of Unification: 8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsing independence from Yugoslavia);

Ethnic groups: Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, (both official), Turkish 3.9%, Roma (Gypsy) 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2%;

Religion: Macedonian Orthodox 64.7%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.37%, other and unspecified 1.63%;

Language: Macedonian 66.5%, Albanian 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8%;

Currency: Macedonian denar, code – MKD; There are 50 deni coins (that’s half Denar), 1, 2, 5 and 10 Denar coins, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1 000 and 5 000 Denar banknotes;

Foreign currencies can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices, hotels; cheques can be cashed in banks. There are numerous cash machines in all larger cities. The exchange rate in exchange offices and banks is almost identical and there is no commission. The cash machines on the other side have less favourable exchange rate and, of course, charge fee;

Internet country code: .mk;

Time difference: GMT + 01:00 (Sarajevo, Skopje, Zagreb, Warsaw);

Daylight saving time: + 1 hour, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October;

Power supply: 220 V, 50 Hz. Our UK guests should note that power outlets in Macedonia are the Continental two-pin type and that a socket adapter is therefore required;

Water: Tap water is potable in all parts of Macedonia;

Travel documentation: A valid passport or some other identification document recognised by international agreement. EU/EEA citizens only need a passport to enter Macedonia. All those who need visas to enter Macedonia can get them at the Macedonian Embassy or Consulate in their country. For all information on visas, embassy and consulate contacts please visit www.mfa.gov.mk ;

Health services: There are hospitals and clinics located in all larger towns and cities, while smaller centres have dispensaries and chemists. Pharmacies in Macedonia are well-supplied, and they are located on numerous locations, especially in larger cities. Before visiting Macedonia, you don’t need to get any particular vaccinations and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases;

Working hours: Most shops are open from 9 a.m. until 8 or 9 p.m. on weekdays and until 2 or 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Many shops stay open until 10 p.m., even on Sundays, especially in larger shopping centres in capital Skopje;

Mobile phone companies: There are 3 (three) mobile phone operators in Macedonia: T-Mobile, VIP and One operator;

Transportation – Airports: There are two international airports in Macedonia - Skopje International airport and Ohrid International airport. Skopje International airport receives airlines from many world destinations and it is the country’s premier airport.

Telephone code for Macedonia is + 389. Area code is 1 digit for the capital Skopje (02) and 2 digits for all other locations (Tetovo – 044, Ohrid – 046, Bitola -047, Prilep – 048 etc). Phone numbers are 6 or 7 digits; number + area code total 8 digits. Dialling instructions for placing long distance international calls to Macedonia from abroad: dial the International out code of your country + 389 + city area code + local number;

Important telephone numbers:

- Police: 192

- Fire Brigade: 193

- Ambulance: 194

- Roadside vehicle assistance: 196

- Information local and intercity numbers: 188.