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Essential information
Business essentials
Economy
Getting there
Where to stay
Where to eat
What to see
What to do
Embassies

Map

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Official Holidays
1 Jan New Year's Day
6-7 Jan Orthodox Christmas
8 Mar International Women's Day
28 Mer Orthodox Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day
2 Aug Ilinden (National Holiday).
8 Sep Independence Day.
Skopje weather
 
Essential contacts
National Tourist Board
Partizanski odredi 62
1000 Skopje, Macedonia

fax: +389 (0)2 3075-333
e-mail: contact@exploringmacedonia.com
www.exploringmacedonia.com
F.Y.R.O.M

Located in the heart of south central Europe, throughout its history, the present-day FYROM has been a crossroads for both traders and conquerors moving between the European continent and Asia Minor. Each of these transiting powers left its mark upon the region, giving rise to a rich and varied cultural and historical tradition.

Place where natural beauty and culture blend to create unique experience.  In addition to its diversity, Macedonia’s cultural richness is expressed in its archaeological legacy. Although just a small country, it holds many antique theaters, Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques, in addition to relics from the Stone Age and even earlier periods of human civilization.

There are also many natural beauties such as Ohrid, Mavrovo, Prespa, Dorijan lakes, mountains Korab, Sar planina, Pelister, Mavrovo national parks…
 

Currency
The monetary unit in the Republic of Macedonia is the denar, since April 26th, 1992. Foreign visitors may convert foreign funds into local currency in all banks or private exchange offices, which abide by the exchanges rates recommended by the National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia.

Upon entering Macedonia you should declare the amount of money you are carrying if you intend to take all or part of it out of the country. Foreigners are allowed to bring only 2.000 EURO in cash. EURO, Switzerland Frank, British Pound and other foreign currencies are exchanged in all exchange offices.

Most cities have ATMs where you can withdraw money with cheap commission rates, although there are also plenty of banks and exchange booths where you can easily change money. Do not change money on the street.

Credit cards to use in Macedonia

You can use all established international credit cards (American Express, Visa, Diners, MasterCard/EuroCard) as well as Eurocheques in most hotels, shops and restaurants.



Climate
Macedonia's climate is relatively warm with dry summers and autumns. The country also experiences cold winters with heavy snowfall.

An excellent time to visit Macedonia is between May to October, as it's the warmest and driest part of the year. In summer the average temperature is 23° C or 73° F and a light sweater in the evening makes it quite pleasant. On the other hand the winters are very cold with an average temperature of 2° C or 35° F. Maximum summer temperatures goes up to 40° C and the lowest winter temperatures drop to about -30°C.

The entire territory of Macedonia with its latitudinal extent is a transitional region between the Mediterranean and continental climates. Temperate Mediterranean type of climate is experienced along the valleys of the Vardar and Strumica rivers. The interior of the country has a moderate continental climate with warm and dry summers and cold and wet winters.

Winters are fraught with lots of snow, cold chilled winds and even rain drizzling. The rainfall is also insufficient because of the openness of the Aegean Sea river basin and the high mountains reaching 2,700 m. the geography of Macedonia receives about 500-700 mm rainfall annually, badly distributed throughout the year.

Language
Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%, Serbian 3%, and others 3%.

Religion
Eastern Orthodox 65%, Muslim 29%, Catholic 4% and others 2%.

Location

FYROM  is located in the heart of south central Europe. It shares a border with Greece to the south, Bulgaria to the east, Serbia and Kosovo to the north, and Albania to the west. The country is 80% mountainous, rising to its highest point at Mt. Korab (peak 2,764 m).


Time zone
GMT+1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Basic Information
Government type: Parliamentary Democracy

Capital: Skopje

Administrative divisions: 84 municipalities; Aerodrom , Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Butel , Cair , Caska, Centar , Centar Zupa, Cesinovo, Cucer Sandevo, Debar, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov (Gjorce Petrov) , Drugovo, Gazi Baba, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Karpos, Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda , Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Saraj , Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari, Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: President
Head of government:  Prime Minister
Cabinet: Council of Ministers is elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly

Legal System: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Population: 2,066,718 (July 2009 est.)
Country comparison to the world: 144

Ethnic Origin: Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma (Gypsy) 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% .

Area total: 25,713 sq km
Country comparison to the world: 149
Land: 25,433 sq km
Water: 280 sq km

Natural Resources:low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land

Top three cities *
Skopje: population 482,626
Skopje is Macedonia's largest city and therefore, chosen to be the capital of Macedonia.

Skopje is situated in the Skopje valley (north-western part of Macedonia), on the both banks in the river Vardar river, at an altitude of 255 meters above the sea level.

Skopje is Macedonia's, major economic, industrial, commercial, cultural, academic and political centre.

Skopje today retains several Ottoman structure and monuments. For instance, the Skopje old bazzar district has been completely renovated, but has preserved all the notable features of its original architecture. Today Skopje is a modern city with a wide range of cultural monuments.

Kumanovo: population  115,894
Kumanovo is located at the junction of E-75 and E-871 routes. The 40 kilometer highway exists between Skopje and Kumanovo, going near Kumanovo in the north and crossing the border with Serbia.

Every year Kumanovo has a Days of comedy festival, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, featuring comedies from several Macedonian theatres. Kumanovo is organizing the manifestation City of culture.

Bitola: population  85,463
Bitola is situated in the Pelagonia plain (southern Macedonia), on the both banks in the river Dragor, at an altitude of 617 meters above the sea level.

Bitola being the largest city in the region has always been an administrative, cultural, industrial, commercial, political and educational centre, with a developed network of institutions in all domains.

The University of St. Clement of Ohrid in Bitola, comprises four faculties and two colleges, and 5,000 students studying in Bitola, Ohrid and Prilep.

Your guide to Business
Passport/Visa
Passport Required?
British Yes
Australian Yes
Canadian Yes
USA Yes
Other EU Yes
Visa Required?
British No
Australian No
Canadian No
USA No
Other EU No
Return Ticket Required?
British No
Australian Yes
Canadian Yes
USA No
Other EU No

Passports
Passport must be valid for three months.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for tourist and business stays of up to three months.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.

Validity
Valid for up to three months. Transit visas valid for up to five days.
 
Customs

Free to Import
- 200 cigarettes, or
- 100 cigarillos, or
- 50 cigars, or
- 250 gms of smoking tobacco, or
- proportional quantity of various above listed tobacco products

- alcohol and alcoholic beverages:
- 2 litres of wine, and
- 1 litre of spirits or strong liqours
- perfume: 50ml, or
- toilet water: 250 ml.

Please note that 50 Euros customs allowance does not apply to tobacco products, alcohol an alcoholic beverages, perfume and toilet water in quantities exceeding the above listed.

When entering into the country the non-residents:

Could freely bring into the country the amount that does not exceed the equivalent of 2.000 euros in foreign currency and checks and up to 20.000 denars per person.

They are obliged to declare their foreign currency and checks to the Customs authority where the total amount exceeds the equivalent of 2.000 euros, it is compulsory to receive written certificate issued by the Customs authority
Health and safety

In Skopje and Macedonia as well, is very common to meet people who speak English well, so expect from a pedestrian you might stop to ask for information at least to know mid-level English to help you.

Criminals and the downtrodden might try to use illegal means to get money from you, but most of Skopje is extremely safe, and recently the level of safety is increased. The Macedonians are warm-hearted and generous people, and you will enjoy their splendid hospitality offering you all that they have to make you feel as comfortable as you can. It is a place worth visiting, so please don't hesitate to come.

SAFETY

Skopje suffers primarily from the same types of crime as most international tourist cities: petty theft and pickpocketing. Pickpocketing is the most frequent crime perpetrated against tourists. Be careful above all at the bus and train stations, as well as in the Old Bazzar, Stone bridge and Bitpazar disctricts.

Medicines, doctors and medical care

Skopje has some very good private hospitals, an excellent ambulance service, and good medical care. It is easily for you to find a medicines at the local pharmacies. However, if you need some more expensive medicines, it's always best to bring your own.

Skopje's only other safety issues are health related. The city can get very warm during the summer, and sunblock, sunglasses and hats are all necesserities. To avoid heatstroke, drink plenty of water and try to confine your activities to air-conditioned buildings or shaded areas as much as possible.
The information on this site was gathered through our journalists and various source(s) of information including the national tourism organization,
the ministry of finance, the ministry of foreign affairs, CIA World Factbook, and US State Department.
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