Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of

   Introduction Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
   -------------------------------------------------------
                            Background: International recognition of The
                                        Former Yugoslav Republic of
                                        Macedonia's (F.Y.R.O.M.)
                                        independence from Yugoslavia in 1991
                                        was delayed by Greece's objection to
                                        the new state's use of what it
                                        considered a Hellenic name and
                                        symbols. Greece finally lifted its
                                        trade blockade in 1995, and the two
                                        countries agreed to normalize
                                        relations, despite continued
                                        disagreement over F.Y.R.O.M.'s use
                                        of "Macedonia." F.Y.R.O.M.'s large
                                        Albanian minority, an ethnic
                                        Albanian armed insurgency in
                                        F.Y.R.O.M. in 2001, and the status
                                        of neighboring Kosovo continue to be
                                        sources of ethnic tension.
  
   Geography Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
   ----------------------------------------------------
                              Location: Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
                Geographic coordinates: 41 50 N, 22 00 E
                        Map references: Europe
                                  Area: total: 25,333 sq km
                                        water: 477 sq km
                                        land: 24,856 sq km
                    Area - comparative: slightly larger than Vermont
                       Land boundaries: total: 766 km
                                        border countries: Albania 151 km,
                                        Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km,
                                        Yugoslavia 221 km
                             Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
                       Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
                               Climate: warm, dry summers and autumns and
                                        relatively cold winters with heavy
                                        snowfall
                               Terrain: mountainous territory covered with
                                        deep basins and valleys; three large
                                        lakes, each divided by a frontier
                                        line; country bisected by the Vardar
                                        River
                    Elevation extremes: lowest point: Vardar River 50 m
                                        highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e
                                        Korabit) 2,753 m
                     Natural resources: chromium, lead, zinc, manganese,
                                        tungsten, nickel, low-grade iron
                                        ore, asbestos, sulfur, timber,
                                        arable land
                              Land use: arable land: 23.59%
                                        permanent crops: 1.85%
                                        other: 74.56% (1998 est.)
                        Irrigated land: 550 sq km (1998 est.)
                       Natural hazards: high seismic risks
          Environment - current issues: air pollution from metallurgical
                                        plants
            Environment - international party to: Air Pollution,
                            agreements: Biodiversity, Climate Change,
                                        Endangered Species, Hazardous
                                        Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
                                        Protection, Wetlands
                                        signed, but not ratified: none of
                                        the selected agreements
                      Geography - note: landlocked; major transportation
                                        corridor from Western and Central
                                        Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern
                                        Europe to Western Europe
  
   People Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
   -------------------------------------------------
                            Population: 2,054,800
                                        note: a Framework Agreement ratified
                                        by Macedonia on 16 November 2001
                                        calls for a new census in 2002 (July
                                        2002 est.)
                         Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.4% (male 239,638;
                                        female 221,446)
                                        15-64 years: 67.2% (male 694,368;
                                        female 686,450)
                                        65 years and over: 10.4% (male
                                        94,214; female 118,684) (2002 est.)
                Population growth rate: 0.41% (2002 est.)
                            Birth rate: 13.35 births/1,000 population (2002
                                        est.)
                            Death rate: 7.74 deaths/1,000 population (2002
                                        est.)
                    Net migration rate: -1.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population
                                        (2002 est.)
                             Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
                                        under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
                                        15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
                                        65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/
                                        female
                                        total population: 1 male(s)/female
                                        (2002 est.)
                 Infant mortality rate: 12.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2002
                                        est.)
              Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.26 years
                                        female: 76.68 years (2002 est.)
                                        male: 72.01 years
                  Total fertility rate: 1.77 children born/woman (2002 est.)
      HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.01% (1999 est.)
     HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/ less than 100 (1999 est.)
                                  AIDS:
                     HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (1999 est.)
                           Nationality: noun: Macedonian(s)
                                        adjective: Macedonian
                         Ethnic groups: Macedonian 66.6%, Albanian 22.7%,
                                        Turkish 4%, Roma 2.2%, Serb 2.1%,
                                        other 2.4% (1994)
                             Religions: Macedonian Orthodox 67%, Muslim 30%,
                                        other 3%
                             Languages: Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%,
                                        Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 3%, other
                                        3%
                              Literacy: definition: NA
                                        total population: NA%
                                        male: NA%
                                        female: NA%
  
   Government Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
   -----------------------------------------------------
                          Country name: conventional long form: The Former
                                        Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
                                        conventional short form: none
                                        local long form: Republika
                                        Makedonija
                                        abbreviation: F.Y.R.O.M.
                                        local short form: Makedonija
                       Government type: emerging democracy
                               Capital: Skopje
              Administrative divisions: 123 municipalities (opstini,
                                        singular - opstina); Aracinovo, Bac,
                                        Belcista, Berovo, Bistrica, Bitola,
                                        Blatec, Bogdanci, Bogomila,
                                        Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Cair
                                        (Skopje), Capari, Caska, Cegrane,
                                        Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa,
                                        Cesinovo, Cucer-Sandevo, Debar,
                                        Delcevo, Delogozdi, Demir Hisar,
                                        Demir Kapija, Dobrusevo, Dolna
                                        Banjica, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov
                                        (Skopje), Drugovo, Dzepciste, Gazi
                                        Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija, Gostivar,
                                        Gradsko, Ilinden, Izvor, Jegunovce,
                                        Kamenjane, Karbinci, Karpos
                                        (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela
                                        Voda (Skopje), Klecevce, Kocani,
                                        Konce, Kondovo, Konopiste, Kosel,
                                        Kratovo, Kriva Palanka,
                                        Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kuklis,
                                        Kukurecani, Kumanovo, Labunista,
                                        Lipkovo, Lozovo, Lukovo, Makedonska
                                        Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovi
                                        Anovi, Meseista, Miravci, Mogila,
                                        Murtino, Negotino, Negotino-Polosko,
                                        Novaci, Novo Selo, Oblesevo, Ohrid,
                                        Orasac, Orizari, Oslomej, Pehcevo,
                                        Petrovec, Plasnica, Podares, Prilep,
                                        Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen,
                                        Rosoman, Rostusa, Samokov, Saraj,
                                        Sipkovica, Sopiste, Sopotnica,
                                        Srbinovo, Star Dojran, Staravina,
                                        Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga,
                                        Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari
                                        (Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce,
                                        Tetovo, Topolcani, Valandovo,
                                        Vasilevo, Velesta, Veles, Vevcani,
                                        Vinica, Vitoliste, Vranestica,
                                        Vrapciste, Vratnica, Vrutok, Zajas,
                                        Zelenikovo, Zeleno, Zitose, Zletovo,
                                        Zrnovci
                                        note: the seven municipalities
                                        followed by Skopje in parentheses
                                        collectively constitute "greater
                                        Skopje"
                          Independence: 17 September 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
                      National holiday: Uprising Day, 2 August (1903)
                          Constitution: adopted 17 November 1991, effective
                                        20 November 1991
                                        note: the Macedonian Parliament
                                        approved November 2001 a series of
                                        new constitutional amendments,
                                        strengthening minority rights
                          Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial
                                        review of legislative acts
                              Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
                      Executive branch: chief of state: President Boris
                                        TRAJKOVSKI (since 15 December 1999)
                                        head of government: Prime Minister
                                        Ljubco GEORGIEVSKI (since 30
                                        November 1998)
                                        elections: president elected by
                                        popular vote for a five-year term;
                                        election last held 14 November 1999
                                        (next to be held NA October 2004);
                                        prime minister elected by the
                                        Assembly; election last held NA
                                        November 1998 (next to be held NA
                                        2002)
                                        election results: Boris TRAJKOVSKI
                                        elected president on second-round
                                        ballot; percent of vote - Boris
                                        TRAJKOVSKI 52.4%, Tito PETKOVSKI
                                        46.2%
                                        cabinet: Council of Ministers
                                        elected by the majority vote of all
                                        the deputies in the Assembly; note -
                                        current cabinet formed by the
                                        government coalition parties VMRO-
                                        DPMNE, PDP, and DPA
                    Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly or Sobranje (120
                                        seats - 85 members are elected by
                                        popular vote, 35 members come from
                                        lists of candidates submitted by
                                        parties based on the percentage that
                                        a party gains from the overall vote;
                                        all serve four-year terms)
                                        election results: percent of vote by
                                        party - NA%; seats by party - VMRO-
                                        DPMNE 43, SDSM 27, PDP 14, DA 13,
                                        DPA 11, VMRO-VMRO 6, LDP 4, SP 1,
                                        Roma Party 1
                                        elections: last held 18 October and
                                        1 November 1998 (next tentatively
                                        scheduled for June 2002)
                       Judicial branch: Supreme Court - Parliament appoints
                                        the judges; Constitutional Court -
                                        Parliament appoints the judges;
                                        Republican Judicial Council -
                                        Parliament appoints the judges
         Political parties and leaders: Democratic Alternative or DA [Vasil
                                        TUPURKOVSKI, president]; Democratic
                                        Party of Albanians or DPA [Arben
                                        XHAFERI, president]; Internal
                                        Macedonian Revolutionary
                                        Organization-Democratic Party for
                                        Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-
                                        DPMNE [Ljubcho GEORGIEVSKI,
                                        president]; Internal Macedonian
                                        Revolutionary Organization-True
                                        Macedonian Reform Option or VMRO-
                                        VMRO [Boris STOJMANOV]; Liberal
                                        Democratic Party or LDP [Risto
                                        GUSTERVO]; Liberal Party [leader
                                        NA]; National Democratic Party or
                                        MPDK [Kastriot HAXHISEXHA]; Party
                                        for Democratic Prosperity or PDP
                                        [Imeri IMERI, president]; Social-
                                        Democratic Alliance of Macedonia or
                                        SDSM (former Communist Party)
                                        [Branko CRVENKOVSKI, president];
                                        Socialist Party of Macedonia or SP
                                        [Ljubisav IVANOV, president]; Union
                                        of Romanies of Macedonia or SRM
                                        [leader NA]
          Political pressure groups and NA
                               leaders:
             International organization ACCT, BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD,
                         participation: ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,
                                        IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
                                        IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer),
                                        ISO, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN,
                                        UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,
                                        WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
                                        (observer)
   Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nikola
                                        DIMITROV
                                        chancery: Suite 302, 1101 30th
                                        Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
                                        consulate(s) general: New York
                                        FAX: [1] (202) 337-3093
                                        telephone: [1] (202) 337-3063
     Diplomatic representation from the chief of mission: Ambassador Larry
                                    US: BUTLER
                                        embassy: Bul. Ilinden bb, 91000
                                        Skopje
                                        mailing address: American Embassy
                                        Skopje, Department of State,
                                        Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch)
                                        telephone: [389] (02) 116-180
                                        FAX: [389] (02) 213-767
                      Flag description: a rising yellow sun with eight rays
                                        extending to the edges of the red
                                        field
  
   Economy Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
   --------------------------------------------------
                    Economy - overview: At independence in November 1991,
                                        Macedonia was the least developed of
                                        the Yugoslav republics, producing a
                                        mere 5% of the total federal output
                                        of goods and services. The collapse
                                        of Yugoslavia ended transfer
                                        payments from the center and
                                        eliminated advantages from inclusion
                                        in a de facto free trade area. An
                                        absence of infrastructure, UN
                                        sanctions on Yugoslavia, one of its
                                        largest markets, and a Greek
                                        economic embargo over a dispute
                                        about the country's constitutional
                                        name and flag hindered economic
                                        growth until 1996. GDP subsequently
                                        rose each year through 2000.
                                        However, the leadership's commitment
                                        to economic reform, free trade, and
                                        regional integration was undermined
                                        by the ethnic Albanian insurgency of
                                        2001. The economy shrank about 4%
                                        because of decreased trade,
                                        intermittent border closures,
                                        increased deficit spending on
                                        security needs, and investor
                                        uncertainty. The international
                                        community hopes to restart growth
                                        with a donors' conference in 2002.
                                   GDP: purchasing power parity - $9 billion
                                        (2001 est.)
                GDP - real growth rate: -4% (2001 est.)
                      GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,400
                                        (2001 est.)
           GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10%
                                        industry: 32%
                                        services: 58% (2001 est.)
         Population below poverty line: 24% (2001 est.)
     Household income or consumption by lowest 10%: NA%
                      percentage share: highest 10%: NA%
      Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.3% (2001 est.)
                           Labor force: 1.1 million (2000 est.)
           Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%,
                                        services NA%
                     Unemployment rate: 39% (2001 est.)
                                Budget: revenues: $850 million
                                        expenditures: $950 million,
                                        including capital expenditures of
                                        $NA (2001 est.)
                            Industries: coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc,
                                        ferronickel, textiles, wood
                                        products, tobacco, food processing,
                                        buses
     Industrial production growth rate: -8% (2001 est.)
              Electricity - production: 6.395 billion kWh (1999)
    Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 82.25%
                                        hydro: 17.75%
                                        other: 0% (1999)
                                        nuclear: 0%
             Electricity - consumption: 5.992 billion kWh (1999)
                 Electricity - exports: 30 million kWh (1999)
                 Electricity - imports: 75 million kWh (1999)
                Agriculture - products: rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, millet,
                                        cotton, sesame, mulberry leaves,
                                        citrus, vegetables; beef, pork,
                                        poultry, mutton
                               Exports: $1.2 billion (f.o.b., 2001 est.)
                 Exports - commodities: food, beverages, tobacco;
                                        miscellaneous manufactures, iron and
                                        steel
                    Exports - partners: Yugoslavia 25%, Germany 19%, US 13%,
                                        Italy 7%, Greece 6% (2000)
                               Imports: $1.5 billion (f.o.b., 2001 est.)
                 Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals,
                                        fuels; food products
                    Imports - partners: Germany 12%, Ukraine 10%, Greece
                                        10%, Russia 9%, Yugoslavia 9% (2000)
                       Debt - external: $1.3 billion (2001 est.)
              Economic aid - recipient: $150 million (2001 est.)
                              Currency: Macedonian denar (MKD)
                         Currency code: MKD
                        Exchange rates: Macedonian denars per US dollar -
                                        64.757 (January 2001), 65.904
                                        (2000), 56.902 (1999), 54.462
                                        (1998), 50.004 (1997)
                           Fiscal year: calendar year
  
   Communications Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
   ---------------------------------------------------------
            Telephones - main lines in use: 408,000 (1997)
              Telephones - mobile cellular: 12,362 (1997)
                          Telephone system: general assessment: NA
                                            domestic: NA
                                            international: NA
                  Radio broadcast stations: AM 29, FM 20, shortwave 0 (1998)
                                    Radios: 410,000 (1997)
             Television broadcast stations: 31 (plus 166 repeaters) (1995)
                               Televisions: 510,000 (1997)
                     Internet country code: .mk
         Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 (2000)
                            Internet users: 100,000 (2001)
  
   Transportation Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
   ---------------------------------------------------------
                              Railways: total: 699 km
                                        standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge
                                        (233 km electrified)
                                        note: a 56-km extension of the
                                        Kumanovo-Beljakovce line to the
                                        Bulgarian border at Gyueshevo is
                                        under construction (2001)
                              Highways: total: 8,684 km
                                        paved: 5,540 km (including 133 km of
                                        expressways)
                                        unpaved: 3,144 km (1997)
                             Waterways: note: lake transport only, on the
                                        Greek and Albanian borders
                             Pipelines: 10 km
                     Ports and harbors: none
                              Airports: 17 (2001)
         Airports - with paved runways: total: 10
                                        2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
                                        under 914 m: 8 (2001)
       Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7
                                        914 to 1,523 m: 3
                                        under 914 m: 4 (2001)
  
   Military Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
   ---------------------------------------------------
                     Military branches: Army (ARM), Air and Air Defense
                                        Forces, Police Force
      Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age (2002 est.)
      Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 551,523 (2002 est.)
   Military manpower - fit for military males age 15-49: 444,575 (2002 est.)
                               service:
           Military manpower - reaching males: 17,905 (2002 est.)
                 military age annually:
         Military expenditures - dollar $200 million (FY01/02 est.)
                                figure:
     Military expenditures - percent of 6% (FY01/02 est.)
                                   GDP:
  
   Transnational Issues Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
   ---------------------------------------------------------------
              Disputes - international: dispute with Greece over country's
                                        name persists; 2001 FYROM-Yugoslavia
                                        boundary delimitation agreement,
                                        which adjusts former republic
                                        boundaries, was signed and ratified
                                        and awaits demarcation; ethnic
                                        Albanians in Kosovo dispute
                                        legitimacy of the agreement, which
                                        cedes small tracts of Kosovo lands
                                        to FYROM
                         Illicit drugs: major transshipment point for
                                        Southwest Asian heroin and hashish;
                                        minor transit point for South
                                        American cocaine destined for Europe