North Macedonia

North Macedonia, officially the Republic of North Macedonia, is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe. It shares borders with Greece to the south, Albania to the west, Bulgaria to the east, Kosovo to the northwest, and Serbia to the north. The capital city is Skopje, which is also the largest city.

The area has a rich history. It was once part of the kingdom of Paeonia. Over time, many empires ruled there, including the Persian Achaemenid Empire, the Kingdom of Macedonia, the Roman Republic, the Byzantine Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. In the early 1900s, it became part of Serbia and later joined Yugoslavia. North Macedonia became independent in 1991.

Today, North Macedonia is part of many international groups, such as NATO and the United Nations. It hopes to join the European Union someday. The country has improved its economy and offers important services like universal health care and free primary and secondary education for all its citizens.

Names and etymology

See also: Macedonia (terminology) and Macedonia naming dispute

The name of North Macedonia comes from an ancient Greek word, Makedonía. This word means 'tall' or 'high'.

For many years, the name "Macedonia" was not used much. It was brought back in the 1800s by people from Bulgaria and Greece.

Later, after World War II, the area became known as the Socialist Republic of Macedonia, part of Yugoslavia.

When Yugoslavia broke apart in 1991, the area became independent and was called the Republic of Macedonia. In 2018, after an agreement with Greece, the country changed its name to the Republic of North Macedonia. This change was approved by the country's parliament and started in early 2019. Many people still use the name "Macedonia" when talking about their country.

History

Main article: History of North Macedonia

See also: Historiography in North Macedonia

Early history

Main articles: Paeonia (kingdom), Macedonia (ancient kingdom), Kingdom of Dardania, and Roman Empire

North Macedonia is about the same size as the old kingdom of Paeonia, north of Macedonia. In early times, Bylazora was the main town of the Paeonian kings, later moving to Stobi. The area was home to the Paeonians, with other groups also living there.

In the late 6th century BC, Persians took over Paeonia. After they lost in 479 BC, they left the area.

Philip II of Macedon took over parts of Paeonia in 356 BC. Alexander the Great later added the rest to his empire. After Alexander died, Celtic armies attacked but lost in 310 BC.

The Romans made Macedonia a province in 146 BC. By the time of Diocletian, it split into two parts, with Stobi as its capital. This included most of today’s North Macedonia. Roman rule brought Scupi under control during Domitian’s time, putting it in the province of Moesia. Greek stayed important in the east, but Latin also spread in Macedonia.

Medieval period

Further information: Sclaveni, Byzantine Empire, First Bulgarian Empire, Bulgaria (theme), Serbian Empire, and Ottoman Vardar Macedonia

Slavic tribes moved into the Balkan area, including North Macedonia, by the late 6th century AD, led by the Pannonian Avars. They mixed with local people. Around 680, a Bulgar ruler named Kuber led a group to the region of Pelagonia. They may have included Bulgars, Byzantines, Slavs, and Germanic tribes.

The Slavic tribes in Macedonia turned to Christianity around the 9th century during the rule of Tsar Boris I of Bulgaria. The Ohrid Literary School, started in 886 by Saint Clement of Ohrid, became a big cultural center, spreading the Cyrillic script.

, the first synod church of the Archbishopric of Ohrid (top). The Church of Saints Clement and Panteleimon (bottom). Both churches are in Ohrid.

After an invasion, the Byzantines took control. Samuil became Tsar of Bulgaria, moving the capital to Skopje and then Ohrid. He brought back Bulgarian power, but after losing to the Byzantine Emperor Basil II in 1014, the Byzantines took control again. The Bulgarian Patriarchate was lowered in rank. By the late 12th century, the area was fought over by different powers.

In the early 13th century, a new Bulgarian Empire took control. But it didn’t last, and the area came under Byzantine control again in the early 14th century. In the 14th century, it became part of the Serbian Empire. Skopje became the capital of Tsar Stefan Dušan’s empire. After Dušan died, fights split the Balkans. This time saw the Ottoman Turks entering Europe.

Ottoman period

Further information: Ottoman Vardar Macedonia

The Kingdom of Prilep was one of the small states that came from the fall of the Serbian Empire in the 14th century and was taken by the Ottomans at the end of that century. Slowly, all of central Balkans were taken by the Ottoman Empire and stayed under its rule for five centuries as part of the province or Eyalet of Rumelia. The name Rumelia means "Land of the Romans" in Turkish, referring to lands taken from the Byzantine Empire. Over time, Rumelia Eyalet got smaller until the 19th century, when it included parts of central Albania and western North Macedonia with its capital at Bitola. Rumelia Eyalet was ended in 1867, and the area of Macedonia became part of vilayets of Manastir, Kosova, and Selanik until the end of Ottoman rule in 1912. With the Bulgarian National Revival in the 19th century, many reformers came from this area.

Modern period

Macedonian autonomism

See also: Bulgarian Millet, Autonomy for Macedonia and Adrianople regions, and Macedonia for the Macedonians

Several movements to create an autonomous Macedonia, covering the whole region, started in the late 19th century. The earliest was the Bulgarian Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Committees, later becoming the Secret Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Organization (SMARO). In 1905, it was renamed the Internal Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Organization (IMARO), and after World War I, it split into the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO) and the Internal Thracian Revolutionary Organisation (ITRO).

In its early years, only Bulgarians could join, but later it opened to all people in European Turkey. Most members were Macedonian Bulgarians. In 1903, IMRO organized an uprising against the Ottomans. After some wins, including the Kruševo Republic, the uprising was crushed with many losses. The uprising and the Kruševo Republic are seen as important steps toward making the Macedonian state. Leaders of the uprising are celebrated as national heroes in North Macedonia. IMRO revolutionaries like Gotse Delchev, Pitu Guli, Dame Gruev, and Yane Sandanski are mentioned in the national anthem “Today over Macedonia.” The major national holiday, Republic Day, is celebrated on 2 August, the day of the uprising.

Kingdom of Serbia

See also: Second Balkan War and Serbianisation

After the Balkan Wars of 1912 and 1913 and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, most of the area that would become North Macedonia was taken by Serbia, as agreed in the peace treaty at Bucharest. However, the Strumica area went to Bulgaria. After this, an anti-Bulgarian campaign began in areas under Serbian and Greek control. Many Bulgarian schools and churches were closed, and clergy and teachers were sent away. The use of Macedonian dialects and standard Bulgarian was banned. IMRO, with local Albanians, started an uprising against Serbian rule. The rebels took Gostivar, Struga, and Ohrid, pushing out Serbian troops. A report said a Serbian army of 100,000 stopped the uprising. Many were killed, and tens of thousands ran away to Bulgaria and Albania.

World War I

See also: Bulgarian occupation of Serbia (World War I)

During World War I, most of today’s North Macedonia was part of the Bulgarian-occupied area of Serbia after the country was attacked by the Central Powers in fall 1915. The area was called the “Military Inspection Area of Macedonia” and was led by a Bulgarian military leader. Policies tried to make the area Bulgarian, including using only Bulgarian language, banning Serbian writing, arresting and moving Serbian priests, changing Serbian-sounding names to Bulgarian ones, bringing teachers from Bulgaria, and taking Serbian books from schools and libraries. Adult men were sent to work camps or made to join the Bulgarian Army. The goal was to create purely Bulgarian areas by changing the non-Bulgarian Slavic people.

Kingdom of Yugoslavia

See also: South Serbia (1919–1922) and Vardar Banovina

After Bulgaria gave up and World War I ended, the area went back to Belgrade’s control as part of the new Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, later renamed the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929. Serbian teachers and leaders were brought in, Serbian language signs and books were put up, and all Bulgarian groups were closed. After the Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine, the Strumica area was added to Serbian Macedonia in 1919.

The Serbian government made Serbian language and culture required, stopped Bulgarian activists, changed family names, brought Serbian families in, and used strong propaganda. About 50,000 Serbian soldiers and police were placed in North Macedonia. By 1940, about 280 Serbian areas with 4,200 families were set up.

In 1929, the Kingdom became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, and South Serbia, including North Macedonia, became the Vardar Banovina.

The Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO) supported the idea of an Independent Macedonia in the interwar period. Its leaders wanted independence for the area split between Serbia and Greece for all people, no matter their religion or group. Bulgaria offered Pirin Macedonia for this after World War I, but Serbia and Greece said no. In 1924, the Communist International suggested all Balkan communist groups support a “United Macedonia,” but this was turned down by Bulgarian and Greek communists.

IMRO began a rebel war in Vardar Macedonia, with the Macedonian Youth Secret Revolutionary Organization doing secret attacks against Serbian leaders. In 1923, a group called the Association against Bulgarian Bandits was made by Serbian chetniks, IMRO leaders who left, and members of the Macedonian Federative Organization to fight IMRO and MMTRO. In 1934, IMRO member Vlado Chernozemski killed Alexander I of Yugoslavia.

Macedonist ideas grew in Yugoslav Vardar Macedonia and among left groups in Bulgaria during the time between wars, supported by the Comintern. In 1934, the Comintern made a special decision recognizing a separate Macedonian nation and language for the first time.

World War II

Main article: World War II in Yugoslav Macedonia

During World War II, Yugoslavia was taken over by Axis powers from 1941 to 1945. The Vardar Banovina was split between Bulgaria and Italian-occupied Albania. Bulgarian Action Committees were created to get the area ready for Bulgarian control and army. The committees were mostly former IMRO and Macedonian Youth Secret Revolutionary Organization members, with some IMRO (United) members also joining.

As leader of the Vardar Macedonian communists, Metodi Shatorov (“Sharlo”) left the Yugoslav Communist Party to join the Bulgarian Communist Party and said no to fighting the Bulgarian Army. The Bulgarian leaders, under German pressure, were responsible for rounding up and sending away over 7,000 Jews in Skopje and Bitola. Hard rule by leaders made many Vardar Macedonians support Josip Broz Tito’s Communist Partisan resistance group after 1943, starting the National Liberation War.

In Vardar Macedonia, after the Bulgarian coup in 1944, Bulgarian troops, surrounded by German forces, fought their way back to Bulgaria. Under the new Bulgarian government that supported the Soviet Union, four armies were made and reorganized. Most went back into occupied Yugoslavia in early October 1944, moving from Sofia to Niš, Skopje, and Priština to stop German forces leaving from Greece. The Bulgarian army reached the Alps in Austria, helping push Germans west through Yugoslavia and Hungary.

Pushed by the Soviet Union to make a big South Slav group, in 1946 the new Communist government, led by Georgi Dimitrov, agreed to give Bulgarian Macedonia to a United Macedonia. With the Bled agreement in 1947, Bulgaria formally agreed to this joining but said it would wait until after the future Federation was made. This was the first time it said yes to a separate Macedonian people and language. After the Tito-Stalin split, Pirin Macedonia stayed part of Bulgaria, and the Bulgarian Communist Party changed its mind on a separate Macedonian nation and language.

Socialist Yugoslavia

Main article: Socialist Republic of Macedonia

In December 1944, the Anti-fascist Assembly for the National Liberation of Macedonia (ASNOM) said the People’s Republic of Macedonia was part of the People’s Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. ASNOM acted as a government until the end of the war. The Macedonian alphabet was made by ASNOM language experts based on Vuk Stefanović Karadžić’s phonetic alphabet and Krste Petkov Misirkov’s ideas. During the Greek civil war (1946–1949), Macedonian communist fighters helped the Greek communists. Many people ran away to the Socialist Republic of Macedonia from there. The state took away “Socialist” from its name in 1991 when it left Yugoslavia peacefully.

The new republic became one of the six republics of the Yugoslav group. After the group was renamed the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1963, the People’s Republic of Macedonia was also renamed the Socialist Republic of Macedonia.

Declaration of independence

North Macedonia marks 8 September 1991 as Independence Day, when a vote said yes to leaving Yugoslavia. The anniversary of the Ilinden Uprising on 2 August is also celebrated as the Day of the Republic.

Robert Badinter, head of the Arbitration Commission of the Peace Conference on Yugoslavia, said EC recognition should happen in January 1992. On 15 January 1992, Bulgaria was the first country to recognize the independence of the republic.

Macedonia stayed calm during the Yugoslav Wars of the early 1990s. Small border changes with Yugoslavia were made to fix line issues. The country was badly affected by the Kosovo War in 1999, as around 360,000 ethnic Albanian people from Kosovo came there for safety. They left after the war, and Albanian leaders on both sides of the border started fighting for more power or independence for Albanian areas in Macedonia.

21st century

2001 insurgency

Main article: 2001 insurgency in Macedonia

A fight happened between the government and ethnic Albanian fighters, mostly in the north and west, from February to August 2001. The war ended with help from NATO. The Ohrid Agreement gave the Albanian minority more political power and culture. The Albanian side said they would stop wanting to split away and recognize Macedonian leaders. The NLA said they would give up their guns to NATO. However, Macedonian forces had two more armed fights with Albanian fighters in Operation Mountain Storm and the 2015 Kumanovo fights.

Ethnic tensions grew in Macedonia in 2012, with violent fights between ethnic Albanians and Macedonians. In April 2017, about 200 people, mostly from the conservative VMRO-DPMNE party, entered the Macedonian Parliament after an ethnic Albanian was chosen as Speaker of the Assembly.

Antiquisation

Main articles: Antiquisation and Macedonism

When it took power in 2006, especially after not being asked to join NATO in 2008, the VMRO-DPMNE government followed a policy of “Antiquisation” to push Greece and build national identity. Statues of Alexander the Great and Philip of Macedon were put up in cities. Public places like airports, roads, and sports places were named after them. These actions were seen as challenges by Greece, making it harder for the country to join the EU and NATO. This policy was criticized at home and by EU leaders, and after the Prespa agreement in 2016, it was partly stopped by the new SDSM government. Both countries now say their uses of “Macedonia” and “Macedonian” mean different history and culture.

EU and NATO path

In August 2017, the then Republic of Macedonia signed a friendship agreement with Bulgaria to end “anti-Bulgarian ideas” and solve history issues.

Under the Prespa agreement signed with Greece on 17 June 2018, the country changed its name to the Republic of North Macedonia and stopped using the Vergina Sun in public. It kept the name “Macedonian” but said it was different from the old Macedonian identity in northern Greece. The agreement took out arguments about the country from school books and maps in both countries and got official UN recognition of the Slavic Macedonian language. This ended the Greek veto, and with the friendship agreement with Bulgaria, the European Union said it would start talks on 27 June, expected in 2019, if the Prespa deal was done. On 5 July, the Macedonian parliament said yes to the Prespa agreement with 69 votes. On 12 July, NATO asked Macedonia to start talks to become the group’s 30th member. On 30 July, the parliament said yes to a vote to change the country’s name, held on 30 September. Ninety-one percent said yes with 37% of people voting, but the vote failed because it needed 50% of people to vote.

On 6 February 2019, NATO members and Macedonian Foreign Affairs Minister Nikola Dimitrov signed the joining papers for North Macedonia to be part of NATO in Brussels. The papers were approved by the Greek parliament on 8 February, finishing the Prespa agreement rules. On 12 February, the Macedonian government started changes to rename the country to North Macedonia and told the United Nations.

In March 2020, after all NATO members approved, North Macedonia joined NATO as the 30th member. That same month, the EU leaders said North Macedonia could start EU talks. On 17 November 2020, Bulgaria stopped the EU’s talking rules for North Macedonia, saying there were issues like following the 2017 friendship treaty, bad words from leaders, claims about groups, and “building a nation” by saying Bulgarian identity, culture, and history were wrong in Macedonia. This stop was criticized by leaders from both countries and by world watchers.

Protests happened in July 2022 over the French plan for North Macedonia to join the EU. Talking to join the EU officially started that month after the plan was approved by the Assembly.

The 2023 European Commission Progress Report said that not finishing some changes in the rules was the main reason for stopping more talking. The EU’s plan for the country to join seems unclear, besides wanting to keep its influence in the Western Balkans against China and Russia. On 25 September 2024, the EU said it would separate Albania from North Macedonia on the EU joining path because of fights between North Macedonia and Bulgaria. After this, the EU started talking on the first points with Albania separately on 15 October 2024.

Geography

Main article: Geography of North Macedonia

See also: Geology of North Macedonia

North Macedonia is a small country in Southeast Europe. It has an area of 25,436 km². It shares borders with Serbia to the north, Kosovo to the northwest, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south, and Albania to the west. It is a landlocked country with a central valley formed by the Vardar river. This valley is surrounded by mountain ranges. The country has three large lakes—Lake Ohrid, Lake Prespa, and Dojran Lake—located on its southern borders.

North Macedonia has diverse terrain with rugged mountains and beautiful landscapes. The tallest mountain is Mount Korab, which reaches 2,764 meters. The country's rivers flow into three basins: the Aegean, the Adriatic, and the Black Sea. The Vardar river is the largest and most important for the country's economy and transportation.

Climate

See also: Climate of North Macedonia

North Macedonia has four seasons, with warm, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Temperatures can range from −20 °C in winter to 40 °C in summer. The climate changes across the country. It is continental in the north, Mediterranean in the south, and mountainous at higher elevations. The valleys of the Vardar and Strumica rivers have a temperate Mediterranean climate. The country receives different amounts of rainfall, allowing for the growth of many crops such as wheat, maize, and rice.

Biodiversity

Main article: Wildlife of North Macedonia

North Macedonia is home to many plants and animals. The country has around 3,700 plant species, including flowering plants, mosses, and ferns. Its forests have animals like bears, wild boars, wolves, foxes, and deer. Rare animals such as the lynx can be found in the western mountains. The country also has many bird species, including the imperial eagle and forest owl. North Macedonia has four national parks that help protect its natural environment.

Politics

Main article: Politics of North Macedonia

North Macedonia is a parliamentary democracy with an executive government led by parties from the unicameral legislature (Собрание, Sobranie; Assembly in English). There is also an independent judicial branch with a constitutional court. The Assembly has 120 seats, and its members are elected every four years. The president has a mostly ceremonial role, while the real power lies with the prime minister. The president is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and leads the State Security Council. The president is elected every five years and can serve up to two terms.

Since 2019, local government roles have been split among 80 municipalities (општини, opštini). The capital, Skopje, is managed by ten municipalities together called the "City of Skopje". These municipalities work together for local self-government.

After some difficulties during elections, North Macedonia had a calm change of government in the elections of 5 July 2006. The centre-right party VMRO-DPMNE led by Nikola Gruevski won. Gruevski included the Democratic Party of Albanians in the government.

In June 2017, Zoran Zaev of the Social Democratic Party became prime minister.

As of 4 January 2020^[update], the acting prime minister was Oliver Spasovski and the president of the Parliament was Talat Xhaferi.

Early parliamentary elections were held on 15 July 2020. Zoran Zaev became prime minister again in August 2020. Stevo Pendarovski became president in May 2019. In January 2022, Dimitar Kovačevski was elected prime minister. A new government was formed with Kovačevski’s Social Democrats and two parties representing ethnic Albanians. Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova became the country’s first female president on 12 May 2024.

Parliament, or Assembly (Macedonian: Собрание, Sobranie), is the country’s law-making body. It creates, suggests, and passes laws. The Constitution of North Macedonia has been in place since shortly after the country’s independence in 1991. It limits the powers of both local and national governments. The military is also limited by the constitution. The constitution says North Macedonia is a free state, with Skopje as its capital. The 120 members of Parliament are elected for four years by all citizens aged 18 or older.

The Government, led by the prime minister, holds executive power. The prime minister chooses the government members, who are ministers for different areas like the economy, finance, and foreign affairs.

The court system, led by the Supreme court, handles judiciary power.

Administrative divisions

Main articles: Statistical regions of North Macedonia and Municipalities of North Macedonia

North Macedonia’s statistical regions are used only for legal and statistical reasons. The regions are:

• Eastern
• Northeastern
• Pelagonia
• Polog
• Skopje
• Southeastern
• Southwestern
• Vardar

In August 2004, the country was reorganised into 84 municipalities (opštini), later reduced to 80 in 2013. Ten of these municipalities make up the City of Skopje, the capital.

Naming dispute

Main article: Macedonia naming dispute

See also: Macedonia (terminology)

The name “Macedonia” was disputed between Greece and North Macedonia. The disagreement began after the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991, when the country became independent. Greece did not want the name to be used without a geographic description.

The United Nations used the temporary name “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” when the country joined in 1993. Most countries later recognized it as the Republic of Macedonia. The UN tried to help solve the dispute. After the Prespa agreement, most international groups accepted the new name.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of North Macedonia

See also: List of diplomatic missions of North Macedonia

North Macedonia became a UN member on 8 April 1993, 18 months after becoming independent from Yugoslavia, using the name “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.” The country wants to fully join European and Trans-Atlantic groups.

North Macedonia is part of many international groups: IMF (since 1992), WHO (since 1993), EBRD (since 1993), Council of Europe (since 1995), OSCE (since 1995), WTO (since 2003), CEFTA (since 2006), and NATO (since 2020).

In 2005, the country was recognized as a possible member of the European Union. In 2008, North Macedonia wanted to join NATO but could not because of the naming dispute with Greece. The U.S. supported joining, but the decision was delayed until the dispute was solved. After the Prespa agreement, North Macedonia joined NATO in March 2020.

In 2012, the EU suggested starting talks with North Macedonia for the fourth time, but Greece blocked it again.

Military

Main article: Army of North Macedonia

The Army of North Macedonia is led by the General Staff. It includes the Operations Command with the Mechanized Infantry Brigade, the Air Brigade, the Special Operations Regiment, and several independent battalions. There is also a Training and Doctrine Command, a Logistics Base, and an Honor Guard Battalion. As of 2024, the army had 8,000 active soldiers and 4,850 reservists, with a military budget of US$275 million in 2023. North Macedonia became a volunteer army in 2007 and has sent troops to support NATO, EU, or UN missions.

The Ministry of Defence creates the country’s defence plans and evaluates possible threats. It is also in charge of the defence system, including training, equipment, and preparing the defence budget.

Human rights

Main article: Human rights in North Macedonia

North Macedonia follows the European Convention on Human Rights and UN agreements on refugees and against torture. The country’s constitution guarantees basic human rights for all citizens.

Some human rights groups have reported concerns about threats and pressure on human rights activists and journalists, as well as claims of police mistreatment.

Economy

Main article: Economy of North Macedonia

North Macedonia has worked hard to improve its economy since it became independent. The country has an open economy, and trade is very important. The government tries to keep prices stable and help small and medium-sized businesses grow.

The government has lower tax rates to attract more businesses. Many big companies from around the world have set up factories, especially in making cars. The country makes money by making things, trading, moving goods, and farming.

Trade

In the past, wars nearby and trade restrictions hurt North Macedonia’s economy. After these ended, Greece became an important trade partner. Many Greek companies bought old businesses and created jobs.

Other important trading partners include Germany, Italy, the United States, Slovenia, Austria, and Turkey.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in North Macedonia

Tourism is important to North Macedonia’s economy. The number of visitors has been growing. In 2019, over one million tourists visited. Many came from Turkey, Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Poland. Popular places to visit include lakes such as Ohrid, Prespa, and Dojran, as well as mountains, rural areas, cities, and cultural sites.

Transport

Main article: Transport in North Macedonia

North Macedonia is landlocked and had a hard time after independence when old trade routes broke down. The country’s roads and railways connect it to other parts of the Balkans. As of 2019, there were about 10,591 km of roads, with around 6,000 km paved. The railway network is 922 km long, connecting the border with Serbia to the border with Greece through Skopje.

Water transport is mostly on lakes like Ohrid and Prespa, mainly for tourists. There are 17 airports, with two international ones: Skopje International Airport and Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport.

Post and telecommunications

North Macedonia Post is the state-owned company for postal services. It started in 1992 and joined the World Postal Union in 1993. Later, it split into Macedonian Telekom and North Macedonia Post.

Internet

The United States helped North Macedonia become the first country with widespread wireless internet. Many schools are now connected to the internet, and a company provides WiFi in the largest cities.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of North Macedonia, List of cities in North Macedonia, and Macedonians (ethnic group)

North Macedonia has about 1.8 million people. The country has many different ethnic groups. The largest group is the Macedonians. Other groups include Albanians, Turks, and Roma people.

The main language is Macedonian, but Albanian is also an official language. People also speak Turkish, Romani, Serbian, Bosnian, and Aromanian. Most people follow Eastern Orthodox Christianity, but many also follow Islam. There are smaller groups of Catholics, Protestants, and others.

North Macedonia has several universities where people can study, such as the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje and St. Clement of Ohrid University of Bitola.

Main articles: Macedonian language and Languages of North Macedonia

See also: Political views on the Macedonian language

Main article: Religion in North Macedonia

Religion in North Macedonia (2021)

1. Eastern Orthodoxy
2. Catholicism
3. Non-specified Christian
4. Islam
5. None
6. Others

Eastern Orthodox Christianity is the most practiced religion in North Macedonia. Muslims make up a large part of the population. Most Muslims are Albanians, Turks, Romani or Bosniaks.

There are churches and mosques in the country. The Orthodox and Islamic religious communities have schools in Skopje.

The Macedonian Orthodox Church has many priests and bishops.

The Macedonian Byzantine Catholic Church has about 11,000 members. The Church uses the Byzantine Rite and is in communion with the Roman and Eastern Catholic Churches.

There is a small Protestant community.

The country's Jewish community has about 200 people today, most of whom live in Skopje.

Main article: Education in North Macedonia

You can study at one of the five state universities: Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, St. Clement of Ohrid University of Bitola, Goce Delčev University of Štip, State University of Tetova and University of Information Science and Technology "St. Paul The Apostle" in Ohrid. There are also private universities.

Culture

Main articles: Culture of North Macedonia, List of Macedonians (ethnic group), and Music of North Macedonia

North Macedonia has a rich history in art, architecture, poetry, and music. The country has many old religious sites that are protected. Every year, it holds festivals for poetry, cinema, and music. Macedonian music grew from the influence of Byzantine church music. The country has many old Byzantine fresco paintings from between the 11th and 16th centuries. These paintings are in good condition and show the skill of Macedonian artists.

Important cultural events include the Ohrid Summer Festival of classical music and drama, the Struga Poetry Evenings, which brings together poets from many countries, and film festivals in Bitola and Skopje. The National Opera opened in 1947 and holds May Opera Evenings in Skopje each year.

Media

Main article: Mass media in North Macedonia

The oldest newspaper in the country is Nova Makedonija, starting in 1944. Other well-known newspapers and magazines include Utrinski vesnik, Dnevnik, Vest, Fokus, Večer, Tea Moderna, Makedonsko Sonce, and Koha. The public channel is Macedonian Radio Television, founded in 1993. TEKO TV from Štip was the first private television channel, starting in 1989. Other popular private channels are Sitel, Kanal 5, Telma, Alfa TV, and Alsat-M.

Cinema

Main article: Cinema of North Macedonia

Making films in North Macedonia goes back over 110 years. The first film made in the country was created in 1895 by Janaki and Milton Manaki in Bitola. Over the years, films have shown the history, culture, and everyday life of the Macedonian people. Many Macedonian films have been shown at festivals around the world and have won important awards. The first Macedonian feature film was Frosina, released in 1952. The first colour feature film was Miss Stone, released in 1958. The highest-grossing film was Bal-Can-Can. In 1994, the film Before the Rain was nominated for an Academy Award. In 2020, the documentary Honeyland was also nominated for Academy Awards.

Cuisine

Main article: Macedonian cuisine

Macedonian food comes from the Balkans and includes influences from Mediterranean, Middle Eastern (Ottoman), Italian, German, and Hungarian cuisines. The warm climate helps grow many vegetables, herbs, and fruits.

Macedonian food includes many dairy products, wines, and local drinks like rakija. Tavče gravče is the national dish, and mastika is the national drink. Other popular foods are Šopska salad, ajvar, stuffed peppers, and pastrmajlija.

Sport

Football, handball, and basketball are the most popular sports in North Macedonia. The national football team plays at Toše Proeski Arena. In 2020, the team qualified for UEFA Euro 2020, their first major tournament.

Handball is also important. Macedonian clubs have won European competitions. The women’s national team hosted the European Women’s Handball Championship in 2008.

The national basketball team has played in several EuroBaskets. North Macedonia also has winter sports and takes part in the Olympic Games.

Public holidays

Main article: Public holidays in North Macedonia

The main public holidays in North Macedonia are:

There are also several important religious and minority holidays.

Symbols

See also: List of flags of North Macedonia and National symbols of North Macedonia

• Sun: The flag of North Macedonia, adopted in 1995, shows a yellow sun with eight rays on a red background.
• Coat of arms: After independence in 1991, North Macedonia kept the coat of arms from 1946. It includes wheat, tobacco, poppy, mountains, rivers, lakes, and the sun, showing the country’s richness and freedom.

International rankings