From Wikitravel

The Republic of Macedonia also known as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), is a landlocked country in the Balkans, in Mediterranean Europe. It is bordered by Serbia and Kosovo to the north, Albania to the west, Bulgaria to the east, and Greece to the south. The country is usually called simply Macedonia, despite the disambiguation concerns of the neighboring Greeks in Macedonia (Greece) and the official name the country has under UN. The country controls a major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to the Aegean Sea and Southern Europe. While easily accessible from all points abroad, and boasting all the amenities of the Western world, Macedonia remains one of Europe’s last great undiscovered countries: a natural paradise of mountains, lakes and rivers, where life moves to a different rhythm, amidst the sprawling grandeur of rich historical ruins and idyllic villages that have remained practically unchanged for centuries. The majority population is slavic and orthodox but there is also a significant Albanian Muslim minority. Therefore, one can expect a wonderful mix of architectural and ethnic hertitage. The country represents the Balkans in the truest sense, consisting of a facscinating mix of slavic, albanian, turkish, and mediterranean influences.

[edit] Regions

[edit] Administrative divisions

Since 2004 Republic of Macedonia is divided into 84 municipalities, out of which 33 have seats in towns or cities, 41 have seats in villages, and 10 make up the capital city of Skopje.

Republic of Macedonia has such a large number of municipalities in such a small country to accommodate its ethnic minorities. The law says that if 20% or over of the population of a municipality is of a certain minority, the language of that minority is co-official in that municipality along with Macedonian. If some small municipalities were incorporated into the large ones, most minorities would lose the right to have schools, signs, etc. in their native language, and could not use it in their administrations and official documents. It also gives small communities control over their administrative budgets, empowering them to invest money in their local infrastructure which, if they were incorporated into a bigger municipality, would probably be spent elsewhere. Shuto Orizari Municipality (better known as Shutka), which is part of the city of Skopje, is the only place in the world where Gypsy is a co-official language. Gypsies make up 60% of the population in Shutka.

[edit] Cities

• Skopje - the capital of the Republic of Macedonia. It features many historic landmarks and architectural monuments, and a great deal of cultural places of interest.
• Ohrid - a lakeside resort. Sometimes called the jewel in Macedonia's crown.
• Bitola - the second largest city. It boasts an ancient city, Ottoman monuments, a lovely shopping promenade, and turn of the century architecture.
• Dojran - a touristic pearl on Dojran Lake.
• Kruševo - a walk through history.
• Kumanovo - the third largest city. The area boasts many churches, pre-modern settlements, and more.
• Prilep - tobacco fields, medieval monasteries, and strange rocks.
• Štip - a peaceful city in eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia.
• Struga - small town on Ohrid Lake.
• Strumica - a city with fastest growing economy in Macedonia

[edit] Other destinations

• Brajčino - a relaxing village in the mountains of southwest pert of the Republic of Macedonia, near Prespa Lake
• Demir Kapija - A small town in Eastern Macedonia, on the way to Greece. The Royal winery and other historical sites are here.
• Stobi - a large ancient Greek Macedonian city. It includes ancient basilicas, buildings, streets, palaces, and much more
• Elšani - a beautiful village on Ohrid Lake.
• Mavrovo National Park - the largest national park in the Republic of Macedonia
• Pelister National Park
• Galičica National Park

[edit] Understand

Republic of Macedonia is a country with many ethnic minorities. There is still some ethnic tension between Albanians and Macedonians, so maybe this is a subject best avoided. The population of Tetovo, one of the Republic's largest cities, is about 70% ethnic Albanian. Many Macedonians advise travelers to avoid Tetovo, but the brave traveler will be rewarded with local hospitality and beautiful scenery.

[edit] Money

Tipping is not seen as essential, but it is always welcomed. It is not recommended to tip over 10%, as this is seen as being patronizing and offensive.

Many Macedonians quote prices in €. One Euro roughly equates to 61.5 Denars, one U.S. Dollar equates to 39 Denars, and one British Pound equates to roughly 77 Denars. 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.

[edit] Climate

Republic of Macedonia has warm, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall.

[edit] Terrain

Republic of Macedonia is covered by mountainous territory marked by deep basins and valleys. There are three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line, and the country bisected by the Vardar River.

Republic of Macedonia is blessed with outstanding natural beauty. Do not miss a trip to one of the large lakes, Pelister Mountains, Shar Planina in the West, and the fascinating rolling hills and mountains of the East with its rice fields.

[edit] History

The country is dotted with beautiful Orthodox churches, monasteries, and Ottoman mosques (most notably in Skopje's Bit Bazaar district).

Republic of Macedonia has been part of many countries, but until its incorporation into Yugoslavia by Tito in 1948 it was never acknowledged as an administrative "state." Serbian-Macedonia prospered under Tito's rule, especially when the capital Skopje was rebuilt after a severe earthquake in 1963 and the Yugoslav government invested heavily in the subsequent infrastructure rebuilding. This may explain why many Macedonians are somewhat nostalgic for Tito's Yugoslavia—one can even see road signs for Veles denoted as Titov Veles.

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 the use of "Macedonia."

Republic's large Albanian minority, an ethnic Albanian armed insurgency in the Republic of Macedonia in 2001, and the status of neighboring Kosovo continue to be sources of ethnic tension.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Republic of Macedonia has two international airports, the main airport in the capital Skopje (SKP) and another in Ohrid (OHD). An option to travel into Republic of Macedonia is to fly to Thessaloniki (SKG) or to Sofia (SOF) and get a taxi or bus from there. However, crossing the border usually takes extra time. A taxi from Sofia to Skopje, arranged through the taxi desk at the airport costs €160 (although you may be able to negotiate with an individual driver for a fare closer to €100).

[edit] By train

Regular train service connects the Republic of Macedonia to Greece in the South and Serbia in the North.

[edit] By car

Be sure your Green Card (International Insurance Card) has an uncanceled "MK" box. Try to get a good map of the Republic of Macedonia and/or try to be able to read Cyrillic letters. Although most street signs are printed in Cyrillic and Latin letters it can be helpful to have a little knowledge of the Cyrillic alphabet, especially in small towns.

[edit] By bus

There are bus connections from Serbia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia and Turkey to Skopje.

In Skopje there are two bus terminals. Most buses come to the new terminal, but some connections (for example to Pristina) are serviced by the old one, which is located at the city center. If you need to change the terminals, you need to walk to the stone bridge over Vardar and cross the bridge (about 2.5 km) or take a taxi.

At both terminals you will be constantly nagged by taxi drivers, who will try to convince you to use their services. Unless you have too much money to throw away, you shouldn't take their advice. The taxi is likely to be heavily overpriced, especially for foreigners, while the buses are cheap, clean and safe.

[edit] By boat

There are plenty of boats for charter around Lake Ohrid and will show you the whole lake for a cheap price.

[edit] Get around

[edit] By Car

If travelling by car, be sure your tires are good enough. Especially in spring and autumn, weather in the mountains (Ohrid, Bitola) can differ significantly from the weather in the area you're coming from.

[edit] By Train

National trains are slow, but they are nonetheless a nice alternative to hot, crowded buses in the summer. The main train line runs from Skopje to Bitola and Skopje to Gevgelia. No trains run to Ohrid.

[edit] By Taxi

Taxis are perhaps the most common mode of transport in Macedonia amongst tourists. Most will usually charge a flat rate of 30 denars with the extra kilometres added on. Be careful when negotiating the price of the fare beforehand. Within city limits, prices over 100 denars are considered expensive even though the amount only converts to a few American dollars. Macedonian urban cities are much smaller in comparison to most western developed countries and would only take approximately 10-15 minutes to travel from one side of the city to the other by car. In Skopje, the capital and largest city, this should work out to an amount of about 80-90 denars.

A general exception to this rule is during peak tourist seasons particularly in the town of Ohrid. The summer months are the most profitable for many small businesses in Ohrid (and for some businesses, the only profitable months) including taxi drivers. For this reason many drivers will charge up to three times the flat rate for the same distance. Most taxis will insist on driving for no less than 100 denars which can be heard as "sto denari" or a "stotka" (slang term for a one hundred denar bill). Generally this is excessive but you can either negotiate the price down to 80 or even 70 denars to be reasonable, else simple bargain hunting is all that is required. During the peak seasons it is possible to find drivers willing to go as low as 40. Never feel pressured to take a taxi that seems overpriced.

[edit] Talk

Languages: Macedonian 66%, Albanian 25%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 2%, other 4%.

While many young people speak English, many do not, so a phrasebook is handy if not necessary. Speakers of Bulgarian, Serbo-Croatian and Slovene should have no problem getting by. Many people can also speak some Russian, as it was taught fairly extensively in school, despite NOT belonging to the Eastern Bloc. German is also very useful, especially among older Albanians, and Dutch might be useful in Ohrid.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Republic of Macedonia is full of markets and bazaars well worth a visit. The bazaars of Skopje, Tetovo, Ohrid and Bitola are the largest selling anything from dried peppers to fake designer sunglasses. While much of the merchandise may not be worth buying, there is normally a good selection of shoes, fruit, and vegetables of good quality, depending on the season. Merchants are generally pleasant and welcoming, especially to westerners, who remain something of a rarity outside of Skopje and Ohrid.

Ohrid is famous for its pearls and there are dozens of jewelers in the old town that will offer good products at decent prices. The Macedonian Orthodox paintings in old Ohrid are also worth a look.

[edit][add listing] Eat

If you are on a tight budget, try one of the Skara (grill) places. There are quite a few up-market restaurants serving better quality food on the waterfront, but these cater to tourists, so don't be surprised by a rather sizeable bill at the end of your meal.

[edit] General

Typical Macedonian food resembles the food of the southern Balkans, meaning loads of grilled meat (known as skara). Side dishes usually have to be ordered separately. The Republic of Macedonia is also famous for its shopska salata a mixed salad of cucumbers, tomatoes, and grated sirenje. Sirenje is a white cheese similar to feta cheese. Usually Macedonians will translate the English cheese to sirenje. Another local speciality is ajvar, a red paste made from roasted peppers and tomatoes, which is either used as an appetizer or side dish. Another typical local dish is tarator which is comparable to the Greek tzatziki. It is made of yogurt, cucumbers, and garlic and it is served as a cold soup.

[edit] Fish

The Republic of Macedonia, being landlocked, does not offer a great variety of fresh fish. A notable exception is Ohrid, where fresh fish from the local lake can be enjoyed. If you have no objections to eating endangered species, the Ohrid trout is a local delicacy.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Rakija is a strong grape brandy that has the best claim to be Republic's national beverage. There are also many breweries which brew surprisingly good-tasting beer. Macedonians boast the second biggest winery in the Balkan area—the Tikveš (Tikvesh) winery in Kavadarci. Red wines are usually better than white ones. Try "T'ga za Jug"—Macedonian favorite red wine made from a local grape variety called Vranec.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Being the national tourist attraction, Ohrid is obviously more expensive than any other destination in the Republic of Macedonia. Note that hotel prices are very expensive throughout the country and charge double rates to foreigners. It is therefore advisable to stay in private accommodation. If someone does not ask you at the bus station, you can always consult one of the many travel agencies in and around the center. If you do opt for private accommodation make sure you see the room first and then decide. Payment is normally made in advance and should cost no more than €10-15 per night per person in peak season and half that during the rest of the year. Note: finding suitable accommodation in July and August is not easy, so try and book through a travel agent in advance.

When visiting Lake Ohrid, staying in nearby Struga as opposed to the more popular Ohrid is a wise alternative for the price and tourist-trap conscious.

[edit] Learn

• Ss. Cyril and Methodius University - the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University was founded in 1949 in Skopje. It consisted of three faculties and today it represents a family of twenty-three faculties, ten institutes and other institutions.
• Goce Delčev University - is one of four state universities in the country. It was created in 2006, located in Štip, East-Central Republic of Macedonia, and commenced with its first class of students October 2007. The first class is planned to number 933 students, more than half of which Computer Science majors.
• St. Clement of Ohrid University - is the second state university in the Republic located mainly in Bitola, but has other institutes in Prilep and Ohrid. It was founded on 25 April 1979, but the name St. Clement of Ohrid was not given until late 1994. The current number of enrolled students exceeds 15,000.
• South East European University - is a university in Tetovo, in the north western part of the Republic of Macedonia. It was founded in October 2001 and is a member of the European University Association. It is a recognised and accredited autonomous higher education institution which was established in 2001 by an agreement between international donors, the government of the Republic of Macedonia and the local academic community.
• State University of Tetovo - is one of the three state universities in the Republic. The university was established in 17 December 1994, however, it was not officially recognized as a state university by the government of the Republic of Macedonia until January 2004.
• University American College Skopje - is an institution for higher education, that combines the best of the American and European educational experience.
• Slavic University - is a university located in Sveti Nikole, in the east central part of the country.

[edit] Work

There isn't much work. The main industry for most people is cafe waiting and taxi cab drivers are plentiful, and for females sewing machine operation is an availability. Even though most people have completed higher school universities, at the least a diploma, jobs are scarce.

[edit] Stay safe

Republic of Macedonia is a safe country. Driving is not ill-advised, but it's recommended for foreigners to try and use taxis and public transport wherever possible. As in all countries, keep an eye out for pickpockets and all valuables safe. Hotels and most private accommodation will offer a safe to store valuables and cash in.

Most people are very friendly and hospitable.

[edit] Stay healthy

Water is safe to drink and there are public drinking water fountains in most public places. It is advisable to wash all fruit and vegetables.

[edit] Respect

It is not advisable to refer to the country as FYROM (fee-ROM) while you are visiting the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Republic of Macedonia is directly transliterated from the Cyrillic as Republika Makedonija, and is pronounced roughly how it would appear to an English speaker: "re-PU-bli-ka mak-e-DON-yʝa".

Touchy topics are Macedonian-Bulgarian, Macedonian-Albanian, and Macedonian-Greek relations. Most Macedonians can hold strong political opinions regarding their neighbours and won't shy away from expressing their views in most cases. Politics often finds its way into conversation over a cup of coffee. To keep from upsetting your hosts or new-found friends avoid topics such as the 2001 war against the KLA, Macedonia's partition during the Balkan wars and Macedonia's pending membership into the European Union or Nato. Don't worry about talking about the Communist period or about Josip Tito; most Macedonians are proud of being part of Yugoslavia, having a leader that defied Stalin's hegemony and are often very nostalgic over it.

With the current situation in Kosovo, be very careful when talking about politics, as there is also a significant Albanian minority here. Ask as many questions as you'd like (within reason), but don't make any statements. Best to keep in mind that roughly one in four people you see on the street are likely to be Albanian and tensions are high between the Macedonian and Albanian communities. In short, keep your political opinions to yourself.

[edit] Contact

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