Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of (in Macedonian, Makedonija), or FYROM, landlocked republic in south-eastern Europe, in the Balkan Peninsula. A former constituent republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), it is bordered on the north by Serbia, on the east by Bulgaria, on the south by Greece, and on the west by Albania. After declaring its independence from the SFRY, following a referendum in September 1991, the republic became involved in a dispute with Greece over its official name. In April 1993, following international arbitration, the UN admitted the republic under the compromise name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, pending a settlement with Greece on the issue. The FYROM has a total area of 25,713 sq km (9,928 sq mi). Skopje is its capital and largest city.
Full country name: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Area: 25,333 sq km
Population: 2.06 million
Capital City: Skopje
People: Macedonian 66%, Albanian 23%, Turkish 4%, Gypsies 3%, Serb 2%
Language: Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish, Bosnian
Religion: Eastern Orthodox 67%, Muslim 30%
Government: parliamentary democracy
Head of State: President Branko Crvenkovski
Head of Government: Prime Minister Hari Kostov
GDP: US$10.57 billion
GDP per capita: US$5,100
Annual Growth: 4.5%
Inflation: 3%
Major Industries: Coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel, textiles, wood products, tobacco, rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, millet, cotton, sesame, mulberry leaves, citrus, vegetables, beef, poultry, mutton
Major Trading Partners: Bulgaria, other former Yugoslav republics, Germany, Italy, Austria
Member of EU: No
Macedonia Introduction
