Republic of Macedonia
The Republic of Macedonia [1] 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 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). The country controls a major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to the Aegean Sea and Southern Europe.
Regions
As river Vardar runs through the middle of Macedonia, traditionally the country is divided to eastern and western Macedonia. While western Macedonia is more mountainous, eastern is more flat with large fields. Even though Macedonians are generally pleasant, friendly and hospitable, what is interesting is that the people in eastern Macedonia are nicer and tend to be more friendly.
Administrative divisions
Since 2004 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.
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 county along with Macedonian. If some small counties 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 county) would probably be spent elsewhere.
Shuto Orizari County (better known as Shutka), which is part of the city of Skopje, is the only municipality in the world where Romany is an official language. Roma (the people known as "gypsies") make up 61.14% of the population in Shutka.
Cities
- Skopje - capital
- Bitola - the second largest city.
- Å tip - largest city in eastern Macedonia with monestaries and much more.
- Krushevo - a walk through history
- Ohrid - a lakeside resort, very popular with Balkan holiday-makers
- Prilep - tobacco fields, medieval monasteries and strange rocks
- Struga - small town on Ohrid lake
- Kavadarci - wine captal of Macedonia, located in Tikveš grape growing region.
- Strumica - Vegetables Capital of Macedonia with the oldest monasteries
- Kriva Palanka
Other destinations
Culture and History
Macedonia is a country with 6 ethnic groups. There is still ethnic tension between Albanians and Macedonians, so maybe this is a subject best avoided. The populuation of Tetovo, one of Macedonia'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.
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.
Most Macedonians quote prices in €. One Euro roughly equates to 62 Denar. Most larger 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.
Climate
Macedonia has warm, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall.
Terrain
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.
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.
History
The area comprising modern day Macedonia has a rich and ancient history. The legendary Kings of Macedon Phillip and Alexander the Great ruled here as did Illyrians, Romans, Slavs and Ottoman Turks, all of which are represented in the country's culture today. Maybe the most significant influence shaping the modern nation was its 500 years Ottoman rule, and the fact that Saints Cyril and Methodus wrote their teachings in the fascinating city of Ohrid. The country is dotted with beautiful Orthodox churches, monasteries, and Ottoman mosques (most notably in Skopje's Bit Bazaar district).
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." 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."
Macedonia's large Albanian minority, an ethnic Albanian armed insurgency in Macedonia in 2001, and the status of neighboring Kosovo continue to be sources of ethnic tension.
Travel to Republic_of_Macedonia, visa requirements
Flights to Republic_of_Macedonia, airtickets
Macedonia has two international airports, the main airport in the capital Skopje (SKP) and a second airport of lesser importance in Ohrid (OHD). An option to travel into 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 should be less than 100 €.
By train
Regular train service connects Macedonia to Greece in the South and Serbia in the North.
By car
Be sure your Green Card (International Insurance Card) has an uncanceled "MK" box. Try to get a good map 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.
Buses to Republic_of_Macedonia
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.
By boat
Get around
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 areas you're coming from.
National trains are slow, but they are nonetheless a nice alternative to hot and crowded buses in the summer. The main train line runs from Skopje to Bitola and Skopje to Gevgelia. No trains run to Ohrid.
Talk
Languages: Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3%.
While many young people speak English, many do not, so a phrasebook is handy if not necessary. Speakers of Bulgarian, Serbian, and Croatian should have no problem getting by. Many older people also speak some Russian. German is also very useful, especially among older Albanians, and Dutch might be useful in Ohrid.
Shopping, Republic_of_Macedonia souvenirs
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.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
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 do cater for tourists and don't be surprised at the rather weighted bill at the end of your meal.
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. 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 paprika 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.
Fish
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 fish the Ohrid trout is local delicacy.
Republic_of_Macedonia nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Rakija is a strong grape brandy that has the best claim to be Macedonia's national beverage. There are also many breweries which brew surprisingly good-tasting beer. Macedonians boast the 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"—Macedonain favorite red wine made from a local grape variety called Vranec.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Being the national tourist attraction, Ohrid is obviously more expensive than any other destination in 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.
Learn
Work
Stay safe
Macedonia is a relatively safe country. Driving is not il-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, but beware of over-friendly taxi drivers and strangers (who may target foreign travelers for scams). There is a sizable Roma minority and children will often come to tables and beg. Ignore them and they will go away. If you are fortunate enough, the gypsies at your table will be part of one of Macedonia's Gypsy Brass Bands, which go from restaurant to restaurant—it is common courtesy to leave these more entertaining gypsies a small tip.
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.
Respect
It is not advisable to refer to the country as FYROM (fee-ROM) while you are visiting there. Macedonia is directly transliterated from the Cyrillic as Makedonia, and is pronounced roughly how it would appear to an English speaker: "mak-e-DON-ya".
Contact
Travel agents:
- ViaMacedonia.blogspot.com, Kire Ignevski, ignevski@msn.com, phone: +38970377925. Contact for trips to, from and in Macedonia.
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