GENERAL INFORMATION

• Total (land) area 25713 km2
• Population (last census 2004) 2,071,210
• Length of Coastline (mainline) 766 km

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE:

Macedonian, written in Cyrillic alphabet

RELIGION

Religion: the majority of inhabitants are Orthodox, followed by members of the Muslims, Catholics and Protestants

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

English, German, France and Albanian are the most common foreign languages spoken in the tourist resorts.

TIME ZONE

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Saturday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

POLITICS

• Macedonia has democratic political system with multiple political parties.
• President: Branko Crvenkovski, from May 2004, elected on a 4-years term
• Prime Minister: Nikola Gruevski
• President of Parliament: Ljubisa Georgievski
• Parliament members 120

SOCIAL CONVENTIONS

People normally shake hands upon meeting and leaving. Smoking is generally acceptable but there are restrictions in public buildings, restaurants and on public transport.

ELECTRICITY

220 volts, 50Hz

Plugs have two round pins or three round pins for appliances that need to be earthed. If you need adapters or transformers (for USA equipment check things like notebooks or electric razors if they have a switch), inquire in bigger shops with electric supplies or in supermarkets.